Camera
Leica introduces APO-Summicron-SL 28mm F2 L-mount lens
![Leica introduces APO-Summicron-SL 28mm F2 L-mount lens Leica introduces APO-Summicron-SL 28mm F2 L-mount lens](https://1.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS940x788~articles/7891145168/APO_Summicron-SL_2_28_ASPH_front.jpeg)
Published Feb 18, 2021
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Leica has introduced the APO-Summicron-SL 28mm F2 ASPH lens for full-frame L-mount bodies. It features 13 elements, 6 of which are aspherical; several of the elements are of the anomalous partial dispersion type to reduce chromatic aberration.
The lens can focus as close as 24cm (9.5″) and the maximum magnification is 0.2X. The focus group is driven by a stepping motor that Leica calls ‘Dual Syncro Drive’. The 28mm F2 has a newly designed manual focus ring that uses magnetic fields to improve responsiveness and precision.
The 28mm F2 is weather-sealed and weighs in at 700g (1.5lbs) without its hood. It accepts 67mm filters.
The APO-Summicron-SL 28mm F2 ASPH is now available for $5195.
Press release:
Leica Launches the APO-Summicron-SL 28 f/2 ASPH.:
Exemplifying A Commitment to Developing High-Performing Innovative Technologies in the World of Camera Optics
February 18, 2021. With the APO-Summicron-SL 28 f/2 ASPH., Leica Camera presents yet another high-performance wide-angle lens for the Leica SL-System. The APO-Summicron-SL 28 f/2 ASPH. is the latest addition to the ever-expanding APO-Summicron-SL series that includes a lens range renowned for its top-level optical performance and extremely fast and reliable autofocus.
Following the existing focal lengths of 35, 50, 75 and 90 mm, the APO-Summicron-SL 28 f/2 ASPH. is the first true wide-angle prime lens in this series, making the APO-Summicron-SL 28 f/2 ASPH. especially suitable for reportage, interior and architectural photography. Its maximum aperture can be used without any loss of image quality and offers additional creative possibilities through the exquisite balance of sharp subjects and lovely soft background blur. Thanks to the L-Mount standard, the APO-Summicron-SL 28 f/2 ASPH. is equally compatible with cameras made by other partners of the L-Mount Alliance that have been equipped with the Leica-developed lens mount.
As is universally appreciated with all Leica lenses, the fastest aperture delivers maximum performance. As a result, reducing the aperture is only necessary for compositional and creative purposes. Leica lenses always deliver an exceptional quality of natural skin tones, soft transitions into creamy bokeh, contrast-rich details and edge-to-edge sharpness across a distortion-free image. Yet the APO-Summicron-SL 28 f/2 ASPH. is further distinguished by its apochromatic correction, which is a notable feature in a lens of this focal length, and its six aspherical lens surfaces. To ensure the optimal correction of chromatic aberrations, the majority of the grouped lens elements feature anomalous partial dispersion and are made of high-quality specialized glass. The end result is a wide-angle lens that delivers impeccable images complete with the “Leica Look” to help realize a creative vision in any avenue of photography.
The autofocus drive of all APO-Summicron-SL lenses utilizes extremely robust and high-performance stepping motors with DSD® (Dual Syncro Drive™). This enables the AF to travel the entire focusing range in around 250 milliseconds. Leica Camera also takes an innovative approach to manual focusing technology, including an entirely new manual focus ring construction in the form of an embedded ring magnet with alternating north-south polarization. When the ring is turned, the magnetic field changes its polarity. A sensor monitors the status of the magnetic field and sends the data to the main processor. The drive then shifts the lens to the corresponding focusing position based on the angle of rotation and the rotational speed, delivering even faster and more precise manual focusing to match the lens’s quick and accurate autofocus.
