Jono's Review: Leica Vario Elmarit SL 24-70 f2.8 ASPH

[MrFriendly]

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2 hours ago, aksclix said:

And spend 2-3 times the amount? 🤔🤔

 

If monetary cost is not a deciding factor, sure, why not?  What do I get with the 24-90 Vario-Elmarit, twice the size and twice the weight?  Thanks, but no thanks.

[2M6TTLs]

"By touching the manual focus ring you can invoke manual focus at any time" 

How does this work? When my SL2s is in AF single shot mode i tried touching the manual focus ring and turning it but nothing happens. Focus ring just turns with no apparent change.

Is there a setting in the menu that makes it possible to quickly switch from AF to MF or do I have to go in the menu every time and change from AF to MF?

The AF on the SL2s with the 24-70 is amazingly good.Much better than I expected, but there are times when I want to fine-tune or slightly de-focus a subject especially for portraits. I'm rather enjoying using this lens (much to my surprise). I really didn't think I would get on well with such a heavy lens but I'm using it a lot because the build quality, performance and versatility means I can often carry the camera without a bag and all the other stuff I usually have.It isn't much trouble either to squeeze a 90mm M with adaptor into my daypack for extra reach on 3-4hour hikes.Not much heavier than My M with 2 or 3 lenses actually but the viewfinder on any SL is heavenly. 

[Chris Nebard]

11 hours ago, 2M6TTLs said:

"By touching the manual focus ring you can invoke manual focus at any time" 

How does this work? When my SL2s is in AF single shot mode i tried touching the manual focus ring and turning it but nothing happens. Focus ring just turns with no apparent change.

Is there a setting in the menu that makes it possible to quickly switch from AF to MF or do I have to go in the menu every time and change from AF to MF?

The AF on the SL2s with the 24-70 is amazingly good.Much better than I expected, but there are times when I want to fine-tune or slightly de-focus a subject especially for portraits. I'm rather enjoying using this lens (much to my surprise). I really didn't think I would get on well with such a heavy lens but I'm using it a lot because the build quality, performance and versatility means I can often carry the camera without a bag and all the other stuff I usually have.It isn't much trouble either to squeeze a 90mm M with adaptor into my daypack for extra reach on 3-4hour hikes.Not much heavier than My M with 2 or 3 lenses actually but the viewfinder on any SL is heavenly. 

I too use AF single shot mode and experienced the same problem with manual focus. Through trial and error, I found that if you half press the shutter button, and then manually focus, it works. It may be me (usually is) but I can’t find this instruction in the manual? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[Chris Nebard]

10 minutes ago, Chris Nebard said:

I too use AF single shot mode and experienced the same problem with manual focus. Through trial and error, I found that if you half press the shutter button, and then manually focus, it works. It may be me (usually is) but I can’t find this instruction in the manual? 🤷🏼‍♂️

….and yes, I’m enjoying the SL2-S with the SL 24-70, too. That lens is outstanding on this camera and if I fancy just walking around with a standard prime, I just swap it for the Sigma 45. 

[2M6TTLs]

Thanks Chris, that makes sense. I'll try the half press on the shutter button, then focus manually and see if it works on my camera.I couldn't find any reference to it in the manual either and I plowed through it dutifully after purchase..I Don't have any of the small Sigma primes yet but I'm pretty sure I'll pick one up in due course.There's quite a choice now but that 45mm focal length is still a good all rounder. Now I think of it, I've got a 40mm for my ( original ) CL  somewhere so I should give it a try. No AF though of course.

[Chris Nebard]

4 hours ago, 2M6TTLs said:

Thanks Chris, that makes sense. I'll try the half press on the shutter button, then focus manually and see if it works on my camera.I couldn't find any reference to it in the manual either and I plowed through it dutifully after purchase..I Don't have any of the small Sigma primes yet but I'm pretty sure I'll pick one up in due course.There's quite a choice now but that 45mm focal length is still a good all rounder. Now I think of it, I've got a 40mm for my ( original ) CL  somewhere so I should give it a try. No AF though of course.

You’re welcome 2M6TTLs, I hope it works - it should do.
 

The SL 24-70 seems to produce lovely colours with the SL2-S (and to be consistently sharp throughout the aperture range). If the SL primes were smaller I’d save and get one but, for now, the 24-70 is so good that I’m more than happy to use it as five primes in one and to keep the weight down by adding the odd Sigma DG DN prime and M lens. It might be different if the Sigmas were average lenses but I think they are excellent. Not everyone will agree but utilising the L-mount alliance makes sense to me. And I love being able to use an aperture ring on the lens.

 

[michali]

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3 hours ago, Chris Nebard said:

You’re welcome 2M6TTLs, I hope it works - it should do.
 

