Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
p.7 #1Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
27601 views of this item 
?!?@!?
Obviously enormous interest
Wish more info would come out
?!?@!?Obviously enormous interest
Wish more info would come outAug 25, 2026 at 10:11 PM
p.7 #2Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
The very first sentence in their announcement page promises a long term 'Apochromatic Series Project' with the same range approach as this 35/2. Next up, the 50mm - presumably a 50/2, then either a 28mm and/or a 75mm (my guess).
'Independently develop high-performance optical designs' might suggest more complex, original design lenses. Leica's 50mm APO is an 8/5, the 75mm APO is a 7/5, this 35mm one is an 11/6.
Leica do not make a 28/2 APO and their 50/2 and 75/2 APOs are now quite dated, though lovely lenses.
They date from the crossover period from lead to reliance on lanthanum and other exotic oxides. Schott lost almost all their catalog for high end glasses. A 75mm is an easier target for #3.
A 28mm that is compact enough for M VFs will be hard, and that focal length is already catered for with some fine lenses from others. The traditional choice for three lens sets bracketed 28mm and 35mm - choose only one to go with a 50mm and a 75mm/90mm. So we might see 35/50/75 - very symmetrical.
'Independently develop high-performance optical designs' might suggest more complex, original design lenses. Leica's 50mm APO is an 8/5, the 75mm APO is a 7/5, this 35mm one is an 11/6.
Leica do not make a 28/2 APO and their 50/2 and 75/2 APOs are now quite dated, though lovely lenses.
They date from the crossover period from lead to reliance on lanthanum and other exotic oxides. Schott lost almost all their catalog for high end glasses. A 75mm is an easier target for #3.
A 28mm that is compact enough for M VFs will be hard, and that focal length is already catered for with some fine lenses from others. The traditional choice for three lens sets bracketed 28mm and 35mm - choose only one to go with a 50mm and a 75mm/90mm. So we might see 35/50/75 - very symmetrical.
Aug 26, 2026 at 12:18 AM
p.7 #3Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
philip_pj wrote:
Leica do not make a 28/2 APO and their 50/2 and 75/2 APOs are now quite dated, though lovely lenses.
Show me one picture where you will say "I should have used an apo lens instead of my 28mm Summicron".
Then do the same with the "dated" 50/2 APO and 75/2 APO.
Leica do not make a 28/2 APO and their 50/2 and 75/2 APOs are now quite dated, though lovely lenses.
Show me one picture where you will say "I should have used an apo lens instead of my 28mm Summicron".
Then do the same with the "dated" 50/2 APO and 75/2 APO.
Aug 26, 2026 at 12:57 AM
p.7 #4Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
Leica 28/2.0 #11725 are going for around $10k now. YIKES! 450 made. I bought the original, but never used it.
Aug 26, 2026 at 08:00 AM
p.7 #5Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
Are LLL's MTFs measured or theoretical?
Aug 26, 2026 at 01:22 PM
p.7 #6Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
[First up, I don't take orders from you, monsieur, and I'm not sure I care for your rather abrupt tone.]
'Show me one picture where you will say "I should have used an apo lens instead of my 28mm Summicron"'
It's great you have no need of APO correction at 28mm, lucky you. You might address this inquiry to the users of the CV 28/2 APO. We can point to challenging scenes that are tailor-made for that 28/2 APO, like here:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1908649/11#ca
I'm certain Fred will put the LLL APO through the same rigorous tests he is doing with the 90/4 right now. You might be interested in my yesterday's experience of trying to find a decent analysis of the CA correction level the 28/2 (v2) Summicron produces.
You know what I found? Several gushing love letters totally devoid of the kinds of things Fred (or Chris Frost or Dustin Abbott or Optical Limits) does to gauge the color correction of each and every lens they test.
The 'reviewers' shall remain nameless to avoid embarrassment for them, there being no point being cruel when people are simply expressing their love for their lens - despite not even once using the words 'chromatic' or 'CA'! It's rather important, no?
Many here have grown children that are younger than the two longer Leica M-APOs (75mm and 90mm), so you can accurately dispense with the apostrophes regarding them. The 50/2 is all of 14 years old, the 75/2 is 22 years old, the 90/2 is 28 years old. You will recall the 2025 thread on the CV 90/2 Ultron APO, where Fred demonstrated its clear correction advantage over the 90/2 AA, that is what we had with older "APOs".
