Used Leica M lenses

A used Leica M lens often lasts for decades, so in this segment buying used is the rule rather than the exception. Glass hardly wears, and the mechanical construction of M lenses in particular lends itself well to a second (or third) life. It does pay to know what to look out for, though, because you'll find both examples that feel brand new and ones with real signs of use here.

What to look out for when buying used

Check the glass for internal dust, fungus or haze — a little dust is normal and harmless, fungus is not. Turn the focus ring: it should run smoothly and evenly, without jerks or play. With Leica and Zeiss lenses that is usually a delight; older examples may need a service. Also test the aperture ring for clear click stops. All our used lenses are professionally inspected and come with an honest condition description, so you know what you're bringing home.

Who is an M lens for?

These lenses suit photographers who work deliberately and calmly: street, travel and documentary photography, portraits and anything where you want to be in control yourself. Popular models at the moment are the Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron-M, compact and sharp for everyday use, the Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH, a fast all-rounder full of character, and the Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH, ideal for street and travel photography. With an adapter, an M lens works perfectly well on many contemporary mirrorless cameras, so this glass is interesting even if you don't have a Leica body (yet). If you'd like to look more widely within lenses, you'll also find other mounts for mirrorless cameras and DSLRs in our lenses category.

Warranty and returns

Every used example comes with a minimum 12-month warranty and a 14-day right of return. If a lens turns out to be a disappointment on arrival after all, you simply send it back without any fuss. That way you can buy used with complete peace of mind too.