Leica Introduces Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH

Today, Leica introduces the fifth S lens to the S-System, the Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH. With a 35mm equivalent of 24mm, this lens will offer an option for those looking for something a bit wider than the 35mm Summarit-S. Just a few millimeters longer than the 35 and about 100g heavier, the new 30mm uses 13 elements in 9 groups to achieve its near-perfect imaging capabilities. The lens will start to ship starting in December of this year and will cost $7,495. Dale Photo & Digital is now taking pre-orders.



Leica's focus on fast wide-angle lenses will continue with the introduction of the 24mm f/3.5 next year, giving the S2 perhaps the best line-up of wide angle glass on any medium format system.

I had a chance to play with the new lens yesterday at the Leica studio here in New York and from what I've seen so far, I think it's fair to say that the 30mm is nothing short of extraordinary. I will be heading back today to take some sample images and maybe even a few comparison shots versus the 35mm. So, stay tuned for an update later tonight.



Tech Specs:




The press release follows:

To fulfill the high-level demands of our professional customers, Leica’s design and engineering team has made enormous efforts to achieve a perfect optical design with the Leica Elmarit-S 2.8/30mm ASPH with the 13 lens elements which provides for first class optical performance.

The new Elmarit-S 2.8/30mm ASPH features 5 lens elements with anomalous partial dispersion and 3 flouride elements for superior color correction. There are 2 aspheric lens elements to minimize monochromatic aberration such as distortion and sharpness fall-off at the edges.

The use of high quality materials and the dust and spray water resistance guarantees reliability and a long life-cycle. Like all Leica S-Lenses, the ELMARIT-S 2.8/30mm ASPH delivers perfect imaging results without digital corrections, so that the photographer can completely focus on creative looks and composing the image.

BENEFITS:

• Maximum contrast transfer and highest detail reproduction; even with wide open aperture

• Outstanding reproduction performance with all f-stop and distance settings leads to 3-dimensional image results

• Brilliant and clean colors with minimal distortion

• Due to high lens speed of 2.8 predestined for available light and selective sharpness photography

• Dust and spray water resistant