Leica S-Adapter L for SL (Typ 601) Starts Shipping

Staying true to their promise to deliver the S-Adapter L by Q2 2016, Leica has announced that the long-awaited adapter will start shipping immediately. The S-Adapter L allows the use of the entire range of exceptional S Lenses, from 24 to 180mm. I can't wait to try some personal S lens favorites like the Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH and the APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 on my SL. The Summicron-S 100mm f/2 could also be pretty awesome, offering a fantastic portrait lens. The adapter allows use of full AF and aperture control and will display DOF information on the top LCD display just like native SL lenses. If you are looking for a focal length conversion…don't. It's not necessary. A 100mm S lens will function as a 100mm SL lens. You won't be using the full image circle, but 100mm is 100mm.

And if you plan on using CS lenses with the adapter, my initial information is that central shutter capability will not be enabled for CS lenses used on the SL. Looks like the SL is focal plane shutter solution only. This could change going forward, but for right now, if you want 1/1000 of a second flash sync, you'll have to stick to an S body.

The build quality looks to be amazing, with heavy-duty, all metal construction. A nice touch is the removable and extraordinarily beefy tripod support foot when using larger lenses.

You can check out the press release below. Note that at the end of the release, Leica also quietly announces that the AA-SL4 Audio Adapter for the SL will be available at the end of this month.

Wetzlar, 2 June 2016. The Leica S-Adapter L for the Leica SL mirrorless camera system is available from today. This adapter further expands the range of lenses that can be used with the Leica SL to include those of the Leica S medium format camera system.

The S-Adapter L now allows the use of altogether 16 Leica S-Lenses with focal lengths from 24 to 180 mm (including six lenses with central shutters) in addition to the system’s own lenses, the Vario-Elmarit–SL 24–90 mm f/2.8–4 ASPH. and the Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90–280 mm f/2.8-4. The exceptionally fast S-Lenses are a consequence of more than 100 years of experience and expertise in optical design and precision engineering that permits only minimal tolerances. They unite traditional Leica quality with cutting edge technology and achieve uncompromising imaging qualities in almost all possible situations in the studio and on location.

What’s more, the exceptional compatibility of the Leica SL-System grants photographers access to almost all Leica lenses ever made. For instance, all Leica T lenses can be mounted on the Leica SL without an adapter, the already available M-Adapter T enables the use of almost all Leica M-Lenses with the Leica SL, while the R-Adapter L (available Q3/2016) will provide access to an entire range of Leica R-System lenses.

Another new addition to the range of accessories and equipment for the Leica SL camera system is the AA-SCL4 Audio Adapter available end of June.