Earlier today I picked up a Leica T and a brace of lenses, the workhorse 18-56mm and the wide-angle 11-23mm. Object of the exercise is to evaluate the firmware updates that have improved this camera since its launch—and since I first reviewed it—in mid 2014. Flossy Bellm at Leica UK indulged my wish in providing a black T this time round. I have to say that I much prefer the anodised black finish which creates an altogether more harmonious whole when combined with the top-mounted EVF and one of the all-black zoom lenses.
Leaving Bruton Place, I bolted on the 11-23mm, which equates roundly to a full-frame 16-35mm (actually, 16.5-34.5mm) only because last year I had a long play with the 18-56 and it is therefore familiar territory. The wide-angle Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11-23mm zoom (to give it its full title) promises to be a perfect optic for street photography, offering the comfort of the 35mm view alongside wide-angle performance tailored to city architecture. It’s relatively compact, too.
But what a lens this is. I took a few practice shots on the way back to the office, via a pint of Proper Job at the Black Lion, and I was immensely impressed, not just with the ale. This is a great lens, crisp, sharp and utterly pleasing, with no obvious distortions. This is just my first impression and I look forward to putting the lens through its paces over the next couple of weeks. I see a wide-angle Christmas coming on.
Since the introduction of the T-system in 2014 the landscape has changed. When I reviewed the T it was a new, untried system and there was an obvious worry that the new lens mount was part and parcel of the T itself: Sink or swim. Without the T, would the lenses have any value? That conundrum was answered with the arrival of the SL this Autumn. We now know that the T-mount, renamed L, is the heart of Leica’s plans for both full- and crop-sensor auto-focus lenses in the future. Buying a T lens is now a much more of an investment than was obvious in 2014.
There has never been a doubt over the quality and performance of these zooms, which are about as far from “kit lenses” as you could could imagine. And the compact 23mm (35mm equivalent) f/2 Summicron stakes a strong claim for favourable comparison with the equivalent M lens.
It now looks like Leica is committed to continuing the concept of the interchangeable lens APS-C range and I believe the lenses can now be purchased with confidence. Not only that, they can also be used on the full-frame SL, although the design of the optics means that only a cropped portion of the sensor will be addressed. On the other hand, these T zooms are compact and light and would make an ideal travel companion for the SL in preference to the bulky full-frame native kit.
I would not argue about the Q’s undoubted prowess as a fixed 28mm lens camera or of its continuing market success however despite all this, and its relatively low price for anything Leica, surely its still something of a gimmick camera compared to the interchangeable lens T for instance, or even the zoom lens X-Vario, which although not full frame are both far more versatile as photographic tools. Don Morley
Thanks Don and you make a good point. Both the X Vario and T are indeed excellent cameras but there is a definite market for fixed-lens 28/35 cameras. Just look at the success of the Fuji X100, for instance. The Q, also, has the full frame sensor which puts it up against the Sony RX1. It is also something of a bargain in the full-frame sector if the Sony is used as a yardstick. I suppose it all boils down to horses for courses. I believe we will see a Q Vario in the future, however.
The T is amazing system but I think when u add body lens evf, u are within a few hundred dollars of the full frame Q! I recently had email from a photographer who traded in his m9 for the simplicity of the Q. I have no clue as to numbers of any Leica cameras sold but from what I read the Q sounds like it will be a big winner for Leica.
You are absolutely right about the cost of the T versus the Q and it is something I had already decided to highlight in the review. When I tested the T in 2014 the Q was but a twinkle in Leica’s eye. Frankly, I was surprised at the relatively low price. It is definitely better value than a T with 23mm and viewfinder.
The Q has indeed been an earner for Leica and I think it’s success surprise even them. It’s almost unprecedented for a new camera to be on back order even six months after arrival. Thanks for your input.