Introduced in 1973 (circa 1973-79) as the standard lens for the Leica CL this lens works perfectly on other "M" bodies but only if distance from the film plane is measured physically and the rangefinder is ignored as the rangefinder effective coupling cam pitch to match the CL (as well as the CLE) is substantially different from that which matches other "M" bodies.

The optical design formulation, which works particularly well for this focal length, is a classic highly symmetrical double Gaussian with front and rear singlets and cemented doublet pairs on either side of the optical center. Central apparent sharpness is amazing for a lens of this era and according to Erwin Puts: "...At full aperture the overall contrast is medium to high and fine detail is rendered with clean edges...."

Weighing just under 4 1/2 oz and protruding less than an inch from the camera body on which it is mounted, the lens nicely achieves the design objectives of being light and compact.

Original Leica catalog number 11541