Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH Lens Review
The 24-90mm lens, offering a moderately ultra-wide to useful portrait set of focal lengths, has to be an attractive proposition as a standard zoom. Add the Leica name, with its solid metal construction and formidable optical heritage and it becomes even more interesting. We finally add the brand new Leica SL3 L mount camera body, with its generous 60MP full frame sensor. This leaves us with high expectations as we go out on location to see what the lens can deliver. Studio based technical shots complete the picture, so we will also explore the resolution and other areas of performance to open up a full picture of the lens’s capabilities.
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH Handling and Features
This is one solid piece of kit, weighing in at a hefty 1140g. Dimensions are 88mm maximum diameter and a length of 103.9mm at 24mm and 92.6mm at 90mm. There is a bayonet fit for the hood, but this review sample was supplied without the hood. It was also supplied with an attached protection filter that proved to be jammed on pretty tight, so the product shots show the filter in place. It was eventually removed and the MTF and other technical tests were produced with the lens alone, which is the normal way of working. Within the bayonet fit for the hood is an 82mm filter thread. The metal body is dust and splash resistant, virtually a requirement for any lens. The front and rear elements are also water and dirt repellant, thanks to the hydrophobic Leica “Aqua Dura” coating.
There is a manual focus ring towards the front of the lens and this has a very firm action, probably a little too firm, but at least it is unlikely to be nudged accidentally. Behind this is the wide zoom ring, clearly marked with focal lengths of 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 90mm. These appear to be accurate. The action of the zoom ring is again on the firm side, but it is shifting quite a mass of lens, so perhaps that is to be expected. In any event, it is better than having a lens with a loose zoom action that can be all too easily shifted.
Focusing is down to 0.3m at 24mm (1:7.2 magnification) and 0.45m at 90mm (1:3.8 magnification) which gives usefully close portrait shots. This close focusing is one of the great advantages of zoom lenses over primes, but of course the loss against this is lens speed. AF is fast, accurate and virtually silent, driven by a stepping motor. The aperture control is also electronic, so should stop down accurately every time, even with high speed shooting.
Optical construction is 18 elements in 15 groups, including 4 aspheric and 11 using Anomalous Partial Dispersion glass. The inbuilt OIS system is quoted at 3.5 stops, relatively modest but still useful and very welcome.
Handling is a bit unwieldy, basically because the lens is big and heavy for its focal length range. The focusing and zooming rings are also quite heavy in their action, so not exactly smooth in use. On a tripod all these things become insignificant and the lens handles impeccably. However, much in the same way that the best pictures tend to be the furthest from the car park, if we want that Leica look to our images then a big, heavy lens will not be an obstacle.
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH Performance
At 24mm, central sharpness is outstanding from f/2.8 to f/5.6, excellent at f/8 and f/11 and very good at f/16. The edges are very good from f/2.8 to f/5.6, good at f/8 and fair from then onwards.
At 50mm, central sharpness is outstanding from f/3.6 to f/5.6, excellent at f/8 and f/11, very good at f/16 and fair at f/22. The edges are very good from f/3.6 to f/16 (notwithstanding a couple of anomalous lower but repeatable readings at f/5.6 and f/8) and fair at f/22.
At 90mm, central sharpness is excellent at f/4, very good from f/5.6 to f/16 and fair at f/22. The edges are good from f/4 to f/11 and fair at f/16 and f/22. This focal length will no doubt please portrait photographers, the lower edge sharpness being ideal for portraiture.
Leica Vario Elmarit SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH MTF Charts
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How to read our MTF charts
The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.
For this review, the lens was tested on a Leica SL3 L mount camera body using Imatest. Want to know more about how we review lenses?
CA (Chromatic Aberration) is well handled at the centre of the frame, less so at the edges, but it is all kept at levels that will not be intrusive in most images. Challenging subjects will show up some colour fringing, but this can be tackled in software if needed.
Distortion is low for a zoom lens, measuring -0.57% barrel at 24mm, +0.08% pincushion at 50mm (almost perfectly rectilinear) and +0.68% pincushion at 90mm.
Bokeh is pleasant and smooth, showing good gradation in the out of focus areas. Not at the level of being gorgeous, but very acceptable.
Leica Vario Elmarit SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH Chromatic Aberration Charts
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How to read our CA charts
Chromatic aberration (CA) is the lens’ inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.
Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.
For this review, the lens was tested on a Leica SL3 L mount camera body using Imatest.
Flare is well under control, with even the most severe lighting being well handled.
Vignetting is low for a zoom lens, and especially impressive at 90mm.
| Aperture | 24mm | 50mm | 90mm |
| f/2.8 | -1.6 | ||
| f/3.6 | -1.3 | ||
| f/4 | -1.4 | -1.2 | -0.4 |
| f/5.6 | -1.2 | -1.1 | -0.4 |
| f/8 | -1.2 | -1.1 | -0.4 |
| f/11 | -1.2 | -1.1 | -0.4 |
| f/16 | -1.2 | -1.1 | -0.4 |
| f/22 | -1.2 | -1.1 | -0.4 |
Leica Vario Elmarit SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH Sample Photos
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Leica Vario Elmarit SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH Aperture range
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Value For Money
The [AMUK]Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH|Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH[/AMUK] lens is priced at £4700.00
Looking at other L mount options for a standard zoom that starts from 24mm:
- [AMUK]Leica Vario-Elmarit 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH|Leica +lens[/AMUK], £2390
- [AMUK]Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 OIS|Panasonic Lumix S+lens[/AMUK], £1099
- [AMUK]Panasonic Lumix S PRO 24-70mm f/2.8|Panasonic Lumix S+lens[/AMUK], £1799
- [AMUK]Sigma AF 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art|Sigma +lens[/AMUK], £1049
There is quite a price to pay for the new Leica lens, a dilemma that can only be answered by asking how badly the photographer wants the Leica. It is a value for money equation, but only the photographer can put a value on that Leica look.
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH Verdict
The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH is an excellent standard zoom that produces impressively sharp images full of life and colour. The sharpness is definitely geared up towards the central part of the image, and here the results are outstanding. The edge sharpness is not in the same league, but generally we don’t spend our lives photographing test charts, and out in the field with three dimensional subjects the results are still pretty impressive. It is true that the lens/camera combination is big and heavy, or, depending on your point of view, big and beautiful. Some will go for a lighter, more compact option, others will revel in the glorious feel of metal and glass.
The price is high, but, as always, what price quality? Those who love Leica will no doubt love this lens and for them the choice is clear. With the high cost in mind and the availability of large numbers of high quality alternatives, for those of us who are used to much lower prices the lens can still be Recommended.
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH Pros
- Outstanding/excellent central sharpness
- Versatile focal length range
- Excellent CA control
- Low distortion
- Pleasant bokeh
- Modest vignetting
- Close focusing
- Splash and dust resistance
- Fast and silent AF
- Well made
- Low flare
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH Cons
- Lower edge sharpness
- Lower sharpness at 90mm
- Heavy
- Expensive
[REVIEW_FOOTER]R_features=4|R_handling=4|R_performance=4.5|R_value=3.5|R_overall=4|A_level=4|A_text=Recommended – A wide ranging quality standard zoom with that indefinable Leica look|E_id=8027[/REVIEW_FOOTER]
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Source: Photography News
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH Lens Review
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