Leica's ultra-wide R rectilinear prime — the manual-focus Super-Elmar-R 15mm f/3.5 for full-frame reflex.
The Leica Super-Elmar-R 15mm f/3.5 is an ultra-wide rectilinear prime built for the Leica R single-lens-reflex system. It sits at the widest end of the R wide-angle range and was produced in limited numbers, with the early design supplied to Leica by Carl Zeiss before Leica later developed its own version. As a manual-focus lens for the reflex line, it covered a full-frame 35mm image circle without the barrel distortion of a fisheye.
This is a manual-focus Leica R lens with a focal length of 15mm and a maximum aperture of f/3.5. It uses the standard three-cam or R-only cam arrangement of the R system depending on production era, and being a rectilinear ultra-wide it renders straight lines as straight rather than curved. Beyond the focal length and aperture, buyers should confirm filter arrangement and exact optical formula against the specific serial batch, as this lens went through more than one construction.
At 15mm the angle of view is very wide, taking in sweeping interiors, architecture and expansive landscapes while keeping verticals controlled. The rectilinear correction makes it suited to buildings and cityscapes where curved lines would be distracting. Depth of field is extensive even at moderate apertures, so it works well for foreground-to-background sharpness in scenic work.
On the used market this is a scarce and sought-after R lens, so examples command high prices and turn over slowly. Check the front element for scratches given the exposed curved glass, inspect for internal haze and fungus, and confirm the aperture blades are dry and snappy. Verify which cam configuration is fitted so you know whether it will meter correctly on your R body, and note that adapting to mirrorless is possible with a Leica R adapter.