p.9 #2 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
gammarART wrote:
The new Sigma 50mm f/1.4 has been announced. But to me, it doesn’t really look like it could be the technical basis for the new SL Summilux.
p.9 #3 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
He was pretty categorical about 'an attempt at making an autofocus lens of the M version of the Summilux 50mm', but blamed SL lack of popularity on 'some lenses that were quite big and heavy'.
Other useful snippets: retaining the typical Leica look' 'a big challenge'; 'the Summilux-M is very, very much in favor of the people out there'; 'find the sweet spot in where it is sharpest to how compact can we make it' '; 'the (M) character we want to achieve with that lens'.
Yes, v1 was big and heavy indeed, at 1065 grams for a 11/9 design. The new lens is 585 grams but the lens it is supposedly modeled after is a lithe 380 grams and still focuses a little closer (0.45m vs 0.5m). This one continues Leica's push towards using more achromat doublets for volume reduction - 11/6 leaves just one element to stand alone.
What happened in the MTF department is interesting - the wide open high frequency measure ('sharpness', if you will) went from the Peter Karbe standard of 80% down to 70%, both on axis. It's much weaker across the frame too, but still lacks almost entirely the midfield half pipe that is so much a part of the M lens's character.
