The Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH is a lot more than just a standard kit lens. It's sharp in the image centre almost throughout the entire focal range, except at the 56mm telephoto setting where optimum sharpness isn't achieved until f/11.

It does the job just right. Of course I have it on my new Leica CL. It is not as fast as the M lenses on my M240, which are all F1 .4. Those of course are fixed focus lenses, and this is a zoom lens. F3 .5 to F 5.6 is not exactly fast, but again this is a zoom lens.

I like the response that I get from this lens. I use it to take candid photography. And street photography. Great for landscapes also.

Not German, but great optics, light weight, compact lens.I opened the box and was a bit disappointed, did not feel like the old Summicron -R Leitz Leica Flex lenes we have, but the pictures come out great,...

I bought this lens to use with my Leica SL. The lens needed a firmware update to work with the SL. The firmware update can only be applied with the lens attached to a Leica T; NOT and SL. I do not have a Leica T. I have no interest in buying a T simply to be able to update the firmware.

With the Lecia T I use this lens, the 35 T, and the 50 M Summilux. This Vario 18-56 is the one I go to the least. It's a quality lens and in good light the results are very good. It's a nice lens for travel photography if you don't want to bring much with you and want versatility.

very easy to use and VERY sharp

Glass quality on this lens is great. While a little slow, the ability of the Leica T to take great photos at 2,500 compensates. Took some great photos on NYC subway platform which at 8x11 looked great with little grain.