Sohail Posted November 28, 2023 Share #1 Posted November 28, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) I occasionally like to shoot with an ultra-wide lens. I've got a good price for a used Leica Super Vario Elmar SL 16-35mm, but I currently own the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens (L mount). Here's a picture I recently took with it (below). It's not perfect but does the job. Is the Leica 16-35 going to give me better results at the wider end of the Zoom? There's a lot of talk about how it renders. 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! 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/385261-thinking-of-getting-the-leica-super-vario-elmar-sl-16-35mm/?do=findComment&comment=4923723'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 28, 2023 Posted November 28, 2023 Hi Sohail, Take a look here Thinking of getting the Leica Super Vario Elmar SL 16-35mm. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ken Abrahams Posted November 29, 2023 Share #2 Posted November 29, 2023 My friend has one of these lenses, the SEV 16-35 and it's very sharp from what I have seen of it. Excellent lens he says. The Red Dot people reviewed Leica "Super Wides" recently and they had very good reports of this lens. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted November 29, 2023 Share #3 Posted November 29, 2023 Consider the Sigma of Leica 14-24.. Unless you have a need for filters. The 16-35 is superb but I find it very difficult to see any difference at the wide end between them. If it's for occasional use then the Sigma is the one to choose. Bonus is that it's much lighter as well. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 29, 2023 Share #4 Posted November 29, 2023 ;tldr: The 16-35 is the only Leica SL lens that I would consider a letdown and never recommend. The Sigma 14-24 f/2.8 is optically superior to the Leica 16-35, and is one stop faster. The Leica performs closer to the Panasonic 16-35 f/4 (which I also own, in addition to the Sigma, thanks to its compact size). Of course, the Leica covers a greater focal range than the Sigma, which may be the reason for some of the compromises made in its design ... Given the other choices, there is no reason for this lens to exist other than to complete the 'holy trinity' of zoom lenses for people who will only buy Leica? To back my statements up with Leica's own measurements, here are the MTF charts for comparison (both wide open, Sigma obviously even better when stopped down to the narrower Leica apertures): Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art (at f/2.8) 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! Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35 f/3.5-4.5 ASPH (at f/3.5 and f/4) Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35 f/3.5-4.5 ASPH (at f/3.5 and f/4) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/385261-thinking-of-getting-the-leica-super-vario-elmar-sl-16-35mm/?do=findComment&comment=4924401'>More sharing options...
Sohail Posted November 29, 2023 Author Share #5 Posted November 29, 2023 1 hour ago, mzbe said: ;tldr: The 16-35 is the only Leica SL lens that I would consider a letdown and never recommend. It's what I'm finding too but I was hoping to be told otherwise. The Sigma 14/1.8 L mount is of course significantly faster too and optically on a par with the Leica 16-35. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sohail Posted November 29, 2023 Author Share #6 Posted November 29, 2023 4 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said: Consider the Sigma of Leica 14-24.. Unless you have a need for filters. The 16-35 is superb but I find it very difficult to see any difference at the wide end between them. If it's for occasional use then the Sigma is the one to choose. Bonus is that it's much lighter as well. Gordon Thanks, Gordon. Any pictures you can point to about its superbness. Cheers, S Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicholasT Posted November 29, 2023 Share #7 Posted November 29, 2023 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I've owned all three lenses...Leica 16-35, Sigma 14-24 and the Panasonic 16-35 F4 (Certified by Leica). I concur with the assessment that Leica's 16-35 is somewhat overrated and certainly over priced. The Sigma is the best of the 3. However the Sigma is quite large and a heavy lens that doesn't accept filters, which in my case proved to be a deal breaker for its intended use. The Panasonic 16-35 is an outstanding lens. Its an F4 lens versus F2.8 for Sigma but at this focal range in particular not having F2.8 rarely interfere's with light gathering requirements or photographer's creative intent. The IQ difference between the Sigma and Panasonic is negligible and doesn't begin to outweigh the Panasonic 16-35 many virtues. The Panasonic is a light compact lens that is well constructed with excellent handling. It also features the manual clutch which I happen to like and it accepts filters. I have my lens setup with Kase magnetic filters and lens cover, which makes adding polarizer and ND filters in the field a breeze. I sold both the Leica 16-35 and Sigma 14-24. The Panasonic 16-35 is one my favorite lens and doesn't leave my bag. Edited November 29, 2023 by NicholasT 10 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sohail Posted November 29, 2023 Author Share #8 Posted November 29, 2023 10 hours ago, NicholasT said: I've owned all three lenses...Leica 16-35, Sigma 14-24 and the Panasonic 16-35 F4 (Certified by Leica). I concur with the assessment that Leica's 16-35 is somewhat overrated and certainly over priced. The Sigma is the best of the 3. However the Sigma is quite large and a heavy lens that doesn't accept filters, which in my case proved to be a deal breaker for its intended use. The Panasonic 16-35 is an outstanding lens. Its an F4 lens versus F2.8 for Sigma but at this focal range in particular not having F2.8 rarely interfere's with light gathering requirements or photographer's creative intent. The IQ difference between the Sigma and Panasonic is negligible and doesn't begin to outweigh the Panasonic 16-35 many virtues. The Panasonic is a light compact lens that is well constructed with excellent handling. It also features the manual clutch which I happen to like and it accepts filters. I have my lens setup with Kase magnetic filters and lens cover, which makes adding polarizer and ND filters in the field a breeze. I sold both the Leica 16-35 and Sigma 14-24. The Panasonic 16-35 is one my favorite lens and doesn't leave my bag. I'm so pleased you wrote this. You've pretty much convinced me to forget the Leica 16-35. