SL lenses at low temperature

[Alvin Greis]

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Before summer starts, I have a question about frosts. Could you help me with that?

How Vario and APO lenses made for SL-cameras perform in weather conditions I prefer to name 'normal'? It's about -5-10C and less, what is typical for Finland. I heard new SL3 tested and ready to work in this temperatures, but I couldn't find information about the lenses.

[frame-it]

 

 

 

[Alvin Greis]

1 hour ago, frame-it said:

 

 

 

It’s very nice commercial, thank you 

[LeicaR10]

Alvin Greis,   I use the SL system at both poles of the earth and never had an issue with the SL lenses in the extreme cold.  Here is a forum thread that users have written their experiences with the SL cameras and lenses in temperatures you wrote in your OP thread.  If you want the official Leica SL lens operating temperature range, I suggest you email Leica Customer Care and ask them the question.  It may take a few days for Leica Customer Care to respond, but they do so.  I only use the SL2 and M10 cameras and lenses in the extreme cold and cannot vouch for the SL3.  r/ Mark

Try Leica Customer Care email:  customer.care@leica-camera.com

Try:  

PS  There are forum members who live in northern Norway and you can drop them a PM.  One member who comes to mind has the Forum handle:  Helged   You can find him in the SL2 or SL3 image thread or forum members.  I am certain, he will be happy to give you his first hand experiences as well. 

Edited April 20, 2024 by LeicaR10

[Stuart Richardson]

No problem with S, SL or M lenses in the cold here in Iceland for the last twenty years...we don't get much below -15C or -20C though. If anything happens,  I think the worst you might get is a bit of squeaking in the manual focus ring on the SL APO Summicrons, as they are already a bit tight and prone to it in some cases. If it is really cold and they stabilize to that temp, they might be a bit stiff. But I don't recall it happening to me. That is not something that would affect the movement of the AF or internal components.

Edited April 20, 2024 by Stuart Richardson

[Alvin Greis]

On 4/20/2024 at 8:07 AM, LeicaR10 said:

It may take a few days for Leica Customer Care to respond, but they do so.  

Unfortunately I still have no answer from them a week after

[LeicaR10]

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Alvin,   They are sometimes sloooowwww.  But they will reply.   But you can call them too.  Germany +49 6441 2080 - 189.  r/ Mark  

[hoolyproductions]

On 4/19/2024 at 11:03 PM, Alvin Greis said:

Before summer starts, I have a question about frosts. Could you help me with that?

How Vario and APO lenses made for SL-cameras perform in weather conditions I prefer to name 'normal'? It's about -5-10C and less, what is typical for Finland. I heard new SL3 tested and ready to work in this temperatures, but I couldn't find information about the lenses.

Hi. I'm also in Finland and have been using my SL2-S many times for extended periods in approx. -15oC, and a handful of times in -20 to -30. No problems so far and I wouldn't expect the SL3 to be much different. So far this has mainly been with the 24-90mm, sometimes also with the 90-280mm. I tend to avoid prime lenses in these conditions to avoid getting snow or condensation on the sensor (changing lenses).