Both the construction and design of the cutting-edge APO-Summicron-SL series represent the next step forward in the development of lenses for the Leica SL-System. New, extremely precise manufacturing methods and measuring technologies have been developed specifically for the production of these lenses, resulting in more compact dimensions as well as truly outstanding imaging performance. In the construction of the APO-Summicron-SL lenses, particular attention has been paid to the prevention of stray light and reflections by applying a high-quality coating to the lens surfaces. Thanks to their effective sealing against dust, moisture, and water spray, as well as the Aquadura coating of the exposed lens surfaces, these extremely durable lenses can be used in nearly any weather condition without any cause for concern. The ever-expanding portfolio of Leica SL lenses are built to withstand the elements and the test of time, matching its futureproof counterparts in the SL2 and SL2-S with their rugged construction and continuing firmware development ensuring a long service life.
The APO-Summicron-SL 28 f/2 ASPH. is available now at Leica Stores, Boutiques and Dealers for $5,195.00.
About Leica Camera
Leica represents a union of craftsmanship, design and experience. It is a beautiful collision of art and engineering, and the future of form and functionality. Leica Camera, headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany, is an internationally operating, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary status of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellence in the supreme quality and performance of cameras and lenses, and the iconic images that artists and photojournalists everywhere captured with them. For more information about Leica visit www.leicacamerausa.com, or follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Leica APO-Summicron-SL 28mm F2 ASPH specifications
Principal specifications | |
---|---|
Lens type | Prime lens |
Max Format size | 35mm FF |
Focal length | 28 mm |
Image stabilization | No |
Lens mount | L-Mount |
Aperture | |
Maximum aperture | F2 |
Minimum aperture | F22 |
Aperture ring | No |
Optics | |
Elements | 13 |
Groups | 10 |
Special elements / coatings | 6 aspherical elements |
Focus | |
Minimum focus | 0.24 m (9.45″) |
Maximum magnification | 0.2× |
Autofocus | Yes |
Motor type | Stepper motor |
Full time manual | No |
Focus method | Internal |
Distance scale | No |
DoF scale | No |
Focus distance limiter | No |
Physical | |
Weight | 700 g (1.54 lb) |
Diameter | 73 mm (2.87″) |
Length | 102 mm (4.02″) |
Materials | Magnesium alloy |
Sealing | Yes |
Colour | Black |
Filter thread | 67 mm |
Hood supplied | Yes |
Tripod collar | No |
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Camera
Pentax K-1 and K-1 II firmware updates include astrophotography features (depending on where you live)
![Pentax K-1 and K-1 II firmware updates include astrophotography features (depending on where you live) Pentax K-1 and K-1 II firmware updates include astrophotography features (depending on where you live)](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/0154890027/Pentax-K1-II.jpeg)
Yesterday, Ricoh quietly released firmware 2.50 for its Pentax K-1 and K-1 II DSLRs. However, the features you can expect to gain from this update may depend on your geography.
Ricoh’s English-language firmware pages for the K-1 and K-1 II state that firmware 2.50 delivers “Improved stability for general performance.”
However, astute Pentax users noted that Ricoh’s Japanese-language firmware pages (translation) indicate that the update also includes a limited feature called “Astronomical Photo Assist,” a collection of three new features designed for astrophotography: Star AF, remote control focus fine adjustment, and astronomical image processing.
Star AF is intended to automate focusing on stars when using autofocus lenses. Rather than manually focusing on a bright star and changing your composition, it promises to let you compose your shot and let the camera focus.
Remote control fine adjustment allows users to adjust focus without touching the lens and requires Pentax’s optional O-RC1 remote. Astronomical image processing will enable users to make in-camera adjustments to astrophotography images, including shading correction, fogging correction, background darkness, star brightness, celestial clarity, and fringe correction.
According to Ricoh, Astronomical Photo Assist is a premium feature that must be purchased and costs ¥11,000 for an activation key (about $70 at current exchange rates).
Although these astrophotography features appear to be Japan-only for now, a Ricoh representative tells us, “Ricoh Imaging Americas confirmed that the premium firmware features for the PENTAX K-1 and PENTAX K-1 Mark II will eventually be available to US customers.”
Firmware update 2.50 for both the K-1 and K-1 II is available for download from Ricoh’s website.
