Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm F4

Lens Test: Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH

What looks like a zoom, is used like a zoom, but isn't a zoom Leica's 16- 18-21mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ($3,495, street). With three individual focal lengths in a single housing, and no intermediate settings, this 21-24-28mm equivalent (on the M8 digital) doesn't zoom, but click-stops through its focal...

Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH. Review

If you see in ultra-wide angles the Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH. is a solid lens for your rangefinder camera, but it needs to be stopped down for optimal performance. The Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH. ($5,450) is both the widest lens and the only zoom lens that Leica offers for its M-mount camera system. It's an expensive lens, especially if you opt to buy the Universal Wide-Angle Viewfinder ($899.95) that goes along with it, but it delivers a field of view that few rangefinder lenses can match. If you only occasionally shoot this wide you may want to consider a low-cost alternative like the Zeiss Distagon T* 4/18 ZM( at Amazon), but don't expect that lens to deliver crisp edges, even when stopped down. The Tri-Elmar is one of the larger rangefinder lenses available, but it's quite compact when compared to SLR lenses that cover a similar field of view, especially in terms of diameter. It measures 2.4 by 2.1 inches (HD) and weighs 11.8 ounces. The included hood doesn't add much size, but if you opt to use filters you'll have to get a special adapter ($99.95) to mount large 67mm filters to the front of the lens. Like all Leica M lenses,...

Amazing and superb lens

This is the best Leica lens that I have ever owned. It is surprisingly small, compact and light, and offers three different wide-angle focal lengths. No more huge piece of glass to haul around.

Quite amazing

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.