Leica has added to its M-mount lens lineup with the announcement of the APO Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH lens, a “sibling” optic to the APO Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH, and ensures to have the capability to resolve the extreme megapixel sensors of the present and future.
The 35mmf/2 ASPH is the solely M-lens with a close-focus distance of merely 30 centimeters (~11.Eight inches) and has what Leica describes as a “diminutively compact housing.” The optic is constructed of 10 lenses in 5 groups with and three aspherical components. These components with aspherical surfaces (one amongst them on both aspect) scale back distortion, whereas six components are manufactured from glasses with anomalous partial dispersion, which not solely reduce chromatic aberrations to what Leica ensures is “near zero” however moreover current apochromatic correction that the agency says is a high-quality not typically current in lenses of this focal dimension. The result is what Leica says are pictures that exhibit crisp corner-to-corner sharpness and proper color fidelity the least bit apertures and focus distances, every near and far.
It choices an aperture fluctuate of f/2 by way of f/16 and has an 11-bladed diaphragm.
A floating lens facet ensures image prime quality consistency the least bit distances and the focus ring turns a full 300 ranges for precise and proper focusing by way of the fluctuate. By means of the rangefinder, the lens might be focused as shut as 70 centemeters – at which stage a slight haptic resistance might be felt in the focus ring that clearly signifies its place which is true for street photographers preferring to shoot with out wanting by way of the rangefinder or LCD (“from the hip,” so to speak). Dut to the limitations of the rangefinder, from 70 centimeters to its shut focusing distance minimal of 30 centimeters, the ring rotates previous that haptic detent and might be focused by means of the rear LCD, the non-obligatory Visoflex digital viewfinder, or the Leica FOTOS app.
The event of the lens hood along with extraordinarily environment friendly anti-reflective glass coatings makes the APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. terribly proof in opposition to any type of stray gentle – allowing the photographer to shoot into the photo voltaic or completely different sources of sunshine with out fear of flare or ghosting. Widespread optical flaws paying homage to chromatic aberration and distortion are corrected to the stage of barely being noticeable. This imaging prowess and edge-to-edge distinction rendition creates an significantly pronounced and exquisite bokeh at open aperture. Seeing as the aperture is sort of fully spherical, owing to its eleven blades, this affect may also be retained when the lens is stopped down for max depth-of-field.
Leica states that, as is the case with all its lenses, stopping down is simply necessary for creative capabilities as the lens performs optimally the least bit aperture values. The company moreover boasts that whereas completely different lenses of top of the range proceed to be large and heavy, Leica manages to pack that effectivity proper right into a lens that is small and leightweight.
The Leica APSO Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH is on the market to order at current for $8,195.