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibramr Posted November 29, 2023 Share #9 Posted November 29, 2023 Greetings. I am very early in the evaluation process of the Sigma 16-28 DG DN f2.8 on SL2 and SL2S. So far, results are satisfactory. I am also enjoying the haptics and the fact that it accepts 72mm filters. Perhaps you would like to give it a consideration. Best regards. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sohail Posted November 30, 2023 Author Share #10 Posted November 30, 2023 (edited) 15 hours ago, ibramr said: Greetings. I am very early in the evaluation process of the Sigma 16-28 DG DN f2.8 on SL2 and SL2S. So far, results are satisfactory. I am also enjoying the haptics and the fact that it accepts 72mm filters. Perhaps you would like to give it a consideration. Best regards. Currently, I don't own any Zoom lenses. The Leica 16-35 might have been the first. I'm curious to hear how they stack up against the ultra-wide primes in an L mount. The 21 APO is I suspect the reference lens for that -- though I'm interested in going wider. Edited November 30, 2023 by Sohail Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplomley Posted November 30, 2023 Share #11 Posted November 30, 2023 The 16-35 for landscape applications stopped down to f/8.0 is okay-ish. Resolution is not fantastic on the edges/corners. I compared it to my 35 APO and, well, I don't use the 16-35 at 35mm any longer. I have yet to try the 21/28 APO, but I can see heading in this direction. I was actually hoping for the 24 APO to complete my trio of APO primes (24-35-75). But seems Leica has dropped the ball on this unfortunately. The 24 Elmar is my favourite landscape lens on my M10-R and M10M, would buy an APO SL version in a heartbeat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sohail Posted November 30, 2023 Author Share #12 Posted November 30, 2023 2 hours ago, jplomley said: The 16-35 for landscape applications stopped down to f/8.0 is okay-ish. Resolution is not fantastic on the edges/corners. I compared it to my 35 APO and, well, I don't use the 16-35 at 35mm any longer. I have yet to try the 21/28 APO, but I can see heading in this direction. I was actually hoping for the 24 APO to complete my trio of APO primes (24-35-75). But seems Leica has dropped the ball on this unfortunately. The 24 Elmar is my favourite landscape lens on my M10-R and M10M, would buy an APO SL version in a heartbeat. I have the 28 APO. Very pleased with it. It's my go-to lens. I'm tempted to get the 21 APO. Much too close. Would be an overkill. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted November 30, 2023 Share #13 Posted November 30, 2023 Regarding the Sigma 14-24; do some test images with it. I tested three version before I was satisfied; the problem is - I guess - related to possible misalignment of lens element(s): One copy was never in focus near the edges, another copy was ok-ish, the third copy was sharp & fine. But after getting the SL21APO, I dont use the zoom anymore... And the Leica 16-35 never became a favoritt of mine, so I sold that lens after a year or so. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filip Baraka Posted January 26, 2024 Share #14 Posted January 26, 2024 Is there a real world comparison between these three lenses with photos, maybe even leica version 14-24 in the mix? Looking into the UW currently and i am stuck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted January 26, 2024 Share #15 Posted January 26, 2024 In the ultra wide angle lenses, sharpness and contrast are as important as they ever are for each photographer’s photography. But distortion becomes a greater issue, relatively speaking. i have the Leica 16-35 and I find distortion quite difficult to manage at the wide end. I discovered this when taking a family group photo from close range. I spent a long time with the Photoshop Adaptive Wide Angle Filter trying to get faces the right shape and bodies the correct length. Is this inherent in all wide angle lenses, or would other lenses manage it better? Are primes better than zooms? Since I don’t use this zoom that often, and then only for certain video recording on a tripod, I’m thinking of replacing it with (eg) a smaller, lighter, cheaper SEM 18, or the Elmarit-R 19 (the 90deg angle of view is useful). Would either of these be better? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planetwide Posted January 27, 2024 Share #16 Posted January 27, 2024 The SL 16-35mm is a superb lens. It shows Leica colours and saturation. 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! 8 1 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/385261-thinking-of-getting-the-leica-super-vario-elmar-sl-16-35mm/?do=findComment&comment=5009368'>More sharing options...
Planetwide Posted January 27, 2024 Share #17 Posted January 27, 2024 (edited) 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! Edited January 27, 2024 by Planetwide 3 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/385261-thinking-of-getting-the-leica-super-vario-elmar-sl-16-35mm/?do=findComment&comment=5009369'>More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted January 28, 2024 Share #18 Posted January 28, 2024 For those now tempted, my SVE SL 16-35 is for sale in the Classified section🙂. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
huwm Posted January 29, 2024 Share #19 Posted January 29, 2024 Have you given the S Pro 16-35 F4 any thought I'm very happy with mine, though I don't have your exacting standards Much lighter and that lovely focus clutch 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted January 29, 2024 Share #20 Posted January 29, 2024 (edited) 5 hours ago, huwm said: Have you given the S Pro 16-35 F4 any thought I'm very happy with mine, though I don't have your exacting standards Much lighter and that lovely focus clutch I will be looking for a SEM 18mm prime - smaller and lighter than either! Or possible a Elmarit-R 19mm Edited January 29, 2024 by LocalHero1953 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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