New, lighter (literally, and on the wallet) 35 and 50 SL Summicrons announced.

[Archiver]

I own the Panasonic 50mm f1.8 and the Leica Summicron 35mm f2 SL ASPH. The following video suggests that there is little to no difference between the Panasonic and Leica versions of these lenses:



What I can say is that the Leica is heavier, has a more luxuriously damped focus ring, and feels better in the hand. It apparently has better weather sealing than the Panasonic version as well. Combined with the SL2-S and some judicious processing, the images are startlingly rich and lifelike. They have a sense of transparency and clarity that I really enjoy.

SL2-S - Fat burning by Archiver, on Flickr

Leica SL2-S | Leica Summicron SL 35mm f2 ASPH

SL2-S - Place your life in my hands by Archiver, on Flickr

Leica SL2-S | Leica Summicron SL 35mm f2 ASPH

 

[Calzone]

I own the Leica APO 35 Cron. This is a brutal lens that is UBER sharp that has a very sweet and smooth OOF.

Is the Panasonic being marketed as APO?

BTW the APO 35 Cron is so remarkable that I gave considered getting a APO 50 Cron. Know that I own the gigantic 50 Lux.

Also the autofocus on the APO 35 Cron seems faster than the 50 Lux in L-glass. I would likely keep both the 50 Lux even with buying the APO 50 Cron. Why: the 50 Lux for portraits is kinda unbeatable; and the APO 50 if like my APO 35 Cron just has this remarkable sharpness added with smoothness.

Understand that my APO 35 Cron promotes shooting wide open. Pretty much I love the contrast between the absolute sharpness, the UBER smooth OOF, and the bokeh. A mucho crazy lens.

For me the Leica weather proofing is a big-big deal. Have shot in downpours, blizzards and conditions where I would not shoot other cameras.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

UPDATE: I gifted my SL to a friend. Pretty much the IS in the SL2 is a big deal to me.

The 48.7 MP on the SL2 with Leica native glass is way-overkill and know I print 20x30 on 24x36. I can’t see any bonus from a SL3. In fact I have interest in a SL2S for the bigger pixel for low light and night shooting.

Know that I own a 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor that was overhauled and serviced. This low-coma glass is muy bueno for shooting NYC at night. The IS for me is a big deal, and the big pixel on a SL2S would kill.

The rendering of a Noct-Nikkor is different than a Noctilux: the Noctilux has sharper corners, but has light fall-off when shot wide open; the Noct-Nikkor has softer corners, but no light fall-off.

SL2 with Noct-Nikkor is a killer rig, but the SL2S would be best for night shooting. A brutal rig.

Cal

 

[Rayt]

UPDATE: I gifted my SL to a friend. Pretty much the IS in the SL2 is a big deal to me.

The 48.7 MP on the SL2 with Leica native glass is way-overkill and know I print 20x30 on 24x36. I can’t see any bonus from a SL3. In fact I have interest in a SL2S for the bigger pixel for low light and night shooting.

Know that I own a 58/1.2 Noct-Nikkor that was overhauled and serviced. This low-coma glass is muy bueno for shooting NYC at night. The IS for me is a big deal, and the big pixel on a SL2S would kill.

The rendering of a Noct-Nikkor is different than a Noctilux: the Noctilux has sharper corners, but has light fall-off when shot wide open; the Noct-Nikkor has softer corners, but no light fall-off.

SL2 with Noct-Nikkor is a killer rig, but the SL2S would be best for night shooting. A brutal rig.

Cal

I bought a Light Lens Lab 1.4x magnifier for the M so hopefully I can now focus the Noctilux. The SL2 is the obvious solution with IBIS. I don’t have any Leica APO SL lenses. I would choose the APO 21mm Asph if I could afford just one but right now I can’t so Sigma 20-60mm kit zoom and a Sigma 35mm will do if I needed AF.

 

[Archiver]

@Calzone The Panasonic derived version isn't marketed as APO, that's the original SL line of primes. I tried the 35 APO a couple of times with the SL2S and was astounded by how beautiful the images were. Details were sharp but not harshly so, focus falloff was gentle and delicate, it was like looking through a perfectly clean window at a scene. The ASPH version isn't as good but has a similar sense of hyper realism.

Even though I already own the Panasonic 50mm, I'm tempted to get the Leica version for the build quality and weather sealing. Gaston Shutters on YouTube reviewed the new Leica 28-70 which is derived from the original Sigma lens, and the Leica seems to be weather sealed much better. Actually the Leica 28-70 would be more worthwhile for me.

 

[ellisson]

I prefer the ASPH versions of the 35 and 50 SL lenses because they are more practical to carry with any SL camera. The APOs weigh in at 750 g each (about 1 and 3/4 lbs each). Carrying two or more of these APOs and a 2lb plus SL camera for long distances, especially with other gear, is burdensome. The APOs are clinically sharp, all well and good if you like that rendering. But having owned and shot with them, I much prefer the ASPH versions (and probably the Panasonic primes) or my M-lenses plus the M-L adapter for more lightweight, travel friendly, more natural rendering options. Of course, other's milages will vary in this type of choice that balances state of the art, practicality, and personal aesthetic.

 

[Michael Markey]

I don`t have any SL primes for my SL2s .
I use the 2490 and the 90280.
If I want a light weight carry I use my CL lenses instead.
Still tempted by the 35 APO though.

 

[Archiver]

The more I use the SL2S, the more I find that I prefer small M lenses for general/personal shooting, and autofocus lenses for work. AF lenses like the 35 SL and Pana 50 are also fine for personal work, but I enjoy the small footprint and manual focus experience of M lenses like the Summicron 50 and Distagon 35. I just got back from a short interstate trip where the SL2S was my general and complementary camera, and while the 35 SL was great for grabbing focus quickly, it was still a bit large and clunky. It's a bit reminiscent of my Canon DSLR days when I toted the 5D Mark II and 35L: it's fine on its own, but after you experience a M body or small mirrorless bodies, it's a bit hard to go back.

 

[Calzone]

I had a Leica CL. Loved the Barnack like size. “Maggie” my life partner now uses the CL as her camera.

I figure like shooting a Linhof, shooting a SL2 with Leica primes is like a free gym membership. LOL.

Even with the Noct-Nikkor the SL2 certainly is still a big rig, and still heavy. Nothing like M-glass.

BTW in discussion with Leica reps the Leica APO L-glass is future proofed to 120 MP sensors. Way overkill, even my 48.7 MP crazy, and my ideal camera would be a SL2S Monochrom. The size of the pixel for me is more important than how many.

Also know I was an early adopter of the M9 Monochrom, and I still own this great camera,

Cal

 

[Michael Markey]

The more I use the SL2S, the more I find that I prefer small M lenses for general/personal shooting, and autofocus lenses for work. AF lenses like the 35 SL and Pana 50 are also fine for personal work, but I enjoy the small footprint and manual focus experience of M lenses like the Summicron 50 and Distagon 35. I just got back from a short interstate trip where the SL2S was my general and complementary camera, and while the 35 SL was great for grabbing focus quickly, it was still a bit large and clunky. It's a bit reminiscent of my Canon DSLR days when I toted the 5D Mark II and 35L: it's fine on its own, but after you experience a M body or small mirrorless bodies, it's a bit hard to go back.

True enough ;
I often carry my 246 alongside the SL2s .
I`ve never really got into using M lenses on the SL2s .... don`t know why .

 

[Out to Lunch]

With the SL2S, I went the Sigma Contemporary way: 24, 35, and 65mm. They are good, well-built, and lightweight. I also find using the m-mount lenses with the SL2S a breeze.