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Has anyone within the UK recieved a SL 35mm Lens yet?

I've been on a waiting list at Leica Mayfair and an independent Leica Re-seller since early April. Initially I was told very early May, then perhaps late May, and then yesterday that they were not able to give me any idea when they were expecting the next batch. Perhaps mistakenly, I got the impression that Leica Mayfair had only recieved one 35 SL Lens so far, and sold it leaving no test Lens for potential customers.

OK - although I'd like the Lens now, it would be nice to have an approximate idea as to when stocks will be available at both the Leica Stores and the independent Re-sellers? 

Whilst in the store I was tempted to instead switch from the 35 SL to buy the used 16-35 SL Lens (which they had in stock) to pair with my SL 75, but resisted...but I'm still considering that option. Although the zoom is bigger and heavier, with these two lenses I've got my normal range covered. My Initial idea was to go with 21/35/75 SL Summicron Primes - but it's anyones guess when the 21mm SL will be announced and then available to real photographers.

Does anyone have any information?

Edited by elwyn
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The 16-35 is a fine lens for all purposes.  But if you really like the rendering of the APO SL 75/2, the 35 does even better in giving sharpness across the field, tonal separation, and a pleasing bokeh that preserves a surprising amount of the image at other planes.  We won't see the 21/24/28 until sometime in 2020 and no one knows in what order they will be rolled out.  I'm waiting for a 24 myself and would not be surprised if it comes in 2021.  Maybe by then I'll have 47 MPx in my SL2 and a gigantic screen to view them on.  If there are pictures that you aren't taking, get the 16-35 (it is also sharp everywhere) and don't wait around...

Edited by scott kirkpatrick
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I don’t have any extra info on deliveries I think that is in the lap of the gods, especially in UK. In your position, I would test an L mount Sigma or Panasonic, I’m not saying you should deviate from the shining path of Leica (for that matter I only shoot on red dot glass) but it would be an interesting contrast and compare while you wait , trial for a weekend?

i would also try Park Cameras, London Camera Exchange etc for the Leica lens, I’ve been surprised before by their stock levels - good luck

https://www.parkcameras.com/p/G242335A/mirrorless-camera-lenses/sigma/sigma-35mm-f14-dg-hsm-art-lens-l-mount

 

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My local dealer ordered 10 lenses, received one. Has no idea when the next batch is rolling out. I am now considering getting out of the L system all together because of Leica's tardy and lackadaisical approach to rolling out product in a timely fashion. I've no doubt they have lost a lot of customers as a result of an innate ability to not deliver product on time. It is both frustrating and infuriating when one invests into a system based upon a promised delivery scheme for lenses that continues to be pushed out evermore. 

 

Edited by jplomley
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I ordered on March 3 from Clifton Cameras. They sent me this message last Friday - this is quite a long wait. 

”Thank you for your email.

I have spoken to Leica and they have given me an ETA of September if production takes the same amount of time as its currently taking. They are only distributing a couple of units a month to their backorder so the process does take a while. From my experience not everyone on backorder will go through with the deal as they have only paid a deposit and production might become a little faster so hopefully we can get it quicker for you.
 
 
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Many thanks for all your kind replies.

However, jplombley and WelshB hit the nail on the head in regards to the way that Leica treats its customers...we are people who've invested reasonable amounts of money in their systems.

Why launch a product when you have such micro amounts of stock, and no more likely for a relatively long period of time?

Why not communicate with your customers to give them an update if you have a problem in hoped for roll-out of stock...Leica and ourselves are partners (they make, we buy)?

When neither the Leica Stores or Leica PR can't/won't communicate with us to advise why there are delays and how long they will last, it appears that they don't respect the very people who keep them in business!

Sorry, I'm cheesed-off, as this is not the first time this has happened.

Back to considering the 16-35 SL Lens or Sigma/Panasonic.

 

Edited by elwyn
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9 hours ago, jplomley said:

I've no doubt they have lost a lot of customers

I cancelled my APO-35-SL pre-order two weeks ago.  Suggest everyone else do the same as it's an excellent way to send Solms a message.

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2 hours ago, AZN said:

I cancelled my APO-35-SL pre-order two weeks ago.  Suggest everyone else do the same as it's an excellent way to send Solms a message.

Lets hope someone in Solms has a forwarding address.

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On 6/6/2019 at 7:58 AM, scott kirkpatrick said:

The 16-35 is a fine lens for all purposes.  But if you really like the rendering of the APO SL 75/2, the 35 does even better in giving sharpness across the field, tonal separation, and a pleasing bokeh that preserves a surprising amount of the image at other planes.  We won't see the 21/24/28 until sometime in 2020 and no one knows in what order they will be rolled out.  I'm waiting for a 24 myself and would not be surprised if it comes in 2021.  Maybe by then I'll have 47 MPx in my SL2 and a gigantic screen to view them on.  If there are pictures that you aren't taking, get the 16-35 (it is also sharp everywhere) and don't wait around...

Many thanks Scott - I decided to go for a competitively priced v.slightly used 16-35 from Leica Mayfair (London). I don't have a SL Lens at present as I had to send my SL 75 back to Leica last week as the manual focus ring wasn't smooth and was making scrunching noises/sticking at certain points!

I tried the zoom out, and looking at the test photos I took, they were v sharp all over the frame, and had surprisingly v.little distortion at the edges, strangely on camera the zoom feels a lot smaller than the 24-90 I used to have, and fits/balances on the SL really well.

Perhaps I should have been more patient, but the 16-35 will cover my Landscape/City needs, open-up new ways of looking at things for me and will cover my future need for a 21mm SL Lens (when available). My only concern is the relatively small 4.5 aperture 35mm having been used to a 28 or 35mm lens at f 2.0 or better for the last 5 years? I'm v. comfortable/happy with the SL 75 for people shots either formal or street.

Looking forward to using and trying to get the best out of the new lens.

Edited by elwyn
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  • 2 months later...

For anyone interested BH in New York has the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH Lens in stock and ready to ship right now. I just checked their web page just now and it is in stock.

I do not know for how long it will be in stock, but in almost all Leica Stores it is not in stock and they have a waiting list. Good luck!!!  August 22,2019

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I wonder what %age of its production Leica is sending to the far east, especially China, these days

This lens is number one on my list. Looks like I wont be getting it until next year, which is a shame

Edited by colonel
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I was able to get mine  (Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH Lens) at B&H about ten days ago, they had it in stock for two days. Now they say that the expected availability is 7-14 business days. You should try B&H, since the lens is almost impossible to get at any of the USA Leica Stores right now.

By the way, beautiful pictures!

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Several APO-SL 35mm available in french Leica stores. They also shipped them if needed. 

Actually every APO-SL (35 + 50 + 75 + 90) are available in the four Leica Stores (Lille, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Bd Beaumarchais, Marseilles and online) 

 

 

Edited by nicci78
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