Used Leica Super-Elmar-M 18mm f/3.8 ASPH. [11649]

Condition & contents

At a glance: Leica Super-Elmar-M 18mm f/3.8 ASPH - ultra-wide Leica M-mount prime.

About this lens

The Leica Super-Elmar-M 18mm f/3.8 ASPH (11649) is Leica's ultra-wide M-mount prime - 18mm on full-frame is genuinely ultra-wide territory. ASPH (aspherical) design for optical excellence. Like other Leica M wides, typically paired with a matching external bright-line viewfinder for framing.

Build & handling

Works with

• Leica M-mount film and digital bodies
• Modern mirrorless via M-to-[system] adapter
• External 18mm bright-line viewfinder highly recommended for framing

Best for

A serious ultra-wide Leica M prime - 18mm on full-frame gives dramatic wide-angle perspective for landscape, architecture and environmental work. ASPH design delivers excellent edge-to-edge sharpness. Typically used with a dedicated 18mm Leica bright-line viewfinder for framing.

Frequently asked questions

Why so slow (f/3.8) for an 18mm prime?

Ultra-wide primes are challenging to design for Leica's rangefinder-mount constraints (short flange distance, no retrofocus necessary but strict optical design requirements). f/3.8 is a trade-off for compact size and optical excellence. The newer Leica 18mm f/2.8 Super-Elmar-M is a faster/newer alternative.