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1886307/7#CA
Few people have any idea how much glass formulae and availability have changed in that period of time. What is now possible, and even expected, that was not possible back then.
Actually I recall a member posting a landscape image posted here, shot with the 90mm APO-Summicron (from memory) - he was definitely unhappy with its color correction for that image, and rightly so. I hope you have good day, cheers.
'Show me one picture where you will say "I should have used an apo lens instead of my 28mm Summicron"'
It's great you have no need of APO correction at 28mm, lucky you. You might address this inquiry to the users of the CV 28/2 APO. We can point to challenging scenes that are tailor-made for that 28/2 APO, like here:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1908649/11#ca
I'm certain Fred will put the LLL APO through the same rigorous tests he is doing with the 90/4 right now. You might be interested in my yesterday's experience of trying to find a decent analysis of the CA correction level the 28/2 (v2) Summicron produces.
You know what I found? Several gushing love letters totally devoid of the kinds of things Fred (or Chris Frost or Dustin Abbott or Optical Limits) does to gauge the color correction of each and every lens they test.
The 'reviewers' shall remain nameless to avoid embarrassment for them, there being no point being cruel when people are simply expressing their love for their lens - despite not even once using the words 'chromatic' or 'CA'! It's rather important, no?
Many here have grown children that are younger than the two longer Leica M-APOs (75mm and 90mm), so you can accurately dispense with the apostrophes regarding them. The 50/2 is all of 14 years old, the 75/2 is 22 years old, the 90/2 is 28 years old. You will recall the 2025 thread on the CV 90/2 Ultron APO, where Fred demonstrated its clear correction advantage over the 90/2 AA, that is what we had with older "APOs".
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1886307/7#CA
Few people have any idea how much glass formulae and availability have changed in that period of time. What is now possible, and even expected, that was not possible back then.
Actually I recall a member posting a landscape image posted here, shot with the 90mm APO-Summicron (from memory) - he was definitely unhappy with its color correction for that image, and rightly so. I hope you have good day, cheers.
Aug 26, 2026 at 04:21 PM
p.7 #7Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
philip_pj wrote:
[First up, I don't take orders from you, monsieur, and I'm not sure I care for your rather abrupt tone.]
'Show me one picture where you will say "I should have used an apo lens instead of my 28mm Summicron"'
It's great you have no need of APO correction at 28mm, lucky you. You might address this inquiry to the users of the CV 28/2 APO. We can point to challenging scenes that are tailor-made for that 28/2 APO, like here:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1908649/11#ca
I'm certain Fred will put the LLL APO through the same rigorous tests he is doing with the 90/4 right...Show more →
The crazy part is that the Leica APO-Summicron 90/2 ASPH., while well corrected for axial CA (though not by today's standards or expectations), isn't all that different from the Leica 90/2 pre-ASPH in color correction. I was surprised to see almost the same amount of axial CA between the two versions when pushing it into high-contrast areas ...that caught me off guard since you don't hear much of that online.
The CV 90mm f/2 APO-Ultron operates on another level of axial CA correction entirely, and the new 90mm f/4 APO-Lanthar just pushed that needle even higher.
[First up, I don't take orders from you, monsieur, and I'm not sure I care for your rather abrupt tone.]
'Show me one picture where you will say "I should have used an apo lens instead of my 28mm Summicron"'
It's great you have no need of APO correction at 28mm, lucky you. You might address this inquiry to the users of the CV 28/2 APO. We can point to challenging scenes that are tailor-made for that 28/2 APO, like here:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1908649/11#ca
I'm certain Fred will put the LLL APO through the same rigorous tests he is doing with the 90/4 right...Show more →
The crazy part is that the Leica APO-Summicron 90/2 ASPH., while well corrected for axial CA (though not by today's standards or expectations), isn't all that different from the Leica 90/2 pre-ASPH in color correction. I was surprised to see almost the same amount of axial CA between the two versions when pushing it into high-contrast areas ...that caught me off guard since you don't hear much of that online.
The CV 90mm f/2 APO-Ultron operates on another level of axial CA correction entirely, and the new 90mm f/4 APO-Lanthar just pushed that needle even higher.
