The Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH (11184) is a full-frame prime lens for L-mount cameras, combining apochromatic correction, an aspherical element, and a maximum aperture of f/2 in a robust metal-construction body — making it one of the most optically refined 35mm primes available for the Leica SL system.
Key Specifications
- Focal length: 35mm (prime)
- Maximum aperture: f/2
- Lens type: Standard / moderate wide-angle prime
- Mount: Leica L-mount (SL fit)
- Optical design: APO (apochromatic) correction
- Element design: ASPH (aspherical) element included
- Autofocus: Yes — fast AF motor built in
- Build: Metal construction, includes metal lens hood
- Compatible systems: Leica SL / SL2 / SL2-S; also compatible with Panasonic S-series and Sigma fp via L-mount alliance
What makes the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH special?
The "APO" designation is the key differentiator here. In a standard lens, different wavelengths of light — red, green, blue — focus at slightly different distances, causing colour fringing, especially at the edges of high-contrast subjects. In an apochromatic design, low-dispersion glass elements are engineered so that all three primary colours converge at the same focal point. The result is unusually crisp, colour-accurate rendering with minimal chromatic aberration even at f/2.
Compare that to the earlier Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH (non-APO): both share the same f/2 aperture and aspherical construction, but the APO version adds that full apochromatic correction, pushing colour fidelity and wide-open sharpness notably further.
Within the APO-Summicron-SL family, the 35mm sits between the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 28mm f/2 ASPH (wider, great for environmental storytelling) and the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH (classic standard perspective, often preferred for portraits). The 35mm f/2 is widely regarded as the most versatile focal length of the three — wide enough for street and travel, tight enough for subject isolation at f/2, and close-focusing enough for near-macro work. For longer reach in the same optical family, the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH brings the same colour philosophy to portrait distances.
The autofocus system is fast and quiet — a practical advantage over manual-focus SL-adapted M-mount glass. The metal lens hood ships in the box, which is consistent with Leica's premium accessory standard.
Who is the Leica 35mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH for?
Street photographers, travel reporters, and everyday shooters who want a versatile, optically pristine focal length with fast autofocus and the optical refinement Leica is known for. The APO correction ensures colour-accurate rendering in challenging mixed-light conditions. Tweedehands purchase offers excellent value: optical glass does not degrade, and each unit is individually inspected and photographed at Camera-tweedehands.nl.
Out of stock