Guy,Tim the S lenses will NOT have any 80 lux character to them . There just like the M summarits. Same basic design principle's and no old lens designs to reach back for. This is one issue with the S it's all new for resolution and not so much a character lens. I'm sure they will have nice bokeh but no Mandler look
All the digitars are the same built for resolution and not that warm fuzzy Mandler look that was made back in the 60's. There simple is nothing to go back too here. Now some old Hassy and Mamiya lens you can find lenses loaded with aberrations which is what that look is .
Your looking for a Lux which is not the case here
The new Summarit-S lenses have nothing in common with the Summarit-M lenses except for the name. As you know, the naming in Leica only corresponds to the maximum aperture, not the optical formula like in Zeiss.
The 70mm Summarit-S is based on the design of the 50mm Summilux ASPH, which is the lens that Tim was referring to. I agree with him, the 50 Lux ASPH is both staggeringly sharp and precise, while at the same time beautiful and nuanced.
The 120mm APO Macro is based on the design of the 100mm APO Macro-R, which besides being a phenomenal performer (peak performance from wide-open at f/2.8 all the way to f/8), has gorgeous color and tone, with smooth bokeh.
The 180mm APO Elmar-S is based on the famed 180mm APO-Elmarit-R. Again, technically "perfect", but with character.
The 35mm Summarit-S is an unknown quantity and a brand new design, but could be one of the best wide angle MF lenses made in that FL. We'll have to see.
No, the S-lenses will not look like Mandler designs. That is for sure. I personally prefer the look of lenses like the 35 Cron ASPH, 50 Lux ASPH, 75 APO, 100 APO Macro, 90 APO, etc. I was never the biggest fan of lenses like the 80 Lux or the Noctilux. Everyone is entitled to their own tastes, of course. Maybe I'm just a Karbe fan.
David