Which SL lens is Leica's masterpiece?

[Altair]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

As the title says, what lens would you consider the very best Leica has made?

 

In theory and as per the statements made by the designers, the SL lenses are with no restrictions, compared to M lenses, as the modern larger mount and no size restrictions should allow for thr very highest optical quality, with auto focus as an additional benefit.

 

Great in theory, in practice I can't say I preffered Leicas SL lenses to their M counterparts as far as rendering is concerned. In part that's due to the fact that I don't focus on only sharpness ( which SL lenses have in spade )

 

But what about detail and bokeh? 

 

The Summilux SL is a fine lens no doubt. But the Summilux M leaves me wanting for nothing, I did not do a side by side comparison and maybe wrong, but I feel they have similar image quality ( the latest M Summilux might be better actually)

 

To be frank, I preffered my 50mm Nikon 1.2 S to the Summilux in terms of rendering, sharpness, speed, detail, and of course it's light years ahead in terms of accuracy and autofocus accuracy. The SL is better built though at over 3 times the price

[Advertisement]

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

[costa43]

The general consensus on this forum is that the APO SL 35mm is the pinnacle. Peter Karbe confirming this kinda makes it a fact in Leica Land if you ask me. 

[Ivar B]

2 hours ago, costa43 said:

The general consensus on this forum is that the APO SL 35mm is the pinnacle. Peter Karbe confirming this kinda makes it a fact in Leica Land if you ask me. 

Agreed. I recall Karbe saying that since the various lenses use the same housing, some extra space was available for the 35mm and this could be utilized for extra performance in the design. This performance would have been close to impossble to obtain for a more compact close, although the M APO 2/35 comes close.

[swatch]

The masterpiece is next SL prime lens.

Leica makes unique M lenses such as Noct 75 f/1.25 and it just need to add autofocus and weather seal to become SL lens, on earth no other manufacturer can offer the same.

[Leslie22]

My experience and I've had a lot. The 50 1.4 Lux is the masterpiece for SL. Yes I know it's big and heavy ... but it's got that certain magic like the Noctilux M.

 

 

[Steven Lane]

10 hours ago, Leslie22 said:

My experience and I've had a lot. The 50 1.4 Lux is the masterpiece for SL. Yes I know it's big and heavy ... but it's got that certain magic like the Noctilux M.

 

 

Completely agree 👍. I have the 35 APO and as spectacular as it is, I find it a little ‘soulless’. After the 50 lux, I find the 90-280 comes a very close second.

[Leslie22]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Funny you should say that about the 90 to 280 , I love and use that lens a lot

[Ivar B]

On 2/7/2025 at 7:18 AM, Leslie22 said:

My experience and I've had a lot. The 50 1.4 Lux is the masterpiece for SL. Yes I know it's big and heavy ... but it's got that certain magic like the Noctilux M.

 

 

There are rumors saying the SL 1.4/50mm has been discontinued and some dealers confirm. Don`t know if this is true or not.

[Eoin]

So many to choose from, all great I'm sure. I'm drawn to the Super APO Summicron 21 for its WA perfection. For good light, Summilux SL or Noctilux 1.25 are a delight.

Most utilitarian with exceptional quality has got to be the APO 35 or APO50 depending on your preference. 

[Stuart Richardson]

3 hours ago, Ivar B said:

There are rumors saying the SL 1.4/50mm has been discontinued and some dealers confirm. Don`t know if this is true or not.

In my experience, Leica will often shadow discontinue lenses. They tend to build things in batches, and if the lens is a slow seller they may more or less sell it out before deciding whether to produce another batch. I have no knowledge of this situation, but I would not be the surprise if that were the case with the 50mm 1.4. It was the first prime for the SL system and since then there has been a wealth of choice in 50mm lenses, most of which are dramatically smaller and also less expensive. I suspect that there are few new buyers from the 50mm 1.4 Summilux SL. That said, I hope that Leica will still offer it, even if in modest numbers. It is a stunning lens.

[Ivar B]

15 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

In my experience, Leica will often shadow discontinue lenses. They tend to build things in batches, and if the lens is a slow seller they may more or less sell it out before deciding whether to produce another batch. I have no knowledge of this situation, but I would not be the surprise if that were the case with the 50mm 1.4. It was the first prime for the SL system and since then there has been a wealth of choice in 50mm lenses, most of which are dramatically smaller and also less expensive. I suspect that there are few new buyers from the 50mm 1.4 Summilux SL. That said, I hope that Leica will still offer it, even if in modest numbers. It is a stunning lens.

You are no doubt correct. One issue is price. The Panasonic S Pro 1.4/50mm is optically fully matching the Summilux SL 50mm, and at a much lower price. Autofocus is much better as well. I have owned them both - but migrated to the Apo-Summicron-SL 2/50 to save bulk and weight. The Sigma DG DN 1.4/50mm is also a superb lens. In all likelihood, this lens did not sell well. Maybe Leica will redesign the 1.4/50 to improve optical performance and autofocus speed, and save weight and bulk? 

[Dr. G]

I own the 21 APO, 35 APO, 75 APO and 50 Lux SL (had the 50 APO at one point).  I think the 75 is spectacular and even when non-photographers look at images made with it they comment.  That's my vote.  

[Olaf_ZG]

To me its the Lux. 
For all other lenses I could change them to a sigma, panasonic or rebrand. But the Lux is the masterpiece. 
 

But then, I do close up portraits at 1.4…

[jrp]

The Summilux SL has a unique look.  If you prefer the Nikon, go with it.

I wouldn't like to have to choose between the Summicrons but their clean rendering is noticeable to me.

I also use the Sony system and it has some excellent, light lenses, particularly the second generation GM lenses.  My favourite at the moment is, however, the 28-70 f2 GM.  It has imperfections, but it also has distinctive rendering, as the 50mm Summilux SL has.  While the 24-70 f2.8 GM II has very useful extra range and, probably, better edges, and is lighter, being able to shoot confidently at f2, with a nice soft background rendering, makes me go for the f2 lens unless I know that I'll need the extra range (in which case I might also think about the 16-35mm f2.8 GM II).

[Biotar]

Sorry, but no masterpiece without magic. It's time for a 1.2 Nocti in SL.

[SJH]

Simple SL 35mm APO