Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. Lens Review
Let me start by saying the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens is the “Real Deal.” Over the last six months, I’ve used the lens on my commercial and landscape photography projects. The image quality from the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens is so good; I sold my Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH Lens.
My initial thoughts on the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens
- Outstanding image quality, sharpness, and color reproduction
- The lens is smaller and less weight than the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH Lens
- A constant aperture of f/2.8 across the zoom range
- The lens behaves more like a prime lens at 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm.
- Solid metal casing and weather-sealed
- Consistent and accurate autofocusing
- Edge-to-edge sharpness at f/10, capturing landscape scenes
Focusing
The autofocusing system in the lens is “spot-on” when it comes to accuracy and consistency, which provides you the luxury of focusing on the subject in front of the camera.
Weight and Size
The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens attached to the Leica SL2 has a nice balance in your hands. I wrestled with the weight and size of the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH lens, so I was excited when Leica announced the new lens. I never felt overburdened with the camera and lens combination on my recent landscape photography trips to Yosemite and Moab, especially when hiking long distances with a backpack.
Build Quality
The lens has a solid outer casing and is weather-sealed. My photographic ventures to Yosemite and Moad put the lens through its paces in harsh weather conditions like snow and below-freezing temperatures. The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens performed flawlessly in those extreme weather conditions.
Image Quality
The image quality for the lens is as close, if not better, than having three separate prime lenses. Image quality, sharpness, and color reproduction are near perfection.
My conclusions on the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens
In closing, I love the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens. I have no hesitation in using the lens for one of my commercial or landscape photography projects.
Processing RAW files from the Leica SL2 combined with the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens produces fantastic images. The lens will be in my camera bag for the years to come—another outstanding offering from Leica.
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