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Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lens

BH #LET1856 • MFR #11080
14 reviews
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Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lens
Key Features
  • Leica T Mount
  • 27-84mm (35mm-Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/16
  • 4 Aspherical Surfaces
The Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lens from Leica is a zoom lens that offers a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 27-84mm. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5 to f/5.6, and a minimum aperture of f/16. There are ten elements in seven groups with four aspherical surfaces. Front and rear lens caps as well as a pouch are all included to help protect your lens.
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Used from$719.95
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Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. Overview

The Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lens from Leica is a zoom lens that offers a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 27-84mm. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5 to f/5.6, and a minimum aperture of f/16. There are ten elements in seven groups with four aspherical surfaces. Front and rear lens caps as well as a pouch are all included to help protect your lens.

Manual override is possible when in AF Mode
The lens accepts 52mm threaded filters, and the filters do not rotate when zooming the lens
Bayonet lens hood included
Black anodized finish

Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH.Specs

Focal Length
18 to 56mm (35mm Equivalent: 27 to 84mm)
Maximum Aperture
f/3.5 to 5.6
Minimum Aperture
f/16
Lens Mount
Leica L
Lens Format Coverage
APS-C
Angle of View
75° to 28°
Minimum Focus Distance
1' / 0.3 m
Maximum Magnification
0.13x
Optical Design
10 Elements in 7 Groups
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
52 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
2.5 x 2.4" / 6.35 x 6.1 cm
Length at Maximum Extension
3.14" / 79.85 mm
Weight
9 oz / 255 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.25 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
8.268 x 5.197 x 5.118"

Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. Reviews

Versatile All Around Lens

By Darcy
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-05-08

A small compact lens with a1.5 crop is 27mm to 83mm which covers almost perfect shooting range for most picture taking situations. The compact lite weight lens pairs well the Leica CL. When paired with the CL you have a system the size of a point and shoot camera, with the resolution and color rendition that rivals a full frame Leica system.

Ultimate travel zoom lens

By Geoffrey
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-03-17

Great IQ. Of course it isn't great in low light - f/3.5 at best, mostly higher. But it weighs so little, is so compact, and takes the best outdoor photos of any standard zoom I've used. Not a jack of all trades lens, but rather, an excellent specialist.

Excellent lens

By Vadim
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-09-21

This lens is very sharp, produces true Leica colors and has good aberration control. Very light, feels very balanced on both TL and CL camera bodies, excellent all around lens. I also love my 35Lux but it’s heavy and feels like it doesn’t belong on TL/CL, so I use this lens a lot more then Lux. This is probably the best kit lens I have ever used and I did use some excellent LUMIX and Olympus 4/3 and m4/3 glass before.

great lens

By Frank
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-09-19

i love this lens its got everything i need in focal lengths to speed

Incredibly sharp

By Attila
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2019-02-02

This is a very sharp and compact lens, maybe the best one for travel, but only works well in good light conditions. In low light AF is poor.

Sharp images

By Judgeedward Ricky R.
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-07-15

I like the response that I get from this lens. I use it to take candid photography. And street photography. Great for landscapes also.

An amateurs review.

By Robert
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2020-09-06

I recently purchased this vario with my CL, and as a rule I use it on Auto Focus......and it's fine in good light, but yesterday I shot a wedding held in a dimly illuminated park gazebo, and found it acted very slowly in focusing, and many of my photos were rather dim. Perhaps I was expecting too much in trying to capture the 'Moment', but very surpised with the out of focus & dim results.

Great Lens

By John
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-07-12

Excellent clarity. Soon to be my go to lens for my TL2.

See any errors on this page? Let us know

Is this compatible with the SL2? TIA

Is this compatible with the SL2? TIA
Asked by: David
Yes, it is completely compatible with the SL2. Because it is an APS-C format lens the sensor will crop down to APS-C format and will not utilize the full frame sensor. Images are still outstanding even in cropped mode. Also you do not need an adapter as indicated below by the retailer.
Answered by: Richard
Date published: 2020-08-27

Who makes this lens for Leica?

Who makes this lens for Leica?
Asked by: SYDNEY
This lens is made by Leica.
Answered by: louisa
Date published: 2021-12-03

Does the CL Digital Zoom (x1.3 and x1.7) work ...

Does the CL Digital Zoom (x1.3 and x1.7) work with this lens?
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, The 1.3X and 1.7X Digital zoom is an execute process by the camera regardless of the lens. If you are shooting in JPEG files you will see the magnification directly on the camera. If you are shooting DNG data files you can access the zoom-in photos on lightroom or any other editing software compatible with Leica DNG files. Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lens is fully compatible with Leica CL Mirrorless Digital Camera.
Answered by: llinelva
Date published: 2021-09-19

question

can i adapt this lense to a panasonic GH2?
Asked by: Anonymous
Unfortunately, B&H does not carry an adapter that could mount a Leica T-mount lens onto a Panasonic Micro Four Thirds body, nor am I aware of one on the market.
Answered by: Christina S.
Date published: 2018-08-25

Where is this lens made ?

Where is this lens made ?
Asked by: fabio
This item's country of origin is Japan.
Answered by: Ryan
Date published: 2021-11-28

Adaptable to M (typ 240?...Love this lens on my ...

Adaptable to M (typ 240?...Love this lens on my CL!
Asked by: Michael
No. Leica does not make an adapter to connect a L mount lens to a M camera. The M camera has a full frame sensor and the CL an APS-C sensor hence the reasoning for it not to be compatible. Unlike putting these lenses on an SL full frame camera where the SL would crop down the image to APS-C when this lens is attached, the M cameras sensors do not crop down.
Answered by: Richard
Date published: 2019-08-27

Is this compatible with L-Mount camera like Sigma ...

Is this compatible with L-Mount camera like Sigma fp?
Asked by: Rocky
i do not know i have the lieca 18-56 i love it and it does everything aoutmaticaly
Answered by: Frank
Date published: 2020-04-25

question

Can I use this autofocus Iens with my Lecia CL
Asked by: Judgeedward Ricky R.
Absolutely! It pairs great with the CL.
Answered by: Leica Expert
Date published: 2018-08-25
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