Camera
On this day 2017: Nikon launches D850
![On this day 2017: Nikon launches D850 On this day 2017: Nikon launches D850](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/3742168247/Nikon_D850_lead.jpeg)
As part of our twenty fifth anniversary, we’re looking back at some of the most significant cameras launched and reviewed during that period. Today’s pick was launched seven years ago today* and yet we’re only quite recently stepping out of its shadow.
The Nikon D850 is likely to be remembered as the high watermark of DSLR technology. We may yet still see impressive developments from Ricoh in the future (we’d love to see a significantly upgraded Pentax K-1 III), but the D850 was perhaps the green flash as the sun set on the DSLR as the dominant technology in the market.
Click here to read our Nikon D850 review
Why do we think it was such a big deal? Because it got just about everything right. Its 45MP sensor brought dual conversion gain to high pixel count sensors, meaning excellent dynamic range at base ISO and lower noise at high ISOs. Its autofocus system was one of the best we’ve ever seen on a DSLR: easy to use and highly dependable, with a good level of coverage. And then there was a body and user interface honed by years of iterative refinement, that made it easy to get the most out of the camera.
None of this is meant as a slight towards the other late-period DSLRs but the likes of Canon’s EOS 5DS and 5DSR didn’t present quite such a complete package of AF tracking, daylight DR and low-light quality as the Nikon did. With its ability to shoot at up to 9fps (if you used the optional battery grip), the D850 started to chip away at the idea that high megapixel cameras were specialized landscape and studio tools that would struggle with movement or less-than-perfect lighting. And that’s without even considering its 4K video capabilities.
In the seven years since the D850 was launched, mirrorless cameras have eclipsed most areas in which DSLRs once held the advantage. For example, the Z8 can shoot faster, autofocus more with more accuracy and precision, across a wider area of the frame and do so while shooting at much faster rates.
But, even though it outshines the D850 in most regards, the Z8 is still based around what we believe is a (significant) evolution of the same sensor, and its reputation still looms large enough for Nikon to explicitly market the Z8 as its “true successor.”
Nikon D850 sample gallery
*Actually seven years ago yesterday: we had to delay this article for a day to focus on the publishing the Z6III studio scene: the latest cameras taking precedence over our anniversary content.
Camera
Nikon Z6III added to studio scene, making image quality clear
![Nikon Z6III added to studio scene, making image quality clear Nikon Z6III added to studio scene, making image quality clear](https://2.img-dpreview.com/files/p/E~TS590x0~articles/9570948051/Nikon_z6iii_sensor_main.jpeg)
Photo: Richard Butler |
We’ve just received a production Nikon Z6III and took it into our studio immediately to get a sense for how the sensor really performs.
Dynamic range tests have already been conducted, but these only give a limited insight into the image quality as a whole. As expected, our Exposure Latitude test – which mimics the effect of reducing exposure to capture a bright sunrise or sunset, then making use of the deep shadows – shows a difference if you use the very deepest shadows, just as the numerical DR tests imply.
Likewise, our ISO Invariance test shows there’s more of a benefit to be had from applying more amplification by raising the ISO setting to overcome the read noise, than there was in the Z6 II. This means there’s a bigger improvement when you move up to the higher gain step of the dual conversion gain sensor but, as with the Z6 II, little more to be gained beyond that.
These are pushing at the extreme of the sensor’s performance though. For most everyday photography, you don’t use the deepest shadows of the Raw files, so differences in read noise between sensors don’t play much of a role. In most of the tones of an image, sensor size plays a huge role, along with any (pretty rare) differences in light capturing efficiency.
As expected, the standard exposures look identical to those of the Z6 II. There are similar (or better) levels of detail at low ISO, in both JPEG and Raw. At higher ISO, the Z6III still looks essentially the same as the Z6II. Its fractionally higher level of read noise finally comes back to have an impact at very, very high ISO settings.
Overall, then, there is a read noise price to be paid for the camera’s faster sensor, in a way that slightly blunts the ultimate flexibility of the Raw files at low ISO and that results in fractionally more noise at ultra-high ISOs. But we suspect most people will more than happily pay this small price in return for a big boost in performance.
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