Next lens Leica is likely to update?

[guruguhan]

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Been a few years since I posted - hope all is well with everyone...

 

Wanted to get an idea of which M lens is most likely to next get an update? (...and when that might be?)

 

I'm currently debating on whether to get a 35mm cron or lux. I don't need 1.4, but want the best possible performance at f/2 and close focus which is why I'm leaning towards the ASPH FLE (but still not convinced I need it). But I'm really questioning whether it'll be overkill. Alternatively, I'd hate to the cron and be disappointed.

 

In any case...I'd be interested in hearing which lens you think is likely to get updated whether its a 35mm or not. Thanks

[IkarusJohn]

Been a few years since I posted - hope all is well with everyone...

 

Wanted to get an idea of which M lens is most likely to next get an update? (...and when that might be?)

 

I'm currently debating on whether to get a 35mm cron or lux. I don't need 1.4, but want the best possible performance at f/2 and close focus which is why I'm leaning towards the ASPH FLE (but still not convinced I need it). But I'm really questioning whether it'll be overkill. Alternatively, I'd hate to the cron and be disappointed.

 

In any case...I'd be interested in hearing which lens you think is likely to get updated whether its a 35mm or not. Thanks

 

The 35 Cron was my first lens. It is a very good lens, but I do prefer the rendering of the ASPH FLE.

 

My pick would be the 28 Summicron. I love mine, but I would be very interested to see what a 28 Summilux ASPH FLE was like ...

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[guruguhan]

The 35 Cron was my first lens. It is a very good lens, but I do prefer the rendering of the ASPH FLE.

 

My pick would be the 28 Summicron. I love mine, but I would be very interested to see what a 28 Summilux ASPH FLE was like ...

 

That would be great but I'm guessing a lux 28mm FLE would come in around the $8000 mark...out of my price range (but I'd be happy picking up a cron 28mm on the used market if that happened!)

[itkeith]

The rumor of Summilux 28mm is flowing for long time but actually no more update news about this lens till now..

[mirekti]

I'd rather see a 14, 15mm Super Elmar.

[Jeff S]

As usual, another thread here.

 

Jeff

[Guest]

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...

Since the Tri-Elmar WATE 16-18-21mm is still in production and Tri-Elmar MATE 28-35-50 has become a very searched lens because of less dust on the sensors of digital Leicas as you remove it not so often, there should be a new production of another Tri-Elmar, perhaps similar to the Vario-X?

[Carduelis]

For landscape and travel photography, I would wish to see a new lightish ASPH 35 mm lens with a flatter MTF profile like the 24 mm Elmar f3.8 and the most recent 50 mm APO Summicron.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Carduelis

[jdlaing]

Since the Tri-Elmar WATE 16-18-21mm is still in production and Tri-Elmar MATE 28-35-50 has become a very searched lens because of less dust on the sensors of digital Leicas as you remove it not so often, there should be a new production of another Tri-Elmar, perhaps similar to the Vario-X?

 

That's a helluvan idea!

 

A 2.8 MATE would be great ...

[tobey bilek]

ASPH 35 2.0 is getting old.

 

90 ASPH needs floating elements for close work.

[tobey bilek]

ASPH 35 2.0 is getting old.

 

90 ASPH summicron needs floating elements for close work.

[albireo_double]

I'd say Summicron 28, to improve vignetting and red/magenta edge issues - I think Leica admitted themselves in a recent article in the LFI that this was possibly the most offending lens in the current line-up. I sold my copy when I still used the M9, for these reasons. I don't need a Lux 28 but at a new Cron 28 would be nice, as it is a useful focal length for me.

[250swb]

I never ever had a problem with red edge using the 28mm Summicron with my M9, nor so far with my M240, I wonder if there was some sample variation or misalignment in your copy? In a current thread another LUF'er is asking why his particular 35mm Summicron Asph gives red edge where other identical lenses he has tested don't show it.

 

Anyway, the 28mm Summicron is a fine lens and hardly needs a big makeover, it is one of the best from the whole range.

 

The trend to wanting fast lenses all the time leaves me cold, I can hear the comments about 'creamy bokeh' now, and find it hard to justify all that money on a characteristic of the lens that shows no detail or interest. So how about some slower (smaller) lenses, maybe f/3.5 or f/4 that are instead optimised for using stopped down, and where f/16 or f/22 can be more fully utilised without so much diffraction?

