Leica 24-70 SL Review

[pixeljohn22]

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Just saw this review posted. https://www.thephoblographer.com/2021/05/26/and-the-world-reopens-leica-24-70mm-f2-8-sl-review/#more-176172

Not exactly a copy of the Sigma lens.

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[setuporg]

Hilarious!  Pro: not much heavier than Sigma.

[nucky]

yes, amusingly bad review I wouldn't waste my time reading it...

[Simone_DF]

13 hours ago, pixeljohn22 said:

Just saw this review posted. https://www.thephoblographer.com/2021/05/26/and-the-world-reopens-leica-24-70mm-f2-8-sl-review/#more-176172

Not exactly a copy of the Sigma lens.

Yes, the yellow font makes a big difference

[satijntje]

...and with a Leica AF engine instead of a Sigma one for ultra fast focussing. 
Hard to believe.
Who has both the Leica and the Sigma and could do a comparison?

 

[setuporg]

28 minutes ago, satijntje said:

...and with a Leica AF engine instead of a Sigma one for ultra fast focussing. 

It's quite possible that software drives Leica faster, but I'd wonder whether the L alliance allows such a differentiation.  

A more real reason would be a different AF motor, e.g. similar to the Summicrons.  I wonder what the difference is.  I found L Sigmas focusing very fast, no tangible difference from the Leica lenses focusing speed.

[jaapv]

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If those were different engines, there would be compatability issues between brands.

[Simone_DF]

If firmware makes such a huge difference, then the whole L Mount concept is a badly executed idea.

If you buy ie a Tamron lens on Sony, it may perform slower than a first party lens, but the difference is not significant (and in that case it also depends on the lens motors)

[Speeding]

6 hours ago, satijntje said:

...and with a Leica AF engine instead of a Sigma one for ultra fast focussing. 
Hard to believe.
Who has both the Leica and the Sigma and could do a comparison?

 

Beyond speed of focus between point A and point B there is accuracy, consistency, reliability of AF as you or the subject shifts.  This is where Sigma consistently falls short.  The camera is asking the lens to do something and it sometimes delivers, sometimes fails.  Exceedingly frustrating when you are in demanding situations.  It is the reason I gave up on Sigma for FE mount and stuck to GM lenses.  The accuracy and reliability was worth the price delta.  Appears it's same with L-mount.  Stick to SL or S-Pro lenses unless shooting casually and can afford multiple opportunities to get the shot.    

[setuporg]

I've not seen any of these effects with the Sigma lenses on the SL2 so far.  There's no tangible nor perceptible difference of any kind in AFs performance...

[Daniel C.1975]

My 3.5 24 and the 105 Macro are working flawlessly on my SL2-s. Most quiet focus of all my lenses has the 3.5 24. Ok, the m-lenses are even mor quiet 😉

If I would now buy a 24/28-70, I would either bite the bullet and went for the Leica or the smallish and cheaper Sigma 28-70. 

Yes, build, feel and style of the Leica alone would let me spend the additional money compared to the Sigma 24-70. And the hope that it is a tiny little bit better 😄

I also see no reason to bash the Leica just for the reason of not being a 100% pure Leica bred lens

[BernardC]

13 hours ago, Speeding said:

It is the reason I gave up on Sigma for FE mount and stuck to GM lenses.  The accuracy and reliability was worth the price delta.  Appears it's same with L-mount

This doesn't correlate with user experience on this forum. Any focusing speed differences seem to be either insignificant, or largely in-line with the price of Sigma lenses. One would expect a much cheaper lens to focus a bit slower, since some cost must have been saved on the focusing mechanics and the optical configuration. We know that Leica's own L lenses are designed to use very low mass focusing groups, which implies an additional level of complication (otherwise it wouldn't be worth pointing-out).

[lookbook]

... the sample pictures are all so bad -
he should really look for another hobby!

[Speeding]

2 hours ago, BernardC said:

This doesn't correlate with user experience on this forum. Any focusing speed differences seem to be either insignificant, or largely in-line with the price of Sigma lenses. One would expect a much cheaper lens to focus a bit slower, since some cost must have been saved on the focusing mechanics and the optical configuration. We know that Leica's own L lenses are designed to use very low mass focusing groups, which implies an additional level of complication (otherwise it wouldn't be worth pointing-out).

Lack of correlation likely explained by use case.  For example, shooting a local foodbank prep-kitchen, poor lighting from diesel generators during power outage, cramped conditions, people moving quickly cooking/packaging food.   Sigma 35/1.2 on SL2 couldn't keep up.  A few shots hit but most were OOF as the lens hunted.  Stopped down to f/2.8 to make face/eye focus more forgiving but no improvement in hit rate.  Grabbed SL 28/2 APO from my bag and hit rate jumped to 80%.  I wanted the look of the 35/1.2 in those low light, tight quarters but the SL28/2 got the job done.  

Wedding reception on yacht with Sigma 24-70/2.8, as sun was setting, people backlit, lens couldn't find focus.  Finally assistant brought over S-Pro 24-70/2.8 from her kit and immediate difference.  Hit rate jumped to 90% even as light got lower.  

Perhaps with ample time and good light with plenty of opportunity the Sigma's will suffice but I don't often have that luxury.  

[rsh]

My gut feeling is that Leica has improved this lens a small amount optically over the Sigma.  Obviously, the build quality is much better and being made in Japan is no issue.  I have the 24-90 but if I were to purchase now, the choice would be difficult.  It is a Leica  Lens, not a Sigma Lens.

Edited May 28, 2021 by rsh

[jaapv]

3 hours ago, lookbook said:

... the sample pictures are all so bad -
he should really look for another hobby!

Nor do the Pizzas look very appetizing - any Neapolitan would have a bad night after eating those.

[lookbook]

vor 48 Minuten schrieb jaapv:

Nor do the Pizzas look very appetizing - any Neapolitan would have a bad night after eating those.

[Slender]

The Phoblographer is a horrendous, almost hilariously bad review website. Horrible pictures in huge numbers, make it foreeeeeeevvvvveeeeer to scroll through, it's plentiful with false claims, constant self-contradictions and gross approximations and omissions. It's really, really, really awful.

It's too bad Ken Rockwell doesnt review anything Leica anymore. At least he was always very rigorous and exacting.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Simone_DF]

2 hours ago, rsh said:

It is a Leica  Lens, not a Sigma Lens.

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

[i-Leica]

vor 16 Stunden schrieb rsh:

My gut feeling is that Leica has improved this lens a small amount optically over the Sigma.  Obviously, the build quality is much better and being made in Japan is no issue.  I have the 24-90 but if I were to purchase now, the choice would be difficult.  It is a Leica  Lens, not a Sigma Lens.

I had the 24-70 Sigma, then got the 24-70 Leica...... all gone and now I have 24-90 Leica   what does it tells you?