LEICA SL2-S with LEICA SUMMICRON-SL 50mm f2 ASPH Lens

24 Megapixel BSI Sensor with Image Stabilisation (IBIS)

The full-frame sensor of the Leica SL-S with backside illumination, in combination with the 5-axis image stabilisation (IBIS), produces outstanding images in all situations. An incredible dynamic range, a colour depth of 14 bits per RGB channel and a sensitivity of up to ISO 100.000 produce superb images with minimum noise, even in low light.

Professional video production

When it comes to video production, the Leica SL2-S is simply outstanding. It records RAW video in C4K with 12-bit 4:2:2 and many other popular video formats with no recording time limits. Filmmakers regularly compare the quality of footage in the L-Log colour space with that of significantly more expensive film cameras and, thanks to the Leica developed viewing LUTs, the SL2-S already delivers results straight out of the camera that effortlessly meet all professional demands. Videos can additionally be divided into one-minute segments to minimise the risk of data loss. An automatic follow focus, integrated waveform monitor, colour bar, timecode input and tally mode further enhance the camera for professional use in content production.

Highest manufacturing quality and IP54 certification

The Leica SL2-S never lets its users down. The solid metal construction crafted in Germany and IP54 certification of the body ensure that the camera is always ready for use, even in harsh conditions. This makes the SL2-S a sustainable investment that will provide many years of satisfaction. In addition, regular firmware updates keep the camera software up to date.

Leica UX design ‒ Intuitive and customisable

The user interface of the Leica SL2-S is divided into photo and video functions and can be individually customised. All external controls are reduced to the essentials and designed to make camera operation simple and intuitive. Most of the controls can also be individually configured, making the Leica SL2-S a real pleasure to use each and every time.

High operating speed and precise autofocus.

The Leica Object Detection AF ensures fast and reliable AF performance. In addition to a number of modes and functions, including eye and face detection, the powerful AF system of the SL2-S also automatically registers whether a subject is moving or static and switches between motion or focus priority on demand. The Maestro III processor provides an extraordinary working speed in combination with a 4 gigabyte buffer memory. This means that image series with up to 25 DNG images per second are just as possible as almost unlimited image series in JPEG format.

Seamless connectivity with Leica FOTOS

The Leica FOTOS app connects the Leica SL2-S to a smartphone or an iPad via Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi. The app allows users to control many of the camera's functions directly via a mobile device, and to transfer, view and edit photos in Adobe Lightroom with a single tab. The app also provides firmware updates over-the-air to keep the camera up to date, and adds accurate geolocation data to the images on demand.

The heart of a complete production system

The Leica SL2-S is seamlessly integrated into professional setups. Whether video workflows and post-production, gimbals, tethered shooting, studio flash-systems or high-end image editing. The SL-System works reliably with a wide range of tools from different suppliers and proves to be a compact and durable state-of-the-art production system.

The compact multi-talent

With the Summicron-SL 50 f/2 ASPH., you can adapt the photographic situation as you please – without changing lenses. Because the standard fixed focal length enables fascinating still and moving image shots for travelling, event and portrait photography. The quick and precise autofocus focusses on your subject extremely quietly. This makes the SL lens ideal for demanding videography with a soft bokeh.

Constructional Details

The Summicron-SL 50 f/2 ASPH. comprises 9 lenses in 8 groups. Three lenses contain aspherical surfaces, while others made of glass with anomalous partial dispersion. Their special optical properties compensate for chromatic aberration and ensure the best image and video quality in a compact and lightweight design. The linear direct drive ensures fast, smooth and particularly quiet focusing.

From zero to sharp in no time

The AF system of the Summicron-SL lenses is fast, precise, and almost silent. They thank their outstanding AF performance figures to the autofocus drive unit they share. These are limited only by the mass of the lens elements moved when focusing, the travel from infinity to the closest focusing distance and, of course, the amount of space available. In order to preserve the compact dimensions of the lenses, the integration of these components must follow an integral approach.

Specialists from the areas of optical and mechanical engineering and electronics worked together in an interdisciplinary team on the development of a unique lens concept based on double internal focusing. This system, comprising two particularly light focusing lenses, allows the construction of particularly small and compact drive systems. In addition to space limitations, the choice of the drive motors is also determined by the AF principle used for focusing.

Several contrast measurements at various focusing positions must be made before the correct direction of motion for focusing can be determined and followed by precise focusing. In this procedure, the focusing lenses must be moved rapidly backwards and forwards in accordance with the speed specifications of the contrast AF system. This requires a dynamic drive system without any play.

In the Summicron-SL lenses, the drive units installed are extremely powerful and robust stepping motors with Dual Syncro Drive™. Thanks to these, the entire focusing throw can be traveled completely in fractions of a second. This means that the Summicron-SL lenses achieve values that are among the best in the full-frame system segment in terms of speed, precision, and noise emissions.

Higher Contrast for greater perceived depth

With an initial aperture of f/2, the SL-Summicron lenses are significantly more compact than faster lenses, but still allow photographers to work with similar depth of field. The reason for this is contrast: the zone of highest contrast is perceived by viewers as being sharp, while zones with lower contrast are regarded as being unsharp.

In the case of SL-Summicron lenses, this difference in contrast is considerably higher than that of conventional lenses: sharply focused objects show much higher contrast than objects that are out of focus. This means that objects “snap” more distinctly out of the foreground or background and more effectively isolate the subject. This creates a three-dimensional visual effect with very impressive apparent depth.

Optically and Mechanically

In the construction of the Summicron-SL lenses, particular attention has been paid to the prevention of stray light and reflections. The optimization of the optical and mechanical design was carried out in elaborate simulations before the construction of the first prototype lenses. Unavoidable reflections are reduced to the best possible level by high-quality coating of lens surfaces.

Complex Electronics for uncomplicated handling

The focusing and aperture setting functions of a SL-Summicron lens are based on a multitude of control systems and mathematical operations. The demands on the electronics are particularly high in the case of the double focusing system. The two autonomous focusing units must be moved in perfect synchronization and positioning data have to be analyzed at a very high sampling rate and passed on to the camera. Here, the communication with the camera is so fast that there is no perceptible delay. These are the primary preconditions for fast and precise contrast AF. The aperture is driven by a stepping motor. Here, a special micro-step control system ensures precise and fast movements with minimized vibration.

A new experience

SL-Summicron Lenses feature a totally new manual focusing ring construction concept. In this concept, a ring magnet with alternating north-south magnetization is embedded in the manual focusing ring. The magnetic field changes its polarity when the ring is turned. A sensor monitors the status of the magnetic field and sends the data to the main processor. The drive then shifts the lens to the corresponding focusing position on the basis of the angle of rotation and the rotational speed.

The construction of the MF-ring guarantees reliable sealing against dust and water spray, provides protection against impacts and other mechanical stresses, and prevents focusing inaccuracies as a consequence of temperature fluctuations. Even after years of use, the MF-ring of a SL-Summicron lens impresses with a smooth action without play and homogeneous focusing.

Impressive down to the smallest detail

The consistently compact dimensions, low weight, and the excellent grip and feel of the SL-Summicron lenses are particularly impressive when shooting. Thanks to the almost identical design of the Summicron-SL lenses, feeling for the MF ring is unnecessary after switching lenses and the center of gravity remains largely the same. This means that the camera always lies perfectly in the hand and makes working from a tripod much easier.