The Heliar Classic 50mm F1.5 VM is a deliberate counterpart to today’s high-performance lenses. It is designed in such a way that, with the aperture open, it shows a shaping-classical image through an intentionally left aberration.

The lens configuration consists of six lenses in three groups and interprets the original heliar type. Especially at f1.5, the bokeh shows unique spherical and comatic aberrations at the edges of the image which are difficult to recreate in post processing. This effect diminishes with increasingly smaller apertures and from aperture F4 the Heliar behaves largely distortion-neutral. The overall effect of the picture can be described as picturesque and velvety.

This deliberately created image representation gives you an extremely wide range of creative scope and the absence of a multi-coating also ensures atmospheric results, especially in backlight situations (the lens has a single coating).

The lens barrel is made of aluminum, the focusing ring is made of brass and, like the aperture ring, has a fine diamond pattern. An absolute eye-catcher!

The close-up limit is 50 cm, a high-precision rangefinder coupling is available and a lens hood is also included. 

The Heliar Classic 50mm F1.5 VM is a real creative tool and was developed exclusively for the Leica M mount*. It confidently stands by its “imaging errors” and delivers a unique look.

It is particularly interesting for photographers and artists who work away from perfectionism and the mainstream and who appreciate a warm, soft and analog image effect.

*Using an adapter, it can of course also be used on Sony E-mount cameras, Fujifilm X-mount cameras and Nikon Z-mount cameras.

Bayonet type hood (included)

The lens hood is included.

Manual focus for reliable focusing

Employs a very precisely machined and adjusted all metal helicoid unit lubricated with high quality grease to realize smooth focusing operation with just the right amount of torque. This enables very precise focusing.

Bayonet type VM mount

Uses the VM-mount lens mount compatible with Leica M-mount. Not only can this lens be used on rangefinder-coupled cameras, but design-wise it also balances very nicely when mounted on mirrorless digital cameras with a mount adapter.

Installed with a focus-coupling system

The high-precision rangefinder coupling mechanism enables precise focusing in focus critical situations such as when shooting at or close to maximum aperture.

Imaging circle that covers full frame format

The lens features a generous imaging circle that covers the 35 mm full frame format. Furthermore, its size is extremely compact compared to interchangeable lenses for single-lens reflex cameras.