Leica 30mm f/2.8 Elmarit-S ASPH for Leica S2 Medium Format

I’ve added a placeholder page to my Guide to Leica for the new Leica 30mm f/2.8 Elmarit-S ASPH for the Leica S2, with some initial commentary.

I have asked Leica for a demo lens and S2 body, but I suspect that it could be a while before that becomes a test reality.

Scroll down for more discussion.

Specifications for Leica 30mm f/2.8 Elmarit-S ASPH
Focal length	30mm (nominal), equivalent to 24mm in 35mm terms
Lens construction	13 elements in 9 groups, 2 aspherical surfaces position of entrance pupil 33,3mm (from 1st lens element)
Focusing range:	50cm closest focus
Smallest object field:	1:11 reproduction ratio at 330 X 495mm
Item Angle of view	84°, 74°, 53°
Diaphragm:	f/2.8 - f/22
Filters:	82mm
Dimensions	88mm diameter X 128mm long 3.56" X 5.04" long
Weight (nominal)	1060g / 37.39 oz
Lens hood	Included, adjustable by bayonet

MTF

Performance looks to be higher than any lens this wide for medium format, in other words, perhaps the world’s best wide angle for medium format.

The steady falloff in contrast at f/2.8 is very likely due to field curvature, though without testing one cannot be sure (I have not yet tested the 30/2.8 Elmarit-S).

Stopping down to f/5.6 delivers a very high level of performance (the optimal aperture), and note that diffraction begins to reduce performance (contrast) at f/8. For understanding such charts, see Making Sharp Images.

Vignetting

There is moderate (and hence useful) distortion when shot wide-open. Stopping down to f/5.6, it appears that only natural vignetting remains.

Distortion

Distortion approaches ~2.8%, which is remarkably good for a medium format ultra wide angle. The distortion is of a mild wave-type: barrel distortion to the edges of the frame, with a flattening to a faint hint of pincushion distortion in the extreme corners.