Question 1

Is the Leica Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8 a true Leica lens?

Accepted Answer

Technically, it was designed and manufactured by Minolta in Japan under contract for Leica — it carries the Leica name and Elmarit-R designation, but the optical and mechanical production was handled by Minolta. This is well-documented in collector and forum communities. That said, it still meets Leica's published specs and passes Leica quality control, so it performs as a Leica-branded lens in practice.

Question 2

Which Leica R camera bodies is this fisheye compatible with?

Accepted Answer

The lens uses a 3-cam Leica R mount, which means it works mechanically on Leicaflex bodies and all R-series cameras from the R3 through to the R8 and R9. On R8/R9, automatic exposure control is not supported with this lens. For manual exposure modes, you're fully covered across the Leica R lineup.

Question 3

Can I use the Leica Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye on a modern mirrorless camera?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Leica R to Sony E-mount, Leica R to L-mount, and Leica R to Nikon Z adapters are all widely available. Because this is a manual-focus lens with no electronic contacts, you'll control aperture on the lens barrel and handle focus manually, but it's a clean and reliable setup. On a full-frame mirrorless body the 16mm focal length stays true; on APS-C you'll get roughly a 24mm equivalent, which reduces the fisheye effect noticeably.

Question 4

What is the field of view of the Leica 16mm f2.8 Fisheye?

Accepted Answer

It's a diagonal fisheye covering a 180-degree field of view on a full-frame sensor or 35mm film frame. That full 180° produces the characteristic curved-horizon, barrel-distorted look the fisheye format For landscapes, astro shots, or architecture interiors, that extreme angle pulls in far more of a scene than any rectilinear ultra-wide can.

Question 5

Is buying a used Leica Elmarit-R 16mm fisheye worth it?

Accepted Answer

For most buyers, yes. Leica R lenses are manual-focus-only by design, so there's no autofocus mechanism to wear out — the main things to check are glass clarity (no fungus, haze, or separation) and aperture blade condition. Every used Leica Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8 sold on Camera-tweedehands.nl is professionally inspected and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty, so you're not buying blind. Pre-owned is the practical way to get into Leica R glass without paying new-old-stock collector prices.

Question 6

How does the Leica Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8 compare to the Sigma 16mm f/2.8 fisheye?

Accepted Answer

The Sigma Fisheye 16mm f/2.8 is a much more affordable third-party alternative with various mount options, while the Leica Elmarit-R is mount-specific and carries Leica's build quality and collector reputation. If you're already shooting Leica R bodies or adapting R glass to a mirrorless system, the Elmarit-R fits naturally into that kit. The Sigma is a sensible choice if you need more mount flexibility or a lower entry cost.

Mount	Leica R
Focal range	Fisheye
Prime / Zoom	Prime
Focal length (min)	16 mm
Focal length (max)	16 mm
Max. aperture	f/2.8
Auto Focus

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Leica Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye

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About the Leica Elmarit-R 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye

Key Specifications

Frequently asked questions