After the 35mm f/2 “Seven Elements”, Mandler will soon release a new 50mm f/1.4 PRE-ASPH “E46” lens for Leica M-mount based on the legendary Leica SUMMILUX‑M 1:1.4/50 PRE‑ASPH lens designed by Dr. Walter Mandler:
Here are the machine-translated lens details and technical information:
- Modern refinement/recreation of the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 PRE-ASPH E46 (Leica’s final pure-spherical f/1.4 50mm from the 1990s, the last spherical version before the ASPH design).
- Leica M-mount with built-in 6-bit coding; full-frame coverage.
- Optical design: 7 elements in 5 groups, pure spherical double-Gauss structure (no aspherical elements).
- Incorporates ED low-dispersion and HRI high-refractive-index glass for significantly improved chromatic aberration control.
- Claimed strong performance wide open: sharp at f/1.4 with solid edges; central resolution comparable to (or better than) many mainstream aspherical lenses and the original E46.
- Soft, creamy, smooth bokeh with gentle transitions and distinctive 3D subject separation character typical of pure spherical designs.
- Custom (amethyst/gold-style) coatings intended to recreate warm, rich 1990s-era color rendition with a classical oil-painting-like tonal quality.
- Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m (improved from the original E46’s 0.7 m), with relatively short focus throw.
- Built-in/integrated retractable lens hood.
- 12 aperture blades; aperture range f/1.4–f/16.
- Filter size: 46 mm (E46).
- Compact size: approximately 34 mm long × 52 mm diameter.
- Two versions:
- Black: High-strength aluminum alloy body (lighter, ~150 g, anodized finish).
- Silver: Pure copper body with chrome plating (heavier/more solid feel, ~200 g).
- Internal core structural parts made of solid brass in both versions.
- Launch pricing: Black 1,888 RMB ($280); Silver 2,688 RMB ($400):
Additional pictures of the Mandler 50mm f/1.4 E46 PRE-ASPH lens:
“In the world of Leica’s 50mm lenses, one optic has been the subject of conversation for more than half a century—the SUMMILUX‑M 1:1.4/50 PRE‑ASPH.
Back in the 1960s, when computers had yet to enter the realm of optical design and aspherical elements were still a rarity, a lens was born purely from the designer’s hand calculations and a deep, intuitive feel for glass. Such was the genesis of the Summilux‑M 1:1.4/50 E43.
As the gears of time turned into the 1990s, computer technology had become ubiquitous in optical design, and multi‑coating techniques had matured considerably. Through optimisation and refinement of the E43, Leica delivered its ultimate spherical answer to the standard 50mm Summilux: the 1:1.4/50 E46.
It carried forward the classic optical framework of the E43, yet introduced numerous thoughtful enhancements. In many ways, it struck a perfect equilibrium between sheer optical quality and distinctive character—achieving near‑aspherical resolution with a spherical construction, while retaining the uniquely alluring bokeh that spherical lenses are celebrated for.
To bring this legacy back to the hands of today’s photographers, we have meticulously refined it through four optical revisions and five rounds of prototyping, polishing every element until it sang.
Previous coverage of the Mandler 50mm f/1.4 E46 PRE-ASPH:
Mandler to release a new 50mm f/1.4 PRE-ASPH “E46” lens for Leica M-mount
