Vario-Elmar SL 100-400 mm

[jimleicam3]

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I am looking for a longer focal length for wildlife.  The 90-280 mm is an outstanding lens, but out of my price range.  Any comments on the 100-400 would be wonderful.

Cheers.

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[Psrkn]

I had an opportunity to use it on one event with a Leica SL2-S pair with Leica 100-400mm and attached with X1.4 TC. The equality output is great. The lens is built with high quality and light. The tripod collar works well. The con for the lens is there's no lens lock.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Good lens but not quite to the 90-280. Optically the same as the Sigma version but better built and heavier. Some quality control issues. I returned my first copy. The second is much better but still not better than the Sigma which I also own. Works well with the teleconverter. Balances well on the SL2 bodies. No switches and stuff that the Sigma has.

Generally when travelling I take this for the extra reach but at home and for short walks I prefer the 90-280 for the IQ.

Gordon

[jaapv]

8 hours ago, jimleicam3 said:

I am looking for a longer focal length for wildlife.  The 90-280 mm is an outstanding lens, but out of my price range.  Any comments on the 100-400 would be wonderful.

Cheers.

For wildlife* the 90-280 is on the short side. The 100-400 is better, but you really want the Sigma 60-600

* Depends on the type of wildlife of course 😉

[Ivar B]

I sold my Sigma 100-400 and got the 150-600. Not because the 100-400 was a poor performer, but I value up to 600mm. I believe some users have said that the 150-600 is the better lens, but I have not detected much difference. 

[Shawn30]

I took the SL 100-400 on a float trip and I was really happy with the image quality and auto focus. I had the Sigma 100-400 and my copy had serious auto focus issues. My only complaint is about the lens hood. If you put it on backwards to have it with you, but not use it, you can’t zoom. A zoom lock would be handy.

[michali]

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On 12/18/2023 at 2:42 AM, jaapv said:

For wildlife* the 90-280 is on the short side. The 100-400 is better, but you really want the Sigma 60-600

* Depends on the type of wildlife of course 😉

I still have the Leica 90-280mm, had the Sigma 100-400mm, sold it & bought the Sigma 150-600mm, sold it & now have the Sigma 60-600mm which is an exceptional lens, versatile & very sharp, albeit heavy.

It works for an elephant close up in the 60mm to 100mm range, or a small Striped Kingfisher further away @ 600mm.  The 90-280mm is hardly seeing any use.

Zuka Game reserve S Africa, earlier this week. SL2-S & Sigma 60-600mm

(please click on images for better res.)

Sigma 60-600mm @ 85mm

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Sigma 60-600mm @ 600mm

 

Edited December 23, 2023 by michali

[henryb]

On 12/23/2023 at 2:34 AM, michali said:

I still have the Leica 90-280mm, had the Sigma 100-400mm, sold it & bought the Sigma 150-600mm, sold it & now have the Sigma 60-600mm which is an exceptional lens, versatile & very sharp, albeit heavy.

It works for an elephant close up in the 60mm to 100mm range, or a small Striped Kingfisher further away @ 600mm.  The 90-280mm is hardly seeing any use.

Zuka Game reserve S Africa, earlier this week. SL2-S & Sigma 60-600mm

(please click on images for better res.)

Sigma 60-600mm @ 85mm

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

 

Sigma 60-600mm @ 600mm

 

Last year I used the sigma 150-600 with the 1.4 converter on my SL2-S for birds with pretty good results.  Is the 60-600 sharper? Did you use the 1.4 with it? Would I be better off with the SL2 for more ability to crop my files? Thanks

[michali]

6 hours ago, henryb said:

Last year I used the sigma 150-600 with the 1.4 converter on my SL2-S for birds with pretty good results.  Is the 60-600 sharper? Did you use the 1.4 with it? Would I be better off with the SL2 for more ability to crop my files? Thanks

The Sigma 60-600mm is slightly sharper, however the main reason I switched from the 150-600mm, was the versatility of the added focal length on the wider side. It makes a big difference for my type of photography. I always carry 2 bodies, SL2 & SL2-S, both set up identically & use them interchangeably.

The 1.4x TC gives you the added reach when you need it, which I personally don't think cropping will always give you & the SL2-S images are cleaner than the SL2. I wouldn't go out & buy an SL2, IMO you should be fine with the SL2-S & 1.4x TC.

Here are some images with the SL2-S  &  SL2 & Sigma 60-600mm & 1.4x TC 

(please click on images for better res.) 

SL2-S  Sigma 60-600mm & 1.4x TC = 840mm in very low light, 35% crop, with some noise reduction & sharpening added in pp.

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SL2 & 60-600mm & 1.4x TC.  This Snake Eagle was across a valley quite some distance away. Full frame @ 840mm in low light.

 

50% crop of above image, with some noise reduction & sharpening added in pp.

[drjonb]

 

Sigma 60-600 around 840 with 1.4x TC Parakeet

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[drjonb]

Sigma 60-600 around 840mm

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[drjonb]

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[davidmknoble]

Here is a thread on the 1.4 extender

 

[davidmknoble]

This is a thread on the lens when it first came out. 

 

[jaapv]

On 12/23/2023 at 9:34 AM, michali said:

I still have the Leica 90-280mm, had the Sigma 100-400mm, sold it & bought the Sigma 150-600mm, sold it & now have the Sigma 60-600mm which is an exceptional lens, versatile & very sharp, albeit heavy.

It works for an elephant close up in the 60mm to 100mm range, or a small Striped Kingfisher further away @ 600mm.  The 90-280mm is hardly seeing any use.

Zuka Game reserve S Africa, earlier this week. SL2-S & Sigma 60-600mm

(please click on images for better res.)

Sigma 60-600mm @ 85mm

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!

 

Sigma 60-600mm @ 600mm

 

For me, the combination of the 150-600 (on 1411TC) on my S5ii with battery grip with the new 70-200 on my SL is ideal. Weight is distributed over two shoulders, the 70-200 is the sharpest Sigma telezoom and very fast AF. 2.8 makes for effortless low light shooting. 
The 60-600 is a bit unwieldy for me.