New prime lenses for Leica SL-System

The new APO-Summicron-SL 75 mm f/2 ASPH. and APO-Summicron-SL 90 mm f/2 ASPH. lenses. (Source: Leica Camera.)

Both lenses are particularly suitable for portraiture, although they are also versatile enough to be used for all genres of photography. The APO-Summicron-SL 90 mm f/2 ASPH.  creates the slight compression of perspective portrait photographers often desire. Both lenses are perfectly matched to the SL-System and are designed and constructed for a long service life in professional use. All glass elements in an optical imaging system have been selected and utilised to focus all rays of light from a multi-coloured subject at a single imaging point, making the lenses apochromatic (hence the ‘APO’ designation).  Most of the eleven elements of the optical system ““ one of which is an aspherical ““ feature anomalous partial dispersion and are manufactured from sensitive and specially formulated, high-quality glass.

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 addition, these lenses feature a new, faster autofocus system and a considerably shorter close focusing limit. The autofocus drive of all SL-Summicron lenses employs extremely powerful and robust stepping motors with DSD (Dual Syncro Drive) which can span the entire focusing throw in roughly 250 milliseconds. The table below compares the specifications of the two new lenses.

Lens	APO-Summicron-SL 75 mm f/2 ASPH.	APO-Summicron-SL 90 mm f/2 ASPH.
Angle of view (diagonal, horizontal, vertical)	31.8 °/26.7 °/18.0 °	27.3 / 22.9 / 15.4 °
Optical design
Number of elements/groups	11/9	11/9
Number of asphericals	1	1
Position of entrance pupil in front of the bayonet flange	35.4 mm	22.9 mm
Focusing
Working range	0.5 m to infinity	0.6 m to infinity
Smallest object field	120 ø— 180 mm	120 ø— 180 mm
Largest reproduction ratio	1:5	1:5
Aperture
Settings/functions	Electronically controlled iris, setting with the camera clickwheel control, half-stop settings possible	Electronically controlled iris, setting with the camera clickwheel control, half-stop settings possible
Aperture setting range	2 – 22	2 – 22
Smallest aperture	22	22
Bayonet/sensor format	Leica L-bayonet, full-frame 35 mm format	Leica L-bayonet, full-frame 35 mm format
Filter thread	E67	E67
Dimensions and weight
Length to bayonet flange	102 mm	102 mm
Largest diameter	73 mm	73 mm
Weight	720 g	700 g

The APO-Summicron-SL 75 mm f/2 ASPH. will be available from 25 January 2018 at an RRP of AU$6400. The APO-Summicron-SL 90 mm f/2 ASPH. from 8 February 2018 at AU$7000. The market launch of the Summicron-SL 35 mm f/2 ASPH. and the APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH., the next lenses to be released, is scheduled for the second half of 2018.