Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. Lens Announced

Lens News

by Jakub HanMay 7^th, 2021

The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens is a new universal zoom lens for L-Mount mirrorless cameras. It features an internal focusing system, three aspherical elements, no optical IS, 82mm front filter thread, and weighs 856g (1.9lbs). It is available now for preorder, for $2,795.

As part of the L-Mount alliance formed in 2018, Leica now announces a new lens for L-Mount cameras. The German company, therefore, offers a universal zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture to accompany its Leica SL2 (watch our review here), SL2-S and other L-Mount cameras. Let’s take a short look at the lens’ features and specs.

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. Lens

The 24-70mm has always been the most universal focal length to have in a shooting kit. With this new lens, joining SIGMA and Panasonic, Leica expands the offer of 24-70mm f/2.8 zooms for L-Mount cameras. Same as the existing two L-Mount 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses, the Leica 24-70mm also does NOT have optical image stabilization. The lack of the optical IS helped in keeping the lens reasonably low-weight at 856g (1.9lbs). Considering that almost all new full-frame cameras come with a stabilized sensor, I don’t think that non-stabilized lenses are that much of an issue, though.

The optical design of the lens consists of 19 elements in 15 groups. A total of three elements feature aspherical surfaces on both sides. According to Leica, nine specialist-glass elements with anomalous partial dispersion provide chromatic correction across the entire focal range. The minimum focusing distance is 18cm from the sensor plane (at the shortest focal length) and 38cm (at the longest focal length).

The internal focus is based on a single, lightweight lens element, and utilizes a quiet stepper motor to deliver fast and precise autofocus. As Leica further states, with the lens’ robust metal body and ingress protection against water spray and dust, the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–70 f/2.8 ASPH. can be used in harsh environmental conditions. The aperture of the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–70 f/2.8 ASPH. comprises 11 blades and it is available between f/2.8 and f/22. The lens has an 82mm front filter thread for circular filters.

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. – Key Specs

• Angle of view (diagonal, horizontal, vertical): @24mm: 82.3° / 72.1° / 51.8°, @70mm: 35.3° / 29.6° / 20.0°
• Number of elements/groups: 19/15
• Number of aspherical lenses/surfaces: 3/6
• Position of entrance pupil in front of the bayonet flange: @24mm: 88.6mm, @70mm: 57.1mm
• Focusing – Working range: @24mm: 0.18m to infinity, @70mm: 0.38m to infinity
• Focusing – Smallest object field @24mm: 69 x 104mm, @70mm: 108 x 162mm
• Focusing – Largest reproduction ratio: @24mm: 1:2.9, @70mm: 1:4.5
• Aperture: Electronically controlled iris, setting with the camera clickwheel control, setting range from f/2.8 to f/22
• Bayonet/sensor format: Leica L-bayonet, full-frame 35mm format
• Filter thread: E82
• Dimensions and weight: Length to bayonet flange – 123mm, Largest diameter – 88mm, Weight – 856g

Price and Availability

The new Leica 24-70mm lens is now available for preorder. We don’t know yet when the lens will start shipping, but we will update the article as soon as we get the information. The retail price for the lens has been set to $2,795. To put this into perspective with other L-Mount zooms, the Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F/2.8 Lens currently sells for $2,198, and the SIGMA 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens sells for $1,059. Leica will also offer the new Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens in a bundle with its cameras – the kit with the Leica SL2 camera will be selling for $8,795 and a kit with the Leica SL2-S will cost $7,195.

What do you think about the new Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens? Do you use Leica cameras for your work? Let us know in the comment section underneath the article.