New Leica SL Lenses & Roadmap!

[dkCambridgeshire]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

So what you're saying is that any new lens Leica releases will be future proof. But then so will any new lens that Canon, Nikon or Sony launch (and indeed Sony are marketing their G-Master lenses in exactly this way).

 

It doesn't matter anyway because while I agree with everything you've said, none it meets the textbook definition of 'competitive advantage'; the strategy of launching future proof lenses is something everyone will be doing. Leica's existing SL lenses will do this but that's only because they're brand new.

 

For it to be true 'competitive advantage' it has to be something that either other companies cannot do (because they don't have the technical know how) or don't want to do (because you've got the market cornered and they don't want to compete). Nothing Leica is doing with the SL lenses meet that criteria but the M lenses do.

 

 

Nikon and Canon DSLR lenses cannot be future proof because there is limited future for their DSLRs in a mirrorless world … a world they have failed to enter with FF cameras … likely because of compatibility issues with their DSLR lenses. 

 

dunk 

[geetee1972]

Nikon and Canon DSLR lenses cannot be future proof because there is limited future for their DSLRs in a mirrorless world … a world they have failed to enter with FF cameras … likely because of compatibility issues with their DSLR lenses. 

 

dunk 

This is actually a good point!

Although there is reportedly a pro level mirrorless Nikon on the way.

[wlaidlaw]

But Wilson, if you have the 24-90, where does the WATE fall short in range? AF is not very important on such wide angles either.

 

Because for weight/convenience reasons, increasingly I go out with two cameras, my SL and either a film M or Barnack, usually with a 50mm lens on it. Therefore what I want on the SL, particularly when city visiting, is a single lens that covers 16 to 35 rather than 24-90. Ideally I would have preferred 14 to 40, with a bit of speed sacrifice but 16 to 35 is fine. At the moment I carry my 24-90 on the SL and 18 SEM on M to L adapter in my pocket plus often a film Leica with a 40 Summicron or 50 Summilux/Summarit on it. I try to avoid changing lenses in the field, for dust prevention, as far as possible. The film camera/50mm plus the 16-35 on the SL would be an even better fit for my style of photography and lighter into the bargain. 

 

Wilson

[Andrew Gough]

An interesting topic. But in terms of disruptive products relating to photography, I can only think of the smart phone or drones. It is a mature market with incremental product improvements, much like the auto industry. People hailed the Tesla as a disruptive product, but is is not really. Electric cars are nothing new, and the tech is primarily driven by battery tech.

 

Back to camera's and lenses. Sony mirrorless maybe considered disruptive, but I would argue that it is a product upgrade and therefore not revolutionary. Also, the mirrorless concept is so easily adopted by any manufacturer that there is no clear advantage available. dkcambridge raises a very important point regarding SLR lenses. 

 

A good example of my point relates back to my Leica R 280mm F4 APO, which is still considered one of the best lenses ever produced. Dating initially from 1993, it is still considered one of the highest resolution lenses available today. Can this be said of the Canon 300mm F4? Puts claimed the APO 280 was capable of more than 150 LPM which is well beyond the original Canon's capabilities. I have no worries that my 280mm will resolve 50, 60, 75 mp sensors. The SL 50mm was designed to resolve over 100mp sensors.

 

Do I still have the Canon lens - it was sold a long time ago in favour of the the higher resolution IS version and so on... 

 

Leica is to me a very different company from the rest. Producing a zoom from 24mm to 90mm with prime level quality is a good example of this. 90mm is one of there most used focal lengths, and having to change lenses to get to 90mm drove me nuts. The 24-105 equivalent lenses from the manufacturers, while good are no where close to the SL lens. Leica realizes this, and uses this product differentiation to help sell lenses - they obviously asked a photographer. The quality and look are what Leica is famous for, and that is what sells their product. Just like a Porsche 911 is far different from a Ford mustang.

 

I would like to end with a direct quote from Peter Karbe

 

"Yes. The Summicron-SL lenses employ a new generation of optical design, lens technologies and manufacturing processes. We started with the APS lenses, T and X series lenses, redefining our performance goals, which we now take forward with the SL lenses. We also see this in the Q Summilux 28mm and more recent M lenses like the 50mm APO-Summicron. These were very important steps for us, but with the new SL lenses, we have taken a really big jump."

 

 

http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2016/09/setting-a-new-standard-with-leica-sl-lenses-a-discussion-with-peter-karbe-at-photokina-2016/

Andrew

Edited November 6, 2017 by Andrew Gough

[IkarusJohn]

If I recall correctly, many experts rushed to find fault with the two SL zooms after each was released.  Those "faults" have either been corrected (focus shift, to the extent it was ever actually a problem) and the SL zooms are almost universally recognised as very fine lenses.  Similarly, the 50 Summilux SL is accepted as being there reference lens Leica intended it to be (apart from Greg).

 

So, we have two zooms, covering 24-280 at f/2.8-4 with fast AF and high performance, and a fast 50.  What's missing?  A wide zoom and primes, macro, faster (Summilux) and smaller (Summicron) primes.

 

For me, the M wides are perfect for the SL - they're compact and cover a sensible speed range, with no loss in image quality.  I don't really need AF in a wide angle prime or zoom.  As for other focal lengths, all my M primes work well on the SL, and I can use the Macro-M adapter.  

 

So, where's the problem with the SL lens roadmap?  The SL is designed as a universal Leica lens platform and it does that very well.  The only thing missing, as Wilson points out, is AF in wide angle and compact primes.  I'm afraid I feel that the complaints about slow delivery of the SL lenses is much sound and fury signifying very little (with apologies to the Bard).

