Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35 f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. now available

Two views of the new Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16″“35 f/3.5″“4.5 ASPH. super wide-angle lens. (Source: Leica Camera.)

Designed for the Leica SL camera system, the new lens expands the existing portfolio of SL zoom lenses into the wide-angle domain. Covering focal lengths from 16 to 35 mm, this high-performance lens is ideal for shooting group portraits, landscapes and architecture. Its optical design (shown below) contains a total of 18 elements in 12 groups. These include two asphericals for the correction of monochromatic aberrations and three elements made from glasses with anomalous partial dispersion for the correction of chromatic aberrations.  Fast and almost silent autofocusing is achieved by having only one very light element that is moved with a drive comprising a stepping motor and linear positioning that doesn’t change the overall length of the lens.

The optical design of the Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16″“35 f/3.5″“4.5 ASPH. lens showing the positions of the focusing lens and aspherical elements. (Source: Leica Camera.)

Made in Germany, the weather-resistant construction of this lens and its AquaDura  lens coating make it ideal for use in challenging conditions. Improved mount geometry and high-quality coating ensure optimum suppression of reflections and stray light within the optical system. The lens is 123 mm long (without lens hood) and has a maximum diameter of 88 mm and a weight of 990 grams. For full details visit http://au.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-SL/SL-Lenses/Vario-Lenses/Super-Vario-Elmar-SL-16-35.

Leica has also announced the release of Firmware Version 3.2 for the Leica SL camera. It includes the following improvements:

• The Joystick can now be disabled from the menu to prevent inadvertent changes to settings while the camera is in use

• Eco Mode can be set to reduce the power consumption of the camera
• Compatibility with the Leica SF 60 flash unit and the SF C1 remote control unit  

The new firmware can be downloaded from http://au.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-SL/Leica-SL/Firmware?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Leica_SL_Firmware_3.2.