I'm wondering if Leica has reached the limit of creating new lens designs. Yes Leica produced new lenses in the last several years that are "classic" updates of prior lenses, but will there be new previously unseen designs such as were created by Mandler and Karbe during the 50's through 90's?
Chat GPT says the last truly new lens not based on a prior design was Leica 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH in 2021. It argues that the 2016 Summicron 35 APO is arguably not a new design because there was already a Summicron 35, although the APO version is radically better than the prior. Same argument for the Summicron 50 APO.
photo works wrote:
All the older lenses are getting close focus, so they are all new, they need to redesign them since not all of them can do macro
+1. This will be one major focus point in newer redesigned Leica M lenses - better close focus capability making them suitable especially for the new M-EV1 camera which is no longer limited to 0.7 m by the rangefinder focus system in traditional M cameras.
I don't think that Leica will put a lot more effort into designing new M lenses in general since the existing ones are already so good. Their focus for new lens designs might be more on the L-mount now. I expect more special lens editions to be released when it comes to new M lenses. Pretty much using another paint or metal alloy and charge an uptick amount for it for collectors. This principle has worked well for Leica so far. They will continue to do it since it is profitable for Leica Cameras. Also they might release some other revamped vintage lenses.
If you go for the latest and newest with M lenses is a decision everyone needs to establish on their own. This depends on multiple factors. I personally actually prefer the bit older M lens versions and some vintage ones but this is just me.
Fred Miranda wrote:
The latest rumors say the new Leica 35/1.2 Noct will be €9,000. Not sure about US pricing.
No wonder LLL is doing so well!
Heck just remembered, I bought a T1.05 35mm Vision lens by 7Artisans for my SL system that I do not tell the camera it is a cropped sensor lens so it uses it as a normal 24x36 lens and it cost about $350. Works great. Fun lens. Got the suggestion from Overgaard.
So 10K before any tariffs and sales tax depending on your location. Probably push it above 12K$ for most US buyers
Ok, less than my assumed 15K$ but still rings the bell. Let's see the reviews and such when it appears, but still I doubt I'll dive in. Still maybe it will be "perfect" and perfect has a high price.
EMH2025 wrote:
So 10K before any tariffs and sales tax depending on your location. Probably push it above 12K$ for most US buyers
Ok, less than my assumed 15K$ but still rings the bell. Let's see the reviews and such when it appears, but still I doubt I'll dive in. Still maybe it will be "perfect" and perfect has a high price.
My impression so far of the 35 LLL 1.4 is it is a cousin to 50 1966, and has that notcty feel to it, but I guess this new Leica is cousin to 0.95 (?) rather than the F1.2 or F1.0 so I guess it will be quite sharp wide often if my assumption is correct, but 10-12K is a high entrance fee to get a nocty 35 we will see when it is released. I am not a big 35 guy so I doubt I will spring for it, I am happy with the new LLL for now.
