SL-Lenses
The new generation
Leica SL
Systematic innovation
The Leica brand stands like no other for the design and construction of excellent lenses. It is, therefore, only to be expected that the new Leica SL-Lenses also deliver unrivaled picture quality.
In combination with one of the fastest autofocus systems in the professional camera segment, this makes working with the Leica SL-System an entirely new photographic experience. The SL-System is also compatible with almost all Leica lenses ever made.
Exceptional
Imaging performance
Refined optical systems guarantee the exceptional imaging quality of the Leica SL-Lenses. In the design of the lenses, particular care has been taken to ensure homogeneous performance at all focal lengths, apertures, and focusing distances. This allows the choice of the ideal SL-Lens for the creative ideas you have in mind for every situation.
Up to three elements with aspherical surfaces, predominantly on both sides, are employed within the optical systems for the correction of monochromatic aberration. These demand particularly high precision in the manufacturing process: departures from specified surface curvatures must be within tolerances measured in tenths of micrometers. The positioning of the lens elements relative to the optical axis is also carried out with utmost precision within tolerances of only very few micrometers. That these extremely tight tolerances are met and maintained ensures the outstanding character and perfection of all Leica SL-Lenses.
For the correction of chromatic aberration, a very high proportion of the elements is manufactured from specially formulated, high-quality glass types. Their unique optical properties, so-called anomalous partial dispersion, enable the compensation of the chromatic aberrations that unavoidably arise from the optical construction of all lenses. As a result of this, even highlights in images remain free of color fringing. In addition, sophisticated coating on all lens surfaces effectively minimizes reflections, stray light, and flare.
Leica SL-Lenses already achieve extremely high contrast values at maximum aperture, which makes them particularly suitable for the creative use of planes of sharpness and unsharpness and the distinct isolation of subject details. Thanks to this shallow depth of field and exceptional imaging performance, every single lens guarantees the special look for which Leica photography is renowned.
Dual Syncro Drive™
Precision autofocus
Leica SL-Lenses focus from infinity to the closest focusing distance with exceptional speed and achieve absolute top performance ratings in the demanding professional camera segment.
This is enabled, on the one hand, by advanced control algorithms in the camera and, on the other hand, by the newly developed focusing drives with Dual Syncro Drive™ technology. The lightweight lens elements focus quickly and almost silently at every position with absolute precision.
The eye-detection function enables sharply focused portraits, even when using a shallow depth of field. Autofocus saves photographers valuable time that can, for example, be better utilized for composing their pictures or for dialogue with their portrait subjects.
Design
Made in Germany
Everyday use under the often extreme conditions of professional photography presents particular demands with regard to the choice of materials, lens construction, and assembly.
Demands that are fulfilled by the SL-Lenses with innovative solutions:
Seals on the front element, the focusing ring, and the bayonet ensure that lenses mounted on the camera are exceptionally well protected against the ingress of light rain and particles of dust and dirt. In addition to this, Leica AquaDura® coating provides effective protection of the exposed surfaces of lenses against dirt and scratching.
The lens hoods of the SL-Lenses are ideally matched to each individual lens and prevent extraneous light from the sides entering the lens. A perfectly computed lens hood guarantees maximum contrast in every lighting situation. To further increase their effectiveness, we flock the inner surfaces, which ensures that the lens hoods remain effective, even after many years of intensive use.
The SL-Lenses
The new generation
The new Summicron-SL prime lenses with focal lengths of 35 mm and 50 mm, and a new 16–35 mm SL-Vario zoom lens, reflect the latest advancements in the design and construction of lenses for the Leica SL-System.
SL-Prime Lenses
High-performance meets compact size
Prime lenses offer their own special qualities: they are compact and fast, and deliver outstanding performance. Their speed enables a wide range of new options, for instance the use of fast shutter speeds or the creative exploration of planes of focus and depth of field.
SL-Vario Lenses
Professional versatility
When pressures of time or limited accessibility to subjects make it impossible to change your position or lens, you can always rely on the variable focal lengths offered by SL-Vario lenses.
Leica Noctilux-M 75 f/1.25 ASPH.
Depth of field redefined
The new Leica Noctilux-M 75 f/1.25 ASPH. lets photographers’ dreams come true: Its outstanding imaging performance, uniquely soft bokeh, and gossamer-thin depth of field are as if created especially for use with the Focus Peaking function of the Leica SL.
Optically and ergonomically, the Leica Noctilux-M 75 f/1.25 ASPH. and the Leica SL are a perfect match. All it needs to bring them together is a single ring: the Leica M-Adapter L.
SL-Prime Lenses
High performance. Compact size. Ingenious Engineering.
Prime lenses offer their own special qualities: they are compact and fast, and deliver outstanding image performance. Their speed enables a wide range of new opportunities, for instance the creative use of depth of field to isolate foreground subjects from the background.
