The next lens from Leica

[IWC Doppel]

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Anyone have any ideas ?

 

Will we finally see a 28 Summilux or even a new 75 Summilux ? Or perhaps a new 35 equivalent of the 50 APO ?

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[IkarusJohn]

My pick is that Leica will look at another premium offering of one of its oldest current lenses - either the 28 or 35 Summicron - and it will then develop something for the M, eg a mid range or long zoom, adapted from one of the more famous R lenses - a 28-90/2.8 or 75-180/2.8, and a new macro.

 

I know people will say these zooms won't be made in M mount because they're not rangefinder coupled and can't be used on older M cameras, and they'll be too big etc. I don't buy any of that. Leica opened Pandora's box with the M and the sales of R lenses show strong demand.

 

Leica has the expertise to develop these lenses, there is demand, and it makes full use of the technology of their camera.

 

Then again, Leica has its own way of deciding these things (like the XV being a mini-M).

 

 

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[philipus]

I have no clue. I wouldn't in my wildest dreams have thought they'd launch yet another 50.

 

I have been wondering if they couldn't make a wider Summarit. As much as Leica seems intent on pushing the envelope with exotic designs (which I think is cool), it seems they are interested in providing a lower instep for new customers (viz. the M-E). I've always thought there's a gap in the Summarit range since it doesn't go wider than 35. The 18, 21 and 24 (Super-)Elmars cost quite a bit. Perhaps they haven't made wider Summarits because they would have to pull down on IQ standards? I don't know, but I have a feeling that a Summarit 21 f4 (or thereabouts) selling for approx.1000€ less than the 21 Super-Elmar would be considered by many photographers.

[lct]

No idea but the Summicron 35 asph is so good that it could well survive for as long as the v4 did at least. What is lacking most i feel is a Summilux 28 and ultra wides like 12 and 15mm. I have nothing against Cosina but it is strange that the only choice we have is a CV or a WATE there.

[rramesh]

Bring out a 14 Super Elmar, a 35 APO Summicron, or even rebrand the Summarits as Elmarit-Ms at a higher price point, but please, no more Nocticrons.

[james.liam]

With the first application of EVFs on M bodies, I'd like to posit an alternate argument that Leica may go long instead, after decades of massaging normal and wides to an extreme (even short tele designs, often tough to use to their real potential on RF's).

 

While 100 APOs are relatively plentiful by Leica R standards, the 180 Elmarit APO and 280 Telyt APO are not.

[StephenPatterson]

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I think the 28 Summicron is due for at least a cosmetic makeover as it's the last lens to still use that god awful clamp on hood that's the size of a small tent. Yes I realize that the 35 Summicron ASPH and 28 Elmarit ASPH have clamp on hoods, but much different animals. The 28 Summicron already takes E46 filters so conceivably it could use the same screw on lens hood as the 21SEM and 35 Summilux FLE.

 

Of course we could see the 28 Summilux (6-bit code already released in a previous M9 firmware update) or an APO version of the 28 Summicron, but my wallet shakes in fear at what such glass might cost.

[Hosermage]

Do you guys prefer the screw on hood of 35'Lux? I actually find it harder to use, and so tight that I can't stack on a ND filter (I know I shouldn't do that, but sometimes I'm lazy). I much prefer the slide out hood of 50'Lux, but if that's not possible for a wide angle lens, then I prefer the clip on hood, just not so big.

[StephenPatterson]

David, I prefer the screw on hood and find that over time they loosen up and are not so hard to take off, however usually stay in place and don't rotate on their own (although this does occasionally happen).

[250swb]

The screw on hood has the advantage of making the aperture ring easier to find even if you are wearing gloves, but for anybody using filters it is a nightmare and a big pain in the bum. The clip on hood is a much more photographer friendly alternative, but it will be more expensive to produce than the cheaper screw on hood so I doubt in the days of cost cutting and penny pinching to make bigger profits it will be seen much again.

 

As for new lenses my wish is that Leica make something more characterful, not just fill in gaps in the range. A 'Lux' version definitely isn't needed for every focal length in the range, but Leica could take a leaf out of Zeiss's book and their 50mm ZM Sonnar, making artists out of photographers, not technicians.

 

Steve

[FrozenInTime]

Is the Zeiss bayonet style hood mount patented/still protected under patent ?

 

The Zeiss hoods used on Hasselblad and the ZM, Voigtlander lenses is so much superior to Leica's futile search for the right hood design.

 

There was talk of a new fast Zeiss ZM 35mm - it was a no show at Photokina.

 

A Leica 28/1.4 seems like a nice idea; as long as it does not block the viewfinder too much.

