The first reviews of the new Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH lens ($1,295) are in:
“The Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 is a lovely lens to use with the new Leica CL or TL2. It complements the understated style of these cameras very well and maintains a nice balance. It lacks the versatility of a zoom lens, but with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 27mm, it makes a good walk-around optic on the CL.” (CameraJabber)
“According to Leica, the TL (APS-C) lenses are designed to give the “best in class image quality” and are designed to resolve 60lp/mm. They also say that the lenses produce the same quality in images focused at infinity as they do at the closest focus distance.” (Ephotozine)
“The Japanese-manufacturered Elmarit is tiny at only 20.5mm (0.8in) in length and lightweight at only 80g (2.8oz), but makes up for its skinny dimensions with a big fat price-tag. The 18mm F2.8 will be available in black or silver, either on its own for $1295 or in a kit with the CL.” (Dpreview)
“The Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH. is one of the smallest, lightest mirrorless lenses available for any APS-C system. It does make some optical compromises to get there, typical of a wide-angle pancake. Leica gear is expensive when compared with competing systems, but the Elmarit-TL is the least expensive lens you can get for its mirrorless system, and can be had at a discount when bought along with the CL body. We like it for its size and wide angle field of view, even if it doesn’t deliver sharpness up to the edges of the frame. If that’s what you’re after, spend a bit more on the larger 11-23mm zoom.” (PCmag)
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