macromatic Posted April 20, 2023 Share #361  Posted April 20, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) On 3/24/2023 at 1:15 AM, Planetwide said: Yes, I had to adjust it to attain good macro focus. This was done with a target. Testing at infinity is the issue, I do get some sharp shots at the macro level, but fine detail is not there even in the centre of the image. Occasionally, I get a shot that appears to be in focus, and was confirmed as in focus when taken, but the resulting image seems to be soft. I am seeing the same thing in MF too, IS on and Off. Its almost is if an element is moving out of position. I will return it and try another. I found the same thing. I think the lens is average quality lens. Did you ever try another unit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 Hi macromatic, Take a look here SL 100-400 f/5.6-6 Rebrand But Not the Same Lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
davidmknoble Posted April 20, 2023 Share #362 Â Posted April 20, 2023 At the end of the day all zooms have a focal length with high strengths and a focal length with lower contrast. Â It is part of the optical physics. Â So when considering the 100-400 or the 150-600 I think knowing the weak and strong areas of the zoom range help one decide which lens fits their style the most. Â My personal opinion is that the longer the zoom range, the larger the difference in the strengths and weaknesses. Â Even for a compact kit, I would prefer 2 lenses over one that covers a wide to long range. Â I also prefer the more pointed Leica weather sealing over the Sigma "resistant" language. These both seem like strong lenses, so it appears that the decision of one over the other is how it will be used and the ability of the sensor to crop more or not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 20, 2023 Share #363  Posted April 20, 2023 I found that the 150-600 is better. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
drjonb Posted April 20, 2023 Share #364  Posted April 20, 2023 29 minutes ago, davidmknoble said: At the end of the day all zooms have a focal length with high strengths and a focal length with lower contrast.  It is part of the optical physics.  So when considering the 100-400 or the 150-600 I think knowing the weak and strong areas of the zoom range help one decide which lens fits their style the most.  My personal opinion is that the longer the zoom range, the larger the difference in the strengths and weaknesses.  Even for a compact kit, I would prefer 2 lenses over one that covers a wide to long range.  I also prefer the more pointed Leica weather sealing over the Sigma "resistant" language. These both seem like strong lenses, so it appears that the decision of one over the other is how it will be used and the ability of the sensor to crop more or not. I am an amateur and recently acquired a Sigma 100-400 to use with my SL2-S; I found the results excellent in terms of AF, ‘sharpness’, and colour/contrast.  But even with the Sigma 1.4x extender attached, I found I wanted more reach.  So I swapped the 100-400 for the newly released Sigma 60-600mm which I have been using with the 1.4x extender.  Frankly, I have been astonished at the results so far throughout the focal length range; the AF focusing and tracking are on a par with Nikon bodies and lenses I have used in the past, and the image quality is outstanding.  I have posted several examples elsewhere in the forum.  The 60-600mm is of course heavy, and that it is primary drawback, but to get better performance than I am experiencing with this lens, it would be 3-5x the cost and another 3-5Kgs!  I cannot recommend this lens highly enough. 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! 4 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/371396-sl-100-400-f56-6-rebrand-but-not-the-same-lens/?do=findComment&comment=4754543'>More sharing options...
Planetwide Posted April 25, 2023 Share #365  Posted April 25, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 3:51 AM, macromatic said: I found the same thing. I think the lens is average quality lens. Did you ever try another unit? I sent it back. The lens just had too many issues for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macromatic Posted April 25, 2023 Share #366  Posted April 25, 2023 4 hours ago, Planetwide said: I sent it back. The lens just had too many issues for me. Thanks. I just did the same yesterday unfortunately. I really wanted to keep the lens, but it just couldn't match my canon 100-400 4.5 L MKII. Though I will say it was pretty close which I think is impressive that Sigma / Leica had got so close. But it just couldn't resolve the finer detail that the Canon could. I imagine if I hadn't the Canon to compare it too, I would have maybe kept it.  AF performance was very good, weight was good, build quality was ok. Shame. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tritentrue Posted April 27, 2023 Popular Post Share #367  Posted April 27, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leica deserves credit for producing a lens wanted by many of its users:  (a) longer than the 90-280mm; (b) less expensive than the 90-280mm; and (c) able to take a teleconverter.  Whether it's made in Wetzlar or Aizu doesn't matter to me.  Thank you, Leica. CL/Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm: 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!   19 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!   ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/371396-sl-100-400-f56-6-rebrand-but-not-the-same-lens/?do=findComment&comment=4759444'>More sharing options...
drjonb Posted April 27, 2023 Share #368  Posted April 27, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, tritentrue said: Leica deserves credit for producing a lens wanted by many of its users:  (a) longer than the 90-280mm; (b) less expensive than the 90-280mm; and (c) able to take a teleconverter.  Whether it's made in Wetzlar or Aizu doesn't matter to me.  Thank you, Leica. CL/Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm: 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!   Really very nice images.  This was with the new Sigma 60-600mm. Edited April 27, 2023 by drjonb 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPFM Posted April 29, 2023 Share #369  Posted April 29, 2023 SL2, Vario Sl 100-400... 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! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/371396-sl-100-400-f56-6-rebrand-but-not-the-same-lens/?do=findComment&comment=4760918'>More sharing options...
