Vario-Elmar 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens: What's the Difference? (T or TL)

[Dopaco]

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(T):

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

(TL):

 

I have the one in the first photo (T). I bought it secondhand, and it works well. I assume T lenses are older and TL lenses are newer. Is that correct?
This 18-56mm lens, while not the best TL lens in the range, covers the widest field of view, allowing me to take more types of photos. I always carry one on my camera, and with few exceptions, I add another.
I depend on this lens so much that I was thinking of buying another secondhand (TL) lens so that if one breaks, the other one will cover me.
What do you recommend?
As always, I look forward to your wise advice.

[Dopaco]

Sorry for my poor English. Google translation.
In the first and last lines, I want to say this:
"I always carry the 18-56mm lens on my camera, and with a few exceptions, I also carry the 18mm f/2.8."

[Rick in CO]

Serial numbers might suggest the "TL" as the later manufactured lens?

[Le Chef]

It’s a simple name change for Leica’s benefit. No change in the lens itself.

[KitW]

Originally the L mount was called the T mount and lenses for it were T lenses. When the full frame cameras were introduced they designated apsc lenses "TL" and full frame lenses "SL".

That's not to say that the T and TL lenses couldn't differ, but if le Chef says so then they are highly likely to be the same. 

Edited May 15 by KitW

[jaapv]

Yes - they are exactly the same. You'll find the same naming on older and newer other lenses, adapters, etc. It never makes a difference. 

[Jim-St]

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Yes, my 11-23mm is -TL  on the lens and -T on the box, though the serial number is the same on both 

Leica obviously weren’t able to synchronise the updating of the packaging along with the lens update. Maybe that will make mine collectible one day 🙏

Jim

[Dopaco]

Thanks for the answers. That makes sense, and the serial number is probably the most reliable way to determine its age.

[TL3]

I made sure all the lenses I bought were labelled TL for consistency.  Too OCD to have my lenses not match.

18-56 was my first lens, and now after a few years of mostly using primes, I’ve come back to the 18-56.  Great image quality for the size, and with airlines getting more stringent with weight restrictions, this does cut down my luggage considerably vs carrying the 23, 35 and 60 TL.

[Dopaco]

vor 12 Stunden schrieb TL3:

I made sure all the lenses I bought were labelled TL for consistency.  Too OCD to have my lenses not match.

18-56 was my first lens, and now after a few years of mostly using primes, I’ve come back to the 18-56.  Great image quality for the size, and with airlines getting more stringent with weight restrictions, this does cut down my luggage considerably vs carrying the 23, 35 and 60 TL.

They say the 35mm TL is the best lens in the TL range, although I prefer the 18-56mm because it guarantees me to take more photos.

[Steven Lane]

My 11-23 is designated a ‘T’ as it is the oldest (and first) lens I purchased along with my original T camera. My other three lenses for my TL2 and CL were acquired much later and all bear the ‘TL’ designation. Someone at Leica told me that the change was simply to align product lines after the SL was released, the first letter defines the camera line and the second letter refers to the mount. 

[AdHox]

On 5/17/2025 at 12:08 PM, TL3 said:

I made sure all the lenses I bought were labelled TL for consistency.  Too OCD to have my lenses not match.

...

I tried to resist, but failed; I had to check.

My five TL lenses are all TL, not T; I'm not sure what I would have done if I discovered one odd lens.

[Markey]

Never looked at mine. Does it make any difference ?

[gbealnz]

Darn, I wish I hadn’t seen this, I’m away from home but will now definitely have to check mine. And like AdHox, I’m not sure what I’ll do if they are not all the same, lol.

[TL3]

15 hours ago, Markey said:

Never looked at mine. Does it make any difference ?

Definitely does not make a shred of performance difference, but OCD people will do OCD things.

I even passed on buying silver lenses for cheaper in order to keep my TL lenses all black for consistency.

[KitW]

All TL. Phew!