Relative distortion is also quite minimal, registering a barely noticeable -1% result. Stop down another stop to f/5.6 and we're treated to an almost perfect MTF result, with uniform sharpness from corner to corner. Once stopped down just one stop to f/2.8, the MTF curves flatten out even more, with edge performance almost equaling the center. Of course, there is some fall-off towards the corners, but even the 60% contrast result is more than respectable. What we can see is that wide open, the 35 APO-Cron is resolving 40 lp/mm in the center of the frame at a staggering 90% contrast when at infinity. We've also got the distortion charts as well. As with all Leica MTF charts, there are four measurements: 5, 10, 20 and 40 lp/mm. Here, you can see the MTF charts wide open at f/2, then stopped down one stop to f/2.8, then finally two stops to f/5.6. Head of optical design Peter Karbe MTF Charts Always on the forefront of optical design, Peter Karbe and his team continue to outdo themselves. The result – a level of performance never before seen in a 35mm M lens.
And we're fairly sure that this is the first time that Leica has used four aspheres in one optic. It's safe to say that when nine out of ten elements are constructed from exotic and specialized glass, this is not your run-of-the-mill design. And with eleven aperture blades, out of focus areas are buttery smooth. The mix of specialized glass types effectively eliminates both chromatic and apochromatic aberrations, earning the lens its APO designation. Comprised of ten elements arranged in five groups, three of which reside in a floating element group, the 35 APO-Cron houses four aspherical surfaces, six lenses with anomalous partial dispersion, and three with a high refractive index. The APO-Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH measures a mere 41mm long from the mount with a 39mm front filter diameter, yet packs an extremely advanced and downright impressive optical design. And its price tag of $8,195 reflects this. Rather, like the 50 APO before it, the 35 APO-Summicron-M represents the absolute top performance available in its focal length. Just as the APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH didn't supplant the standard 50 Cron, this new 35mm doesn't replace the current Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH.
Offering uncompromising reference-class optical performance along with a new close focus functionality, the lens is surprisingly compact and very lightweight. Today, Leica has announced a new addition to the M lens lineup, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH.
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