Paul Spinnler
Well-known member
I aim not to make an assumption for the sake of assuming. These are predictions - not facts, right - based on what happened in the past and based on how Leica approached the market vs. competition, namely quality seen as more important than price. The basis for the assumptions:I confess that I am absolutely terrible at assuming anything. I usually try to leave that to the imagination of others who enjoy it. If you say "it is to be assumed", who am I to argue?
1) Not much comes close to the APO SL line in 35mm land except maybe the Otus lenses from Zeiss which are significantly heavier and larger. If I missed something let me know. The tolerances are extreme and the production is at Wetzlar, a stone's throw away from the optics design team. Custom machinery had to be developed to produce the quality of lenses at that price point and that compactness. There is no aberration to be seen corner to corner, neither vignetting nor chromatic. They are almost too clinical and uniformly excellent. Mr. Karbe was involved in the design and it is safe to say that he is still involved in the next-gen M lenses and mirrorless medium format lenses to come.
2) You compared a mirrorless lens design on paper based on MTF charts which is a lot more recent to the mirror based S lenses which were conceived in the mid 2000s and by any measure still are considered excellent by anyone who uses them. The image quality of the system is astounding. The S lenses were conceived to be faster than all other medium format lenses with apertures starting typically at 2.5 and exemplary build quality. When you hold an S lens in the hand you know it is going to last. All the lenses are sharp wide open with a Leica like bokeh fall-off which his beautiful. They also have a few true achromats in there like the 120 and 180 - the colours just pop with very high microcontrast. The camera bodies were just always priced too high compared to the competition and they never managed to establish a pro support network as Phase One did. So the camera although excellent is a niche product in the marketplace- the good thing? The S lenses can be had a good discount nowadays.
Hence it will be interesting to see what Leica will bring to the table for the launch of the S4. Given advancements in production methods and optics capabilities in my view it is safe to assume that they are aiming to exceed anything else out there in the marketplace atm. Meaning: faster apertures on average, apochromatic designs and exemplary build quality. I would also assume it is one of the last projects of Mr. Karbe as he's also approaching an age where he could do something else; in terms of big projects I can think of next gen Summiluxes and Apo Summicrons for the M line, the next-gen Nocti 50 and the masterpiece would be the ultimate medium format mirrorless lens line. In terms of specs, seeing what they did in the past, would expect 2.0-2.5 apertures, apo designs, perfect sharpness wide open, lasting build quality and full weather sealing.
The problem is: it will be expensive. Would be surprised to see 6-8k per lens and a 12-18k price for the S4. The DJI produced next X camera will be very enticing due to lower price point, its color science, great design and also good optics, etc. for a super price.
Only question in my view therefore is if Leica will try to stay at the ultra premium level or whether they aim to truly compete with DJI on the new X at a more palatable price point on the body side. For the lenses though I would not expect anything else that the best quality at an eye watering price point.
The S4 body will probably also be retrocompatible with all Leica lenses - which would be really a distinguishing feature plus sport extensive video capabilities ported from the SL line which would be the professional body in 35mm.
Exciting times ahead. Both for Hassy and Leica I'd say.