Digital Nc 0.43XLEI116TLCKMF-3 22mm
A 0.45x conversion factor turns your existing lens into an ultra-wide, with a macro mode by unscrewing the front assembly, plus multi-coated optics for day and night use. It screws onto the filter threads, maintains autofocus and camera functions, and accepts 67mm filters, though it is not weather sealed. Best for Leica Q series owners who want a budget-friendly way to shoot wide-angle and macro shots without buying a new prime lens.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
This screw-on converter turns a Leica Q's 28mm into roughly 22mm and adds a surprisingly good macro mode at the 96th percentile. But optical quality is below average, the only customer review is 1 star, and you're putting $139 glass on a $5,000 camera. It's a cheap experiment for macro shooters, but a bad idea for anyone who cares about image quality.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 96th percentile macro performance, best-in-class for close-up work 96th
- 0.45x conversion turns a 28mm into roughly 22mm for wider shots 79th
- Includes stepping ring, pouch, caps, and hood for $139 71st
- Multi-coated glass helps with flare and transmission 70th
- Autofocus passthrough means no manual focus gymnastics
Cons
- Optical quality is below average at 40th percentile
- Customer rating is 1 out of 5, the only review is brutal
- Unknown max aperture, likely loses a stop or more of light
- No weather sealing, so dust and moisture are a real risk
- Social proof is nearly nonexistent at 5th percentile
The proof
Performance
The headline number here is the 96th percentile macro score. That's genuinely impressive, and it makes sense given the design. You unscrew the front element and use the macro section with your existing lens, which gets you extremely close focusing. The minimum focus distance is listed at 49mm, which is basically touching the subject. For tiny details, product shots, or weird textures, this thing could be a lot of fun.
But the rest of the performance picture is mixed. The optical score sits at the 40th percentile, which is below average. That means you're likely to see softness at the edges, some distortion, and maybe chromatic aberration, especially wide open. The autofocus score is 54th percentile, so it works, but it's not snappy. Stabilization is at the 80th percentile, which is solid, but that's mostly the camera's IBIS doing the work, not the converter. The 22mm focal length is fine, but the unknown max aperture is a problem. You're losing light, and the converter probably drops you a stop or more, even if the spec sheet won't admit it.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 22 |
| Focal Length Max | 22 |
| Coating | Multi-Coated |
Aperture
| Min Aperture | f/0.45 |
Build
| Mount | L-Mount |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 49 |
vs Competition
The competitors listed here are not direct comparisons, because they're all actual lenses, not screw-on converters. The Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 is a superzoom with real optical engineering. The Nikon 20059 and Sony 16-50mm are kit lenses that will outperform this converter in sharpness and consistency. The Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 is a proper prime that costs around the same as this converter and will absolutely destroy it in image quality. The Canon EF-M 15-45mm is another kit zoom with better optics.
But none of those fit a Leica Q. That's the whole point. If you own a Q, your options are limited. You can buy a dedicated wide-angle Leica lens, which costs thousands, or you can screw this on and hope for the best. The trade-off is image quality versus price and convenience. The converter is the only cheap option, but it's also the only one that will actively make your photos worse.
| Spec | Digital Nc 0.43XLEI116TLCKMF-3 22mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 | Sigma Contemporary 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM | Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 22mm | 28-300mm | 18-135mm | 16-85mm | 18-300mm | 15-45mm |
| Max Aperture | - | f/4 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | L-Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon F | Nikon F | Canon EF-M |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | - | 590 | 326 | 485 | 120 | 463 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear motor | Linear motor | AF-S | HSM | STM |
| Lens Type | wide-angle | zoom | zoom | zoom | macro | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nc 0.43XLEI116TLCKMF-3 22mm | 53.9 | 69.9 | 51.2 | 96.1 | 39.3 | 71 | 33.2 | 4.4 | 79.3 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.6 | 62.8 | 83.3 | 96.3 | 71 | 97.9 | 50.5 | 79.3 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 81.3 | 70.8 | 37.4 | 78 | 82.8 | 95.8 | 90.7 | 79.3 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 Compare | 53.9 | 81.3 | 54.7 | 63.1 | 67.4 | 82.8 | 94.1 | 90.7 | 92.3 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Compare | 53.9 | 81.3 | 93.5 | 62.1 | 79.2 | 82.8 | 99.3 | 73.5 | 79.3 |
| Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Compare | 84.7 | 81.3 | 56.4 | 96.3 | 45.5 | 82.8 | 81.9 | 73.5 | 90 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $139 USD or $190 CAD, this is cheap compared to any native Leica wide-angle option. A used Leica Q lens adapter or a dedicated wide prime would cost ten to twenty times more. So if you just want to play with a wider focal length or macro mode, the price is low enough to treat this as an experiment. The included accessories sweeten the deal a little, though a pouch and lens caps are not exactly high-value items.
