The German store Fotokoch has listed the new Leica Apo-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 asph Leica SL lens.

This is the google translated press text:

The new 50 mm lens sets new standards in terms of compactness and performance. Based on innovative technologies, the APO-Summicron-SL leaves 1: 2/50 ASPH. no wishes unfulfilled. Brilliance, micro-contrast to the last corner and a balanced bokeh make the lens a true Leica classic.

Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1: 2/50 ASPH .:
Versatile standard focal length
Leica Camera AG extends the Summicron-SL line with another high-performance lens:
the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1: 2/50 ASPH .. Whether reportage, travel, studio, architecture, landscape photography, portraits, close-ups, or documentation – with its focal length, the new SL lens is very versatile and can be used in almost every situation. Like the other Summicron SL lenses, the APO Summicron SL uses 1: 2/50 ASPH. Standards and qualifies as a new reference among the standard focal lengths. The used L-mount standard makes the APO-Summicron-SL 1: 2/50 ASPH. also fully compatible with cameras from other L-Mount Alliance partners who also have the lens mount developed by Leica Camera.

Twelve highly complex lenses – three of them with an aspheric surface – in ten groups contribute to a maximum in terms of image quality and that even at fully open aperture – because for Leica lenses applies: open aperture equal to working aperture. Dimming is therefore a pure stylistic device for the image design and not necessary for an increase in performance. Natural skin tones, soft bokeh transitions, outstanding detail contrast and sharpness right down to the edges of the distortion-free images are further quality features for Leica Camera lenses and also apply to the APO-Summicron-SL 1: 2/50 ASPH ..

Every imaging element made of glass – such as lenses – breaks the light of different colors to varying degrees. As a result, not all of the light rays of a multi-colored object focus in one pixel – resulting in chromatic aberrations. These color errors have been seen in the new APO-Summicron-SL 1: 2/50 ASPH. corrected apochromatically. For this purpose, most of the installed lens elements have an anomalous partial dispersion and consist of high-quality special glass, the sophisticated processing of which even leads the innovative production methods of Leica Manufaktur to the limits of the feasible.

The autofocus used in all Summicron SL lenses uses extremely powerful and robust stepper motors with DSD (Dual Syncro Drive). With these, the entire focusing range can be traversed in just about 250 milliseconds. In addition to autofocus, Leica Camera also uses innovative methods for manual focusing: Summicron SL lenses use a novel design of the manual focus ring. In this a ring magnet with alternating north-south polarization is embedded. When the ring is turned, the magnetic field changes. A sensor evaluates the magnetic field and sends its measuring signals to the main processor. Depending on the angle of rotation and the rotational speed, the focus position is approached accordingly – manual focusing can be done even faster and more precisely.

Both the design and the design of the state-of-the-art Summicron-SL line represent the next step in lens development for the Leica SL system. New, highly accurate manufacturing methods and measurement techniques have been developed specifically for manufacturing. The result is not only in more compact dimensions and a significantly lower weight, but also in an excellent imaging performance. A special focus in the design of APO-Summicron-SL fixed focal lengths is on the avoidance of stray light and reflections. In addition to optimizing the optical and mechanical design, unavoidable reflections are reduced to the lowest possible level by a high-quality coating of the optical surfaces. The lenses can also be safely used in almost any weather, thanks to the dust and splash protection and the Aquadura coating of the outer lens elements.

APO
Apochromatic and more
“APO” identifies the Leica lenses with the best imaging performance. In the SL system, all SL Summicron lenses, from tele to wide angle, have the coveted addition. This predicate was reserved for a long time telephoto lenses, since only these could achieve the required quality.

via Nokishita