These two new lenses are for Leica’s SL full frame mirrorless cameras. One is a constant-aperture 14-24mm ultra-wide zoom and the other is a fast 21mm prime lens. Both use the L-mount shared by Sigma and Panasonic Lumix S cameras.
Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 f/2.8 ASPH.
The Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 f/2.8 ASPH. 14-24mm is an ultra-wide zoom aimed at landscape, architecture, indoor, street and astrophotography, with an angle of view up to 114° and a dust and splash resistant all-metal housing.
The optical design consists of 18 elements in 13 groups, including three aspherical elements and Leica’s Aqua-Dura coating on the outer elements. Like similar ultra-wide zooms, this lens has an integrated lens hood, but a specialized mount on the bayonet makes it possible to use sheet filters.
Leica Super-APO-Summicron-SL 21mm f/2 ASPH.
This is a fixed focal length prime with a fast f/2 maximum aperture, which Leica claims is the world’s first APO (Apochromatic) lens – in other words, Leica claims better chromatic and spherical aberration correction that regular Achromatic lenses.
The 21mm focal length should make it ideal for landscape photography, photojournalism, event photography, architecture and studio work. Other highlights include a 21cm minimum focus distance, an optical configuration of 14 elements in 11 groups, including three aspherical lenses, with most elements including exotic anomalous partial dispersion glass.
Leica optical quality doesn’t normally come cheap, but at around $2,495 the Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm f/2.8 ASPH. is actually on a par with similarly-specified lenses from other brands. The Leica Super-APO-Summicron-SL 21mm f/2 ASPH. is a different kettle of fish, however, coming in at around $5,495.
Perhaps the explanation is that the 14-24mm Super-Vario-Elmarit has the same configuration as the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 L-mount lens, while the Summicron-SL 21mm looks to be Leica’s own.