The German company Leica has released new professional optics for the L-mount bayonet mount, that is, suitable for both photography and video (for example, together with the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K).
The first Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14–24mm F/2.8 ASPH lens . The manufacturer reports that this is the company’s first lens for the L-mount system with a focal length of 14mm. Viewing angle – up to 114 degrees. In this case, there are no distortions or aberrations, since the lens has a complex optical structure that compensates for all unwanted effects.
The new lens consists of 18 elements (3 of them are aspherical lenses) in 13 groups. The company reports that the advanced optical design allows the lens to be used for shooting architecture and interiors, reportage photography, astro- and landscape photography.
The manufacturer reports that the new Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14–24mm F/2.8 ASPH zoom lens uses a complex multi-layer coating to prevent unwanted light from entering. A fixed metal lens hood also serves this purpose.
On the bayonet mount side, the lens has a holder for installing filters. The cost of the lens is 2500 euros.
The second lens that the company presented was the Leica Super-APO-Summicron-SL 21mm F/2 ASPH . Leica says this wide-angle lens delivers consistent edge-to-edge sharpness and is part of the APO-Summicron-SL line, indicating its superior optical performance. At the same time, the lens dimensions and filter diameter (E67) have the same characteristics as other Leica Super-APO-Summicron-SL lenses: 28, 35, 50, 75 and 90mm.
Leica calls this lens the world’s first apochromatic optic with a focal length of 21mm.
The lens supports the Dual Synchro Drive autofocus system and is designed for landscape photography, indoor photography, studio photography, and architectural photography. The minimum focusing distance is 21 cm.
The new lens consists of 14 precision-made lenses (three of them aspherical), which are divided into 11 groups. Leica says the lens’s apochromatic correction is unique given its focal length. The manufacturer emphasizes that each optical element of the lens is made of special high-quality glass, the complex processing of which requires innovative techniques.
Both new lenses from Leica can be used with Leica SL cameras, as well as all cameras and cinema cameras from the L-mount alliance. They complement the L-mount optics lineup with high-performance ultra-wide-angle lenses that are designed for both photography and video.
The Leica Super-APO-Summicron-SL 21 F/2 ASPH lens costs 5,300 euros. Both new Leica lenses will be available worldwide in all Leica stores, the Leica online store and authorized dealers starting today.
The latest major L-mount announcement is the Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K , a compact full-frame L-mount camera. The new 6K full-frame sensor has a claimed 13 stops of dynamic range and double native ISO up to 25,600. Instead of an SD card and CFast 2.0 (as in previous models) CFexpress memory cards are used for recording.
The new movie camera has received a number of advanced functions for shooting video. For example, support for shooting in OpenGate 3:2 mode, which makes it possible to slightly change the framing during editing. At the same time, the full-frame sensor provides the ability to work in 6:5 anamorphic format.
