Used Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm Price Guide
Live data, refreshed daily. Last updated . Reviewed by Ked, a Leica M shooter (film and digital).
Current Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm Used Price in 2026
As of June 13, 2026, the median used Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm price across 14 active listings from 6 sources is $3,588, with a range of $3,549–$8,600. The cheapest active listing right now is $3,549 (eBay HK).
The Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH (nicknamed the "WATE") is Leica's second three-position M-mount lens, designed by Peter Karbe and introduced in 2006, still in current production. Three discrete ultra-wide focal lengths (16mm, 18mm, 21mm) at constant f/4, in a compact barrel only slightly larger than a Summicron-M 35mm. The WATE requires the Leica Universal Wide Angle Viewfinder for accurate framing because no M body has built-in frame lines wider than 28mm. It's the reference ultra-wide M-mount lens. For the full guide see Leica Tri-Elmar Lenses.
Leica Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm Price by Region
Excludes special editions, collectables, bundles, and call-for-price listings.
| Region | Listings | Low | High | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 11 | $4,144 | $8,600 | $5,726 |
| Hong Kong | 2 | $3,549 | $4,239 | $3,894 |
| Japan | 1 | $5,406 | $5,406 | $5,406 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need an external viewfinder with the Tri-Elmar 16-18-21?
Leica M bodies' built-in viewfinders show frame lines for 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 90mm, and 135mm focal lengths: there is no frame line wider than 28mm on any production M. The WATE's three focal lengths (16, 18, 21mm) all fall below the 28mm minimum, so the built-in finder cannot show what the lens is framing. The Leica Universal Wide Angle Viewfinder (also called the UWA Finder) mounts in the hot shoe and provides accurate framing for all three click positions. Budget $500–$900 used for the finder as part of the lens cost: buying the WATE without the finder is impractical.
Is the WATE still in production?
Yes. Despite being announced in 2006, the WATE remains in Leica's current M-lens catalog as of 2026. Current-production examples include factory 6-bit coding for digital M bodies. The lens has had no significant optical or mechanical revision since launch: what you buy used today is essentially identical to a brand-new factory example.
Is the WATE actually sharper than separate ultra-wide primes?
At all three focal lengths the WATE matches or exceeds the contemporary Super-Elmar-M 21mm and the older Super-Wide-Angle Hologon at the same focal length, with notably lower distortion than either. For 16mm and 18mm specifically there's no comparable rangefinder lens in Leica's catalog; the WATE is the reference. The f/4 maximum aperture is the only meaningful limitation versus the f/2.8 Super-Elmar-M 21mm.