 

Steve

[Guest Marc G.]

I'd say Summicron 28, to improve vignetting and red/magenta edge issues - I think Leica admitted themselves in a recent article in the LFI that this was possibly the most offending lens in the current line-up. I sold my copy when I still used the M9, for these reasons. I don't need a Lux 28 but at a new Cron 28 would be nice, as it is a useful focal length for me.

 

no red/magenta issues with the profile and the vignetting can be corrected in post. otherwise it actually looks quite nice.

 

I agree with 250wb. It is a wonderful lens.

 

From the current lens lineup, I think the 35 Summicron ASPH needs a little help so it is not crushed as badly by the Summilux FLE and the 50 Summicron (non APO) could use a little more resistance to flare, as does the 35.

 

Other than that I think Leica has a very strong lens lineup. The M System was never about Tilt/Shift, long telephoto or zoom. From the traditional M point of view the lens lineup leaves nothing to be desired.

[semi-ambivalent]

no red/magenta issues with the profile and the vignetting can be corrected in post. otherwise it actually looks quite nice.

 

I agree with 250wb. It is a wonderful lens.

 

From the current lens lineup, I think the 35 Summicron ASPH needs a little help so it is not crushed as badly by the Summilux FLE and the 50 Summicron (non APO) could use a little more resistance to flare, as does the 35.

 

Other than that I think Leica has a very strong lens lineup. The M System was never about Tilt/Shift, long telephoto or zoom. From the traditional M point of view the lens lineup leaves nothing to be desired.

 

The 2/35 ASPH is a great little lens and I bet, despite its age, they still sell a lot of them, in part because people can come to forums like this and read how other people spent $5k for the FLE and aren't happy with the OOF signature. (Somebody is always unhappy. Leica is probably sick of hearing it.) Good point on the flare though. I've experienced that with both my 35 and 50v4 but learn the lens and you can sometimes learn a solution.

 

s-a

[Guest Marc G.]

The 2/35 ASPH is a great little lens and I bet, despite its age, they still sell a lot of them, in part because people can come to forums like this and read how other people spent $5k for the FLE and aren't happy with the OOF signature. (Somebody is always unhappy. Leica is probably sick of hearing it.) Good point on the flare though. I've experienced that with both my 35 and 50v4 but learn the lens and you can sometimes learn a solution.

 

s-a

 

One can learn to work around a lens' shortcomings quickly but i don't think this thread is about knowing your gear rather than the shortcomings of current lenses and which of those are big enough to justify a new version. Of course, I agree with you.

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

I got the 35 Cron ASPH. Fantastic lens at f2.

[keithlaban.co.uk]

For landscape and travel photography, I would wish to see a new lightish ASPH 35 mm lens with a flatter MTF profile like the 24 mm Elmar f3.8 and the most recent 50 mm APO Summicron.

 

Given the choice between fast lenses with MTF like a rollercoaster and slow lenses that flatline I'd go for the latter.

[Carduelis]

Given the choice between fast lenses with MTF like a rollercoaster and slow lenses that flatline I'd go for the latter.

 

I absolutely agree with you. I wish there were more lenses with MTF characteristics like the 24 mm Elmar and the latest 50 mm APO Summicron.

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[semi-ambivalent]

One can learn to work around a lens' shortcomings quickly but i don't think this thread is about knowing your gear rather than the shortcomings of current lenses and which of those are big enough to justify a new version. Of course, I agree with you.

 

That was my perhaps unclear point: Every Leica lens, even the stars, has its downside and users of those lenses learn them. As such every lens could be said to be due for an upgrade; not just those that are, e.g., "old" for they all have their adherents. How about lenses whose shortcomings are that they don't exist? A 2/24 ASPH? A return of a 2.8/90? Maybe a continuous zoom? Couldn't those serve users's needs as much as or more than a near-term rehashing of a lens that, perhaps even today, long after its release, is still head and shoulders above others of its focal length? Everybody here has their own ideas of what's "big enough". Leica can't fulfill all of them; they've learned a valuable lesson with the 2/50 APO ASPH, (and they're a better company for it). Unless you work for Leica we're all just talking across the fence and any pick is as good as any other.

 

Thanks,

s-a