It's Josh's favorite vintage lens! The Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 V3 is a fantastic hybrid of classic and modern. Its optical design is shared with its predecessor, which was designed in the early 1960s, meaning it has an absolutely beautiful vintage rendering and bokeh. However, the barrel design and construction is similar to modern lenses, meaning it feels and handles like a current M lens but renders like a vintage lens.

The third version of the Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 had a relatively short production run from 1992-2005 and has proven to be a rare find on the market today. It has a few key features that make it a more usable and desirable lens than its predecessor:

1. A minimum focus distance of 0.7 meters, compared to 1 meter on the version 2.
2. An E46 filter thread, compared to E43 on the version 2.
3. An integrated, slide-out lens shade, compared to the large, clip-on shade of the version 2.
4. The ability to accept 6-bit coding, for easy use on a digital Leica camera.

This "titanium" version features a brass lens barrel finished in Leica's titanium paint color, accented by white and red lettering & numbering. Weight is 370 grams.

This particular copy was given a full service overhaul at Leica Customer Care in Wetzlar, Germany, is now 6-bit coded, and includes a one-year Leica warranty. 

Cosmetically, the lens in excellent condition, with a few marks on the lens barrel from normal use. The glass is perfect with no dust, haze, or scratches.

Included is the lens itself, rear lens cap, front lens cap, Leica leather lens case, and Leica Customer Care documentation.

You can learn more about this version from our recent episode of Red Dot Forum Camera Talk: The Leica 50mm Summilux-M Lens Episode