Best Wide-angle Lens for Lumix and Leica L-mount System

A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Wide-angle Lenses for Lumix and Leica L-mount System

Are you looking to expand your photography horizons with a wide-angle lens for your Lumix or Leica L-mount camera? With the L-mount alliance comprising Sigma, Leica, and Lumix, there’s a wide array of options to choose from. However, selecting the right wide-angle lens can be overwhelming. Fear not! We’ve curated a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision.

Choosing the best wide-angle lens for yourself is a tough ask, given the high pricing and plethora of options available in the market. Firstly, there is nothing called “the best” lens. The word “best” as often used in photography industry is a misnomer. Each lens has its own USP, certain strengths and at least one downside. Therefore, what is ‘best’ is often determined by your specific usage and the genre of photography you are into. For instance, if you are into astrophotography, you may probably go for 14mm F1.4 or F1.8 lens. If you are into interiors and architecture photography, you may find 14-24mm F2.8 lens the best for your usages. Similarly, someone shooting mostly outdoor and landscapes, would not care much about the aperture of the lens and could be happy with 16-35mm F4 lens as well. Therefore, for the purpose of this buyer’s guide, I am going to tell you which lens is the best for which purpose. I am also going to share my honest views on which wide-angle lens I consider the most versatile and true value for money, even though there may be a few trade-offs.

Wide-angle Zoom Lenses

Zoom lenses are usually more versatile and appropriate for landscape and travel photography, as you often hit a point (or dead end) beyond which you cannot step forward. It gives you ample focal length range to work with your composition in the camera itself, and sometimes flexibility to reach a farther point, which would not have been possible with a fixed focal length prime lens.

Below is a curated list of all wide-angle zoom lenses from the L-mount alliance, i.e., Leica, Lumix and Sigma with their USP, strength and weaknesses.

Leica

Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 f/2.8 ASPH

USP: It is Leica, one of the world’s best in optics.
Pros: Constant F2.8 aperture throughout
the entire zoom range, shallow depth of field, dust and splash-resistant, 114° field of view.
Cons: Bulbous lens to which regular filters will not fit, expensive (INR 2.35 lacs), limited focal length range, heavy weight (855 gram).
Usage: Astrophotography > Interiors > Architecture > Landscapes > Travel.

Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35 f/3.5-4.5 ASPH

USP: It is Leica, one of the world’s best in optics.
Pros: Versatile focal length range, F3.5 at 16mm
Cons: Super expensive (INR 5.5 lacs), variably slower aperture, heavy (990g)
Usage: Landscapes > Travel > Architecture.

Sample Photos here

Panasonic Lumix

LUMIX S PRO 16-35mm F4

USP: Leica certified, can withstand temperature as low as -10°C
Pros: Excellent optical performance, versatile focal length range, dust-splash-freeze resistant, compact, light weight (500g)
Cons: Slower aperture of F4.
Usage: Travel > Landscapes > Architecture.

Sample Photos here

LUMIX S 14–28mm F4–5.6 MACRO

USP: Lightest wide-angle zoom lens (345g), macro capability, freeze resistant (up to -10°C)
Pros: 114° field of view (at 14mm)
Cons: Variable slow aperture
Usage: Architecture > Landscapes > Travel

Sigma

SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art

USP: 14mm focal length with F2.8 aperture at an affordable price.
Pros: Constant F2.8 aperture throughout
the entire zoom range, shallow depth of field, 114° field of view.
Cons: Bulbous lens to which regular filters will not fit, limited focal length range, heavy weight (795g).
Usage: Astrophotography > Interiors > Architecture > Landscapes > Travel.

Sample Photos here

Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary

USP: True value for money
Pros: Constant F2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, shallow depth of field, light weight (450g), dust and splash resistant
Cons: Shorter focal length range.
Usage: Astrophotography > Interiors > Landscapes > Travel > Architecture

Sample Photos here

Wide-angle Prime Lenses

Prime lenses offer better optical performance than their zoom lens counterparts. Most importantly, they shine even in the extreme low light situations with their widest aperture being mostly in the range of F1.4 to F2.8. These lenses are also more appropriate for astrophotography with their unique combination of focal length (usually 14mm or 16 mm, to capture most of the vast sky or milky way arch) and widest aperture (usually F1.4 or F1.8 to capture maximum light out of dark sky, without raising ISO). In addition, they can also be conveniently used for landscapes and interior photography, though without any flexibility of focal length range which a zoom lens can offer.