 

Will I be tempted by future SL primes?  Perhaps.  I do rather lust after the 50 Summilux, but it's big and I really don't need it.  An f/2.8 12-24 zoom would be hard to resist, but I can wait.  Good things take time ...

Edited November 6, 2017 by IkarusJohn

[helged]

What's missing?  A wide zoom and primes, macro, faster (Summilux) and smaller (Summicron) primes.

 

 

+ a tele or two, and/or a converter or two.

+ ts

[Jeff S]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

SL lenses are weather sealed... certainly better than an M lens with adapter.

 

Jeff

[geetee1972]

 

Similarly, the 50 Summilux SL is accepted as being there reference lens Leica intended it to be (apart from Greg).

 

That message seems to have been rammed home about as far as it can go!

 

I confess, I'm starting to warm up to it a little. I found someone using it for potraiture and his work is really quite lovely. I now feel the lens has potential.

[LD_50]

That message seems to have been rammed home about as far as it can go!

 

I confess, I'm starting to warm up to it a little. I found someone using it for potraiture and his work is really quite lovely. I now feel the lens has potential.

I’ve not used the lens much yet, but it looks pretty great wide open. I have extensively shot the 50 Summilux ASPH as well as Nikkor 50 f1.4G and 58 f1.4G and so far I think the 50 SL looks pretty incredible compared to these.

 

The M lens looks pretty special and I’m not sure yet which I prefer overall. I think the SL lens reminds me immediately of the 50 APO but time will tell if it’s as good or better for me.

 

The size and weight don’t bother me at all while mounted to the camera, but it’s definitely a burden to carry in the bag when compared to the M lens.

 

AF is definitely slower than the SL zooms but it doesn’t bother me with the type of images for which I use a 50 prime. I have noticed that when shooting wide open the lens sometimes locks focus (green rectangle and clearly in focus in the EVF) but “settles” at a slightly out of focus state as I let go of the joystick. I then have to either manually readjust or press the joystick again. I shoot in manual with joystick activation. I have never noticed this with the zooms. I’ll keep testing to see if I can avoid this behavior.

[thighslapper]

 

 

I confess, I'm starting to warm up to it a little. I found someone using it for potraiture and his work is really quite lovely. I now feel the lens has potential.

 

good lord Greg  ..... are you taking drugs ?  

 

I never thought the day would dawn when you would post that sort of comment. 

[geetee1972]

good lord Greg  ..... are you taking drugs ?  

 

I never thought the day would dawn when you would post that sort of comment. 

 

Crack mostly.

 

I confess I can be terribly dogmatic and overbearing when making an argument. But I can also change my views when I see evidence to support it. I still think it's too big and too expensive mind. 

[Donzo98]

That message seems to have been rammed home about as far as it can go!

 

I confess, I'm starting to warm up to it a little. I found someone using it for potraiture and his work is really quite lovely. I now feel the lens has potential.

 

 

I'm sure Leica can rest easier now that you think it has potential

[geetee1972]

I'm sure Leica can rest easier now that you think it has potential

No no no no no. Let’s not get carried away here, half a degree here or there doesn’t make global warming a fact. No we need a sustained thaw here with plenty more evidence before Leica can feel assured they’ve got a winner.

 

I’ll let you know how things progress.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lx1713]

No no no no no. Let’s not get carried away here, half a degree here or there doesn’t make global warming a fact. No we need a sustained thaw here with plenty more evidence before Leica can feel assured they’ve got a winner.

 

I’ll let you know how things progress.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 Some things take a long time to take hold. Best spend quality time with it. Leica will be happy if you did.

[sillbeers15]

One good thing has emerged with Leica taking such a long time to deliver new SL lenses, I’ve finally decide not to take up the 16-35mm VE which I had been anticipating. Instead, my choice is clear now to get the WATE and use my M10 instead. The WATE is a mature product without surprises and compact with M10. For landscape application, AF is not necessary. Only thing I miss is weather sealing. But I’m sure the M can also take some light weather abuse although not as well as the SL.

[Andrew Gough]

You can use your WATE on the SL.... it is very good.

[wlaidlaw]

You can use your WATE on the SL.... it is very good.

 

Yes of course you can but it cannot really work as an all day lens, which the 16-35 will be able to, for use in cities etc. This means you have to carry other lenses plus change them backwards and forwards on the SL.  I very often also carry a film Leica with me as well, usually with a 50mm lens on it but sometimes my 85/1.5 Summarex. 

 

Wilson

[Andrew Gough]

Yes of course you can but it cannot really work as an all day lens, which the 16-35 will be able to, for use in cities etc. This means you have to carry other lenses plus change them backwards and forwards on the SL.  I very often also carry a film Leica with me as well, usually with a 50mm lens on it but sometimes my 85/1.5 Summarex. 

 

Wilson

 

 

I agree, a SL with a 16-35mm and 2nd with a 24-90mm is a great all day package for city shooting. Throw in a fast 50mm and it will be a super package. I am also waiting for the 16-35mm...

[Jeff S]

I agree, a SL with a 16-35mm and 2nd with a 24-90mm is a great all day package for city shooting. Throw in a fast 50mm and it will be a super package. I am also waiting for the 16-35mm...

Don't forget to throw in a roller bag for that all day affair.

 

Jeff

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[jaapv]

I come prepared - meet my SL camera bag carrier:

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!