Leica Summicron
The Lens of New Beginnings
The first major photographic innovation following the war came with the Summicron lens – crafted from pioneering lanthanum crown glass, notable for being manufactured without radioactive thorium. It set new standards for sharpness, contrast and clarity and went on to become the defining lens of the ensuing decades.
Son of Innovation, Father of M
Following Oskar Barnack’s passing, Wilhelm “Willi” Stein was named Head of Photographic Design. With an emphasis on precision, simplicity and ergonomics, Barnack’s successor also played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of modern camera design. His commitment to technical innovation and distinct focus on user-friendliness – traits that continue to define Leica today – laid the foundation for the later success of the Leica M series.
With my M, I can enter a scene and leave it again without destroying it.– Matt Stuart, 2024
