Introduced at the same time as the new CL camera, the Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH. ($1,295) fills a couple gaps in the system. It's now the widest and slimmest prime lens available, the latter aspect a big plus for use with the compact CL and TL2 mirrorless cameras. But to achieve its size and, in Leica terms, relatively low asking price, there's a drop in sharpness as you move away from the center of the frame. If that's a compromise you're willing to make, the 18mm f/2.8 ASPH. is worth a look. But if you want crisper performance and the convenience of a zoom, the Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11-23mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. is a better choice. Design We call the Elmarit-TL 18mm a pancake lens because of its fairly flat, circular design. It measures 0.8 by 2.4 inches (HD), weighs just 2.8 ounces, and supports 39mm front filters. There's no lens hood included, but according to Leica that's a feature, not a detriment; The lens is designed to be used without a hood, so you can take full advanta...
The Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH. is the slimmest, least expensive lens in the L system, but it makes optical compromises to get there.
Pancake design; Minimal distortion; Even illumination; Controls chromatic aberration; Quick focus; Designed for use without hood; Very light
Off-center sharpness isn't great; Not stabilized