90-280/2.8-4

[helged]

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Would love to see an extender (1.4, 1.7, 2.0, whatever); 280 mm is on the short end for wildlife photography. A stabilised, long(er) SL-lens would also be an interesting option.

Edited September 1, 2016 by helged

[Jeff S]

Dennis - the handling is really very easy and smooth, and it's not inordinately heavy. I really have had no problem shooting it handheld. I don't have familiarity with the Nikon, but do with the Canon, and it seems thinner, lighter, and perhaps not quite so rugged. That said, like the SL itself, it seems incredibly well made.

 

The Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 IS ii weighs less, roughly a quarter pound without hood or tripod ring, which is how Leica specs the 90-280, I think.  B&H lists the Leica as a half pound more, but I think that's not apples to apples.  

 

The Leica may feel lighter due to ergonomics/balance, but apparently is not.  

 

The filter thread on the Leica is bigger (82mm vs 77mm) as well, but the lens body is a bit thinner.

 

Jeff

Edited September 1, 2016 by Jeff S

[steppenw0lf]

I have both so I can easily correct the myths here:

I bought the EF 100-400L IS II with 5Ds last year and the SL and 90-280 in 2016.

 

The weight of both is equal by a few grams: the Canon has 1640g without the tripod adapter (nobody uses it that way), the Leica has 1850g with everything.

Both are my latest acquisitions and my favorites. (meaning both are really great and highest-class lenses).

The big difference is that the Canon changes the length by about 40% (at 400mm it is about 40% longer than at 100mm, that makes it much longer than the 90-280). That makes it also "bad" for holding as the balance shifts. The 90-280 is of constant length, that makes it easy to hold steady (but "long at 90mm").

The Canon produces some noise when focusing (not bad, but you can clearly hear it), the Leica focusing is totally noiseless.

Both are extremely fast-focusing, both have a perfectly working IS/OIS.

The Canon is the closest-focusing lens I know in this range (less than 1 m from sensor on paper, but actually even less, that is one reason I bought it). The Leica is close-focusing, but not that close. (0.6m at 90mm, 1.4m at 280mm)

The Leica is easier to hold (thinner and of constant length and well balanced). The Canon is big and thick and more difficult to hold because of length/balance shifts. More strain on the muscles I think - but just an impression from my body. (I had the Canon combo first, so the muscles already had some training when I got he SL combo).

I prefer the black color of the 90-280 to the "marketing white" of the Canon. It does not matter for sports, but white is the wrong color for wildlife. Of course it is ideal when there is snow, apart from the hood that is black.   (So you could say that the Canon is camouflaged because it has a Zebra look (black, white, black white, etc. But it does not work.)

 

The 4.5-5.6 aperture range of the 100-400 is a compromise and a bit limiting (ok. but not really great). But it keeps the quality high and the weight acceptable.

The 2.8-4.0 aperture range of the 90-280 is really nice. Often exactly what I need regarding DoF, and the lens is also great from wide open aperture. But the price is therefore much higher.

 

If you look at the corners to find a difference (pixel peepers), then the Leica is optically better ( IQ is not far from the famous Apo R 4/280). But the Canon is longer.

The Canon works well with the 1.4x Extender (2x is not recommended, the lens gets too slow and AF might get lost).

The SL 90-280 has no extender yet. I hope for an 1.7x extender, that would make it reach almost to 500mm.

Edited September 2, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[Jeff S]

If close focusing isn't the key criterion, and size/handling is paramount, I prefer the Canon 70-300 L IS (white version)....much shorter (to fit upright in pack), lighter, still with terrific IQ. One of course loses at the long end (although reviewer tests show that the 100-400 may be closer to 380 at the long end), but the smaller lens is closer in focal range to the Leica.  

 

BTW, I know folks who do use a tripod adapter with the 100-400.  The 70-300 is better for handholding and travel, and doesn't need the adapter for tripod use.

