Leica APO-SL 90-280mm vs Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3

[kobra]

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Hi all, 

I read with interest the thread comparing the Leica 90-280 with the Sigma 150-600, but my use is not BIF, but landscape and some slow moving wildlife. So, I will admit I've recently purchased the Sigma 100-400 and I love the size, weight and handling. But, I've also not been able to travel to take interesting enough landscape photos that would show me whether the quality of this lens rivals the other lenses or not. I do have a couple Leica lenses and the results are wonderful, so now it has me wondering how much I might be missing by not having the 90-280. 

So, for those with experience using both of these lenses, what comparisons would you make? Where it seems the 150-600 gets pretty good ratings, there are very mixed ratings on the 100-400. I'd appreciate any firsthand experiences that you can share here. 

Thanks in advance! 

Brad

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[Seba66]

Hi all, I’m interested too, there is someone that would like to contribute to the topic? 
PS. I will use the tele on the SL2-S 

[michali]

3 hours ago, Seba66 said:

Hi all, I’m interested too, there is someone that would like to contribute to the topic? 
PS. I will use the tele on the SL2-S 

I've had /  have all 3 lenses. The Sigmas are very good & punch way above their weight, especially given that they're 1/5th the price of the Leica. I sold the 100-400mm & replaced it with the 150-600mm which I mainly use for birding. It's sharp, versatile & delivers excellent results. I'll soon be testing the new Sigma 60-600mm which by all accounts is an improvement on the 150-600mm.

The Leica VE90-280mm is next level & an exceptional lens, which I use mainly for wildlife & some landscape photography. It's too short for birding.

I currently use both the Leica 90-280mm & Sigma 150-600mm interchangeably on the SL2 & SL2-S. 

IMO I don't think that the Leica is worth 5 times the price of the Sigma. I've posted many images on the Forum taken with both of these lenses, feel free to have a look & judge for yourself.

One thing to note, to achieve the best results you must use the electronic shutter with all these lenses to avoid shutter slap, which you get when using the mechanical shutter which causes slightly blurred/unsharp images.

Edited February 18, 2023 by michali

[davidmknoble]

I’ve had the 90-280 since it first came out and used the SL, SL2 which I traded in for an SL2-S (mainly beause of dynamic range).  With the SL2 and SL2-S, you do not need to use the electronic shutter for sharp images with the 90-280.  You do need to keep and eye on shutter speed vs. focal length and use a tripod if necessary, but the OIS in these bodies does really well handholding these lenses.  IMHO.

[jaapv]

Try it, side by side. ES photographs have more "bite"