Leica is expanding its Leica S medium-format system with five new central shutter (leaf shutter) lenses, with availability from October 2012. As promised at the launch of the system back in 2008, these lenses deliver a top shutter speed of 1/1000th of a second and enable flash synchronisation at all speeds. Compared to the body-integral focal-plane shutter of the Leica S2 camera, which boasts a top shutter speed of 1/4000th of a second but a rather slow flash sync speed of 1/125, the CS lenses offer a working range expanded by three f-stops, which in turn allows Leica S sytem users to be more creative with their flash photography. The lenses that will go on sale in October include the central-shutter versions of the Leica Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. (£5,850) and Leica Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 ASPH. (£5,515) wide-angle lenses, the Leica Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH. (£4,365, pictured) standard lens, the Leica APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 (£5,975) tele-macro lens and the Leica APO-Tele-Elmar-S 180mm f/3.5 (£5,975) telephoto lens.

Leica Press Release

From October 2012: Lens portfolio expanded by five Leica S lenses with a central shutter

10/05/2012

Leica Camera AG, Solms, is expanding its Leica S medium format system with five new central shutter lenses, with availability from October 2012. The new models are the Leica Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. and Leica Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 ASPH. wide-angle lenses, the Leica Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH. standard lens, the Leica APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 tele-macro lens and the Leica APO-Tele-Elmar-S 180mm f/3.5 telephoto lens. Designed and constructed exclusively by Leica, the central shutter available for all S lenses is not only especially compact and efficient, but also has a guaranteed service life of at least 100,000 shutter cycles, making it extremely reliable.

The Leica S-System features a dual shutter concept. This means that photographers can choose the shutter system to meet their needs and the particular situation before every shot. The camera body is constructed with a metal focal plane shutter offering a top speed of 1/4000 of a second and flash sync at 1/125. The main switch on the S2 camera body allows users to change rapidly to central shutter use as soon as a CS lens is mounted. With a top speed of 1/1000 of a second, the central shutter offers a working range expanded by three f-stops. This means that users have considerable more scope for creative lighting such as studio flash systems, which might be used to suppress ambient light or to create fill light in bright surroundings at larger lens apertures. Thanks to the seamless integration of the central shutter function in the camera’s electronics, photographers can switch rapidly between the two shutter systems at any time.

During development of all products, the main priority is creating tools to fulfil the stringent demands of professional users who use the Leica S medium format system in their everyday photographic work. The objective is to provide absolutely reliable equipment that guarantees extreme precision, as well as a particularly long operational life-span.

The new central shutter designed and constructed by Leica’s engineers in Solms, Germany, is a masterpiece of high-tech mechatronics. The Leica central shutter mechanism offers high performance and is so compact in size that it has been easily integrated into the S lens range. With a guaranteed life of more than 100,000 shutter cycles per lens, it is also extremely durable and reliable in constant use.

For the first time, the dust- and splash-proof construction of the lenses and camera now makes it possible to use the system under difficult or challenging conditions for ‘on location’ shots with the central shutter.

Pricing and availability
The CS versions of the Leica S lenses are scheduled to be available in the UK starting from October 2012 from authorised Leica S-System dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351. A full list of authorised UK Leica S-System dealers is available at www.leica-camera.co.uk.

Suggested Retail Prices including VAT are:

Leica Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. (CS version) – £5,850
Leica Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 ASPH. (CS version) - £5,515
Leica Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH. (CS version) - £4,365
Leica APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 (CS version) - £5,975
Leica APO-Tele-Elmar-S 180mm f/3.5 (CS version) - £5,975

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