HPFM Posted April 29, 2023 Share #370  Posted April 29, 2023 SL2, Vario SL 100-400 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! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/371396-sl-100-400-f56-6-rebrand-but-not-the-same-lens/?do=findComment&comment=4760923'>More sharing options...
HPFM Posted April 29, 2023 Share #371  Posted April 29, 2023 SL2, Vario SL 100-400.... 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! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/371396-sl-100-400-f56-6-rebrand-but-not-the-same-lens/?do=findComment&comment=4760925'>More sharing options...
HPFM Posted April 29, 2023 Share #372  Posted April 29, 2023 SL2, SL Vario 100-400... Painting :-)) 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! 4 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/371396-sl-100-400-f56-6-rebrand-but-not-the-same-lens/?do=findComment&comment=4760932'>More sharing options...
macromatic Posted April 30, 2023 Share #373  Posted April 30, 2023 On 4/27/2023 at 2:31 PM, drjonb said: Really very nice images.  This was with the new Sigma 60-600mm. 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! How far away was the crow? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macromatic Posted April 30, 2023 Share #374  Posted April 30, 2023 20 hours ago, HPFM said: SL2, Vario Sl 100-400... 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! Nice. I found the 100-400 pretty good close, but at the long end and shots a bit further away my copy was soft, or just not focused, I don't know. And I'm used to shooting long lenses. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
drjonb Posted April 30, 2023 Share #375  Posted April 30, 2023 6 minutes ago, macromatic said: How far away was the crow? It may be a Jackdaw but I am no expert!  It was at the top of a tall tree, I would estimate 200 feet maybe but don’t quote me on that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macromatic Posted April 30, 2023 Share #376  Posted April 30, 2023 Just now, drjonb said: It may be a Jackdaw but I am no expert!  It was at the top of a tall tree, I would estimate 200 feet maybe but don’t quote me on that. Thanks. It looks like a jackdaw 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPFM Posted April 30, 2023 Share #377  Posted April 30, 2023 vor 5 Stunden schrieb macromatic: Nice. I found the 100-400 pretty good close, but at the long end and shots a bit further away my copy was soft, or just not focused, I don't know. And I'm used to shooting long lenses. shot at 400mm... compared to Sigma 100-400 i found the SL Vario 100-400 better and not so soft as the Sigma. Maybe I had a bad copy of the Sigma and have a good copy of the SL Vario... Think there ist a serial spread also of the new SL Vario - therefore I asked my dealer to unpack and test my copy before delivery....  I'm glad with the SL Vario. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macromatic Posted April 30, 2023 Share #378  Posted April 30, 2023 22 minutes ago, HPFM said: shot at 400mm... compared to Sigma 100-400 i found the SL Vario 100-400 better and not so soft as the Sigma. Maybe I had a bad copy of the Sigma and have a good copy of the SL Vario... Think there ist a serial spread also of the new SL Vario - therefore I asked my dealer to unpack and test my copy before delivery....  I'm glad with the SL Vario. I could have had an average copy of the Vario. It was certainly pretty decent in every other way. I don't have a dealer near me unfortunately Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatkatmat Posted May 1, 2023 Share #379  Posted May 1, 2023 (edited) 8 hours ago, macromatic said: I could have had an average copy of the Vario. It was certainly pretty decent in every other way. I don't have a dealer near me unfortunately This is a Leica product...We should not be talking about "good" and "bad" copies. We pay a premium to have all good copies. So, you guys who bought this lens aren't going to want to hear this...But wow...these images look VERY pedestrian. 1/2 the images look out of focus, the other 1/2 look washed out and/or under exposed. Certainly not what I would expect from a "Leica" product (looks more like a kit zoom). The 90-280 at least has optics that BLOW you away at times. Shoot the 90-280 with the SL2 so you can crop and IQ will still be better it seems. This is a disappointing release for me. Edited May 1, 2023 by thatkatmat Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tritentrue Posted May 1, 2023 Share #380  Posted May 1, 2023 LOL!!!  😂 Looks like the same old s**t around here:  people trashing gear they've never used and/or owned; and trashing others' photos when they rarely if ever post their own.  So sorry to hear about all those "bad" copies other people got; mine works just fine, as does the EV dial on my camera. Thanks again to Leica for listening and coming through with a great option.  Now about that CL2 . . . 😉 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.