Below is a list of all wide-angle prime lenses from the L-mount alliance, i.e., Leica, Lumix and Sigma with their USP, strength and weaknesses.

Super-APO-Summicron-SL 21 f/2 ASPH

USP: World’s first APO lens with a 21mm focal length.
Pros: Fast F2.0 aperture
Cons: 21mm is not very ideal focal length for most wide-angle photography, super expensive (INR 4.95 lacs), heavy (789g)
Usage: Low-light landscapes

Sample Photos here

LUMIX S 18mm F1.8

USP: True value for money, freeze resistant (up to -10°C), lightest wide-angle prime lens (340g)
Pros: Faster F1.8 aperture, weather-sealed, affordable (INR 64,990).
Cons: 18mm, though workable, is still not ideal focal length for most wide-angle photography.
Usage: Low-light landscapes > Astrophotography

Sample Photos here

SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

USP: Unique combination of an ultra-wide angle of 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4, manual focus lock switch for astrophotography
Pros: superb optical performance, fastest aperture of F1.4
Cons: Bulky and very heavy (1.17 kg), expensive (INR 1.38 lacs)
Usage: Astrophotography > Low-light landscapes.

Sample photos here

Verdict

BEST LENS FOR LANDSCAPE AND TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary

Landscapes and travel photography require a bit of flexibility with respect to focal length range and aperture of a lens. This lens, though, not as wide as 14mm, offers a workable focal length range (if not as versatile as 16-35mm) with the capability to capture light even in low lighting conditions, particularly dawn, dusk and night scenes, handheld. While the aperture is not as wide as what an ultra wide angle prime lens can offer (F1.4 or F1.8), F2.8 is not bad at all for interiors, low-light landscapes and astrophotography. Further, since this lens is not bulbous (like its 14-24mm counterparts from Leica and Sigma itself), you can also use your regular filters to capture long-exposure photographs. The lens is also compact, light weight, weather resistant and affordable at the same time. Considering all these factors, including a few minor trade-offs, I consider this lens the best and most versatile for landscape and travel photography.

BEST LENS FOR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY: SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

Astrophotography requires having the widest angle of view (without bordering fish-eye angle of view) and maximum ability to capture star light in the darkest of nights, so that you do not have to increase your ISO (which may invite unnecessary grains). This lens can offer both without breaking the bank. While, it is heavy (1.17 kg), given the fact that no astrophotography is possible without a steady tripod, this is not going to matter eventually.

MOST AFFORDABLE LENS FOR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY: LUMIX S 18mm F1.8

Lumix 18mm F1.8 lens offers the widest aperture prime lens at an affordable price, without compromising a lot with the focal length (hardly by 4mm). It is also very compact, light and rugged prime lens.

My favorite lens for FOR TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: LUMIX S PRO 16-35mm F4

Your favorite lens need not necessarily tick off all checkboxes to be your most loved lens. I have used Lumix S-Pro 16-35mm F4 lens on many occasions and can personally vouch for its excellent optics and stunning results. If you can just live with its only downside, slower F4 aperture (saving grace, it is constant throughout the zoom range), there is no other flaws that you can find in this lens. I have achieved superb results from this lens which has not only been featured on Lumix India social media handles but also selected for exhibitions twice. Further, this lens also offers the maximum focal length range (16-35 mm) which has been extremely helpful during my travels to reach a father point which I could not have reached with other wide-angle lenses stopping at 24mm and 28mm focal length. The other alternative for this focal length range, Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35 f/3.5-4.5 ASPH is very expensive (INR 5.5 lacs), heavier (990g) and have variably slower aperture (F3.5-4.5). I have also subjected Lumix 16-35mm F4 lens to snow cold weather and light impact, but it has withstood the test of time as a rugged companion, without weighing me down with its weight. Want to see the results? Click here to see what it is capable of.

Conclusion

In conclusion, each wide-angle lens offers unique features catering to different photography needs and genres. Whether you prioritize optical performance, focal length, or a fast aperture, there’s a wide-angle lens in the L-mount system for you. Consider your budget, specific requirements and shooting scenarios before making your decision, and you’ll find the perfect wide-angle lens to elevate your photography game with your Lumix or Leica L-mount camera.