Leica claims to have the world's fastest aspherical lens

Introducing the Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH

16 September 2008 10:15 GMT / By Katie Scott

Leica has made lots of announcements beating the Photokina news rush including an update of the M8 rangefinder, and two new digital compacts.

But here's another high-end announcement - the £6290 Summilux-M 50 mm f /1.4 ASPH lens.

This lens delivers a wide maximum aperture for a shallow depth of field, but is also claimed to be no less than the world’s fastest asphercial lens.

Available in February 2009, the lens is also claimed to beat the competition in correcting vignetting and distortion.

Leica claims that this lens even "performs comparably" with the Summilux-M 50 mm f / 1.4 ASPH (which is modestly says is regarded as the best standard lens ever produced).

The lens manufacturer also claims that this lens is faster than the human eye.

It is hand assembled in Solms Germany, and designed to last for decades.