Lumix S Pro 70-200 f/2.8 on SL2 - any experience?

[Dr. G]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I currently own the Summicron-SL primes (35, 50, 90) and wanted something in the longer range.  Does anyone have experience with the Lumix S Pro 70-200 f/2.8?

[Ktsa5239]

I went with the f4 version mainly due to weight and I absolutely love it. It is currently my favourite lens on my SL2. The AF is fast and accurate, love the way it renders as well, plenty of bokah at f4 and I often stop it down for birds and flowers. 

[anrotil68]

i've the Lumix S Pro 70-200 f/2.8, AMAZING lens, I love it. I've tried theLEICA SL 90.280, fantastic lens, but I prefer the 2,8f for all the focal length. The quality it's superb, fast Af.

[RBB]

Looks like this topic isn't alive anymore. But just have the 70-200 f/2.8 now for a week or two. The first impressions are very good, this lens is far more accurate in autofocus then the Sigma lenses. I own the Sigma 28mm f/1.4, 105mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.4 and all of them have a strong tendency to hunt in low light (not extreme dark or so). The Leica 24-90 is far more reliable. After a test with the Panasonic I noticed it is sharp wide open, even with the 1.4 teleconverter and doesn't hunt like the Sigma lenses, behaves more like the Leica. First I wanted to wait for the Sigma 70-200 DG DN but with the discount for the Panasonic was it difficult to ignore it. So far very happy with the results.

[scott kirkpatrick]

I've been photographing an exotic construction site (new national library)  some parts of which are only visible from about 500 m away.  I'm using an S1R with the 70-200/2.8 and just got a new 90-280 which I will use on my SL2.  Can report some comparisons once we get a few days of good weather.  Here's a 70-200 shot at 200(actually 1 1/2 ahots in a panorama.) 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

P1033368 Panorama by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr

The other competitor for this particular viewpoint is the R 180 APO Elmarit,.  Put that on the SL2 and it is MUCH lighter than either of the two zooms.  And also incredibly sharp. 

Edited December 16, 2020 by scott kirkpatrick

[Pixeleater]

On 12/16/2020 at 2:39 PM, scott kirkpatrick said:

I've been photographing an exotic construction site (new national library)  some parts of which are only visible from about 500 m away.  I'm using an S1R with the 70-200/2.8 and just got a new 90-280 which I will use on my SL2.  Can report some comparisons once we get a few days of good weather.  Here's a 70-200 shot at 200(actually 1 1/2 ahots in a panorama.) 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

P1033368 Panorama by scott kirkpatrick, on Flickr

The other competitor for this particular viewpoint is the R 180 APO Elmarit,.  Put that on the SL2 and it is MUCH lighter than either of the two zooms.  And also incredibly sharp. 

Scott, can you please compare your experience using the 70-200 vs the 90-280? How was image quality and camera interface of the two lenses? Did you consider using the Panasonic 1.4 teleconverter? Did the Panasonic lens stabilization function on the SL2?

I’m on the cusp of purchasing one or the other and April 1 is the Leica price increase.

 

Thanks much.

[scott kirkpatrick]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I prefer to use use the 90-280 on an SL2 rather than the 70-200 on an S1R, except when the probably stronger IBIS + OIS of the Panasonic combo is important.  You lose that advantage when using the Lumix lens on a Leica body.  So for the best results, get your order in before the price change is effective.  Haven't tried the 1.4 teleconverter.

[Pixeleater]

40 minutes ago, scott kirkpatrick said:

I prefer to use use the 90-280 on an SL2 rather than the 70-200 on an S1R, except when the probably stronger IBIS + OIS of the Panasonic combo is important.  You lose that advantage when using the Lumix lens on a Leica body.  So for the best results, get your order in before the price change is effective.  Haven't tried the 1.4 teleconverter.

Thanks Scott.

[Andrew Gough]

I have found better results with the lens OIS turned off, and the in body stabilization "on" on the my SL2 and Pana 70-200 F4

[LD_50]

9 minutes ago, Andrew Gough said:

I have found better results with the lens OIS turned off, and the in body stabilization "on" on the my SL2 and Pana 70-200 F4

I thought the OIS did not work with the SL2 and Panasonic combo. 

[Andrew Gough]

It's an either or situation. If the lens OIS is on, then the camera is off and vice versa. Personally, it's pretty pathetic of Leica to do this. Some programming from Pana and it would work. Things like this undermine the alliance.

[scott kirkpatrick]

I have no inside information on this, but the public statements made about the L-mount alliance suggest that critical activities have been carefully spelled out in the presence of lawyers for both sides.  Or worse, bureaucrats who try to out-lawyer the lawyers.  This would mean that engineers with deadlines would be careful not to get too close to each other's code when things are at least working.  At least Leica seems to have taken up the linear focusing approach tht Panasonic had introduced for its hybrid still-video models.  But maybe they re-invented it for themselves.

I think it is productive for us to keep reminding Leica of cool things that its L-mount partners can do which Leica should do as well.