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| Leica 21–35mm f/3.5–4 ASPH |
What you should know: Leica SLR zooms are few and far between, because the company won't make them unless their performance is comparable to Leica's single-focal-length lenses.
Hands on: Modest size and weight for such high-precision, metal-barrel construction. Finish is in satin black with easy-to-grip ribbed, rubberized focusing and zoom rings, metal-ribbed aperture ring with clicked full and half stops. Extra-large engraved distance scales in orange (feet) and white (meters), white zoom focal lengths and apertures.
In the lab: SQF data indicate excellent image quality at all apertures and focal lengths. Slight barrel distortion (0.6 percent) was noted at 21mm, with minimal pincushion (0.45 percent) at 28mm and noticeable pincushion (1.25 percent) at 35mm. Closest focusing distances: at 21mm, 193⁄4 in. (1:18.7): Excellent center sharpness at all apertures. Corners poor f/3.5–4, acceptable f/5.6, good f/8, excellent f/11, very good f/16, good f/22. Best at f/11.
At 28mm, 193⁄4in. (1:14): Excellent center sharpness at all apertures. Corners acceptable f/3.7 to f/4.3, good f/6, excellent f/8.5 to f/17, very good at f/24. Best at f/8.5.
At 35mm, 191⁄2in. (1:12): Excellent center and corner sharpness at all apertures. Best at f/9. A superb 35mm close-up performance!
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In the field:
Test slides were very sharp and contrasty from center to corner at all apertures and focal lengths. Light falloff was gone by f/5.6 at 21mm, by f/6 at 28mm, and by f/4.6 at 35mm.
Conclusion: Worthy of the Leica name. Perhaps the best wide-angle zoom we've ever seen. p 215⁄16in. 25 ⁄8 in.
SPECIFICATIONS:
21–35mm (21.38–33.94mm tested), f/3.5–4 (f/3.5–3.9 tested), 9 elements in 8 groups. Focusing turns 110 degrees counterclockwise.Zoom ring turns 60 degrees counterclockwise. Focal lengths marked at 21-, 24-, 28-, 31-, and 35mm.
Diagonal View Angle: 92–63 degrees.
Weight: 1 lb 1 oz.
Filter size: E67.
Mount: Leica R.
Included: lenshood and soft case.
List price: $2,400.
Street price: Approx. $2,200.
Conclusion: Worthy of the Leica name. Perhaps the best wide-angle zoom we've ever seen.
Download our Leica Lens Test
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