I already reported that the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 Asph lens will be officially released on August 15th. The German retailer Fotokoch already published the details and pricing (€4200) of the lens on their website (Google translated):
The new 50mm lens sets new standards in terms of compactness and performance. 2/50 ASPH: based on innovative technologies, the APO-Summicron-SL one can. nothing to be desired. Brilliance, micro contrast to the last corners and a balanced Bokeh make the lens a real Leica classic.
Leica Camera AG extends the Summicron-SL line for another high-performance lens:
the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1: 2/50 ASPH .. Whether reportage, travel, studio, architecture, landscape photography, portraits, close-ups, or documentation – through its focal length, the new SL-lens is very versatile and can be used in almost any situation. 2/50 ASPH: Like the other Summicron-SL lenses also, the APO-Summicron-SL 1 sets. Standards and qualifies as a new reference under the standard focal lengths. The L-Mount used standard makes the APO-Summicron-SL 1: 2/50 ASPH. also fully compatible with cameras from other L-Mount Alliance partners, who also have developed by Leica Camera lens mount.
Twelve highly complex lenses – three of them with aspherical surface – into ten groups contribute to the highest level reached in terms of image quality and even at full aperture – applies because for Leica lenses: open aperture equal working aperture. Fade is therefore a pure stylistic device for the art work and not necessary for improved performance. Natural skin tones, smooth transitions into bokeh, an outstanding detail contrast and sharpness to the edges of the distortion-free images that are further quality characteristics for lenses from Leica Camera and also apply to the APO-Summicron-SL 1: 2/50 ASPH ..
Each imaging element of glass – such as lenses – refracts light of different colors to different degrees. This means that not focus all light rays of a multicolored object in an image point – the result is chromatic aberrations. These color errors were in the new APO-Summicron-SL 1: 2/50 ASPH. apochromatically corrected. To this end, most of the installed lens elements anomalous partial dispersion and consist of high-quality special glasses even perform their demanding processing, the innovative production methods, the Leica factory to the limit of what is possible.
For the coming in all Summicron-SL lenses for use autofocus extremely powerful and robust stepper motors with DSD (Dual Syncro Drive) used. With this, the entire focusing range can be traversed in just 250 milliseconds. In addition to the autofocus Leica Camera goes also for manual focusing innovative ways: Summicron-SL lenses use a novel construction of the manual focus ring. In this a ring magnet with alternating north-south polarization is embedded. If the ring is rotated, the magnetic field changes. A sensor evaluates the magnetic field and sends its measurement signals to the main processor. Depending on the angle of rotation and the speed of rotation, the focus position is moved in accordance with – manual focusing can be performed even faster and more precise.
Both construction and design of cutting-edge Summicron-SL line represent the next step in the development of lens for the Leica SL System. New, extremely precise manufacturing methods and measurement techniques were developed for production. The result is not only more compact in dimensions and less weight, but also in an excellent imaging performance. Particular attention in the construction of APO-Summicron-SL prime lenses is on the prevention of stray light and reflections. In addition to optimizing the optical and mechanical designs inevitable reflexes are reduced by a high-quality coating of optical surfaces on the lowest possible level. The lenses can also be used without hesitation in almost any weather,
APO Apochromatically and more
“APO” identifies the Leica lenses with the best imaging performance. In the SL system have all SL-Summicron lenses from Tele to Wide the coveted accessory. This predicate has long been reserved telephoto lenses, as only they could achieve the required quality.
In 1975, more than 40 years, therefore, Leica brought to the APO TELYT-R 1: 3.4 / 180 mm the first APO lens on the market. In 2012, the APO-Summicron-M 1 then received: 2/50 mm ASPH. the first normal focal length this award.
Thanks to technological advances, more complex designs and new manufacturing methods in the SL system allowed the developers to maximize the optical performance perfect.
Leica we mean by the APO designation not only the correction of the chromatic longitudinal chromatic aberration, for purely scientific definition of the term is “apochromatically”. Rather, all other chromatic and monochromatic aberrations must be optimized to a similar degree. A performance which is evidenced by the respective MTF graph and practically comes close to the diffraction limits of the physically possible. the quality standards associated over the long time since the introduction of the first APO lens has continuously increased, because today’s APO lenses are future-proof and will convince in combination with image sensors highest resolution.