The latest version of “The Camera from Wetzlar, The independent magazine for Leica users” (issue XII, August – September 2025) published an interview with Peter Karbe (Senior Managing Expert on Optics), where he confirmed that Leica is working on a new APO SL 135mm lens:
TCFW: One last question, Peter: In the future, might we see a 135mm SL Apo-Elmarit? I mean, the Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2,8 is sensational, but it’s a bit bulky and not exactly lightweight. Wouldn’t an apochromatic 135mm telephoto be a great addition to the SL lens catalog?
Karbe: We’re already working on it.
TCFW: Really? I can’t believe it! [Our surprise is immense and demonstrates that Leica not only listens to user requests but also knows how to anticipate the market. His response is so definitive that I don’t even ask when it will be available or for more details. This is a scoop for The Camera from Wetzlar: There will be a 135mm Apo lens for the SL camera line!]
The PDF version of the magazine can be downloaded here.
July 30th, 2025 – here is an update from the publisher of the magazine:
This is about a deviation we have found in our Interview to Peter Karbe concerning the question about a future 135mm APO lens. We have corrected this mistake and than that part of the interview reads as follows:
Karbe: That would be nice (laughs)
[“That would be nice” in German is: “das ware schön”, but Peter sounds, with accent from Wetzlar, something like: “das schon wir”, and that translates something like “that we already”, so we misunderstand that and in that instant of time we think Leica prepares a 135mm SL lens. In short: We can not confirm there will be a 135mm lens in the short future]
