Leica Super-Elmar-M 18mm f/3.8 ASPH. Review
The Leica Super-Elmar-M 18mm f/3.8 ASPH. ($3,250) is a compact lens that covers an ultra-wide field of view when paired with a full-frame rangefinder or mirrorless camera. It's expensive, but its compact design and sharp optics don't disappoint. There are some drawbacks, especially if you often use filters, but on a whole, it delivers the quality that you expect from a Leica lens. It's not the absolute best value in this focal length, as the Zeiss Distagon T* 4/18 ZM ( at Amazon) offers most of the performance at less than half the price. But the Zeiss lags behind the Leica in performance, especially at the edges of the frame. If you're willing to pay for it, the Super-Elmar-M is a solid wide-angle option.
The lens measures 2.3 by 2.4 inches (HD) and weighs 10.9 ounces. It includes a compact lens hood, but you'll need to remove that to mount the optional filter holder ($99.95), and then use big 77mm filters. The reason for this is the curved front element of the lens; it extends...
The Leica Super-Elmar-M 18mm f/3.8 ASPH. is a sharp, compact rangefinder lens, but it requires huge 77mm filters.
Compact; Ultra-wide field of view; Sharp through most of the frame; Minimal distortion
Expensive; Requires accessory holder for filter use; Corners a bit muddy at wider apertures