Leitz Cine announced they are finally adding a 40mm T1.5 lens to its Leitz HUGO prime lens series for cinematography. With the addition of this popular focal length, the series now consists of 14 lenses, ranging from 18mm to 135mm.
The Leitz HUGO series has garnered significant attention among cinematographers, as it brings character and softness to digital sensors while avoiding the compromises often associated with older lenses. Many of the HUGO series lenses use the same optical glass as Leica M rangefinder lenses, which draw the eye to the center of the image with gentle field curvature and peripheral light falloff. While there is no current 40mm lens in Leica’s optical lineup, Leica Camera’s designers collaborated to create a lens that is characteristic of the brand.
“The 40mm focal length is a classic focal length in cinematography,” Rainer Hoelscher, Managing Director of Leitz Cine, said. “It has been the most requested focal length since we introduced the HUGO series, and we are pleased to be able to deliver Leitz glass in response to market needs.”
The HUGO series already includes several lenses sure to impress aspiring cinematographers. The 66mm T2.1 lens shares the same design as the legendary Leica ELCAN “spy lens” from the 1960s and 70s, one of the rarest lenses in Leica’s history. The 50mm T1.0 also uses glass from the 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M, one of Leica’s most iconic optics.
The Leitz HUGO 40mm T1.5 lens is expected to ship in Q4 2025 and is already available for pre-order.
