Sixty-six millimeters sounds oddly specific until its Cold War brief is considered. The Leica Summicron-M 66 f/2 revives the Elcan 66mm f/2, a high-resolution optic Walter Mandler developed for a classified U.S. Navy contract in the late 1960s.

The new manual-focus M lens retains the unusual middle ground between a standard and portrait focal length. Its six elements in five groups are paired with a nine-blade diaphragm, f/2 maximum aperture, and 1-meter minimum focusing distance. Leica specifies an E49 filter thread, 6-bit coded M bayonet, 60.1mm length, 60mm diameter, and 456-gram weight. The black-anodized barrel is made in Germany.

History survives in less obvious details. The aperture ring rotates opposite the direction of standard M lenses, echoing the original military design, while the “60” barrel engraving records the individually measured 66.0mm focal length. A three-digit edition number appears on the front ring, and each lens includes a certificate of authenticity. Limited production makes this more collectible than the broader run of modern Leica optics, but the distinctive perspective and compact proportions remain usable rather than ceremonial.

Production is limited to 660 pieces worldwide. Leica Camera USA lists the Summicron-M 66 f/2 at $10,900, with purchases limited to one lens per customer.