Leica M mount lenses list

After having detailed all the classic brands known by the wider public, I’ve recently decided to also list the “secondary” brands. In fact, I already told you about Leica, listing all the lenses for the L-mount, as Leica, Panasonic and Sigma made an alliance in 2018 to produce lenses on this mount.

On this page, I will talk about a mount as old as the hills (or almost): the Leica M mount, introduced in 1954 by Leica on the Leica M3 body. The M refers to the German “Messsucher“. We find this reference under the term “Rangefinder” in English. The current M mount cameras use what is called a rangefinder system. We are here in a rather particular kind of photography with manual focus. Some appreciate, others don’t!

Here is a summary of Leica cameras using this M mount. I have only listed the most recent ones, but you will find of course old cameras still using this 67 years old mount.

The Leica M10 range

• Leica M10
• Leica M10 Monochrom
• Leica M10-R
• Leica M10-P

Leica M-E – Typ 240

Leica M11

We have just published a new page with all the Leica M-mount cameras (full frame). A good way to learn more!

The tables below can be sorted by simply clicking on the desired column (filter size, focal length, etc.). Some lenses may be missing, please let me know if this is the case.

Below, here are all the brands offering lenses for Leica M mount, including of course Leica, but also third-party brands producing lenses for this mount. Note that all the lenses in the tables are manual focus.

You will find in the table below the list of all (recent) Leica lenses for the Leica M mount. I know that some older ones are missing.

For information, several classic terms, specific to Leica, are given according to the maximum aperture of the lens. So, we generally find:

• Noctilux: maximum aperture at f/1
• Summilux: maximum aperture at f/1.4
• Summicron: maximum aperture at f/2
• Elmarit: maximum aperture at f/2.8
• Elmar: maximum aperture at f/3.5 (but also used for larger apertures)

I decided to split all Leica M lenses into several groups:

• Wide angle/ultra wide angle Leica M lenses
• Standard Leica M lenses
• Telephoto Leica M lenses
• Leica M macros

Voigtländer, like Zeiss, offers a collection of quality lenses with manual focus. We only find prime lenses, from ultra-wide-angle (10mm) to small telephoto (75mm).

Zeiss offers a range of high-quality lenses with manual focus for this Leica M mount. You will find only fixed focal lengths, from the ultra-wide-angle lens (15mm) to the classic 50mm. Prices are high, but still reasonable compared to Leica lenses. I have only listed the “most recent” ones in the table below.

The Chinese brand 7Artisans offers a series of bright lenses for the Leica M mount. Note that the 7artisans Photoelectric 50mm f/1.1 M lens can be an interesting alternative if you are looking for a cheap and bright 50mm.

To my knowledge, Zhong Yi offers only one lens: the 50mm f/0.95, which can also be considered.

There are 5 manual focus lenses available at Kipon, all with fixed f/2.4 aperture.

TTArtisan offers a set of lenses for the Leica M mount. Worth noting is the TTArtisan 50mm f/0.95 Leica M, which is an interesting alternative to the Leica Noctilux M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH (this one being extremely expensive). Of course, we are not in the same category, but for less than 900€, this lens is worth considering if you are looking for a very bright 50mm, perfect for portraiture for example.

Here are, to my knowledge, the few lenses from Venus Laowa available in Leica M mount.

Here I come to the end of this listing of all the lenses available for the Leica M mount. It is still possible that you find some errors or omissions (I’m only human, eh!). So don’t hesitate to let me know in comments if you do. If you see some lenses that should be added in the tables, leave me a message too!

Have a nice day,

Sylvain