Last Updated on 12/13/2016 by Chris Gampat
Today, Leica announced their new Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH lens for the Leica SL camera system. It’s most likely a very exciting time for lots of photographers who own the absurdly expensive system due to the fact that Leica’s 50mm f1.4 Summilux lenses are typically very good. In fact, this is the SL’s first prime lens. With 11 elements in nine groups and two aspherical elements, you should also note the lens’ E82 filter mount–which only the 21mm f1.4 for the M system has. And the price? $5,295–which is quite a bit of money.
Plus there’s a new firmware update for the SL. Tasty bits from the press release are after the jump.
Leica Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH
The Leica Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH is the first prime lens for the Leica SL-System and sets a new standard on the market. Its large maximum aperture makes it the ideal partner in situations with challenging light, enabling the use of shallow depth of field as a creative tool. Fast, precise, and reliable autofocus helps guarantee optium sharpness, leaving photographers free to concentrate on composition and creativity. The combination of its resolving power and soft bokeh in out-of-focus areas clearly isolates subjects from their surroundings, particularly when shooting at maximum aperture.
Firmware Version 2.2
Firmware version 2.2, the latest update for the innovative Leica SL mirrorless camera system, provides improved support for the MAC versions of Leica Image Shuttle 3.5 and Leica Tethered Plug-in 1.1.0. Now, version 2.2 also supports the new Microsoft Windows version of Leica Image Shuttle 3.5, improving compatibility and workflow efficiency for tethered shooting with the Leica SL. Image Shuttle 3.5 also allows users to control the camera from a computer via a USB 3.0 cable connection, and manipulate shutter speed, aperture, ISO value, and autofocus, displaying images directly on a large monitor screen for assessment.
Registered camera owners can log into the Leica Owners’ Area (https://owners.leica-camera.com) and download the new software and firmware updates, or visit any Leica Store to receive complimentary update installation by Leica Camera specialists.
The Leica Tethered Plug-in 1.1.0 (for MAC) – also available as a download from the Leica Owners’ Area – establishes a direct connection between the Leica SL and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 / CC for MAC via USB cable. The shutter release of the camera can be activated from the computer, with caltured images displayed directly in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 / CC (for MAC), making the workflow even faster and more reliable. A corresponding firmware update is required for the use of Leica Image Shuttle and the Leica Tethered Plug-in.
Finally, in addition to the new tethering compatibility, firmware update 2.2 removes the shutter speed limitation when shooting with 6-bit coded Leica M-Lenses, further optimizing the performance of the Leica SL mirrorless camera system.