Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1:2.35 ASPH.

The Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1:2/35 ASPH. is an outstanding standard prime lens for the Leica SL system, impressing with its excellent optical performance, high light transmission and compact design. With a focal length of 35 mm and a fast f/2 aperture, it is an extremely versatile lens suitable for a wide range of applications, from street photography and landscape shots to portraits and everyday photography.

Like all lenses in Leica’s APO series, the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1:2/35 ASPH. utilises apochromatic correction (APO) to minimise colour fringing and chromatic aberrations, resulting in extremely accurate colour reproduction and high resolution. With its aspherical lens (ASPH), optical distortions are also virtually eliminated, resulting in exceptional sharpness and image quality.

Description and features 🌟

The Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1:2/35 ASPH. offers everything you would expect from a Leica lens: superb build quality, high light transmission, and unrivalled image quality. It is the ideal companion for photographers seeking a compact and high-performance lens that delivers outstanding results across a wide range of photographic scenarios.

• 35 mm focal length:
  The 35 mm focal length is often regarded as the standard focal length and is ideal for a wide range of applications. It provides a natural perspective that is particularly well-suited to street photography, reportage, landscape photography and portraits. It is the perfect all-rounder for everyday use, as it is wide enough to capture surroundings but close enough to take detailed shots. 🌍📸

• Aperture of f/2:
  With a fast f/2 aperture, the lens allows for shooting in low light and offers a shallow depth of field, which is ideal for isolating subjects. The large aperture produces a soft and pleasing bokeh, which is particularly effective in portraits or close-up shots. 💡✨

• APO technology (apochromatic correction):
  The APO-Summicron-SL 35 mm utilises APO technology to minimise chromatic aberrations and colour fringing, even when producing high contrast. This results in precise colour fidelity and extremely high sharpness across the entire image area, even in difficult lighting conditions. 📏🌈

• Aspherical Lens (ASPH.):
  The use of an aspherical lens minimises optical distortion across the entire image field, resulting in consistently high sharpness – even at wide apertures. This ensures that the lens delivers outstanding results even at wide angles of view or when capturing fine details. 🔍🎯

• Compact design:
  The Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1:2/35 ASPH. is surprisingly compact despite its high optical performance. This makes it a practical companion for photographers who are often on the move and need a lightweight yet powerful lens. Furthermore, the robust construction ensures durability and reliable performance. 🧳📷

Technical specifications 📊

• Lens type: Standard prime lens

• Focal length: 35 mm

• Aperture: f/2 (max.)

• Lens construction: 9 elements in 5 groups

• Minimum focusing distance: 0.30 m

• Angle of view: 63° (on full-frame)

• Filter diameter: 67 mm

• Dimensions (diameter x length): 74 mm x 98 mm

• Weight: 370 g

• Focusing: Autofocus with manual focus

• Build quality: Metal body, weather-sealed

• Weather resistance: Yes, sealed against dust and splashes

• Special features:

  • High optical performance with minimal chromatic aberration

  • Fast f/2 aperture for excellent low-light performance and beautiful bokeh

  • Aspherical lenses for near-perfect sharpness

  • Compact and robust construction for everyday use

  • Weather-resistant for use in various weather conditions

Image quality and application 📸

• Sharpness and contrast:
  The Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1:2/35 ASPH. offers exceptional sharpness that remains consistently high both at the edges and in the centre of the frame. This optical excellence ensures that image quality remains outstanding even at wide apertures and in challenging lighting conditions. Contrasts are rendered clearly and precisely, which is particularly advantageous for black-and-white portraits or high-key scenes. 🏞️🌟

• Colours and aberrations:
  APO technology minimises colour fringing and chromatic aberrations, ensuring the lens delivers excellent colour reproduction across the entire image. Colours remain authentic and vibrant, particularly in high-contrast scenes or challenging lighting conditions. 🌈🔬

• Bokeh and Isolation:
  The fast f/2 aperture ensures a shallow depth of field and a beautiful bokeh that is soft and aesthetically pleasing. The subject stands out very well against the background, particularly in portrait shots or close-ups of details. The bokeh is smooth and free of harsh edges, giving the image an overall very appealing and professional look. 🌸💫

Practical applications 🌟

• Portrait photography:
  With an aperture of f/2 and a 35 mm focal length, this lens is excellent for portrait photography. The effective separation from the background and the soft bokeh make it ideal for capturing people in natural settings, with a beautiful gradient of focus in the background. 📸👤

• Street photography:
  The 35 mm focal length offers a perfect perspective for street photography, as it allows you to take wide-angle shots without the image looking too ‘distorted’. You can capture dynamic scenes whilst incorporating both wider surroundings and portraits of people. It is a very practical lens for unobtrusive photography. 🚶‍♂️🌆

• Landscape photography:
  The Leica APO-Summicron-SL 1:2/35 ASPH. also delivers exceptional results in landscape photography. The high resolution and precise colour reproduction are particularly advantageous when shooting wide scenes and panoramas, as you achieve high levels of detail across the entire image area even at wide apertures. 🏞️🌅

• Low-light situations:
  The fast f/2 aperture allows you to take photos in low light without having to increase the ISO settings too much. This is particularly useful in low-light conditions, whether for indoor shots, night photography or scenes at dusk. 🌙✨