Leica SL 100-400 vs Sigma sibling

[jaapv]

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44 minutes ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

That's not Leica though. No matter how much they'd like to think they are. I'd like to hear it from a Leica rep. I'm in the store next week I'll ask if they can confirm or not.

Gordon

He does not say that there is any electronic integration between OIS and IBIS which is the essence of the various variants of Dual IS.Nor does he mention the word Dual IS.
Also the numbers of respectively 5 and 6 stops suggest that IBIS only refines the OIS independently. Otherwise the difference would be larger.
Other brands are far beyond that point offering up to eIS. 

[Don Morley]

On 1/28/2024 at 6:06 PM, Boojay said:

It could be as simple as deciding between 1530 or 1135 grams.   I can't say I've ever tried the Leica version, or would want to, but having had three copies of the Sigma, there is some sample variation, so whichever lens you go with a hope you get lucky, my current one is spot on for me, happy user.

Maybe I just got lucky, but I have owned the Sigma version ever since it first came out, and have been amazed by my lenses superb definition, first class AF, and so valuable IS meaning I can hand hold it at what quite often are ridiculously low shutter speeds. All in I regard it as being far superior for instance than my Canon 100-400 top end L Series lenses. Don

[ALScott]

Here is my 100-400 vario and first shots with SL3. Animal detect worked and it looks sharp to me at 400.  Straight from fotos and phone to here if it looks terrible thats why. First time doing this. 

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Edited May 16, 2024 by ALScott

[tom0511]

Am 14.3.2024 um 01:42 schrieb FlashGordonPhotography:

 

 

If you want weather sealing to match the SL3 get the Leica. That's the main difference. Contemporary lenses skimp on the weather sealing.

Focus is the same on both.

Most modern lenses are OK in less than stellar weather but you'll need to take more care with the Sigma. The weather sealing is the only reason to choose the Leica over the Sigma.

Personally, I always choose the Leica when I travel. I say I'm going to take the Sigma but I never pack it.

Gordon

Gordon,

I wonder why you own and keep both, the Sigma and the Leica?

Here I can get the Sigma new for less than 40% of the price of the Leica. Also its quite a bit lighter.

But I havent made up my mind yet.

For IQ I love the 90-280 and for slowly moving things this lens works fast enough. But stil now I own the SL3 I would also like a lens that tooks advantage of the faster AF.

 

[TeleElmar135mm]

vor 29 Minuten schrieb tom0511:

Gordon,

I wonder why you own and keep both, the Sigma and the Leica?

Here I can get the Sigma new for less than 40% of the price of the Leica. Also its quite a bit lighter.

But I havent made up my mind yet.

For IQ I love the 90-280 and for slowly moving things this lens works fast enough. But stil now I own the SL3 I would also like a lens that tooks advantage of the faster AF.

 

... the decision could get more difficult. Leica rumors said that ther will be a 70-200 from Leica with a 2xEntender. It could be the Panasonic or Sigma rebrand or a "real Leica". I bet it's not the last, it's the Sigma ... and the Sigma AF is fast.

[tom0511]

vor 1 Minute schrieb TeleElmar135mm:

... the decision could get more difficult. Leica rumors said that ther will be a 70-200 from Leica with a 2xEntender. It could be the Panasonic or Sigma rebrand or a "real Leica". I bet it's not the last, it's the Sigma ... and the Sigma AF is fast.

Yes, I also read this rumour in the internet.

I have searched if anyone compared the SIgma 70-200/2.8 +TC2.0 vs the 100-400 in regards of AF and IQ.

In the case of the 70-200 the Sigma is allready a weatherproof and solid lens design, so if Leica would bring a sibbling of the Sigma the question is how much / what will it offer over the Sigma version.

I still hope we will also see some Leica own designed Telelenses with faster AF in the future.

 

 

[TeleElmar135mm]

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vor 21 Minuten schrieb tom0511:

Yes, I also read this rumour in the internet.

I have searched if anyone compared the SIgma 70-200/2.8 +TC2.0 vs the 100-400 in regards of AF and IQ.

In the case of the 70-200 the Sigma is allready a weatherproof and solid lens design, so if Leica would bring a sibbling of the Sigma the question is how much / what will it offer over the Sigma version.

I still hope we will also see some Leica own designed Telelenses with faster AF in the future.

... the hope (for a own design) dies last ... but how Bruce Willis said: Die Hard (in Germany the Title was : Die slowly (Stirb langsam).

As nice as it would be, I think it will be the Sigma - min. double the price and plus 1/3 of weight ...

