Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm F2 ASPH lens announced
Leica has announced the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm F2 ASPH lens, an L-mount lens that’s not only compatible with the Leica SL currently but as a part of the L-Mount alliance, the lens is compatible with the Lumix S1 series made by Panasonic as well as the Sigma fp.
The lens features 12 elements with three aspherical surfaces and an unknown number of elements – Leica claim as the ‘majority’ – being made of anomalous partial dispersion glass for apochromatic correction.
As with other lenses in the Summicron-SL series, the 50mm F2 ASPH features a Dual Syncro Drive (DSD) stepping motor for fast autofocus, which allows for the lens to be driven over its entire focus throw in just 250 milliseconds, Leica claim. The series also adopts a new manual focusing construction based on the rotational speed and position of the magnet embedded in the focusing collar that promises faster and more precise manual focusing.
Leica has, interestingly, made it clear the new APO 50mm F2 ASPH has been designed ‘in-house’, as are all the others for the SL but you have to wonder where they’re made. Final assembly is in Germany but the machining of the metal work and polishing of lenses is likely to be where it’s said the M lenses are made…
The new APO-Summicron-SL 50mm F2 ASPH lens is available now at the Leica Store Mayfair, London and online at leicastore-uk.co.uk for £3750 inc VAT.
Preorder
| Press Information | |
| Leica is expanding their SL lens portfolio with the APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH.: a versatile, standard focal length lens for the Leica SL and other L-Mount systems | |
| London, 15 August 2019. Leica Camera is expanding their Summicron-SL lens family with the addition of another high-performance lens: the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. As with the other APO-Summicron-SL-Lenses, the APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. captures superior images with speed and reliability, thanks to its robust construction. Its focal length makes the new SL-Lens extremely versatile for any set up such as reportage, travel photography, studio work, architecture, landscape, portrait, close-up or documentary photography. Thanks to the L-Mount, the APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH is fully compatible with cameras manufactured by other partners of the L-Mount Alliance.
The APO-Summicron-SL-Lenses have been designed completely in-house specifically for the mirrorless SL-System. That means that the optical and sensor design, as well as the imaging process match perfectly to achieve the highest quality. Thanks to their shallow depth of field and exceptional imaging performance, every single lens guarantees the special look for which Leica photography is renowned. The precision autofocus drive of all Summicron-SL lenses employs extremely powerful and robust stepping motors with DSD® (Dual Syncro Drive™), which can focus from infinity to the closest focusing distance with exceptional speed. Leica Camera also takes an innovative approach in the case of manual focusing technology: Summicron-SL lenses feature a totally new manual focusing ring construction concept. A ring magnet with alternating north-south polarisation is embedded in the manual focusing ring; the magnetic field changes its polarity when the ring is turned; a sensor monitors the status of the magnetic field and sends the data to the main processor. The drive then shifts the lens to the corresponding focusing position based on the angle of rotation and the rotational speed – this in turn enables even faster and more precise manual focusing. Both the construction and the design of the cutting-edge Summicron-SL line represent another step forward in the development of lenses for the Leica SL-System. New, extremely precise manufacturing methods and measuring technologies have been developed especially for the production of these lenses. The results of this are reflected not only in the more compact dimensions and considerably lower weight of the lenses, but also in their excellent imaging performance. In the construction of the APO-Summicron-SL lenses, particular attention has been paid to the prevention of stray light and reflections. Together with an optimisation of the optical and mechanical design, the application of high-quality coating to lens surfaces reduces unavoidable reflections to an absolute minimum. Thanks to effective sealing against dust, moisture and water spray, and Aquadura coating of the exposed lens surfaces, the lenses can be used without a second thought in almost any weather conditions. The APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH is on sale now at Leica Store Mayfair, Leica Store City, Leica Store Harrods, authorised dealers and online at leicastore-uk.co.uk RRP: £3,750 |
|
|
|
|
Technical data:
| Lens | APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. |
| Angle of view
(diagonal, horizontal, vertical) |
47.2° / 40.0° / 27.3° |
| Optical design | |
| Number of elements/groups | 12/10 |
| Number of aspherical elements | 3 |
| Position of entrance pupil in front of the bayonet flange | 63.2 mm |
| Focusing | |
| Working range | 0.35 m to infinity |
| Smallest object field | 120 × 180 mm |
| Largest reproduction ratio | 1:5 |
| Aperture | |
| Settings/functions | Electronically controlled iris, setting with the camera setting dial, half- or one-third stop settings possible |
| Aperture setting range | 2 – 22 |
| Smallest aperture | 22 |
| Bayonet/sensor format | Leica L-bayonet, full-frame 35 mm format |
| Filter thread | E67 |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Length to bayonet flange | 102 mm |
| Largest diameter | 73 mm |
| Weight | 740 g |
You must be logged in to post a comment.