Quiz Time: Name Leica’s smallest autofocus L-Mount lens

It's small, beautifully formed, and flat as a pancake

The weight of Leica SL-series cameras is a regular topic of discussion, and even the odd grumble, on Macfilos. One way to offset the weight of these cameras is to equip them with lightweight lenses. But, if you want to stick with Leica gear, what’s the smallest autofocus L-Mount lens you can reach for? Hint: it’s an APS-C pancake lens. Welcome to the Little and Large show.

Fans of British Saturday evening television are probably familiar with the term Little and Large. The show’s name refers to the comedy duo, Syd Little and Eddie Large. The title can also be applied to the lens/camera combination I used recently at a local event.

The outstanding Leica SL-series cameras, now in their third generation, deliver a world-class user experience and superb images. They are on the hefty side, though. I own an SL2, purchased second-hand, which I thoroughly enjoy using. Nevertheless, I am aware that some existing or potential owners of SL-cameras are put off by their weight.

Travelling light

When travelling with my SL2, I equip it with the lightweight Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom. It’s a great combination, weighing in at around 1300g. That’s 540g heavier than my Leica Q2 (760g). But, it buys me a wider field of view for interior shots and some extra focal length for distant subjects. And, I still get a very useful 47 megapixel sensor for all those tasty crops.

Significantly, it is also 500g lighter than the SL2 plus a 24-70mm Vario Elmarit f/2.8, another superb zoom option.

In the spirit of further weight reduction, I recently experimented with an even more lightweight option: the smallest autofocus L-Mount lens made by Leica.

Some time ago, I purchased a used silver Leica 18mm Elmarit-TL for my Leica TL2. On that APS-C camera, it delivers an effective focal length of 27mm. It is tiny, but still offers full autofocus. 

I was intrigued to explore how it would perform when mounted on the Leica SL2. The combination weighs around 1,000g, so it is now only 240g heavier than the Q2. It offers no advantages in focal length range, since it still delivers a 27mm effective focal length. And, of course, it does not use the sensor’s entire 47 megapixels. To cap it all, it looks a little odd attached to the mighty SL2 body.

Nevertheless, I was on the lookout for an occasion on which to try it my new Little and Large setup. I did not have to wait long.

British style

The glory days of British-designed-and-manufactured cars are long past. Still, vintage British cars, especially sports cars, hold a fascination for gear heads across the globe. Southern California is no exception, hence the annual San Diego British Car show, held in Coronado this year.

So, after a short ride on my British-designed-and-manufactured Brompton folding bike, I found myself in a park surrounded by a sea of gleaming chrome. Cars were neatly arrayed according to marque, and the first group I encountered were the MGs.

A selection of MGs

Southern California is the ideal place to own a convertible. The owners of these open-top MGs enjoy looking cool in a convertible while looking ultra-cool in a vintage sports car.

I am a sucker for two-tone paint jobs, and so the chocolate and cream concoction was a stand-out for me. Note how the 27mm effective focal length of the smallest autofocus L-Mount lens allowed a perfect framing of these cars. In this case, I had to plant my backside on the grass to get the low-down angle. Surely, some grass stains are a small sacrifice to make for a dynamic shot.

All the motors in the show were driven to the venue. You can see grass stuck to the tyres (or tires as we say locally).

Magnificent Morgans

I could have spent the afternoon admiring the MGs, but there were so many other beauties to drool over. Next stop were the Morgans.

Where’s the wood?

This dark blue number was a real looker. Those wire wheels, body vents, mesh-covered headlamps, and fur-lined leather strap across the bonnet all added to its visual impact. Just below the dashboard, you could find evidence of the car’s wooden chassis. Who would have thought of making a car out of wood? I suppose, Fred Flintstone.

Next up was a canary yellow model in race livery. Its owner, Phil Lloyd, turned out to be a Brit living locally.

This ex-Air force pilot had made his way to San Diego via assignments alongside US Air Force teams, eventually settling in Coronado. Perhaps, if I play my cards right, I might be able to wangle a ride in his beautiful Morgan at some point. Must track down my Biggles goggles and leather helmet.

