New vs older SL lenses

[ALScott]

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Are there differences in a 50mm Lux or Vario 24-90 lens that was, say, made this year vs. the year they were introduced?  AF motors, glass, anything at all?  Any advantage to buying lenses made later?  Looking to pick up some used lenses but realized if I buy used odds are there will be no way for me to determine when they were made.

[ALScott]

Nobody?  So, I guess I should say something disparaging or controversial about the SL3 or really anything Leica to get a response?  A "I have no idea" would be an answer.  I am just moving to Leica after 30 years of admiring it so any comments from those with experience with the same is much appreciated for those in my position.

Edited April 20, 2024 by ALScott

[LeicaR10]

AlScott,  The questions you ask concerning the SL lenses there are several things to consider.  Based on my many decades with Leica cameras and lenses, the company to the best of my knowledge does not make note any mechanical upgrade to the existing lenses.  The only time that I am aware was to resolve a faulty AF gear in the Leica S lenses.  If buying a S lens you can email Leica Customer Care at Wetzlar and they will tell you if AF motor was replaced and date based on the lens serial number.  

As for the Leica SL lenses these are the best optical and mechanical lenses made for the SL system.  The early adopters of the SL3 camera have noted improved AF speed (via firmware) with the SL 50 Summilux and 24-90 Vario-Elmarit. Whether real or perceived, I cannot to say because, I am not in need/want of the SL3.  I do know those SL lenses work very well with the SL2 and SL2-S.  Again, I know of no mechanical improvements in any of the existing SL lenses and I use most of them.  The Leica Forum members most likely would note such if improvements were found in other lenses.  If you are concerned with the year the lenses were made, most recent SL lenses serial numbers start with 47 or 48.  If you want the production date, you need to have the original box that matches the lens serial number.  On the outside white label is the production date and serial number of the lens.  I highly recommend if you are buying used SL lenses, do so via a Leica dealer or authorized dealer.  They can help you too with any questions about buying used Leica lenses.  r/ Mark 

[frame-it]

On 4/18/2024 at 8:42 AM, ALScott said:

Are there differences in a 50mm Lux or Vario 24-90 lens that was, say, made this year vs. the year they were introduced?  AF motors, glass, anything at all?  Any advantage to buying lenses made later?  Looking to pick up some used lenses but realized if I buy used odds are there will be no way for me to determine when they were made.

AF motors is definitely possible* but as usual, no data from Leica

* because of the new AF speed when the Sl2S was released and later when the SL2 got a bigger firmware update

so maybe there were adjustments to the AF mechanisms in some of the lenses around late 2020.

[because they wouldn't have wanted the L lenses to crap out like the S lenses did]

[ALScott]

11 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

AlScott,  The questions you ask concerning the SL lenses there are several things to consider.  Based on my many decades with Leica cameras and lenses, the company to the best of my knowledge does not make note any mechanical upgrade to the existing lenses.  The only time that I am aware was to resolve a faulty AF gear in the Leica S lenses.  If buying a S lens you can email Leica Customer Care at Wetzlar and they will tell you if AF motor was replaced and date based on the lens serial number.  

As for the Leica SL lenses these are the best optical and mechanical lenses made for the SL system.  The early adopters of the SL3 camera have noted improved AF speed (via firmware) with the SL 50 Summilux and 24-90 Vario-Elmarit. Whether real or perceived, I cannot to say because, I am not in need/want of the SL3.  I do know those SL lenses work very well with the SL2 and SL2-S.  Again, I know of no mechanical improvements in any of the existing SL lenses and I use most of them.  The Leica Forum members most likely would note such if improvements were found in other lenses.  If you are concerned with the year the lenses were made, most recent SL lenses serial numbers start with 47 or 48.  If you want the production date, you need to have the original box that matches the lens serial number.  On the outside white label is the production date and serial number of the lens.  I highly recommend if you are buying used SL lenses, do so via a Leica dealer or authorized dealer.  They can help you too with any questions about buying used Leica lenses.  r/ Mark 

 

11 hours ago, frame-it said:

AF motors is definitely possible* but as usual, no data from Leica

* because of the new AF speed when the Sl2S was released and later when the SL2 got a bigger firmware update

so maybe there were adjustments to the AF mechanisms in some of the lenses around late 2020.

[because they wouldn't have wanted the L lenses to crap out like the S lenses did]

 

Thank you both very much.  There is much to learn about Leica and how they do things with regard to product and information.  These are exactly the answers I was looking for.  I looked everywhere for the info before I finally posted a question here.

[Sandokan]

The questions to ask yourself for the difference between new and older lenses, is "how well looked after were they; are there any scratches; is there any fungus; were they ever dropped; did they bang into something?"

If they were - and you would see it if they were not smooth focusing, off centre, unsharp - then you have to add in the cost of a service into the 2nd hand price. I have bought many lenses 2nd hand and so far I have not noticed any problems with them, except some M lenses which needed a SLA. 

I do not think SL lenses are worth the savings of 2nd hand - because there is more to go wrong in AF lenses, better to buy new. 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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No. There are no differences other than wear and tear. I got my 24-90 and Summilux 50 on the day they were released and still use them. The 24-90 is still as good as any standard zoom I’ve used (most of them) and the 50 is simply special. I do use my smaller L mount 50’s more because of the weight. The Sigma DGDN f2.0 is my preference, usually. I like aperture rings on lenses. But the Summilux remains and still gets used because of how balanced (optically) it is. A special lens. I’ll never sell mine.

Gordon

[LocalHero1953]

On 4/20/2024 at 4:25 AM, ALScott said:

Nobody?  So, I guess I should say something disparaging or controversial about the SL3 or really anything Leica to get a response?  A "I have no idea" would be an answer.  I am just moving to Leica after 30 years of admiring it so any comments from those with experience with the same is much appreciated for those in my position.

If I were to reply "I have no idea" to every question in the forum where I don't actually have an idea, I would have no time for photography.😏