The previously rumored Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 Asph lens is now officially announced.

Often seen as the standard focal length for full-frame cameras, this new 50 mm promises a level of performance high enough to demand a spot in the gear bag of any street photographer looking to take advantage of the L-Mount system. Whether the task at hand is travel photography, studio work, architecture, landscape, portrait or documentary photography, the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. is the new go-to L-Mount lens, delivering results that satisfy even the most discerning photographer.

The new APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. consists of twelve expertly designed lens elements – three of which have aspherical surfaces for correcting optical aberrations – arranged in 10 groups, to achieve ultimate image quality. This lens allows photographers to seamlessly capture natural skin tones, smooth bokeh, outstanding contrast and consistent sharpness from corner-to-corner of its distortion-free images.

The APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. keeps chromatic aberrations in check by utilizing apochromatic corrections, where it earns its “APO” designation. This ensures that all colors of the light spectrum are accurately passed through the lens and fall on the same focused point on the camera’s sensor, so the photographer can know that they will get maximum detail in all situations without optical artifacts like distracting green or purple color fringing. To accomplish this, nearly all elements used in the construction of the lens are made from specially formulated, high-quality glass types for the highest possible light transmission. The end result marks an advancement in imaging performance with the venerable “Leica look” and signature rendering.

The thoughtful construction of all Summicron-SL lenses pays special attention to the prevention of stray light and reflections. The optical and mechanical design coupled with high-quality lens coatings serves to maintain the exceptional quality expected from a Leica lens. With their effective weather sealing against dust, moisture, and water spray, combined with an Aquadura coating of the exposed lens surfaces preventing water from beading, the Summicron-SL lenses can be confidently used in most extreme weather conditions.

The autofocus drive of all Summicron-SL lenses employs powerful and robust stepping motors with DSD® (Dual Syncro Drive™). The entire focus range of the lens – from close-up to infinity – can be fully traveled in just about 250 milliseconds to ensure spot-on focus that keeps up with moving subjects. Summicron-SL lenses also take an innovative approach to manual focusing technology, featuring a totally new focus ring construction. With this new method, a ring magnet with alternating polarization is embedded in the manual focusing ring along with a sensor that monitors the status of the magnetic field. The magnetic field changes its polarity when the ring is turned, and the sensor transmits the pinpoint details of user input that drives the focus. This intricate process happens near-instantaneously at the simple turn of the focus ring, enabling even faster and more precise manual focusing with a nicely dampened and weighted feel. The photographer can quickly access the finest manual focus micro-adjustments when they need it, right at the reach of their fingertips.

Thanks to the L-Mount standard, the new APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. is also fully compatible with cameras manufactured by partners of the L-Mount Alliance who use the lens mount developed by Leica. The APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. is on sale now at Leica Stores, Boutiques and Dealers for $4,495.

More info on Leica’s website.