Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Standard Zoom lens with APS-C / DX max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
T Mount cameras.
What type of photography is the Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
Reasons to Buy Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
Report a correction
Buy Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 from Amazon or B&H PHOTO
Lens Extends while zooming |
Slow Aperture at Tele end |
Variable Aperture |
Pricey |
Lens Mount
Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 is compatible with cameras that have a Leica T lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica T lenses are , and .
Check Our latest Video Lens Review - Don't forget to Subscribe!
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 has a maximum diameter of 63mm and total length of 60mm when not extended. It weighs 256g / 9.0 oz.
Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 has a filter thread of 52mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6:
Focal Range
Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 has a focal range of 18-56mm and 3.1X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 27-84mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.
Optical Image Stabilization
Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).
Zoom Method
Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.13x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.45m. 0.13x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.
Aperture
Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f3.5 and a minimum aperture of f16 at 18mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f16 at 56mm .
Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
18mm
|
F3.5 |
F16 |
56mm
|
F5.6 |
F16 |
Optical Formula
Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6's optical formula consists of 10 elements in 7 groups . Special elements used in this design is 4 aspherical surfaces.
Lens Hood
Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Popular Comparisons of Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Leica 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 Lens
**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.