Aug 26, 2026 at 05:02 PM
p.7 #8Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
But the pre-APO 90mm Summicron still has the most pleasing rendering of them all. The character is simply magical. Sharp, but without that overcorrected look in the bokeh.
I enjoy using my 90mm APO Ultron, but I loved the pre-APO Summicron for its rendering. I only sold it because of the unpleasantly stiff focus ring, which still required way too much force even after being freshly cleaned and lubricated.
I’d love to have that kind of rendering in a 28mm or 35mm, and also in a 50mm… ✨
I enjoy using my 90mm APO Ultron, but I loved the pre-APO Summicron for its rendering. I only sold it because of the unpleasantly stiff focus ring, which still required way too much force even after being freshly cleaned and lubricated.
I’d love to have that kind of rendering in a 28mm or 35mm, and also in a 50mm… ✨
Aug 26, 2026 at 09:40 PM
p.7 #9Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
gammarART wrote:
But the pre-APO 90mm Summicron still has the most pleasing rendering of them all. The character is simply magical. Sharp, but without that overcorrected look in the bokeh.
I enjoy using my 90mm APO Ultron, but I loved the pre-APO Summicron for its rendering. I only sold it because of the unpleasantly stiff focus ring, which still required way too much force even after being freshly cleaned and lubricated.
I’d love to have that kind of rendering in a 28mm or 35mm, and also in a 50mm… ✨
I need to find my old comparison between the Leica 90mm AA, 90mm Pre-ASPH, and CV 90mm f/2 APO. I totally agree: the Pre-ASPH offered the most subjectively pleasant rendering with smooth transitions and minimal structure, whereas the Voigtlander was easily the most corrected for chromatic aberrations.
But the pre-APO 90mm Summicron still has the most pleasing rendering of them all. The character is simply magical. Sharp, but without that overcorrected look in the bokeh.
I enjoy using my 90mm APO Ultron, but I loved the pre-APO Summicron for its rendering. I only sold it because of the unpleasantly stiff focus ring, which still required way too much force even after being freshly cleaned and lubricated.
I’d love to have that kind of rendering in a 28mm or 35mm, and also in a 50mm… ✨
I need to find my old comparison between the Leica 90mm AA, 90mm Pre-ASPH, and CV 90mm f/2 APO. I totally agree: the Pre-ASPH offered the most subjectively pleasant rendering with smooth transitions and minimal structure, whereas the Voigtlander was easily the most corrected for chromatic aberrations.
Aug 27, 2026 at 08:26 AM
p.7 #10Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
@fred: I have only love for this rendering (sorry for privacy blur on the portraits but look at the sharpness combined with the pleasing background) ✨
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron Bokeh by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Edited on Aug 27, 2026 at 09:43 AM · View previous versions
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron Bokeh by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Leica 90mm 2.0 Summicron 11137 (11136) by Oliver Gross, auf Flickr
Edited on Aug 27, 2026 at 09:43 AM · View previous versions
Aug 27, 2026 at 09:39 AM
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p.7 #11Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
Is there not a thread or 4 for the various 90mm options?
Aug 27, 2026 at 09:42 AM
p.7 #12Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
You're absolutely right. Let's get back to the LLL Apo.
My wish for an 35mm lens with the 90mm rendering is another story 😄
My wish for an 35mm lens with the 90mm rendering is another story 😄
Aug 27, 2026 at 09:48 AM
p.7 #14Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
New prototype review posted this morning by Bobby Tonelli with some comparisons to the Leica APO. Got to say, I got the blind side-by-side comparison wrong...
EDIT: lol, highdesertmesa beat me to it.
EDIT: lol, highdesertmesa beat me to it.
Aug 28, 2026 at 08:23 AM
p.7 #15Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
JAUrrutia9 wrote:
New prototype review posted this morning by Bobby Tonelli with some comparisons to the Leica APO. Got to say, I got the blind side-by-side comparison wrong...
EDIT: lol, highdesertmesa beat me to it.
Hah. Yeah, the side-by-side face shot was interesting. I much prefer the LLL shot. The Leica has too much microcontrast for portraits, IMO, so that makes the LLL way more versatile.
