To guarantee this extraordinary imaging performance, the nine elements in six groups that make up its optical design are manufactured from glasses with high anomalous partial dispersion and low chromatic dispersion. Two of the elements are aspherical and reduce other potential aberrations to a hardly detectable minimum. Here, particular emphasis must be placed on the use of a floating element within the complex focusing mechanism, which guarantees a constantly high level of imaging performance throughout the entire focusing range of the lens – from the closest focusing distance to infinity.
In addition to the intuitively located focusing and aperture setting rings typical to Leica, the lens also features an integrated lens hood. This can be extended or retracted by a simple twist action and can be locked in place in its extended position. The lens is supplied complete with a tripod adapter for safe and secure mounting of the lens on a tripod.