Leica Summicron-SL 35mm ASPH and 50mm Announced:
As some of you already heard, Leica had plans to produce more budget friendly lenses for the SL system. The Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f2 ASPH and Summicron-SL 50mm f2 ASPH lenses have been announced today. These are both also a lot more compact, and lighter than current offerings from Leica. They are available for pre-order below:
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Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f2 ASPH at B&H Photo
Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f2 ASPH at B&H Photo
Here are some of the key features:
- Fast internal focusing with inner direct drive
- Constant wide open aperture of f2.
- Three aspherical elements help to reduce chromatic and spherical aberrations for increased image sharpness and clarity.
- Compact, and lightweight thanks to the lack of OIS.
- Weather-sealed against dust and moisture.
What do all of you think of these lenses? A good idea? It is nice to have more compact and lighter offerings from Leica for the SL system. If any of you are interested, you can find my M and L mount reviews here. Thanks for stopping by!
Honestly I don’t think we need these lenses as that are for sure rebranded Panasonic S 35 1.8 and 50 1.8 lenses in a new metal housing.
As long as they incentivize the release of a smaller SL body, I fully support the idea 😉
haha That’s not a bad idea ;).
Hi Stefan,
It’s great that Leica is attempting to make smaller options but I can also see your point. Thanks for the feedback,
Best,
Patrick
Any guesses on when these will ship? Or does Leica not typically share that? Thanks
Hi Rivki,
Sorry, not really sure. I can’t imagine it being that long though.
Best,
Patrick
These are indeed the same design as the Lumix S F1.8 lenses.
However, the construction of the Leica variants is all metal (aluminium) and that of the Panasonic lenses is TSC (Thermal Stable Composites), which is, by the way, perfectly fine too: Nikon uses it for its S-line and Canon for its L-line. There’s a 100gr difference in weight and when you put them side-by-side it is noticeable. The Leica lens feels more ‘refined’ when you turn the focus ring or put on the lens hood. Next to that it is build at Leica Portugal whereas Lumix S lenses are build in China and Leica has used its own coatings for the elements. I think Leica also uses narrower tolerances when manufacturing the lenses.
Nevertheless, I opted for the Lumix version on my new SL2-S. The price difference is huge. We’re talking €400 for the Lumix and €2000 for the Leica version. You’ll be very hard-pressed to see differences in final images when you compare them side-by-side. At least I was, as a professional photographer. If you really want something better, you have to go APO-Summicron SL, with the accompanying price tag.
The lenses work great on Leica bodies. All menu features apply. Firmware updates are as easy as with Leica SL lenses and the IBIS is working as good. I was told that Lumix lenses with OIS also work together with IBIS in SL2/SL2-S bodies for stills (incl. multishot mode). That opens up the possibility of the Lumix S 24-105. In fact, both Leica and Sigma have no alternative for that lens. For video it seems that a native Panasonic IBIS/OIS combo is still one step ahead of Leica.
Next to this nifty-fifty, Lumix also has an 85mm version (F1.8). It’s almost exactly the same size and weight as the 50mm. The 85mm is an underappreciated gem. It rivals the 85/F1.8 Nikkor Z, which is probably one of the best ever made. Many people think that the F1.4 or F1.2 versions are the best 85mm you can buy. They forget that compared to a F1.8 or F2 version these faster lenses usually need far more in-camera corrections to compensate for vignetting, distortions and Chromatic Aberrations. So, the pure IQ usually isn’t better. Just 1 stop more light and a slightly (almost never used) shallower depth-of-field.
The 18mm and 24mm lenses from Lumix are a bit less. They tend to get ‘soft’ near the corners and edges. Here I’d prefer the Sigma lenses. Either the F1.4-line or the i-Series. I haven’t looked at the Lumix 35/F1.8, but I was told it’s somewhere in the middle. Not as good as the 50 or 85, but better than the 24 and 18. For 35mm however, I’d opt for the Sigma lenses unless I was a videographer. The Lumix S primes have almost no focus breathing, whereas the Sigma lenses tend to have a lot.
Hi Herco,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I agree, I am a big fan of the Panasonic Lumix lenses. I’ve reviewed a couple with one actually being the 85mm f1.8. It’s a fantastic lens. I should really start reviewing more of them, as I have also been a fan of the S5 series cameras.
As you said, the Leica version is more refined etc. However, there is a big price difference. It comes down to each individual and what he or she wants.
Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I hope to hear from you soon. Appreciate you stopping by!
Best,
Patrick