A Legacy of Storytelling

For over 100 years Leica photography lenses have taught the world how to see itself. Most of the iconic images of the 20th century were captured on Leica cameras with Leica lenses and for decades filmmakers have dreamed of bringing Leica’s M lenses into the world of cinematography. For the first time that dream has become a reality with the Leitz M 0.8 lenses.

The invention of Leica’s first camera pioneered personal photography by putting a small, powerful camera in the palm of the hand. Shots that were unimaginable with larger box cameras became possible and storytelling evolved. The Leitz M 0.8 lenses offer cinematographers that same revelatory opportunity: tiny, powerful, full frame lenses that can fit into the smallest corners and get up close to create intimate and unique frames that enable new stories to be told in new ways.

Analog Emotion

While their small size is remarkable, it’s the look of the Leitz M 0.8 that most sets them apart from other lenses. Originally designed for analog rangefinder cameras, their look sits somewhere between vintage and modern. Their classic field curvature pulls the image toward the viewer without feeling rigid or forced. The viewer's eye naturally gravitates toward the center with a pop of focus, especially wide open where details remain clear and sharp but with a subtle glow. The surrealist bokeh blends the structure of out of focus features in a textured way that creates separation without feeling like a flat backdrop.

Leica lenses carry a history going back to hand-designed and hand-polished optics over a century ago. The lineage of revolutionary design ideas is in the DNA of every modern Leica lens. While developments in coatings have contributed to their excellent, bright light transfer and controllable flaring, it’s their heritage that determines how they render light, give depth and clarity to skin tones, shape highlights, and roll out of focus with a beautiful gracefulness.

Set for Success

Leitz selected 8 lenses for this series, choosing the fastest in each focal length at the time. They include: 21mm f/1.4, 24mm f/1.4, 28mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.4 and f/0.95 Noctilux, 75 mm f/2.0 and 90 mm f/2.0. With the goal of keeping the lenses as small as possible, they have not been rehoused, but have been built with stepless gear rings for focus and iris with the proper 0.8m pitch for cinematography accessories. Additionally, removable 80 mm front hoods are included for consistent mattebox use and faster lens changes. The M 0.8 lenses are assembled on the Leica M lens production line using the best components available. Each piece of glass is hand-selected and undergoes 3-4 times as much cleaning as traditional M lenses to assure performance.

The Leitz M 0.8 lenses maintain the Leica M mount. Professional mounts are available from Leitz for Sony VENICE and BURANO and ARRI Alexa series cameras. Many 3rd party mounts exist for use with RED’s RF mount cameras, Sony E mount cameras and L mount cameras from Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma.

New Life for M 0.8 Lenses

Leitz HUGO series lenses use the same glass as M 0.8 lenses, but in a professional cine housing. The HUGO series includes all the focal lengths in the M 0.8 series, and more! M 0.8 owners can now upgrade their full set of M 0.8 lenses at the factory, a process which ensures they will have access to spare parts and support in the future. To learn more information about upgrading your lenses, contact cc(at)leitz-cine.com, or use our online service order request form.

After many years of success the production of the M 0.8 lenses is ending and new lens sets will no longer be available for purchase. Leitz will continue to support the existing M 0.8 owners and rental market with parts and service. While the lenses are no longer being produced, we expect them to continue working on countless features, series and commercials for many, many years through our worldwide network of owners and rental companies.