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Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH L Mount Review

Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH

Main Features

  • 16-35mm Focal Range
  • F3.5-4.5 Max Aperture
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica L Mount
  • Weight: 990g / 2.18 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 88mm x 238mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.25m
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Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Overview


Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF) Ultra-Wideangle Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with L Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifePoor
SportsPoor
PortraitFair
TravelGood
StreetGood
WeddingFair
Walk AroundGood
VloggingVery Good
LandscapeVery Good
Macro

Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH is a member of Leica's Elmarit-SL series of lenses. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.

Elmarit-SL Series Lenses in Leica L Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm F2.8 ASPH Lens Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm F2.8 ASPH
Compare
35mm FF 856gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH
35mm FF 990gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 Lens Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4
Compare
35mm FF 1710gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm F2.8-4 ASPH Lens Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm F2.8-4 ASPH
Compare
35mm FF 1140gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Reasons to Buy Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Autofocus
Hood supplied
Internal Focusing
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
Extreme Wide-angle capability
Minimum focus distance of 0.25m / 9.8 inch
Report a correction

Buy Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Variable Aperture
Pricey


Lens Mount

Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH is compatible with cameras that have a Leica L lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica L lenses are Panasonic S5 II, Panasonic S5 II X and Sigma fp L.

Panasonic S5 II with Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens Size
Panasonic S5 II with the Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens
Panasonic S5 II X with Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens Size
Panasonic S5 II X with the Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens
Sigma fp L with Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens Size
Sigma fp L with the Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH has a maximum diameter of 88mm and total length of 238mm. It weighs 990g / 34.9 oz.


https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Leica-Super-Vario-Elmar-SL-16-35mm-F3.5-4.5-ASPH-topview.jpg
Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens Top View




Focal Range

Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH has a focal range of 16-35mm and 2.2X zoom ratio.


Zoom Method

Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH features Rotary (internal) zoom method where the length of the lens doesn't change while you are zooming in or out. Even though this design has a size disadvantage in general compared to extending designs, it has the benefits of better sealing against dust and moisture, no zoom creep and no weight balance shift while zooming.

Below are the 3 Ultra-Wideangle Zoom type Leica L mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Panasonic S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6: 0.43x - (Compare)
  • Panasonic S 16-35mm F4: 0.23x - (Compare)
  • Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art: 0.14x - (Compare)

Aperture

Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f3.5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 16mm, and a max aperture of f4.5 and minimum aperture of f22 at 35mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
16mm F3.5 F22
35mm F4.5 F22

Optical Formula

Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH's optical formula consists of 18 elements in 12 groups . Special elements used in this design is AquaDura front lens coating.

Lens Hood

Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Leica-Super-Vario-Elmar-SL-16-35mm-F3.5-4.5-ASPH-hood.jpg
Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens Hood


Body Colour

Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH is available in Black color.

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Leica-Super-Vario-Elmar-SL-16-35mm-F3.5-4.5-ASPH-withcamera.jpg
Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Attached to a camera

Popular Comparisons of Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Panasonic Lumix S Pro 16-35mm F4 Lens Panasonic Lumix S Pro 16-35mm F4
Compare
35mm FF 500 g / 1.10 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art Lens Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art
Compare
35mm FF 795 g / 1.75 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm F2.8-4 ASPH Lens Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm F2.8-4 ASPH
Compare
35mm FF 1,140 g / 2.51 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN C Lens Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN C
Compare
35mm FF 450 g / 0.99 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm F2.8 ASPH Lens Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm F2.8 ASPH
Compare
35mm FF 856 g / 1.88 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS Lens Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Compare
35mm FF 518 g / 1.14 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm F4 Macro OIS Lens Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm F4 Macro OIS
Compare
35mm FF 680 g / 1.50 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM Lens Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM
Compare
35mm FF 760 g / 1.67 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Alternatives in Leica L Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Panasonic Lumix S Pro 16-35mm F4 Lens Panasonic Lumix S Pro 16-35mm F4
Compare
35mm FF 500 g / 1.10 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro Lens Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro
Compare
35mm FF 345 g / 0.76 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN C Lens Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN C
Compare
35mm FF 450 g / 0.99 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Leica 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Leica
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Wideangle Zoom
Lens Mount Leica L
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 16-35mm
Image Stabilization
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 2.2X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F3.5-4.5
Min Aperture F22
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades unknown
Optics
Optical Elements 18
Optical Groups 12
Special Elements AquaDura front lens coating

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.25m
Max Magnification unknown
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 990g
Diameter 88mm
Length 238mm
Weather Sealing Unknown
Filter Thread Unknown
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH
is the Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH
is the Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH
Does Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH have Image Stabilization?
Does Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH have Aperture Ring?


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