This is an update to the previous blog, Mirrorless Leica SL Lenses in 2017-2018: Prime Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. with Large Aperture; Lighter & More Compact Primes Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH., APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH., APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f/2 ASPH. with Shorter Closest Focusing Distance; Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. Ultra-Wide Zoom with Dust & Weather-Sealed Construction .
Leica SL (Typ 601) Mirrorless System Camera
The Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH. is a super wide-angle zoom lens for the full-frame mirrorless Leica SL-System camera.
PRESS RELEASE
Versatile wide-angle lens: Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH. expands the SL-System
04/09/2018
Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH.
The Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH. wide-angle zoom lens complements the previously available portfolio of two zoom lenses for the Leica SL. Its range of focal lengths is ideal for a diversity of uses, ranging from landscape and architectural photography, wedding, event, and concert photography to reportage and documentary photography. In combination with the familiarly high product quality and imaging performance, its protected construction and special AquaDura® lens coating make this lens an ideal companion for professional photographers at all times, even in adverse weather conditions.
Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH.: “Fast and sharp” image Courtesy of Leica
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 comprising a stepping motor and linear positioning and moves a single, very light focusing element that, due to its low mass, contributes to the high focusing speed.
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. These include two asphericals for the correction of monochromatic aberrations Three elements made from glass with anomalous partial dispersion correct chromatic aberration, while 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 90–280f/2.8–4 this covers all typical genres of photography and enables particularly those photographers who need a high degree of flexibility to draw on a trio of exceptional lenses.
The Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH. will be on sale from 23 April.
A new firmware version for the Leica SL will also appear at the same time as the new wide-angle zoom lens. Version 3.2 integrates numerous wishes for general improvements requested by SL photographers:
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- The Joystick can now be deactivated from the menu to prevent inadvertent changes to settings while the camera is in use
- Eco Mode can be set to reduce the power consumption of the camera
- The standard white balance value for daylight has been changed from 6600 K to 6500 K
- Various improvements have been made for entering text/numbers (e.g. at WiFi password)
- Compatibility with the Leica SF 60 System Flash and the SF C1 wireless flash controller
- Other bug fixes
About Leica Camera
Leica Camera AG is an internationally operating, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary status of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellence in the construction of lenses. And today, in combination with innovative technologies, Leica products continue to guarantee better pictures in all situations in the worlds of visualisation and perception. Leica Camera AG has its headquarters in Wetzlar, in the state of Hesse in Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The company operates branch offices in Australia, China, France, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, South Korea, UK and the USA. New and innovative products have been the driving force behind the company’s positive development in recent years.
The following video presents Doug Menuez on the Leica SL’s High Performing Lenses:
“Recently, award-winning documentary photographer and director Doug Menuez switched to shooting the Leica SL for all his personal and commercial work and is sharing his impressions in a series of videos. In this video, he’s discusses the versatility of the Leica SL-system and its compatibility using SL-lenses as well as other Leica lenses…“
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