Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Review: The Perfect Compact Companion

Like many Leica enthusiasts, I initially had reservations when Leica introduced the Leica T system. The idea of hand-polishing aluminum for the camera body seemed a bit excessive. However, years later, I’ve come to appreciate the Leica T, TL, and TL2 cameras for what they are: excellent, compact photographic tools. My journey with the Leica T started when I sought a small, lightweight camera for activities where my Leica M system would be too bulky or risky to bring, such as road cycling and outdoor skating.

Initially, I acquired a second-hand Leica T for 600 euros. Having a TL-to-M adapter already, I could use my existing Leica M lenses. While the Leica T and M-lenses worked together, the experience required patience. The camera exhibited a noticeable blackout after each shot, and manual focusing was deliberate. A reader suggested using the Visoflex viewfinder to improve the experience, but that would compromise the camera’s compact size, adding both weight and bulk.

This led me to consider the Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH lens. This lens promised to make my Leica T even smaller than when paired with my smallest M lens and adapter, such as the Voigtlander 21mm f/4 Color Skopar. It would also reduce the overall weight and offer the convenience of autofocus, enabling one-handed operation.

I found myself enjoying the Leica T and the tiny 18mm lens so much that my Leica M9 remained largely unused…

Recently, on a trip to Gran Canaria, I brought both my Leica M9 with several lenses (CV 21mm f/4, Zeiss ZM 35mm f/2.8, Leica Summicron 50mm f/2.0) and the Leica T with the 18mm f/2.8 lens. Surprisingly, I barely used the M9, captivated by the enjoyable experience and image quality of the Leica T and 18mm combination. This was significant because, while the 18mm and T are capable, I own gear better suited for demanding, high-end photography. My intention for the trip was relaxed photography, capturing snapshots and enjoying the process. The Leica T with the 18mm lens proved to be a significant step up from smartphone cameras, though not aiming to replace the capabilities of a Leica M system with premium lenses.

While capable of producing excellent images, the Leica T and 18mm lens serve a different purpose than my higher-end gear…

So, let’s delve into a detailed review of the Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH lens.

Build Quality and Ergonomics

Despite its remarkably small and lightweight design, the 18mm f/2.8 lens feels surprisingly robust. While some plastic components are used, critical parts are constructed from metal and high-quality glass. The lens comprises 8 elements arranged in 6 groups. The small size of the lens elements contributes to its incredibly light weight of just 80 grams. Externally, the lens has a single moving part: the focus ring. The focus ring operates smoothly, but the lens’s excellent autofocus system is typically the preferred method of focusing. Even with the original Leica T, autofocus is quick, responsive, and dependable with the 18mm lens.

The primary ergonomic advantage of this lens is its minimal weight. A Leica T with the 18mm f/2.8 lens (without lens cap), including battery and SD card, weighs a mere 456 grams. Adding a lightweight strap brings the total to around 470 grams. This is significantly lighter, almost half the weight, of a Leica M10 with a 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit lens, a difference you’ll definitely notice in everyday carry.

Sharpness, Bokeh, and Rendering

While a small and light lens is desirable, optical performance is paramount, especially considering the lens’s price point. The 18mm f/2.8 has received mixed reviews, with some users selling it after purchase, while others consider it indispensable for their Leica CL or TL2 cameras. So, is it optically good?

My priority in lens evaluation is rendering over absolute sharpness. However, a lens must meet a certain sharpness standard and strike a balance between sharpness, rendering, size, and cost. The 18mm f/2.8 offers ample sharpness for my needs. Wide open at f/2.8, sharpness is commendable, although lenses like the 28mm f/2.8 are demonstrably sharper. Most of my images from Gran Canaria were shot wide open. Achieving background separation with this lens necessitates getting close to the subject and shooting at f/2.8. Stopping down enhances sharpness, especially at the edges, but also increases depth of field and reduces the lens’s characteristic rendering.

Some users describe the 18mm f/2.8 as “clinical.” While I disagree with this blanket statement, there’s a nuance. If consistently used at f/4 or f/5.6 without considering its rendering characteristics, the lens might appear somewhat clinical or flat. However, by getting closer to subjects and employing compositional layering, the lens can exhibit separation and unique rendering. Bokeh is not abundant, but when background separation is achieved, the bokeh is smooth and pleasing.

I observed no significant optical flaws with this lens.

Conclusion

The short answer to whether this lens is good is yes, I bought it.

In a more detailed conclusion, the Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH stands out as the lightest Leica lens available. If pocketability isn’t a priority for your Leica CL or T, this lens might not be essential. However, its compact size allows the Leica T to fit into a jacket pocket or even a cycling jersey back pocket. Secondly, its fast and reliable autofocus is a significant advantage, especially with the original Leica T. Thirdly, it delivers sufficient sharpness and character if you utilize its strengths. It doesn’t replicate the rendering of a full-frame 28mm f/2.8 lens, but it is highly capable in its own right.

While other APS-C systems offer 18mm pancake lenses, the Leica T system, with its minimalist design, appeals to photographers who appreciate simplicity. As a dedicated Leica M shooter, I find the T and 18mm combination surprisingly appealing.

The value proposition is reasonable. The lens itself isn’t groundbreaking optically, but its unique appeal lies in Leica’s achievement of creating such a small and light lens with good optical performance. For those seeking a different rendering style with potentially superior optics but are willing to accept a larger and heavier lens, the 23mm Summicron might offer better value.

The remarkable aspect is Leica’s engineering feat in producing such a compact and lightweight lens with commendable optics.

In fact, I’m increasingly convinced of the merits of the Leica APS-C system. For photographers desiring a small, lightweight camera system with Leica ergonomics and a selection of excellent native lenses, the Leica T, TL, TL2, and CL are all compelling options. It took some time, but the Leica APS-C system has proven its worth.