Oh, those rumor sites . . . Sigma teasing about a sequel to their versatile fp series, Panasonic promising some interesting bodies, Leica . . . ummm, well, Leica finally admitting to a significant firmware issue with the SL3.

For a while I stuck with M and R lenses because they could be adapted to other brands if I decided to make a move. But in the last few weeks I’ve added a few L pieces, most recently one I’ve long wanted to try: Lumix S 85mm f1.8.

The Summilux-SL 50mm having been my consolation for not being able to find an APO-Summicron-SL 90mm at the time, I was still in need of something with quick AF for non-specialty shooting at the 85-90mm focal length. The price made it a perfectly excusable acquisition.

Thing is, other than a small difference in how it renders backgrounds on more distant subject matter, images look much the same as my archive shots taken with the 90 SL—exact same color, in fact. AF is a bit faster and surer than the SL lenses I’ve owned. The sharpness reminds me of the old FE Sony Zeiss 85mm f1.8, though without the brittle look of the FE lens.

It’s starting to look as though the old R lenses will never be bettered in terms of pure optics, but lenses like this that judiciously employ some software corrections can come close in image quality.

Now, about those upcoming cameras . . . APS-C, anyone?

SL2/Lumix S 85mm f1.8 . . .