Leica will expand its SL lens range with the addition of the anticipated Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH lens late this month.

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The new Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH lens. (Source: Leica Camera.)

The 16-35mm range of focal lengths is ideal for a wide range of genres, from landscape and architectural photography through shooting weddings, events and concerts to reportage and documentary photography. Weatherproof construction and a special AquaDura lens coating make this lens suitable for use in adverse weather conditions.

The optical system contains a total of 18 elements in 12 groups, including two aspherical elements for the correction of monochromatic aberrations and  three elements made from glass with anomalous partial dispersion correct to correct chromatic aberration. An improved mount geometry and high-quality coating ensure optimum suppression of reflections and stray light within the optical system. Focusing is driven by a specially developed stepping motor and linear positioning system, which moves a single, very light focusing element. Its low mass contributes to the high focusing speed.

The addition of the Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16″“35 f/3.5″“4.5 ASPH. enables users of the Leica SL to encompass a range of focal lengths from 16mm to 280 mm. Other lenses in the trio are the Vario-Elmarit”“SL 24″“90 f/2.8″“4 ASPH. and the APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90″“280 f/2.8″“4. The Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16″“35/3.5″“4.5 ASPH. will be on sale from Leica Store Sydney and authorised dealers  starting in late April at an RRP of AU$7,700. For more information, visit https://leica-store.com.au/.

Leica has also announced firmware Version 3.2 for the Leica SL, which applies numerous improvements requested by SL photographers:

  • The Joystick can now be deactivated 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
  • The standard white balance value for daylight has been changed from 6600 K to 6500 K
  • Various improvements have been made for entering text/numbers (e.g. at WiFi password)
  • Compatibility with the Leica SF 60 System Flash and the SF C1 wireless flash controller
  • Other bug fixes

The new firmware can be downloaded from  https://au.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-SL/Leica-SL/Firmware.