The SL 24-70 seems to produce lovely colours with the SL2-S (and to be consistently sharp throughout the aperture range). If the SL primes were smaller I’d save and get one but, for now, the 24-70 is so good that I’m more than happy to use it as five primes in one and to keep the weight down by adding the odd Sigma DG DN prime and M lens. It might be different if the Sigmas were average lenses but I think they are excellent. Not everyone will agree but utilising the L-mount alliance makes sense to me. And I love being able to use an aperture ring on the lens.

 

+1 Chris, absolutely agree & also about the aperture ring which I love.

I've offloaded my Leica L primes, kept the Leica VE 24-90mm L & the Leica VE 90-280mm L & filled in with several Sigma DG DN L mount prime lenses: 24mm f3.5, 45mm f2.8 , 65mm f2, 85mm f1.4 & Sigma 105mm f2.8. I can't find fault with any of these lenses.

[Chris Nebard]

2 hours ago, michali said:

+1 Chris, absolutely agree & also about the aperture ring which I love.

I've offloaded my Leica L primes, kept the Leica VE 24-90mm L & the Leica VE 90-280mm L & filled in with several Sigma DG DN L mount prime lenses: 24mm f3.5, 45mm f2.8 , 65mm f2, 85mm f1.4 & Sigma 105mm f2.8. I can't find fault with any of these lenses.

Well Mike, the success of your choices is definitely borne out by the work you've shared on the SL2-S Images thread. Brilliant 👍 

[michali]

3 hours ago, Chris Nebard said:

Well Mike, the success of your choices is definitely borne out by the work you've shared on the SL2-S Images thread. Brilliant 👍 

Thank you Chris, much appreciate your comments..

Best

Mike

[AKorenc]

19 hours ago, michali said:

+1 Chris, absolutely agree & also about the aperture ring which I love.

I've offloaded my Leica L primes, kept the Leica VE 24-90mm L & the Leica VE 90-280mm L & filled in with several Sigma DG DN L mount prime lenses: 24mm f3.5, 45mm f2.8 , 65mm f2, 85mm f1.4 & Sigma 105mm f2.8. I can't find fault with any of these lenses.

I've just completed the 24/2 + 35/2 + 65/2 trio of Sigma's DN i lenses for my SL2 and I must say I am really, really satisfied. I've had the 65/2 since February and it confirms itself as a great lens again and again. That's why I just added the 24/2 and 35/2 and I immediately noticed the beautiful rendering of the new 24/2 lens. Nice little gems, all three of them - and I payed about 500€ per lens. Judging them by image and build quality I most definitely would not hesitate to pay twice as much for each. And these three focal lengths are basically everything a street/documentary photographer needs, I'd say.

Great times to be a photography enthusiast

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[Michael Markey]

Incoming dumb question but has anybody noticed a qualitative difference between the DN lenses and the Art series ?

I find Sigmas naming convention less than clear but assume that the Art lenses are the more  .... insert your own adjective

 

Edited October 28, 2021 by Michael Markey

[AKorenc]

1 hour ago, Michael Markey said:

Incoming dumb question but has anybody noticed a qualitative difference between the DN lenses and the Art series ?

I find Sigmas naming convention less than clear but assume that the Art lenses are the more  .... insert your own adjective

 

DN Art series feature (even) higher build quality, weather sealing, de-clickable aperture rings, are targeted at photographers, as well as videographers, and offer aperture values from f/1.2 to f/2.8. The ratio among image quality, size and weight is not compromised in any way. The goal is the best possible image quality at whatever the size and weight for an acceptable price.

DN i series lenses do not feature weather sealing (just a rubber gasket at the mount section), nor de-clickable aperture rings, which makes them targeted at photographers, these lenses also do not offer aperture values faster than f/2. Sigma makes them with size/weight/performance/price ratio in mind - the goal is high image quality at as low weight and size possible for a competitive price.

That's basically it.

[Michael Markey]

3 hours ago, AKorenc said:

DN Art series feature (even) higher build quality, weather sealing, de-clickable aperture rings, are targeted at photographers, as well as videographers, and offer aperture values from f/1.2 to f/2.8. The ratio among image quality, size and weight is not compromised in any way. The goal is the best possible image quality at whatever the size and weight for an acceptable price.

DN i series lenses do not feature weather sealing (just a rubber gasket at the mount section), nor de-clickable aperture rings, which makes them targeted at photographers, these lenses also do not offer aperture values faster than f/2. Sigma makes them with size/weight/performance/price ratio in mind - the goal is high image quality at as low weight and size possible for a competitive price.

That's basically it.

Thank you for that clear and concise explanation .

