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p.3 #5 · p.3 #5 · LensRentals: Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM & FE 35mm f/1.8 MTF tests! | |
snapsy wrote:
Good point. Perhaps the 24 and 135 are more complex designs that require longer glass production cycles.
When I have been at Leica factory tour recently, I asked them about glass and production cycles, as lenses often take Leica a long time to produce.
They told me that they get their glass from Schott. The glass needs to be especially pure, so is hard to get if you need it for aspherical lens elements. Schott is able to deliver glass chunks for sperical elements much faster, as that is what other clients demand, usually.
For Leica it is especially hard, as they don't need huge amounts contrary to producers in large production companies, their demand is especially low. Schott is not able and willing to deliver right away, they need to be informed about two years in advance to schedule preparation o the required glass. The more asphericals, the longer it takes to polish them to a certain accuracy. They meant other lens companies are in a similar situation. The 24 GM features two XA (extreme aspherical) lens elements, as well as three ED glass elements. That could be a start to explain the shortage.
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