Leica has announced two Summicron lenses for the Leica SL system that position themselves as more accessible and lightweight options to the APO-Summicron-SL lenses—introducing the Leica 50mm f2.0 Summicron-SL ASPH and 35mm f2.0 Summicron-SL ASPH. In addition, Leica has announced bundles with these respective new lenses and the already existing 24-70mm f2.8 bundles currently available.
A Quick Look at the New Leica 35mm & 50mm f2.0 Summicron-SL ASPH
- High-Quality optics aimed at an ideal value proposition
- Compact Design for an overall smaller footprint. Perfect for those who want to venture far with the SL2 or SL2-S
- Fast optics for optical light gathering and classic Summicron look
- Made In Leica’s Portugal Factory under the same tolerances and standards
- Weather sealed for protection against water spray and dust and AquaDura Coated optics
- Fast, Reliable, and quite Autofocus. Perfect for those who need to use AF during video recording
Our Take On The APO-Summicron-SL Lenses vs. the Summicron-SL
We are excited to see Leica diversify the optics available for the Leica SL. These new Summicron-SL (not to be confused with the APO-Summilcron-SL) optics bring more options made by Leica for the SL2 at a more appealing value proposition by producing the lenses in their Portugal factory and omitting the APO correction. This is not new for Leica to diversify its lens selection. We’ve seen this same thing done in Leica’s M-Lens line with the 35mm/50mm Summicron-M and APO-Summicron-M. The APO Summicron lenses deliver a far more sophisticated image rendering and correction. The APO-Summicron lenses are made in Germany, whereas the “non-APO” Summicron-SL lenses are produced in Leica’s Portugal factory. Leica’s Portugal facility is highly established, and some of their best optics come from here, including many sport optics; the TL lenses were made here, and for a short time, Leica made many of their popular M lenses out of Portugal due to US tariffs on German imports. At nearly half the price, these “Non-APO” Summicron-SL lenses provide a lightweight alternative with fewer optical corrections that we think will be a great option for many current and future Leica SL photographers. Stay tuned for a more in-depth dive into the differences between an APO-Summicron-SL lens and the “Non-APO” Summicron-SL lens.