 

[2M6TTLs]

On 10/27/2021 at 6:46 PM, Chris Nebard said:

You’re welcome 2M6TTLs, I hope it works - it should do.
 

The SL 24-70 seems to produce lovely colours with the SL2-S (and to be consistently sharp throughout the aperture range). If the SL primes were smaller I’d save and get one but, for now, the 24-70 is so good that I’m more than happy to use it as five primes in one and to keep the weight down by adding the odd Sigma DG DN prime and M lens. It might be different if the Sigmas were average lenses but I think they are excellent. Not everyone will agree but utilising the L-mount alliance makes sense to me. And I love being able to use an aperture ring on the lens.

 

Yes turning the manual focus ring while pressing the shutter release does the trick.   Not sure why such a useful feature isn't highlighted in the manual but very happy to have one more feature that doesn't require going to the menu. This camera system is very well designed. Glad I bought it. Digital took away some of my enjoyment with photography largely because of the reliance on menus, with the SL2s I feel I'm getting it back again.

 

[Manual_Focus]

After reading through this entire thread I am more unsettled what I want to buy.  GAS is at an all time high in this household.

[Reddy]

On 1/11/2022 at 1:11 AM, Manual_Focus said:

After reading through this entire thread I am more unsettled what I want to buy.  GAS is at an all time high in this household.

Haha well that's depend on what you would like to own and feel in your hand, and you can change it with time.

Edited February 18, 2022 by Reddy

[Reddy]

On 9/9/2021 at 3:25 AM, Alan J said:

I'm trying to justify the 24-90 for my SL, but somewhat new to Leica and the lens lineup (Current & Past).

My initial thought was, could I put together a lens line up of primes that might be lighter in weight and cover the approximate range from 24-90?

Still sifting through and cooking this all down. Know this means more lens swapping.

Leica means Leica to me, made in Germany actually has value and meaning also. Leica should prove It's not a Sigma. Something scientific,  surrounding facts, results, modifications or design that can be clearly be demonstrated to customers and seen as Leica and not Sigma Art.

Ok, I'm done, sorry I spent my daily 2 cents her all in one place.

Have you look back to the R VE 28-90mm ? this is a lot smaller but MF only.

[chrismuc]

On 10/28/2021 at 5:31 PM, AKorenc said:

I've just completed the 24/2 + 35/2 + 65/2 trio of Sigma's DN i lenses for my SL2 and I must say I am really, really satisfied. I've had the 65/2 since February and it confirms itself as a great lens again and again. That's why I just added the 24/2 and 35/2 and I immediately noticed the beautiful rendering of the new 24/2 lens. Nice little gems, all three of them - and I payed about 500€ per lens. Judging them by image and build quality I most definitely would not hesitate to pay twice as much for each. And these three focal lengths are basically everything a street/documentary photographer needs, I'd say.

Great times to be a photography enthusiast

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same me

having the 35f2 and 65f2 just waiting the 20f2 to become available for my royal street photography and multipurpose 3-lens-set

great IQ, haptics, price, nothing to complain 😎

[Slender]

On 10/28/2021 at 10:31 AM, AKorenc said:

I've just completed the 24/2 + 35/2 + 65/2 trio of Sigma's DN i lenses for my SL2 and I must say I am really, really satisfied. I've had the 65/2 since February and it confirms itself as a great lens again and again. That's why I just added the 24/2 and 35/2 and I immediately noticed the beautiful rendering of the new 24/2 lens. Nice little gems, all three of them - and I payed about 500€ per lens. Judging them by image and build quality I most definitely would not hesitate to pay twice as much for each. And these three focal lengths are basically everything a street/documentary photographer needs, I'd say.

Great times to be a photography enthusiast

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!

No issues with Laggy shutter, higher power drain? Its the one thing that keeps me away from looking. @michali are you not having such problem as well?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[michali]

19 hours ago, Slender said:

No issues with Laggy shutter, higher power drain? Its the one thing that keeps me away from looking. @michali are you not having such problem as well?

Hi Slender- no issues at all with the Sigma lenses that I'm using. The "power issue" seems to have been resolved with the last FW update. 

I have a small arsenal of Sigma lenses ranging from the 14-24mm,  24mm f3.5,  60mm f2,  85mm f1.4, 105mm f2.8,  135mm f1.8  & the 150-600mm. All are outstanding, so much so that I sold my Leica L mount lenses with the exception of the VE24-90mm & VE90-280mm & filled in with Sigma lenses in focal lengths that Leica doesn't offer. The proceeds from my Leica L lenses funded the Sigma lenses & there was enough change to purchase an SL2-S as well. 

My experience with the Sigma L lenses mirrors that of @AKorenc