New prototype review posted this morning by Bobby Tonelli with some comparisons to the Leica APO. Got to say, I got the blind side-by-side comparison wrong...
EDIT: lol, highdesertmesa beat me to it.
Hah. Yeah, the side-by-side face shot was interesting. I much prefer the LLL shot. The Leica has too much microcontrast for portraits, IMO, so that makes the LLL way more versatile.
Aug 28, 2026 at 08:30 AM
p.7 #16Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
I didn't want to say it, but same for me. I much preferred the LLL image!
...It's one comparison. I'm sure other tests will be more thorough.
...It's one comparison. I'm sure other tests will be more thorough.
Aug 28, 2026 at 08:33 AM
p.7 #17Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
philip_pj wrote:
The very first sentence in their announcement page promises a long term 'Apochromatic Series Project' with the same range approach as this 35/2. Next up, the 50mm - presumably a 50/2, then either a 28mm and/or a 75mm (my guess).
'Independently develop high-performance optical designs' might suggest more complex, original design lenses. Leica's 50mm APO is an 8/5, the 75mm APO is a 7/5, this 35mm one is an 11/6.
Leica do not make a 28/2 APO and their 50/2 and 75/2 APOs are now quite dated, though lovely lenses.
They date from the crossover period from lead to reliance on...Show more →
A 135/2 was mentioned in the Leica Rumors this is the one I covet, I have the 135 3.4 Leica but a 2 would be awesome. For LLL there is no parallel lens available- a unique product. How much it would sell beyond my immediate purchase I don't know. With EVFs focus is a nonissue and even on film I mostly use infinity so again not really a problem on any M. Other lenses a 28, there is the nice Voigtlander, 50 a number of them Leica Voigtlander etc, so not unique space, 135 no one else there (yet). One of the special things about LLL is the titanium, yes Leica makes a finish, a very expensive finish, but only LLL makes the solid titanium lenses and it is a form I happen to like, and they price them nicely enough.
The very first sentence in their announcement page promises a long term 'Apochromatic Series Project' with the same range approach as this 35/2. Next up, the 50mm - presumably a 50/2, then either a 28mm and/or a 75mm (my guess).
'Independently develop high-performance optical designs' might suggest more complex, original design lenses. Leica's 50mm APO is an 8/5, the 75mm APO is a 7/5, this 35mm one is an 11/6.
Leica do not make a 28/2 APO and their 50/2 and 75/2 APOs are now quite dated, though lovely lenses.
They date from the crossover period from lead to reliance on...Show more →
A 135/2 was mentioned in the Leica Rumors this is the one I covet, I have the 135 3.4 Leica but a 2 would be awesome. For LLL there is no parallel lens available- a unique product. How much it would sell beyond my immediate purchase I don't know. With EVFs focus is a nonissue and even on film I mostly use infinity so again not really a problem on any M. Other lenses a 28, there is the nice Voigtlander, 50 a number of them Leica Voigtlander etc, so not unique space, 135 no one else there (yet). One of the special things about LLL is the titanium, yes Leica makes a finish, a very expensive finish, but only LLL makes the solid titanium lenses and it is a form I happen to like, and they price them nicely enough.
Aug 28, 2026 at 10:47 AM
p.7 #18Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
highdesertmesa wrote:
I understand the points he's making about luxury branding, even the comparison to watches, and pride of ownership. Those just aren't what draws me to Leica... For me it's the design aesthetics, the craftsmanship, the tight tolerance control, and the way certain lenses render, not all. I get that owning an expensive Leica or watch scratches a similar itch for a lot of people, and I don't discount that.
But my view is that, premium pricing aside, these companies deliver on build quality and precision, and that's what I care about most.
Light Lens Lab makes great lenses and clearly draws on Leica's aesthetics, with some even replicating their optical designs, but they're not matching Leica's manufacturing tolerances or technology, so they don't fully replace a Leica lens. An optimal copy gets you maybe 90% of the way there, and in plenty of cases third-party lenses actually outperform Leica's own. Cosina is a good example of that happening often (lastest examples: Voigtlander 28mm f/2 and 90mm f/4 APO-Lanthar lenses). I totally agree with him that third-party lens options may actually help Leica in the long run, since you still have to buy a Leica rangefinder to use them, unless you're adapting to mirrorless cameras. (like he is doing with the Sigma)
I understand the points he's making about luxury branding, even the comparison to watches, and pride of ownership. Those just aren't what draws me to Leica... For me it's the design aesthetics, the craftsmanship, the tight tolerance control, and the way certain lenses render, not all. I get that owning an expensive Leica or watch scratches a similar itch for a lot of people, and I don't discount that.
