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Model history (2)

Specification

Sources of data

• Lenses for the LEICA R system booklet (PUB. 111-133).
• Handbook of the LEICA system (PUB. 100-021) (May 1987).
• Electronic-Leica R3 booklet (PUB. 121.111-104) (November 1977).
• Leica R4-MOT booklet (PUB. 121.111-136) (August 1980).
• General Catalogue (July 1977).
• Leitz General Catalogue of Photographic Equipment (January 1975).
• Leica Catalogue (January 1979).
• Leitz General Catalogue of Photographic Equipment (September 1978).
• Handbook of the LEICA system (July 1982).
• Handbook of the LEICA system (December 1989).
• Handbook of the LEICA system (April 1981).

Manufacturer description #1

This extreme wide angle lens for the Leicaflex combines a 95.7° field of view with high speed and excellent correction. This is a rectilinear lens which is valuable for architectural photography, and other applications requiring its very wide field of view.

As with any extreme wide angle lens, foreground objects will be exaggerated when the lens is used at short camera to subject distances.

The following general rules should be observed when using this lens:

a) Avoid if possible, light sources in the picture area.

b) Pay close attention to leveling the camera to avoid converging lines.

c) The lens must be kept clean.

d) Perspective distortion will be observed at the format edges at close focusing distances, therefore, if correct shape retention is important, avoid placing nearby subjects at the frame edges.

Manufacturer description #2

This exciting new addition to the LEICA system combines a sweepingly wide angle (96 deg. across the format diagonal) with perfect rectilinear correction and a usefully high aperture. Its performance, even at f/2.8, is exceptional, particularly with respect to the evenness of illumination. A lens for adventurously creative photographers, the 19mm ELMARIT-R finds applications in architectural, advertising, and technical photography, as well as photojournalism.

Manufacturer description #3

A high-speed superwide-angle lens for the LEICA R with wide viewing angle. The useful range of this extreme wide angle lens is considerably improved as a result of its high aperture of 1:2.8. The lens is used for snapshots and photo journalism, while fully open. Similarly, interior and exterior architecture, advertising, industrial - and landscape-photography profit from the wide angle of 95.7 degrees. This angle also favors the perspective composition .

From the editor

The lens was designed by Dr. Walter Mandler and produced by Ernst Leitz Canada Ltd. at Midland (Canada). The lens gave a remarkable performance for its day and was regarded as a masterpiece.

The lens has internal thread for M82 x 0.75 filters, however, according to the "Handbook of the LEICA system" (May 1987) using filters was not recommended by Leitz.

Rectangular shallow lens hood was supplied together with the lens.

Other ultra-wide angle prime lenses in the Leica R system