Leica expands SL-System with new lenses
THE NEW SL 50 SUMMILUX F/1.4 IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE ORDER HERE
Four primes and an ultra-wide zoom added to the innovative, mirrorless Leica SL-System
Leica Camera has revealed the forthcoming lens line-up for its innovative Leica SL mirrorless camera system. Within the next 18 months, Leica SL photographers can look forward to the expansion of the SL lens portfolio with the addition of an ultra-wide zoom and four prime lenses, suitable for shooting in an extensive range of photographic situations.
The Leica SL-System, which was successfully launched in October 2015, reinforces Leica Camera’s position as a premium manufacturer of professional tools and services for all genres of photography. Its impressive electronic viewfinder features EyeRes technology, a concept developed by Leica specifically for this camera. With a barely perceptible latency time, an impressive resolution of 4.4 million pixels and magnification comparable to a medium format camera, this electronic viewfinder offers an entirely new visual experience.
Whether shooting still pictures or Cine 4K video, the 24 MP full-frame sensor delivers consistently excellent image quality. Furthermore, the Leica SL has raised the bar with its intuitive handling, as well as its logically positioned, individually-configurable controls and outstanding versatility.
The Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. is the first prime lens for the Leica SL-System and sets a new standard in the market. Its large maximum aperture makes this high-performance lens perfect for shooting in challenging lighting conditions and enables the use of shallow depth of focus as a creative tool. The fast, precise and reliable autofocusing guarantee that photographers can concentrate fully on composition and creativity, rather than searching for optimum sharpness. The imaging performance of the lens fulfils the most stringent standards. In particular, when shooting at maximum aperture, the combination of its resolving power and soft bokeh in unsharp areas clearly isolates subjects from their surroundings. Thanks to uniform contrast rendition throughout the focusing range, this applies at all distance settings.
Furthermore, Leica has employed the latest manufacturing methods, testing technologies and quality assurance controls in the production of its three additional SL prime lenses:
the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH., Leica APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f/2 ASPH. and Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. The outstanding construction and design clearly illustrate the next step in the development of Leica SL-System lenses, resulting in more compact dimensions, significantly lower weight, and exceptional performance that even surpasses that of existing lenses in terms of resolution, colour and contrast rendition – as well as consistent centre-to-edge sharpness at all aperture settings.
A further highlight is the significantly shorter closest focusing distance that allows photographers to get nearer to their subjects. The fast maximum aperture enables use in challenging lighting conditions, delivering perfect imaging performance when shooting wide open. With the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH., Leica APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f/2 ASPH., and Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH., stopping down becomes merely a useful tool for creative photography.
The Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. ultra-wide zoom completes the current range of two zoom lenses, and offers a zoom range ideal for a multitude of genres, from landscape and architectural photography, wedding, event and concert photography, to reportage and documentary. In addition to its high quality and imaging performance, the spray- and dust-sealed construction of this zoom lens make it an ideal companion in unfavourable shooting conditions.
Leica SL-System and TL lenses
The Leica SL and Leica T share the same L-Bayonet, enabling the two systems to use both ranges of lenses without the need for an adapter. As a result, Leica SL owners can benefit from the advantages of the current range of six TL-Lenses: the Summilux-TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH., Leica Vario-Elmar-TL 18–56mm f/3.5–5.6 ASPH., Leica Summicron-TL 23mm f/2 ASPH., Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-TL 11–23mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH., Leica APO-Vario-Elmar-TL 55–135mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH. and the new Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 60 mm f/2.8 ASPH. This once again underlines the company’s fundamental principles of system-compatibility and sustainability, and offers users access to an even more diverse portfolio of Leica products.
A wide range of dedicated Leica Adapters also allows the use of the Leica SL with the company’s S-System medium format lenses, the legacy lenses of the analogue Leica R-System, and the legendary precision lenses within the Leica M rangefinder system. Indeed, the exceptional compatibility of the Leica SL-System grants photographers access to almost all Leica lenses ever made. Further adapters from third party providers also allow a wide range of lenses from other brands to be mounted on the Leica SL bayonet.