[ockie50]

I would be the first to buy a dual focal length (non-zoom) lens, such as a Bi-Elmarit 35/50-2.8. Would be a perfect compact walk-around lens IMHO. I have gone as far a e-mailing Stefan Daniel to suggest such a lens as a new development. Keep my fingers crossed.

[MarkP]

As for new lenses my wish is that Leica make something more characterful, not just fill in gaps in the range. A 'Lux' version definitely isn't needed for every focal length in the range, but Leica could take a leaf out of Zeiss's book and their 50mm ZM Sonnar, making artists out of photographers, not technicians.

 

Steve

 

Yes, but isn't that why use legacy lenses?

[MarkP]

I would be the first to buy a dual focal length (non-zoom) lens, such as a Bi-Elmarit 35/50-2.8. Would be a perfect compact walk-around lens IMHO. I have gone as far a e-mailing Stefan Daniel to suggest such a lens as a new development. Keep my fingers crossed.

 

2.8/28-50 Bi-Elmarit-M please. I'd sell my E49 MATE for one.

[rramesh]

I think Leica should bring back the Elmarit line. There were extremely successful and had the right price points. Even today there are extremely desirable.

 

Maybe as marketing, the Summarits should go through a cosmetic facelift (e.g. replace rubber rings etc.) and rebranded as Elmarits. I think it will only add more $s to Leica's bottom line, especially as more CSC users adopt Leica lenses.

[250swb]

Yes, but isn't that why use legacy lenses?

 

Only because they are accidentally imperfect, just think what Leica could do if they did the same thing on purpose!

 

Steve

[pedaes]

How about a macro M lens?

[Guest Marc G.]

Bring out a 14 Super Elmar, a 35 APO Summicron, or even rebrand the Summarits as Elmarit-Ms at a higher price point, but please, no more Nocticrons.

 

I think the 28 Summicron is due for at least a cosmetic makeover as it's the last lens to still use that god awful clamp on hood that's the size of a small tent. Yes I realize that the 35 Summicron ASPH and 28 Elmarit ASPH have clamp on hoods, but much different animals. The 28 Summicron already takes E46 filters so conceivably it could use the same screw on lens hood as the 21SEM and 35 Summilux FLE.

 

Of course we could see the 28 Summilux (6-bit code already released in a previous M9 firmware update) or an APO version of the 28 Summicron, but my wallet shakes in fear at what such glass might cost.

 

The APO correction is most useful with longer lenses (50mm+) as can be seen with the 50 Summilux asph (which has APO to a high degree), 50 APO f/2, 75 f/2 APO, 90 f/2 APO, 135 f/3.4 APO. It's not really useful to get the APO designation for a wide angle. Although I can understand that the 35/2 asph would be well off with an update I can hardly see any improvements with the 28/2 asph. The hood is one of the most effective hoods currently produced and by far better than the rather useless telescopic pull-out hoods. That said, it is not prone to flare at all which is why I feel comfortable leaving the hood off at times, using the same front cap with the 50 1.4 asph and the 28 2 asph.

 

I see no reason to update the 28 Summicron's optical cell nor do I see a reason to use apochromatic correction in wide angles. As for the 35 f/2 asph an update might be possible but it would severely change the price I suspect. After all the current prices are differentiated quite well, regarding the 35mm lenses. An update would destroy this balance.

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[Stein K S]

28 Lux seems quite natural

 

Stein

[adan]

28 Lux seems quite natural

 

Stein

 

Mmmm - we've discussed that before. 28mm lens have to avoid blocking the built-in viewfinder (not an issue for the 21 or 24 Summiluxes, which use accessory finders).

 

If anything, Leica has been working hard to reduce the size of 28mm lenses over the years.

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I hate to break the news - but the 21/24 Super-Elmars ARE "Summarits" for all intents and purposes (lower-cost alternatives with limited speed). Check current new Summarit prices, and the Super-Elmars are 40-50% more. Just as the 21/24 Summiluxes are 40-50% more than the 35 Summilux. 50% premium for "super-wide" is the norm - in each category.

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As to what might be on the horizon (and they aren't anything I want - but I'm smart enough to realize that "what I want" and "what Leica can make money selling" are two different things ) :

 

I'm sure Leica is looking at the consistently elevated used prices of the 75 Summiluxes and giving that actual "hole" in the lineup some consideration.

 

Additionally, I'll bet we eventually see dedicated longer lenses in M-mount (180 APO, 280 APO, maybe a 70-180), for use with the M and EVF. Smaller, lighter and more modern optics than a used R lens plus adapter (plus - Leica doesn't make any money off used R lenses - )