LEICA ELMARIT R 35-III(3rd)
A review and photo examples of the third generation Elmarit 35mm wide-angle lens in Leica’s R mount.
Table of contents
Gallery
- Sample photos were taken with LEICA SL Typ006.
Review
1．Overview
The third-generation Elmarit R 35mm was released in 1978 as an R-mount wide-angle lens with a focal length of 35mm.
The main specifications are as follows, and are listed in the table below for details.
- Maximum aperture: 2.8
- Lens construction: 6 groups, 7 elements
- Aperture blades: 6
- Minimum focusing distance: 0.3m
- Hood: Built-in
2．Usability
The third-generation Elmarit R 35mm produces a solid, flawless image, just like all previous Elmarits. There is no significant difference in image quality between the second-generation Elmarit R 35mm, which has the same lens configuration, and the bright Summicron R 35mm, and there is no clear difference when looking at the results of holding the two together.
The lens design looks the same as the second-generation Summicron R 35mm, but it shares the same lens barrel as the second-generation Summicron R 50mm. As expected, the focal length and lens configuration are different, so the size of the front lens is different between the Elmarit 35mm and Summicron 50mm when viewed from the front.
The lens configuration is the same as the second-generation, with 6 groups and 7 elements, and the weight has been lightened from the second-generation to the same 300g as the first-generation. There are three types of mounts: 3-cam, R-cam, and ROM terminal.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the third-generation Elmarit-R 35mm, it is a compact wide-angle lens of the same size as the Summicron 50mm, and looks great on a lightweight mirrorless camera.
It is also inexpensive, making it a recommended lens for beginners to Leica SLR lenses.
Specification and Competitor
| Lens name | ELMARIT-R 35-III | SUMMICRON(New) |
| Focal length(mm) | 35 | 35 |
| Max aperture | 2.8 | 2 |
| Min aperture | 22 | 22 |
| Leaf blade | 6 | 6 |
| Lens Construction | 7 elements in 6 groups | 6 elements in 6 groups |
| Min distance(m) | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Lens length(mm) | 41.6 | 57.5 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 66 | 66 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 55 | 55 |
| Weight(g) | 305 | 430 |
| Lens hood | Build in | Build in |
| Lens mount | LEICA R | LEICA R |
| Release date | -1978 | 1976-2005 |
| Production number*1 | 15,000(end of 1992) | 29,839 |
Reference links
Update history
- 2025.6.4
- 2024.7.28
- 2023.12.10
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