Pictures captured with SL-Prime lenses then also reveal the unmistakable bokeh for which Leica lenses are renowned.
Another advantage of fast prime lenses is that they allow the use of faster shutter speeds, either to capture fast-moving action or to prevent visible camera shake in pictures when shooting handheld in low light.
APO-SUMMICRON-SL 35 f/2 ASPH.
Broader perspectives
35 mm is unquestionably the true standard focal length, and is rarely missing from a well-provided gear bag. The family of lenses with this universal focal length now has a new member – the high-performance APO-Summicron-SL.
Thanks to its combination of reference-class imaging performance, dust and moisture-proof sealing, and state-of-the-art autofocus technology, this lens knows no limits.
SUMMILUX-SL 50 f/1.4 ASPH.
More than light alone
The Summilux-SL 50 f/1.4 ASPH. is conceived to deliver maximum optical performance and sets new standards in terms of imaging performance. When it comes to picture quality, this lens easily fulfills even the highest expectations.
APO-SUMMICRON-SL 50 f/2 ASPH.
Anything but standard
The new 50 mm lens sets new standards in terms of compactness and performance. Based on innovative technologies, the APO-Summicron-SL 50 f/2 ASPH. leaves nothing to be desired. Brilliance, corner-to-corner micro-contrast, and balanced, harmonious bokeh make the lens a true Leica classic.
APO-SUMMICRON-SL 75 f/2 ASPH.
Intimate connections
Street, portrait, or whatever catches your eye: Conceived as a universal lens for all situations, the APO-Summicron-SL 75 f/2 ASPH. opens up new horizons for photography in the flexible range between standard and telephoto focal lengths.
APO-SUMMICRON-SL 90 f/2 ASPH.
Closer to the action
High speed and an unmistakably striking rendition of out-of-focus areas make this telephoto lens the first choice for every portrait photographer.
The precision and almost silent action of its autofocus give photographers crucial moments to concentrate fully on the creative aspects of their work and the people in front of their camera.
APO
Apochromatic and more
The prefix ‘APO’ in the name denotes Leica lenses with the best imaging performance. From telephotos to wide-angles, all Summicron-SL lenses in the SL-System portfolio bear these coveted three letters before their names. For a long time, this distinction was reserved exclusively for telephoto lenses, as only they could achieve the exceptional quality required.
It is now over 40 years since the first APO lens built by Leica made its appearance – the APO-TELYT-R 180 mm f/3.4, in 1975. In 2012, the APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. became the first standard lens to bear this prestigious prefix.
Thanks to technological progress, more complex construction and new manufacturing methods employed in the SL-System, the design engineers were able to perfectly maximize the optical performance.
To us at Leica, APO means more than just the correction of longitudinal chromatic aberration, for which the purely scientific definition of the term ‘apochromatic’ stands. Above and beyond this, all other chromatic and monochromatic aberrations must also be optimized to a similar degree. This performance is corroborated by the corresponding MTF curves, and practically reaches the physically possible diffraction limits. Our quality expectations and demands have grown accordingly throughout the many years since the launch of the first APO lens, with the result that today’s APO lenses are fit for whatever the future may bring and deliver persuasive performance in combination with the highest-resolution image sensors.
Proofs of performance
SL-Prime Lenses in Action
SL-Vario Lenses
Professional versatility
There is one all-important factor in the everyday work of professional photographers: flexibility. When pressures of time or limited accessibility to subjects make it impossible to change your position or lens, you can always rely on the variable focal lengths and outstanding imaging performance of the SL-Vario lenses. In combination, the newly defined focal length ranges of 24–90 mm and 90–280 mm and unusually short close focusing distances cover the greatest possible spectrum of photographic situations.
With their precise and reliable autofocus, almost indestructible construction, and the typical Leica picture quality, they are ideal for mastering all photographic challenges in which speed and utmost precision are essential.
SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-SL 16–35 f/3.5–4.5 ASPH.
The universal wide-angle zoom
Interiors, group portraits, landscapes, and more: This Vario lens expands the options offered by the SL-System into the realm of wide-angle photography and ideally complements the existing portfolio of Vario lenses for the Leica SL.
VARIO-ELMARIT-SL 24–90 f/2.8–4 ASPH.
The ideal standard zoom
The Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–90 f/2.8–4 ASPH. is a fast zoom lens with a wide range of focal lengths.
Its close focusing limit of 0.3 meters at its wide-angle setting and a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.8 at the telephoto end of the range provide fascinating perspectives.
APO VARIO-ELMARIT-SL 90–280 f/2.8–4
The fast telephoto zoom
The newly developed double internal focusing system (DSD®) of the high-speed APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90–280 f/2.8–4 lens enables extremely fast automatic focusing.
Its range of focal lengths follows on directly from that of the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–90 f/2.8–4 ASPH. Together, these two lenses cover a complete range of focal lengths from 24 to 280 mm.
