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The Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 Aspherical Lens gives incredible versatility & optical brilliance to the Leica shooter who doesn't need the higher speed of the single focal length lenses. The Tri-Elmar is not a zoom, but a three focal length lens offering 16mm, 18mm and 21mm choices with a simple twist. Due to the minimal distortion and barely perceptible field curvature, it can be recommended for highly demanding architecture photography even at the 16mm setting. Used on the digital M8, it produces the image effect of a 21 - 28 mm lens, still enabling extreme wide-angle views.
Included in this kit is the Universal Wide-Angle Viewfinder. The viewfinder enables precise cropping of the subject with the Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 on the M7 and MP as well as the digital M8. For the M8, the focal length extension factor of 1.33x has to be considered, so in this case the bright-line frames for 21, 24 or 28 mm are selected.
This lens has been updated with the "6-bit" coding, which allows the digital M camera to read this information optically and to identify which lens is being used. The camera can then (optionally) apply a "final stage" software based vignetting correction (for RAW images the lens used is simply recorded, no change is made).
| Filter Size | Requires filter holder (67mm) |
| f/Stop Range | 4-22 |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.6' (0.5 m) |
| Magnification |
1:38 @ 16mm 1:35 @ 18mm 1:30 @ 21mm |
| Zoom/Focus Control | Two-touch (twist, click stops for 16, 18 or 21mm) |
| Angle of View |
[diagonal; 35mm format] 107° @ 16mm 100° @ 18mm 92° @ 21mm |
| Groups/Elements | 7/10 |
| Length | 2.4" (62mm) |
| Maximum Diameter | 2.1" (54mm) |
| Weight | 11.8 oz (335 g) |
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Comments about Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 Asph. Lens (6-Bit) w/Universal W/A Viewfinder:
for some reason I use this lens at 16mm most of the time and wonder why I simply didn't buy a wide angle lens to begin with. I am new to leica glass, I have a 50mm 1.4 and a 90mm 2.0 and have the new 35mm on order. For landscape and for interesting perspectives I love this wide angle lens. leica has me so much more disciplined than when I was a dslr snapper. i love shooting wide open but am still experimenting.
Comments about Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 Asph. Lens (6-Bit) w/Universal W/A Viewfinder:
The last time I saw an M lens this wide it cost $15,000used, thanks to collectors, so try to consider this abargain This lens on a M8 has put my Canon IDs with 24tilt-shift and the 16-35 on the shelf. It has also made meponder if I really still need my M 21mm 2.8 anymore. Thissharpness compared to any and all Canon wide lenses is verywelcome.The viewfinder really isn't necessary for framing thanks todigital, but the built in level allows me to shootarchitectural photos hand held. So sure, the viewfinder isbig, but it is smaller, lighter and less expensive than agitzo carbon fiber tripod. The electronic registration with the M is problematic fornow, the need for an adapter for the UV filter is an issue,but I have been happy with the images without filter while Iwait for it.Oh, and the price, it only goes up.Don't get confused on my rating of the ease of use at a 2,that's just a reflection of the viewfinder adjustments andthe need for filters etc.The fact that I rate this a five star as value for the moneyreflects how much I like this lens.
Expertise: Professional
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