 

Jeff

[steppenw0lf]

Yes, that's what I wanted to say, everybody is using it with tripod adapter. Nobody takes it off, even if he uses it handheld.

So the weight has to be added and this makes the difference even smaller.  It sits in front of me and if I had a scales ...     

Edited September 2, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[Jeff S]

Yes, that makes more sense; I read it differently.

 

BTW, this review shows some good comparisons, with pics, of the Canon zooms (including the two mentioned here), retracted/extended, with/without hood, etc....along with specs....  http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100-400mm-f-4.5-5.6-L-IS-II-USM-Lens.aspx

 

I haven't yet held or tested the SL 90-280, but will do so eventually as I'm considering some new systems (Leica and other) to supplement my M.

 

Jeff

[steppenw0lf]

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Look here for a panorama made with it:  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/258064-apo-vario-elmarit-90-280/page-14?do=findComment&comment=3105793

[Jeff S]

Thanks, but I can only judge by looking at prints... that I make of my own pics using my own workflow.

 

Jeff

[wlaidlaw]

Here is the RRS B9 double dovetail plate on the 90-280, then sitting on my Hejnar modified (from RC2 plate to Arca plate) Manfrotto 322 Joystick head. Although in theory a plate which was fixed with two screws to the lens foot would be even better, this feels very strong and solid, with its anti rotation flange. The double dovetail is handy as on a different head, I might want to mount the lens rotated 90º on the head

 

Wilson

 

 

 

 

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[dgktkr]

I saw something that caught my eye over in the German SL forum. If anybody is interested in a detailed and careful comparison between the SL 90-280 and a Nikkor 70-200/2.8 VR II, check out https://norbertwindecker.blogspot.com. The author shows images of various subjects along with 100% crops .

 

dgktkr

[sillbeers15]

Yes, that's what I wanted to say, everybody is using it with tripod adapter. Nobody takes it off, even if he uses it handheld.

So the weight has to be added and this makes the difference even smaller.  It sits in front of me and if I had a scales ...     

No. The tripod adapter on my 90-280mm is taken off permanently. I have yet used it on a tripod yet.

[meerec]

+1

Same for me ...

No. The tripod adapter on my 90-280mm is taken off permanently. I have yet used it on a tripod yet.

[steppenw0lf]

I was referring to the Canon EF 100-400L IS II . (Not the 90-280)    

Edited October 11, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[sillbeers15]

Another review on the 90-280mm Vario Elmarit SL with a good comparison to the Nikkor 70-200mm/2.8VRII

https://norbertwindecker.blogspot.sg/2016/10/erfahrungsbericht-leica-apo-vario.html#!/2016/10/erfahrungsbericht-leica-apo-vario.html

 

To get the picture quality of the Leica lens at the expense of "weight / bulk + cost"

[KariP]

Hi,

A quick question about availability.

Now it's three months since I ordered my 90-280 in Finland.

Are this long waiting times normal in Europe or should I get worried / look for alternative routes?

BW

Kari

[LocalHero1953]

That sounds long to me, though my experience was from when it first came out: I got it a month after ordering in April.

[steppenw0lf]

I had to wait 6 months, so it looks normal to me. But you could ask them about the status - maybe it helps, maybe not.

In the internet you will find it earlier (probably).

Or maybe make a trip to Wetzlar: I heard (but do not really know) they sell it there in the "factory shop". I was never there, so no guarantee.   https://de.leica-camera.com/Stores-und-Händler/Leica-Stores-weltweit/Leica-Store-Wetzlar-Leitz-Park

Edited October 11, 2016 by steppenw0lf

[orc999]

It is just as good as it is heavy and big. I'm not sure how much I will get to shoot mine.

[stephan_w]

stunning in the range 90-150, an outstanding portrait lens with "3D-pop" (ok here just a landscape photo at 110 mm)

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[stephan_w]

at 280 mm, dawn handheld (this is a crop)

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