24-90 SL lens size

[antigallican]

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Would an owner please give me some idea of the size of the vario Elmarit? I know people say it's large but is it comparable (say) to a Nikon 70-200 2.8 vII? I'm hoping smaller.

 

I already have an SL camera so I know the size of this (not too bad from my POV, despite some people saying that's large).

 

I'm sorry to bother the list by asking this but it's a 60 mile train journey to look at one in person.

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[mgrayson3]

Camerasize.com lets you see these comparisons. The 24-90 is large, but focused very quickly and has superb optics.

 

--Matt

[antigallican]

Camerasize.com lets you see these comparisons. The 24-90 is large, but focused very quickly and has superb optics.

 

--Matt

Thanks very much for that response Matt. I should have known someone would have a web page that does it!

[caissa]

If you need a lens like this (a universal zoom), then this lens is it. It has all it needs (Fast AF, high IQ, macro capability, wide focal range). If you need its capabilities, then weight and size do not matter at all.

If you are not really in need of this sort of zoom - simply forget it. 

You simply would not choose it, when there is no need for it. For example if you prefer primes. Or if you can live with a narrower focal range.

[ramarren]

I've not been able to add a lens to a camera body on Camerasize.com and can't find any documentation that tells how to do it. 

Can someone tell me the secret?

 

thx!

[antigallican]

I've not been able to add a lens to a camera body on Camerasize.com and can't find any documentation that tells how to do it. 

Can someone tell me the secret?

 

thx!

It is a bit tricky. If you put two cameras next to each other on the screen and choose the camera plus lens icon, then waggle your mouse about above the cameras you should see an invitation to add a lens.

 

edited later - on the front page there is a small text line in red which reads 'cameras with lenses' this takes you to the view I was referring to above

[antigallican]

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If you need a lens like this (a universal zoom), then this lens is it. It has all it needs (Fast AF, high IQ, macro capability, wide focal range). If you need its capabilities, then weight and size do not matter at all.

If you are not really in need of this sort of zoom - simply forget it. 

You simply would not choose it, when there is no need for it. For example if you prefer primes. Or if you can live with a narrower focal range.

I do prefer primes, you're right but there are circumstances where I need AF. The reason for asking for comparisons to a Nikon 70-200 2.8 is I've had a frozen shoulder and and have really struggled with a Nikon D810 and 70-200 2.8 carried for an entire day. I considered getting a couple of Sigma Art plus the Canon adapter (other threads suggest they will fast focus on the SL) but really that's no cheaper and no lighter. I need a porter!

[Robert E]

Camerasize.com does not show a lens attached from all angles of view. It will show a lens from the top (overhead) view, and the front view, for size comparison. And even then, not all lenses will show up. I have the 24-90 zoom, and it is fast and awesome, but also heavy. Definitely not a carry around on your shoulder all day long lens. It's sad that even some of the SL primes are almost as big as the zoom, and even more expensive! Thus many of SL owners are using M lenses or TL zoom lenses as an alternative [emoji4]

 

 

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[FlashGordonPhotography]

I had frozen shoulder. Took 6 months of remedial massage and daily stretching exercises but I've been pain free for several years.

 

The SL/24-90 is about 2kg. Use a sling strap if you want less shoulder weight and stretch like your physio tells you three times a day and you'll be fine.

 

Gordon

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Camerasize.com does not show a lens attached from all angles of view. It will show a lens from the top (overhead) view, and the front view, for size comparison. And even then, not all lenses will show up. I have the 24-90 zoom, and it is fast and awesome, but also heavy. Definitely not a carry around on your shoulder all day long lens. It's sad that even some of the SL primes are almost as big as the zoom, and even more expensive! Thus many of SL owners are using M lenses or TL zoom lenses as an alternative [emoji4]

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It's no worse than any other 35mm DSLR and 24-xx 2.8. I do 10 hour stints with an SL/24-90 on one shoulder and SL/.90-280 on the other. Both with flash..... The camera and 24/90 isn't that bad. If it is consider a sling strap or belt clip system to better distribute the weight.

 

Gordon

[Jeff S]

. It's sad that even some of the SL primes are almost as big as the zoom, and even more expensive! Thus many of SL owners are using M lenses or TL zoom lenses as an alternative [emoji4]

 

There's only one SL prime for now, the 50 f1.4. The forthcoming Summicrons... 35/75/90 ... will be somewhat smaller and will share the same dimensions.

 

Jeff

 

 

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[mgrayson3]

You can use a Novoflex adapter and the Canon 24-105/4L. That works reasonably well. Much lighter, more range, not as fast AF. Once I got the 24-90, though, I never used the Canon 24-105 again.

 

--Matt

[antigallican]

You can use a Novoflex adapter and the Canon 24-105/4L. That works reasonably well. Much lighter, more range, not as fast AF. Once I got the 24-90, though, I never used the Canon 24-105 again.

 

--Matt

The trouble is that lens and the adapter is going to cost 12 or 15 hundred £. You can get an Elmarit here for a little bit over 2k£. I don't have experience of Leica lenses losing money the way some manufacturer's products do (though some R stuff is cheap I know). I've always thought of that as a hidden benefit.

 

 

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[thighslapper]

I had frozen shoulder. Took 6 months of remedial massage and daily stretching exercises but I've been pain free for several years.

 

The SL/24-90 is about 2kg. Use a sling strap if you want less shoulder weight and stretch like your physio tells you three times a day and you'll be fine.

