APS-C standard zoom VARIO ELMAR TL 18-56mm
A review and photo examples using LEICA VARIO ELMAR TL 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. with the 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 size sensors, the image circle is insufficient for cameras with 35mm full-size sensors such as the LEICA SL typ601, so when attached, the camera automatically crops and records images equivalent to APS-C size.
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 slightly closer. A flower-shaped bayonet hood that can be reversed when stored is included.
The nameplate on the lens is written as VARIO ELMAR T for the lot manufactured at the same time as the LEICA T typ701, and as VARIO ELMAR TL for the lot manufactured when the LEICA TL was released. There is no difference in lens performance between the two. The list price of the lens is about 200,000 yen.
2．Usability
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 surprising elements in terms of image quality, and the image is flawless throughout the entire zoom range.
It is a lightweight zoom lens that covers a standard focal length, so it was useful for traveling when 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 a dark F5.6. Since the lens does not have an image stabilization mechanism, you need to be careful of camera shake in scenes where the shutter speed tends to decrease, such as at the telephoto end or in dark places.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the Leica Vario-Elmar TL 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. is a convenient and compact zoom lens. However, the lens specifications would be around 30,000 yen if it were made in Japan, and even though the lens itself is made in Japan and the Leica brand is taken into account, it is still expensive.
Specification ,Study and more
The Leica Vario-Elmar TL 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH. has been outdated by the arrival of the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary, released in 2021.
The Sigma zoom is almost the same size as the Vario-Elmar with a constant F2.8 aperture, has a better specification than the Vario-Elmar with an F2.8 maximum aperture across the entire zoom range, and is also cheaper on the market, so if you don’t mind the Leica brand, it’s a good choice to choose Sigma.
- 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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