Available from today, a new Leica SL Handgrip makes camera operation and handling more comfortable in portrait orientation and features a shutter release button, two control dials and a joystick controller, providing access to all essential functions of the Leica SL. The handgrip also offers storage space for an extra camera battery, considerably extending the time available for photography before batteries need to be replaced or recharged.
Availability and pricing
The Leica SL Handgrip is available now in the UK at a suggested retail price of £600 including VAT.
The Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. is scheduled to be available in January 2017 at a suggested retail price of £3,850 including VAT. This will be followed by the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH. in Summer 2017. The Leica APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f/2 ASPH. and the Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. are scheduled for Autumn and Winter 2017 respectively, followed by the Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. in Spring 2018. Pricing will be announced nearer to each launch date.
It would be ok for NASA to today announce the first American on Mars by 2018.
But what is the point to today announce digital camera gear for 2018?
think steve is showing us new leica very soon though not a M , leica is to big for kina .like guessing ha .
Nice, but where is the new Leica M? :-(((
Seems it was not ready for Photokina.
I wish Leica would understand why they are considered the leaders as lens manufacturers. They make exceptional lenses that are fast and sharp wide open. They should also appreciate what an SL is going to be used for. I am not convinced that they have just yet.
The SL system needs to do everything better than your average Nikon D5 or Canon 1DX.
I went to a motor racing event last weekend with a Nikon and a 200mm f2. There is a reason why you use a Nikon SLR at sporting events. It’s focus is fast, it’s image quality is great and I can rely on it to track a race car travelling at 200klm into the tyre barrier (which is exactly what happened) and yes, it captured the image at the moment of impact in focus. I wasn’t even using a D5 it was with a D2X.
Lenses that have a maximum aperture of f2 are fine but not for the Leica SL unless they are at the 200mm end of the spectrum. Even at standard ish focal lengths, the road map should be 35mm f1.4, 75mm f1.4 and 90mm f1.4. Nevertheless, why make a 75mm and a 90mm? Take one step back or one step forward.
Nikon have managed to make a 105mm f1.4. Leica, I love your equipment. No more “me too” road maps please.
I want an SL to do work that a Leica M or another mirrorless camera can’t do. Why replicate the M system in the SL system? Where is that 180mm f2 that was in the R system so I can take it to the Australian Open to photograph Raphael Nadal when he is serving an ace? I just can’t see 90mm doing that for me unless I am one of the priviledged few with a press pass. Where is the 300mm f2.8 or better so I can take it to serious football or motor racing events without having to buy an adapter to mount a Canon EOS lens on the body?
This is what I would use an SL for. Not for happy snaps (perhaps artistic ones) at standard focal lengths. The SL isn’t a photo journalist’s tool. The SL for serious fast action. The SL should stand for “Sports Leica”. Make it happen Leica.
I do not think Leica ever intended this camera to be a sports camera. More of a studio, portrait, wedding, wildlife, or every day life camera. It’s not meant for blazing fast sports action and they never intended it to be. Not sure why they would as Leica would NEVER be able to break into that market as Leica is known as the ANTI Sports camera. The SL is beautiful capable, and offers some of the best IQ I have on hand. I welcome these new lenses and am happy to see Leica grow the system, though I feel it will always be a system used by so many less than any Nikon or Canon or even Sony. It’s a Leica, and follows the Leica traditions.
They are Panasonic lenses no doubt about it.
Seriously… Leica has been making lenses for about 100 years. It’s going to take them nearly 2 years to make a 35mm f2 lens for the SL? This reduces the SL from a serious camera system to an afterthought.
Leica is and always has been slow. Uber slow. Look how long it took them to get lenses for the T. Look at the S. Leica is not about speed, and I do not expect them to change. If anything, seems they may get slower 😉
4000 Euro for a 50mm 1.4 lens… mmmmmm…
Wonder if the new Lenses are based on the Leica M lenses with autofocus and automatic aperture added. Too bad there was no new Leica M announced!