Leitz Cine has announced the addition of a new 40mm T1.5 lens to its popular Hugo series of prime lenses, bringing the total number of available focal lengths in the collection to fourteen. The expansion comes in response to overwhelming demand from cinematographers and filmmakers who have been requesting this specific focal length since the Hugo series launched.
The Hugo series is renowned for incorporating optical glass from Leica's M rangefinder lenses, which gives these cinema lenses their distinctive visual characteristics. Most Hugo lenses exhibit the same gentle field curvature and subtle corner fall-off that has made Leica's still photography lenses legendary among professionals and enthusiasts alike. This optical signature provides a unique look that sets the Hugo series apart from other cinema lens offerings in the market.
What makes the new 40mm lens particularly noteworthy is that this focal length doesn't exist in Leica's current optical lineup for still cameras. To create this new addition, Leitz Cine collaborated directly with designers from Leica Camera to develop the optical formula from scratch while maintaining the series' characteristic look and performance standards.
Rainer Hercher, managing director of Leitz Cine, emphasized the significance of this release, stating, "As soon as we released the Hugos, the 40mm was the most requested focal length to add." This strong market demand drove the company's decision to prioritize the development of this particular focal length over other potential additions to the series.
The new Leitz Hugo 40mm T1.5 lens is now available for preorder, with shipping expected to begin in late 2025. Cinematographers and filmmakers interested in following updates about the Hugo series and other Leitz Cine products can connect with the company through their official Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as follow American Cinematographer's social media channels for industry coverage.