It’s a Triumph

Here are a couple of Triumphs in fabulous condition. The ivory bodywork and red upholstery is an especially winning combination. They are both proudly sporting the name ‘Lucas’ on their batteries, which I found ironic. Wasn’t it the capriciousness of Lucas electric systems in these British sports cars that left many of them stranded at the side of the road? All part of their charm.

Great British export

No British car show would be complete without representation from the next two models.

Keep it shut

I was delighted to find an example of an E-Type Jag with the bonnet/hood down. Many owners like to display their cars with the bonnet raised so that you can admire the gleaming engine within. In my view, E-Types look most beautiful when you can admire the immensity and gentle curves of that bonnet. Don’t you agree?

Cue the James Bond theme. Here was an Aston Martin DB5, in dark blue rather than silver, like the bullet-proof version. To make amends, the owner provided this famous image of Sean Connery, from Goldfinger, leaning against his DB5 while taking a break to admire the Alpine scenery.

Little and Large

So, how did the smallest autofocus L-Mount lens mounted on my SL2 handle itself? I would give it top marks. The photos it produced are sharp, with great colours. I used autofocus throughout, which was fast and accurate. I was even able to generate some pleasant bokeh in this close up shot of The Spirit of Ecstasy.

How might I use this lens in the future? One option I am considering is as a complement to the Lumix 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 while travelling. I usually take along the Q2 as an easy-carry option for evening strolls. Instead, I could pop this pancake lens on the SL2 and achieve essentially the same focal length. That would save me 760g and an additional camera in my luggage.

Other options for lightweight, L-Mount lenses are popping up continually. The recently announced Panasonic 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3 would be an even more versatile contender. It’s on the slow side, though, compared to my f/2.8. For now, I’ll stick with the smallest autofocus L-Mount lens from Leica, and my Little and Large kit. It reminds me of the excellence of the “defunct” Leica TL lenses. As previously discussed by Jörg-Peter Rau, they still have a role, and they are worth keeping or, even, buying again.



9 COMMENTS

  1. ANDRE HAYNES

    A spectacular set of images – beautiful cars, very well recorded!
    Such good paint jobs, too

    Well done!

  2. Lovely collection and lovely shots, Keith. I’ll take the E-type, thank you!

    While I was over in the UK I went to a strange event consisting of steam engines, fairground attractions and a couple of classic cars. A MKIII V12 E-Type Jaguar, and a rare Daimler 250 V8 with a 2.5 liter V8.

    They don’t make ’em like that anymore!

    • Hi Jon, many thanks! Isn’t it great that the owners of these beautiful vintage vehicles not only keep them in such superb condition, but also bring them to events like this so that we can admire them? Long may they continue! All the best, Keith

  3. Thanks for the images…
    Interesting to see the E-Type (with the bonnet, or hood as you say over there, down) still has a UK style number-plate, though with a yellow line on the edge.
    The E-Type has a wonderful flowing line in the bonnet design, slightly spoiled by the loss of the perspex covers, and enlargement of the lighting clusters. (I suspect the E-Type in the background is the earlier model)
    My opinion is cars should be shown with the bonnet down, and just lifted on request by an observer searching for oil leaks.

    • Hi Chris, many thanks! I can understand the desire of owners to keep the hood raised in order to show off a gleaming 12-cylinder monster of an engine, especially if they have spent hours steam-cleaning it. But, in doing so, they definitely forfeit the visual impact of the car’s entire curvaceous design. At similar events in the past, I have politely asked owners to close the hood briefly for me to take a photo. They always oblige! Cheers, Keith

  4. Keith

    Nice article and a fun set of images. A car show is a great way to spend a day wandering and photographing.

    Though, wasn’t Peter Lucas known as “The Prince of Darkness?” 😉🤓

    PaulB

    • Hi Paul, that Peter Lucas gag is hilarious! Will definitely be recycling that one at future British car shows… All the best, Keith

  5. Some beautiful cars there Keith. The brown and cream colour scheme on the MG was the “unofficial” colour scheme for a racing team known as the Cream Crackers ! I still use my CL, not having succumbed to the SL system, yet. Instead I use a Hasselblad X1D II 50C with their 3 excellent P lenses.

    • Thanks, Mark! I did not have a chance to speak to the owner of that two-tone MG. I wonder if he knows of the Cream Cracker connection. Not sure whether you can even get cream crackers in the US! Cheers, Keith

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