APS-C standard zoom VARIO ELMAR TL 18-56mm
Review and photo examples using LEICA VARIO ELMAR TL 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. with LEICA T
Table of contents
Gallery
- Photo example taken by LEICA T typ701
Review
1．Overview
The Leica Vario-Elmar TL 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. is a zoom lens for Leica T, TL, TL2, and CL cameras with APS-C sensors released in 2014.
Since this lens is designed for APS-C sensors, the image circle is insufficient for cameras with 35mm full-frame sensors such as the LEICA SL typ601, so when attached, the camera automatically crops and records images equivalent to APS-C size.
The nameplate on the lens says VARIO ELMAR T for the lot manufactured at the same time as the LEICA T typ701, and VARIO ELMAR TL for the lot manufactured when the LEICA TL was released. There is no difference in lens performance between the two.
This lens has a list price of about 200,000 yen, but the list price is clearly Leica price, and if sold by a Japanese manufacturer, the lens specifications would be around 30,000 yen.
2．Usage
The Leica Vario-Elmar TL 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. was released at the same time as the Leica T typ701, and at the time of its release, the only options for L-mount lenses for APS-C size sensors were this lens or the Summicron 23mm.
There are no major surprises in terms of image quality, and the image is flawless across the entire zoom range.
It is a lightweight zoom lens that covers a standard focal length, so it was useful for trips where you want to carry less luggage.
The aperture value can be changed from the wide-angle side to the telephoto side, and the telephoto end of 55mm is dark at F5.6. Since the lens does not have an image stabilization mechanism, you need to be careful of camera shake at the telephoto end or in dark places where the shutter speed tends to decrease.
The lens barrel length is shortest at 18mm, and longest at 56mm. The minimum shooting distance is 0.3m at 18mm and 0.45m at 56mm, so the telephoto end is a little closer. Comes with a flower-shaped bayonet hood that can be reversed for storage.
3．Summary
In conclusion, the Leica Vario-Elmar TL 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. is a convenient and compact zoom lens, but its role has been fulfilled with the arrival of the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary released in 2021.
This is because the Sigma zoom lens has a constant F2.8 aperture, is almost the same size as the Vario-Elmar, and has a better specification than the Vario-Elmar, with an aperture value of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. And it has an advantage in terms of market price.
If you don’t care about the Leica brand, it seems reasonable to choose Sigma.
Specification and Competitor
- The lens construction diagrams are quoted from each company’s materials, and the sizes have been adjusted by us, so they are not exact.
| Item | lens1 | lens2 |
| Lens name | VARIO ELMAR-TL | 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary |
| Local length(mm) | 18-56 | 18-50 |
| Max aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 2.8 |
| Min aperture | 16 | 22 |
| Leaf blade | – | 7 |
| Lens Construction | 10elements in 7group | 13elements in 10group |
| Min distance(m) | 0.3 | 0.12-0.31 |
| Lens length(mm) | 60 | 74.5(L-Mount) |
| Lens Max diameter(mm) | 63 | φ65.4(L-Mount) |
| Filter Size(mm) | 52 | 55 |
| Weight(g) | 256 | 290 |
| Release date | 2014 | 2022 |
| Price | ¥200,000- | Open Price(About ¥65,000) |
LEICA T/TL Zoom lens Variations
| Lens name | SUPER VARIO ELMAR | VARIO ELMAR | APO VARIO ELMAR |
| Focal length(mm) | 11-23 | 18-56 | 55-135 |
| 35mm equivalent focal length | 16.5-34.5 | 27-84 | 82.5-202.5 |
| Max aperture | 3.5-4.5 | 3.5-5.6 | 3.5-4.5 |
| Min aperture | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Lens Construction | 14elements 10group | 10elements 7group | 12elements 10group |
| Min distance(m) | 0.2〜 (11〜23) | 0.3〜0.45 (18〜56) | 1.0〜 (55〜135) |
| Lens length(mm) | 77〜92 | 60〜80 | 110〜153 |
| Lens diameter(mm) | 73 | 63 | 68 |
| Filter Size(mm) | E67(67mm) | E52(52mm) | E60(60mm) |
| Weight(g) | 386 (Lens only) | 256 (Lens only) | 500 (Lens only) |
| Release date | 2015.3.1 | 2014.4 | 2015.3.1 |
| List Price(Yen) | 230,000- | 200,000− | 230,000- |
Reference links
Update history
- 2024.07.01
- 2024.03.06
- 2023.06.11
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