This reinterpretation of the historic spy lens extends the Leica Classic Line by adding the unique 66 mm focal length

Dr Walter Mandler developed the Elcan 66 mm f/2 at Ernst Leitz Canada in the late 1960s. Designed for use by the US Navy, only around 200 units were produced. This makes the lens one of the rarest in the Leica M-System, giving it special optical and historical significance. To honour this lens, Leica Camera AG is presenting a reinterpretation of it by expanding its Classic Line with the new Summicron-M 66 f/2.

Dr Mandler was already regarded as a leading authority in optical design back then. He developed a bespoke lens for covert reconnaissance photography in response to a US Navy commission. According to Dr Mandler, Head of Development and Vice-President of Ernst Leitz (Canada) Ltd. in Midland, Ontario, at the time: “The Naval Intelligence Service wanted a lens that looked like any other but delivered an unparalleled level of resolution.” The unusual focal length of 66 mm was no coincidence, but rather the result of striking a precise balance between maximum resolution, fine contrast rendition and a compact design. This extraordinary, rare spy lens, with a purely military history, embodies one of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the Leica M. 

Historical accounts also suggest that equipment of this type found use beyond its original US Navy commission, among Western allied partners during the Cold War. Many Elcan 66 mm f/2 lenses are also associated with the Leica KE-7A, the special military variant of the Leica M4. Together, camera and lens formed compact sets for discreet photography in situations where exceptional detail was essential. 

The original sets were supplied with an instruction manual that explained how to destroy the camera and lens in the event of capture. Striking in retrospect, this detail reflects the sensitivity of the assignments for which the equipment was created, while the lens itself remains remarkable for the optical performance that made such use possible. 

The new Summicron-M 66 f/2 continues this story and represents the first time that Leica is making this focal length available to all photography enthusiasts. While the optical design  is based on the original, it has been optimised and adapted to meet today’s standards, just like the lens body. As with the Elcan, the Summicron-M 66 f/2 differs mechanically from standard Leica models: its aperture ring rotates in the opposite direction to that of standard M-Lenses, and the distance scale arrangement follows military specifications. The engravings are reminiscent of the original design and have been reinterpreted for the Summicron-M 66 f/2. Thanks to a visibly finer typeface, the new 66 mm focal length stands out from current Leica lenses.