The problem is that value isn't just about price. It's about what you get for the money. A 1-star customer rating and a 40th percentile optical score suggest you're paying $139 to degrade the image quality of a $5,000 camera. That's a rough trade. If this were $50, it might be a fun toy. At $139, it's in a weird middle ground where it's too expensive to be disposable and too cheap to be good.
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Price History
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Overview
This is a screw-on wide-angle converter designed for the Leica Q series, the Typ 116, Q2, and Q3. It threads into the 49mm filter ring and promises a 0.45x conversion factor, which would turn the Q's fixed 28mm lens into something around a 22mm prime. The pitch is simple: get a wider view and a macro mode without buying a whole new camera or lens. And for Leica shooters, that's a tempting idea, because native glass costs more than a used car.
The catch is that this is a $139 accessory going on a $5,000 camera. The optics are multi-coated, it has autofocus passthrough, and it even includes a stepping ring, pouch, and hood. But the specs are weird. The max aperture is listed as unknown, while the min aperture is f/0.45, which is not how aperture works on a converter. That's a red flag, but we'll dig into what the data actually says.
Who is this for? Someone who wants a wider field of view on their Leica Q without dropping four figures on a dedicated wide-angle lens. Maybe you shoot interiors, tight landscapes, or just want to experiment. The macro mode is a bonus. But the trade-offs are real, and the single customer review out there is not kind. We'll get into that.
Common Questions
Q: Will this converter work with my Leica Q's autofocus?
Yes, it's designed to pass through the camera's autofocus system. The AF score sits at the 54th percentile, so it works, but it's not going to be as fast or reliable as the bare lens. Expect some hunting in low light, especially since the converter likely reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor.
Q: Does this converter affect image quality?
Yes, and not in a good way. The optical score is at the 40th percentile, which means below average. You'll likely see softness at the edges, some distortion, and reduced contrast. Multi-coating helps with flare, but it can't fix the fundamental issue of adding extra glass elements in front of a precision Leica lens.
Q: How does the macro mode work?
You unscrew the front lens assembly and use the section labeled Macro with your existing lens. This gets you extremely close focusing, down to 49mm. The macro performance is the best thing about this converter, ranking at the 96th percentile. It's genuinely good for tiny subjects, product shots, and textures.
Q: Is this converter weather sealed?
No, there's no weather sealing. That means dust and moisture can get between the converter and your lens, which is a real risk if you shoot outdoors. The Leica Q bodies are weather sealed, but this accessory is not, so you're creating a weak point in the system.
Who Should Skip This
If you care about image quality at all, skip this. The 40th percentile optical score means you're actively making your Leica Q worse. Landscape shooters, portrait photographers, and anyone who pixel-peeps will be disappointed. The edges will be soft, the contrast will drop, and you'll lose light.
Travel shooters should also look elsewhere. The travel score is 27.5 out of 100, which is the weakest area. It's bulky, not weather sealed, and the image quality hit isn't worth the wider view. If you want a wider focal length for travel, look at a used Panasonic or Sigma L-mount wide prime instead. They cost more, but they won't ruin your photos.
Verdict
If you're a macro shooter on a budget, this converter's 96th percentile macro score is genuinely interesting. The close focus distance of 49mm lets you get shots that the Q's fixed lens simply can't do. For that specific use case, it might be worth the $139, especially if you can find it used or on sale. Just know that the edges will be soft and the light loss will be real.
For everyone else, skip it. The optical quality is below average, the single customer review is a 1-star disaster, and you're putting cheap glass in front of a Leica. That's like putting ketchup on wagyu. If you want a wider view, save up for a proper lens or buy a used wide-angle body. Your Q deserves better.