[JTLeica]

I bought a 100-400 a week ago, the Leica version, with the knowledge that it is just a sigma lens. I dont like the weight of it, but I love the performance. It happens to be sharp more or less corner to corner without any fall off on one side. I have had so many zoom lenses that are weaker on one side (de-centred), I am very pleased this doesnt.

I have read however that the Sigma is only weather sealed at the mount, whereas the leica is fully sealed. Coatings might be different too, I expect they are. But it is just a sigma lens, a good one though. Going to do a few more upper body weights to compensate.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

1 hour ago, tom0511 said:

Gordon,

I wonder why you own and keep both, the Sigma and the Leica?

Here I can get the Sigma new for less than 40% of the price of the Leica. Also its quite a bit lighter.

But I havent made up my mind yet.

For IQ I love the 90-280 and for slowly moving things this lens works fast enough. But stil now I own the SL3 I would also like a lens that tooks advantage of the faster AF.

 

I was supposed to decide which one to keep and sell the other. Haven’t done the second bit.

I’ll be keeping the Leica because of the weather sealing. Optics are the same.

Gordon

[tom0511]

vor 7 Minuten schrieb TeleElmar135mm:

... the hope (for a own design) dies last ... but how Bruce Willis said: Die Hard (in Germany the Title was : Die slowly (Stirb langsam).

As nice as it would be, I think it will be the Sigma - min. double the price and plus 1/3 of weight ...

Yes, Cant they just make the 90-280 in a faster version which accepts a TC? The flexibility and optics of this lens are superb.

[TeleElmar135mm]

vor 37 Minuten schrieb tom0511:

Yes, Cant they just make the 90-280 in a faster version which accepts a TC? The flexibility and optics of this lens are superb.

Yes, they can - but they don't want to... why put a lot of money into development if they can do the same with the "rebranded". It was (almost) always like that with the Varios... (Acquisition Rule #1 from the Ferengi).

And yes, the 90-280 is superb but the Sigmas (and Pansonics) are very close - closer than 20 Years ago. And that is/could be the reason why a development that brings a (significant) increase can be uneconomical in this focal length range.

[tom0511]

Yes, but the last little bit of optical quality is one reason for many to buy a Leica system.

if you read reviews about the Sigma 100-400 they say its a good lens, eventually slider weaker, but nearly as good than their counterparts from Canon/Nikon/Sony.

So no doubt the 100-400 is good and I might end up with one, but I am not superhappy with the strategy.

I would hope for both options, some rebranded lenses , but also some Leica designs. How they did with the APO-Summicrons. And I wish original Leica designs to not focus slower than the Sigma designs. But ...these are just my wishes.

 

 

[jaapv]

39 minutes ago, tom0511 said:

Yes, I also read this rumour in the internet.

I have searched if anyone compared the SIgma 70-200/2.8 +TC2.0 vs the 100-400 in regards of AF and IQ.

In the case of the 70-200 the Sigma is allready a weatherproof and solid lens design, so if Leica would bring a sibbling of the Sigma the question is how much / what will it offer over the Sigma version.

I still hope we will also see some Leica own designed Telelenses with faster AF in the future.

 

 

I have the Sigma and the IQ is superb. The AF is the best of all Sigma lenses. It is well-weatherproofed and built like a tank; I think a Leica version would offer very few advantages, if any, and would have the drawbacks of weight and price.

[tom0511]

vor 5 Minuten schrieb jaapv:

I have the Sigma and the IQ is superb. The AF is the best of all Sigma lenses. It is well-weatherproofed and built like a tank; I think a Leica version would offer very few advantages, if any, and would have the drawbacks of weight and price.

Have you had a chance to use it with TC2.0 ?

[jaapv]

No, only the 1.4x, that is flawless. I have no reason to think that the 2x will be different.

[Virob]

7 hours ago, tom0511 said:

 

For IQ I love the 90-280 and for slowly moving things this lens works fast enough. But stil now I own the SL3 I would also like a lens that tooks advantage of the faster AF.

 

Does the 100-400 focus any faster than the 90-280? 

If Leica remakes the Sigma 70-200/2.8 it likely with have the faster motor, but will it retain the aperture ring? 🧐. Could make for an interesting difference

[jaapv]

Not really likely, as the lens already has dual linear motors, on of. the fastest focusing lenses in its class.

[erudolph]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

I have the Sigma and the IQ is superb. The AF is the best of all Sigma lenses. It is well-weatherproofed and built like a tank; I think a Leica version would offer very few advantages, if any, and would have the drawbacks of weight and price.

@jaapv, are you referring to the 70-200 or the 100-400 as the lens you own?

[jaapv]

70-200 I was referring to post #53ff

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[erudolph]

I've tested the 100-400 and was impressed but was unsure if I had an extra-good copy.  Would anyone care to compare the quality of the 70-200 to the 100-400?