Leitz Cine confirms new 40mm HUGO lens

Leitz Cine has confirmed that it is adding a 40mm T1.5 lens to its Leitz HUGO series of prime lenses for cinematography. 

This focal length brings the set to 14 total lenses ranging from 18mm to 135mm.

The Leitz HUGO series has become popular with cinematographers around the world, as these lenses can provide “a look that brings character and softness to modern digital sensors without the compromises found in older lenses”, Leitz Cine has said.

The glass in most HUGO lenses comes from Leica’s M rangefinder lenses and exhibits a similar gentle field curvature with a falloff toward the corners that attracts the viewer’s attention towards the centre of the image. 

While a 40mm does not exist in current Leica optics, it was created with support from Leica Camera’s designers to ensure on-brand performance. 

Rainer Hercher, managing director of Leitz Cine, said: “The 40mm is a classic focal length in cinematography.

“As soon as we released the HUGOs it was the most requested focal length to add, and we are happy to fulfil this need in the market for more Leitz glass.”

The lenses in the HUGO series offer “a few surprises for intrepid cinematographers”, Leitz Cine added, including the 66mm T2.1 and the 50mm T1.0. 

The 66mm uses the same design as the Leica ELCAN “Spy Lens” from the 1960s and ‘70s, one of the rarest lenses ever produced by Leica. 

The 50mm uses the glass of Leica’s 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M, a popular lens in the Leica Camera’s optics range. 

The Leitz HUGO 40mm lens is scheduled to be delivered in Q4 of 2025, with preorders open now.