Why did you buy the TL-18mm f2.8 lens?

[Dopaco]

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If you have a T, TL, TL2 or CL camera and you also have the TL 18-56mm./f3.5-5.6 lens,

What reasons led you to buy this TL 18mm / f2.8 lens? ...

1.- Its size and lower weight.
2.- It makes the camera more beautiful.
3.- It is brighter f2.8 compared to 3.5 of the 18-56mm.
4.- The quality of the photos is better than those taken with 18-56mm.

I would like to know your opinion.

My opinion on point 4 is that I doubt that there can be large differences appreciable to the naked eye.

[graphlex]

1

[Danno_photoguy]

1

[didier]

I bought it as a bundle for its compactness.

i lile its rather low contrast rendering (which is easy to bump if needed) combined with high resolution 

[Leon Sung]

1, too.

[Mike1974]

I would also say that I originally bought for n° 1 .

[Sjz]

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Came as a kit lens.  If not I would have bought for No1.

[jaapv]

1

[LocalHero1953]

1

[LocalHero1953]

Interesting responses......

[AdHox]

My 18/2.8 came bundled with my CL; the 18-56 was purchased separately.

So for me the question is reframed as 

   If you have a T, TL, TL2 or CL camera and you also have the TL 18mm f/2.8 lens, what reasons led you to buy the TL 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 lens ? ...

   (a) Sometimes a zoom is a more flexible lens if I'm going out to shoot without specific intentions for the day.

If the 18 mm f/2.8 had not been bundled with my CL, I'm not sure whether I would have purchased it or the 23 mm f/2 instead.

 

[Dopaco]

I feel totally identified with you. I had the 18-56mm and bought the 18mm f2.8, I bought it for the following reasons:
1.-
2.-
My silver TL2 is much more manageable and beautiful, based on what some say that the zomm is in the legs, which, is not entirely true, many times you can not move and a zoom (even small) can work No problem. .

Point 4.- Quality of the photo result, I want to do some tests and see if there are any appreciable differences at first glance. If someone has these 2 goals and has already performed these tests or is planning to do them, please indicate so.

They say that fixed lenses offer cleaner, better quality images. Will the difference of F2.8 with F3.5 be enough to stand out?

We will try to see it.

Greetings

[oldwino]

Mostly 1, but I do like how the lens renders. Very Elmarit. 

[wsself]

Like most others here, I bought the 18mm to keep the camera lightweight. I use this lens mostly when I'm snapping casual photos at family gatherings etc.

I also own the 11-23 TL Vario. My impression is that this is a much sharper lens, so if I'm out and about and in a more serious 'frame of mind' I'll use this lens to capture wider perspectives. 

[HuntingSand]

Came bundled. Pleasantly surprised.

[RickP]

I desired a compact lens that could serve in a general purpose walk-around kit.  I have had T, TL2 and CL systems since they were introduced,  but never purchased the 18mm due to 'somewhat negative ' reviews.   However,  I find the lens to be quite sharp and colorful...very pleased with it so far.  

 

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Edited November 5, 2021 by RickP

[thedruid]

1.....Even though I'm more of a 23mm guy myself.

 

[Torpille]

The 18mm and Txx serie are very nice to use. 
I also have the 23mm which has a nicer rendering, but  i enjoy it more with the SL as small lens. 

in regard to the 18-56mm, I will say quite similar at 18mm. But the vario offer a very nice experience with the cl even with the sl. 

If you already have the cl and the vario and you like it, then why not for the overall size, but I don’t think it will change your life. 28mm is not for everybody. 
i didn’t like it that much with the cl much more with the T
 

[Aperture 2]

1

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Latham]

 

TL2 owner here.

Oddly enough, I sold my original 18mm T Elmarit, and recently I re-purchased the same lens! Not the best financial decision of my life, but I realized after an ENDLESS hunt for the "better" lens (Sigma 16mm, Samyang 12mm), I found that I was not getting the results I wanted in that converted 28mm +/- focal length. 

The compact nature of the lens is amazing, making this a true sleeper street camera. Image quality is excellent. One thing I practice, keeping the TL2 in Continuous mode, both shutter and drive memory, this way I do not have to use the obtrusive EVF for street.