Question 1

Why is the Leica 35mm Summicron Type IV called the 'King of Bokeh'?

Accepted Answer

The nickname 'King of Bokeh' was given by photographers and fotografen, not by Leica themselves. It refers to the Type IV's unusually smooth, painterly out-of-focus rendering compared to other 35mm lenses at f/2. What makes it interesting is the combination: the centre is sharp even wide open, while the background transitions gradually rather than abruptly — a quality that portrait and street photographers find very flattering.

Question 2

What is the difference between the Leica 35mm Summicron v4 and the ASPH (v5)?

Accepted Answer

The Type IV (v4, part number 11310) uses an older optical formula that many shooters describe as warmer and more characterful, with slightly more focus falloff and a softer bokeh transition. The ASPH version (v5) is optically corrected for better sharpness corner-to-corner and reduced aberrations, giving a more clinical, modern look. Photographers who shoot film or prioritise a 'classic' rendering often prefer the v4; those shooting digital and wanting maximum technical performance often lean toward the ASPH.

Question 3

What does the Leica 35mm Summicron v4 weigh?

Accepted Answer

The Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M Type IV weighs 252g and measures 35.7mm in length. That makes it one of the most compact 35mm lenses ever produced for the Leica M bayonet mount — easy to carry all day without fatigue.

Question 4

What is the difference between the Leica Summicron and the Summilux?

Accepted Answer

The Summicron designation indicates a maximum aperture of f/2, while Summilux lenses open to f/1.4. In terms of rendering, the Summicron 35mm v4 tends to show slightly more contrast and more saturated colors compared to the Summilux at equivalent apertures. The Summilux offers more background separation and low-light capability, but comes in a larger, heavier body. For everyday and travel use, many photographers prefer the Summicron's balance of size, sharpness and color fidelity.

Question 5

Is the Leica 35mm Summicron v4 sharp wide open at f/2?

Accepted Answer

Yes — one of the defining traits of the Type IV is that it renders sharply at the centre even at f/2. This sets it apart from some other lenses with prominent 'King of Bokeh' character that sacrifice centre sharpness for soft rendering. You get usable, punchy centre sharpness from the first frame, with corners tightening up as you stop down.

Question 6

How does the Leica 35mm Summicron v4 compare to the Voigtlander 35mm options?

Accepted Answer

Voigtlander makes several M-mount 35mm lenses that are optically strong and significantly more affordable than Leica glass. For pure technical resolution, some Voigtlander models are competitive. Where the Summicron v4 differs is in rendering character — the color saturation, the bokeh transition and the tactile feel of the focus ring are things many shooters find difficult to replicate. If you're testing the M system for the first time, Voigtlander is a sensible starting point; if you're committed to the Leica M experience, the Summicron v4 is hard to replace.

Question 7

What is the Leica 11310 part number?

Accepted Answer

Leica 11310 is the official part number for the Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M Type IV in black finish. The silver chrome version carries the part number 11311. Both are optically identical — the difference is purely cosmetic. Knowing the part number helps when verifying authenticity of a second-hand copy or matching the lens to the correct accessories.

Question 8

Does the Leica 35mm Summicron v4 work on digital Leica M bodies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Leica M bayonet mount is consistent across film and digital bodies, so the Type IV fits and focuses on every current Leica M digital camera including the M10, M10-R, M10 Monochrom, M11 and M11 Monochrom. 6-bit coding is not present on the v4 (it predates that standard), so you may need to manually select the lens profile in the camera menu for accurate exposure and profile corrections — a quick one-time setup.

Question 9

Is the Leica 35mm Summicron v3 or v4 better?

Accepted Answer

The v3 (seven elements, 'Canada' production era) and v4 are closely related but the v4 is generally considered more consistent in quality control and slightly more compact. The v4 is the most produced and most readily available of the pre-ASPH versions, which also means more used copies exist for inspection. Both share a similar rendering character; the v4 is typically the easier choice for a used purchase because documentation, serial number ranges and parts support are better established.

Question 10

Is buying a used Leica Summicron 35mm a good idea?

Accepted Answer

It's one of the better used-lens purchases in the M system. Leica M lenses are all-metal, built without electronic components, and their optical formula doesn't change over time. A well-kept copy purchased second-hand performs identically to a new one. The key checks are: clean elements (no haze or fungus), smooth aperture blades (no oil), and a focus ring that moves with consistent resistance. On Camera-tweedehands.nl every used lens is professionally inspected and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty, which takes the guesswork out of the process.

Question 11

What focal length is 35mm on a Leica M camera?

Accepted Answer

Leica M cameras all use full-frame sensors or full-frame film, so there is no crop factor to account for. A 35mm lens on any Leica M body gives a true 35mm field of view — roughly 63 degrees diagonal. That's a classic street and reportage angle: wide enough to show environment, tight enough to isolate a subject with some background separation at f/2.

Mount	Leica M
Focal range	Standard
Prime / Zoom	Prime
Focal length (min)	35 mm
Focal length (max)	35 mm

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Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M [11310]

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About the Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M [11310]

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