But my view is that, premium pricing aside, these companies deliver on build quality and precision, and that's what I care about most.
Light Lens Lab makes great lenses and clearly draws on Leica's aesthetics, with some even replicating their optical designs, but they're not matching Leica's manufacturing tolerances or technology, so they don't fully replace a Leica lens. An optimal copy gets you maybe 90% of the way there, and in plenty of cases third-party lenses actually outperform Leica's own. Cosina is a good example of that happening often (lastest examples: Voigtlander 28mm f/2 and 90mm f/4 APO-Lanthar lenses). I totally agree with him that third-party lens options may actually help Leica in the long run, since you still have to buy a Leica rangefinder to use them, unless you're adapting to mirrorless cameras. (like he is doing with the Sigma)
Aug 28, 2026 at 11:21 AM
p.7 #19Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
Fred Miranda wrote:
I understand the points he's making about luxury branding, even the comparison to watches, and pride of ownership. Those just aren't what draws me to Leica... For me it's the design aesthetics, the craftsmanship, the tight tolerance control, and the way certain lenses render, not all. I get that owning an expensive Leica or watch scratches a similar itch for a lot of people, and I don't discount that.
But my view is that, premium pricing aside, these companies deliver on build quality and precision, and that's what I care about most.
Light Lens Lab makes great lenses and clearly draws...Show more →
I actually dislike the luxury branding status of Leica as it signals things that are the opposite of why I got into the system. I actually got into Leica because the lens+body set-ups are small and easy to integrate in my day to day, don't draw much attention to anyone who isn't a photographer, but deliver IQ that is right up there with a larger FF mirrorless system. Plus I just find them enjoyable to shoot and a nice change of pace after years of shooting highly automated AF systems.
I get that these are aspirational purchaes for some people but I do think a small sub-set of Leica shooters like to gatekeep the brand though. That being said, LLL should have enough confidence in their ability to devilver on the quality front that they can adopt a more distinctive aesthetic.
highdesertmesa wrote
But my view is that, premium pricing aside, these companies deliver on build quality and precision, and that's what I care about most.
Light Lens Lab makes great lenses and clearly draws...Show more →
I actually dislike the luxury branding status of Leica as it signals things that are the opposite of why I got into the system. I actually got into Leica because the lens+body set-ups are small and easy to integrate in my day to day, don't draw much attention to anyone who isn't a photographer, but deliver IQ that is right up there with a larger FF mirrorless system. Plus I just find them enjoyable to shoot and a nice change of pace after years of shooting highly automated AF systems.
I get that these are aspirational purchaes for some people but I do think a small sub-set of Leica shooters like to gatekeep the brand though. That being said, LLL should have enough confidence in their ability to devilver on the quality front that they can adopt a more distinctive aesthetic.
Aug 28, 2026 at 11:43 AM
p.7 #20Official: Light Lens Lab 35mm f/2 "Apochromatic"
Fred Miranda wrote:
I understand the points he's making about luxury branding, even the comparison to watches, and pride of ownership. Those just aren't what draws me to Leica... For me it's the design aesthetics, the craftsmanship, the tight tolerance control, and the way certain lenses render, not all. I get that owning an expensive Leica or watch scratches a similar itch for a lot of people, and I don't discount that.
But my view is that, premium pricing aside, these companies deliver on build quality and precision, and that's what I care about most.
Light Lens Lab makes great lenses and clearly draws...Show more →
Agreed. I think regarding prestige, he may have speaking from the perspective of the Asian market where he lives.
highdesertmesa wrote
But my view is that, premium pricing aside, these companies deliver on build quality and precision, and that's what I care about most.
Light Lens Lab makes great lenses and clearly draws...Show more →
Agreed. I think regarding prestige, he may have speaking from the perspective of the Asian market where he lives.
Aug 28, 2026 at 01:08 PM