Leica unveil new 16–35mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH lens for SL

Leica have announced a new wide-angle lens, the Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16–35/3.5–4.5 ASPH for SL.

The 16–35mm complements the existing 24-90mm F2.8-4 and 90-280mm F2.8-4 zooms for the company's full-frame SL system.

The 16-35mm uses 18 elements in 12 groups, including two aspherical elements and three elements "made from glass with anomalous partial dispersion." This optical formula is paired with a specially developed focusing drive with stepping motor and linear positioning that, paired with a single dedicated focusing element, promises to deliver fast and quiet autofocus.

Build quality is what you would expect from Leica - as well as for the first time offering an AquaDura lens coating to protect the lens in adverse weather conditions.

The new lens will be available from Leica Store Sydney and authorised dealers from late April 2018 for $7,700.00 AUD.

A new firmware version for the Leica SL will also appear at the same time as the new wide-angle zoom lens. Version 3.2 integrates a number of general 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