Summilux TL available

[G. van Asch]

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It is not a real conclusion; funny but no pictures yet.

[SirPiet]

Some more sample images at https://500px.com/photo/144617753/snap-time-by-christophe-delas

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[SirPiet]

Here we go: first thoughts on the Summilux-TL:

 

 

What a lens. it is big, especially a large diameter. It is quite heavy, but does not feel unbalanced when mounted on the T. The massive hood is really nice, though it looks a bit frightening to people - would recommend removing it indoors. It locks already after about 30 degrees of rotation, compared to the 90 degrees on the other T lenses. Without the hood, the T is stealthy as always.

 

Let's talk about focus: the AF is fast. Fast as in really fast. This is due to the f/1.4 aperture. As soon as some daylight is available, it locks in <0.5s when moving from infinity to about 0.5m. At smaller differences it is even faster. When it gets darker, things get slower, but not by much, i feel it is still very usable. Speaking of usable, the touch AF comes in really handy when working somewhere close to minimum focussing distance - the DOF is tiny and focussing and recomposing won't work very well at f/1.4.

 

Image quality is one of Leica's favourite points when talking about their lenses, and this baby has it:

 

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This is a quarter of the original image (4.3MP), shot at f/1.4 and ISO 1250 (the lens arrived really late that day)

It has been rainy since then, so i'll give you some more images later on, for now i'm adding a few more samples.

 

So far, i can really recommend this lens for T users, compared to the 23mm it is in its own league, The only T lens that can rival the quality of these images is the APO-Vario-Elmar-T 55-135.

[SirPiet]

Outdoors (f/2.5)

 

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[SirPiet]

f/1.4 ISO 1600

 

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[SirPiet]

f/1.4 ISO 1250

 

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[Guest Alxndr]

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Well, it's official now (including the 'weird' pricing):

 

http://leicarumors.com/2016/03/22/leica-summilux-tl-35mm-f1-4-asph-lens-officially-announced.aspx

 

(with a link to - albeit a bit dull - sample pics on the Leica pages).

 

Regards,

 

Alexander

Edited March 23, 2016 by Alxndr

[Guest Alxndr]

PS1: For some or the other reason the link in my last message is not working; but you know where to find it.

 

PS2: There seems to be a much smaller lenshood available for the lens, but it's not included. I've seen it somewhere, but I can't find it right now.  It's a bit an M-like hood.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Alxndr

[Guest Alxndr]

PS3: Found it!

 

 

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Best and latest rumours here: http://uk.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-T/Lenses-for-Leica-T/Leica-Summilux-TL 35 mm-f-1.4-ASPH

Links to technical data here: http://uk.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-T/Lenses-for-Leica-T/Leica-Summilux-TL 35 mm-f-1.4-ASPH/Downloads

 

Compatible cameras: All Leica T models, Leica SL (Typ 601)

How many T models are there? 

[RPR!]

PS3: Found it!

 

Where did you find that smaller hood?

[SirPiet]

Where did you find that smaller hood?

It's a clip on hood for an M lens, 35mm Summicron V4 and Asph., it does NOT fit on the Summilux TL!

[Guest Alxndr]

In that case this shop is being mistaken

 

http://www.kamera-express.nl/product/122063431/leica-zonnekap-voor-tl-35mm-f-1-4-zwart/

[SirPiet]

The shop is just using the wrong image, the hood for TL 35 is available at 90€ as a spare part.

[Belle123]

Nice photos with the Summilux TL!  I may have to get one yet.  I haven't tried my to M Summilux lenses yet on the T, but they are on my chopping block, mainly due to weight.  How does the Summilux TL compare in weight and feel?

[Guest VVJ]

Some more images on the Leica Camera Blog today:

http://blog.leica-camera.com/2016/03/23/the-true-meaning-of-sharpness-and-luminosity/

[Guest Alxndr]

It's an amazing lens...

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[sean_themighty]

Here's my write-up about the Summilux-TL! I have real-world samples as well: https://fstoppers.com/originals/hands-new-leica-summilux-tl-35mm-f14-lens-121465

[Daedalus2000]

Here's my write-up about the Summilux-TL! I have real-world samples as well: https://fstoppers.com/originals/hands-new-leica-summilux-tl-35mm-f14-lens-121465

 

Thank you for this, I was going to ask today if anyone had written any reviews about it. Good to hear the AF is good in good light, because when I used it for a few minutes in low light I found the  AF very slow. I will have the chance next week to try it again. I also found it heavy and long and maybe a bit unbalanced on the T, but I like the fact that you found it well balanced after you started using it. Do you have maybe some DNG files you can share?

 

By the way, one minor correction. On your What's good section it should be "Works on all TL-mount cameras".

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Guest]

Great read Sean. Thanks for the timely review. I can't wait to get my hands on that lens. Cheers.