The Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 rises from the ashes, as Leica recreates its old spy lens – but only 660 will be made

Leica has resurrected a rare lens from its military archives, reintroducing the Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 to the M-mount series. This unique 66mm lens is a modern interpretation of the original Elcan 66mm f/2, developed by Ernst Leitz Canada for the US Navy during the 1960s. Only a handful of original Elcan lenses are believed to have been produced, making them extremely rare within the Leica M-System.

Designed by Dr Walter Mandler, the lens was created to meet the needs of covert reconnaissance photography, offering exceptional resolution and fine contrast in a discreet form factor. The 66mm focal length was specifically chosen to balance these factors while being compact enough for discreet use. The Elcan 66mm f/2 found use beyond its initial commission by Western allies and was often paired with the Leica KE-7A, a military version of the Leica M4.

To reflect its history, the new Summicron-M 66 f/2 includes several distinctive features, such as an aperture ring that turns in the opposite direction, a military-style distance scale, and engravings inspired by the original Elcan. The lens features a distinctive aperture ring, a military-style distance scale, and engravings that pay homage to its historical roots.

With only 660 units to be produced, the Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 will be priced at £8,410 / €9,850 and released to the public on September 3, 2026.