 

Gordon

 

 Yup ...... get a Peak Design Slide strap .... and preferably a RRS full length tripod/base plate and you will find the SL with anything attached becomes a non-issue when it comes to carrying ...... and a hand strap makes an enormous difference to handling and usage as well and is a good investment.. 

[caissa]

I do prefer primes, you're right but there are circumstances where I need AF. The reason for asking for comparisons to a Nikon 70-200 2.8 is I've had a frozen shoulder and and have really struggled with a Nikon D810 and 70-200 2.8 carried for an entire day. I considered getting a couple of Sigma Art plus the Canon adapter (other threads suggest they will fast focus on the SL) but really that's no cheaper and no lighter. I need a porter!

Yes, I think a "good" strap will help a lot. It needs time and testing.

 

I decided for the Sigma 2.0/24-35 Art instead of the SL 24-90. It is a bit lighter, but the main advantage is that it is of constant length - zooming and focusing is both internal. That helps a lot, as I know from the SL 90-280 that also has these features.

Of course AF is not as comfortable/perfect as with the 24-90 and the focal range is shorter, you lose the 90mm and OIS. But I like the aperture. And IQ is excellent (from f 2.2). And I would use the zoom mainly at its wide end, anyway.

If you could live with manual focus, you could also try a 35-70 zoom. They are small, easy to focus, and with high IQ. Leica R or Contax has a nice one.

 

But if you want an easy life with perfect AF and without testing and trying, simply use the SL 24-90. And buy a strap that holds the camera "vertically" (holding it on one side only, and not on the two holes left and right) and wear it around your neck, not on the shoulder (to get a more evenly balanced weight on your back). For me the main problem of the 24-90 is the terrible lens shade - if you can use it without, it is only half as bad.

 

In your place (loving primes) I would maybe wait for the SL 2/75. It will be the very best quality and can stand in for the 50mm and the 90mm. And add later (9 months) a SL 2/35 - or the Sigma I mentioned, if you cannot wait that long.

 

And yes, the SL 24-90 is much smaller and lighter than the Nikon 70-200. But that is clear as the focal range is different. (14 cm long at 24mm, and 18 cm at 90 mm) See the wiki on this forum for the exact details.

[antigallican]

Yes, I think a "good" strap will help a lot. It needs time and testing.

 

I decided for the Sigma 2.0/24-35 Art instead of the SL 24-90. It is a bit lighter, but the main advantage is that it is of constant length - zooming and focusing is both internal. That helps a lot, as I know from the SL 90-280 that also has these features.

Of course AF is not as comfortable/perfect as with the 24-90 and the focal range is shorter, you lose the 90mm and OIS. But I like the aperture. And IQ is excellent (from f 2.2). And I would use the zoom mainly at its wide end, anyway.

If you could live with manual focus, you could also try a 35-70 zoom. They are small, easy to focus, and with high IQ. Leica R or Contax has a nice one.

 

But if you want an easy life with perfect AF and without testing and trying, simply use the SL 24-90. And buy a strap that holds the camera "lens down" and wear it around your neck, not on the shoulder (to get a more evenly balanced weight on your back). For me the main problem of the 24-90 is the terrible lens shade - if you can use it without, it is only half as bad.

 

In your place (loving primes) I would maybe wait for the SL 2/75. It will be the very best quality and can stand in for the 50mm and the 90mm. And add later (9 months) a SL 2/35 - or the Sigma I mentioned.

 

And yes, the SL 24-90 is much smaller and lighter than the Nikon 70-200. But that is clear as the focal range is different. (14 cm long at 24mm, and 18 cm at 90 mm) See the wiki on this forum for the exact details.

Thanks. Yes it was the size and weight of the Nikon I wanted to compare rather than the focal length. There are always compromises/choices with lenses, of course.

[mgrayson3]

 Yup ...... get a Peak Design Slide strap .... and preferably a RRS full length tripod/base plate and you will find the SL with anything attached becomes a non-issue when it comes to carrying ...... and a hand strap makes an enormous difference to handling and usage as well and is a good investment.. 

 

 

I had all those pieces, but hadn't tried attaching the strap to the bottom of the RRS plate. It is MUCH more comfortable to carry that way, and the strap doesn't get in the way when I hold the camera in portrait orientation.

 

Thanks!

 

Matt

[tom0511]

its slightly bigger than Nikon or Canon 24-70/2.8 but offers a more flexible range of focal length.

IMO this lens is a strong point of the SL system. Normally I like primes, but sometimes flexibility is nice.

I have used it quite a bit, also on hikes for several hours. I think it handles fine on the SL.

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[YellowBelly]

I had all those pieces, but hadn't tried attaching the strap to the bottom of the RRS plate. It is MUCH more comfortable to carry that way, and the strap doesn't get in the way when I hold the camera in portrait orientation.

 

Thanks!

 

Matt

I would invest in the magpul strap which rrs sells to fit into there baseplate it's a new thing with them as not on my S system baseplate but wonderful and really well thought out. I regularly wear it with my 90-280 on all day

 

 

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[almoore]

its slightly bigger than Nikon or Canon 24-70/2.8 but offers a more flexible range of focal length.

 

It weighs a lot more than the excellent Canon 24-70 f2.8. There's also a Canon 24-70 f4 which is literally half the weight of the 24-90. The first time I saw the Leica lens in the flesh I was astounded by how comically big it is.