The previously rumored Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35 f/3.5–4.5 ASPH lens is now officially announced. The lens MTF charts can be found here. The US price is $5,495. Pre-orders are now open at B&H Photo, Adorama, Leica Store Miami, Popflash.
A new firmware update for the Leica SL will also be released on April 23rd – see details in the attached press release.
Leica Super Vario Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH lens design:
Press release, technical specifications and additional images:
The highly-anticipated Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH provides unparalleled imaging performance and versatility, coupled with supremely quick and quiet autofocus
April 9, 2018 – Leica’s new Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH. ultra-wide angle zoom lens perfectly rounds out the current zoom lens portfolio for the Leica SL, offering what is sure to be a go-to lens in the full-frame mirrorless Leica SL-System kit. While this ultra-wide angle lens is well-versed at capturing everything in a scene, its range of focal lengths makes it ideal for a diversity of uses, including landscape and architectural photography, wedding, event, and concert photography to reportage and documentary photography. The lens’s versatility and ability to capture not only wide scenarios, but also zoom in on a subject’s details, make it the most accessible, easy-to-use wide-angle lens in all of Leica’s impressive line-up.
In addition to excellent imaging quality throughout the entire range of focal lengths and at all apertures, the high-performance lens also offers simultaneously fast and quiet autofocus. This is driven by a specially developed focusing drive including a stepping motor and linear positioning. In combination, this moves a single, dedicated glass focusing element that, due to its low weight, allows for a very quick autofocus.
The camera is also crafted to perform well in challenging situations. The lens features protected construction and special AquaDura® front lens coating that can withstand adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the lens’s barrel does not extend when zooming, which further helps the lens endure more rugged scenarios.
The newly designed optical system of the Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH. contains a total of 18 elements in 12 groups that work to control distortion incredibly well. These elements include two asphericals for the correction of monochromatic aberrations and three elements made from glass with anomalous partial dispersion correct chromatic aberration. An improved mount geometry and high-quality coating ensure optimum suppression of reflections and stray light within the optical system.
With the addition of the Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH., the portfolio of zoom lenses for the Leica SL now covers a range of focal lengths from 16 to 280 mm. Together with the Vario-Elmarit–SL 24–90/2.8–4 ASPH. and the APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90–280 f/2.8–4, this trio of exceptional lenses are able to expertly capture all genres of photography and enables photographers a high degree of flexibility and versatility with their craft and creativity.
The Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH. will be priced at $5,495.00 and available worldwide in Leica Stores, Boutiques and Dealers starting April 23.
A new firmware update for the Leica SL, Version 3.2, will also be released April 23rd to address improvements specifically requested by Leica SL photographers:
Technical data:
| Lens | Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35/3.5-4.5 ASPH. |
| Field angle (diagonal, horizontal, vertical) | Focal length 16mm: 105,6°/ 95,3°/ 72°
Focal length 24mm: 84,7°/ 74,4°/ 53,7° Focal length 35mm: 64,6°/ 55,5°/ 38,7° |
| Optical design | |
| Number of lenses/groups | 18/12 |
| Number of aspherical lenses | 2 |
| Entrance pupil position | Focal length 16mm: 105,9mm
Focal length 24mm: 101,5mm Focal length 35mm: 105,0mm |
| Distance setting | |
| Working range | 250mm to infinity |
| Smallest object field | Focal length 35mm: 90 x 135 mm |
| Largest reproduction ratio | Focal length 16mm: 1:7,7
Focal length 35mm: 1:3,7 |
| Aperture | |
| Setting/function | Electronically controlled aperture, set using turn/push wheel on camera, including half values |
| Aperture setting range | Focal length 16mm: 3,5-22
Focal length 35mm: 4,5-22 |
| Lowest value | 22 |
| Bayonet/sensor format | Leica L bayonet, full-frame 35mm format |
| Filter mount | E82 |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Length to bayonet mount | 123 mm (without lens hood) |
| Largest diameter | 88 mm |
| Weight | 990 g |
Additional pioxtures of the new Leica Super Vario Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH lens:
