SL 24-90 - still a good option today?

[jlinwinter]

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I have a chance to get a used 24-90 for 2900 USD - seems like a good deal, but I'm not entirely sure I can handle the weight

I've used my SL and SL2 with M mount lenses for the 3 years I've been with this system, and I'm both wanting the 24-90 for the fantastic images as well as dreading the drastic increase in weight (after carrying featherweight M lenses)...

[harbelot]

7 minutes ago, jlinwinter said:

I have a chance to get a used 24-90 for 2900 USD - seems like a good deal, but I'm not entirely sure I can handle the weight

I've used my SL and SL2 with M mount lenses for the 3 years I've been with this system, and I'm both wanting the 24-90 for the fantastic images as well as dreading the drastic increase in weight (after carrying featherweight M lenses)...

For sure, it's the complete opposite both in use and size.. When I want to be lowkey, I use R lenses on the SL2-S. It's fantastic for sure, now it's up to your shooting style.

[LocalHero1953]

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Edited October 7 by LocalHero1953

[Luke_Miller]

7 hours ago, jlinwinter said:

I have a chance to get a used 24-90 for 2900 USD - seems like a good deal, but I'm not entirely sure I can handle the weight

It is one of my most used lenses.  I don't have an issue with the weight, but it is what I am used to. I'm sure you will be happy with its performance. At the price offered you can likely resell it if it does not work for you.  I find I shoot differently when using a zoom lens.  I do not use it as a variable prime lens.  That is, I don't set it to a specific focal length and then walk around shooting at that setting.  As an event shooter I need to shoot quickly and the zoom feature gets me the framing I want without having to change location.  With primes I have to move which slows me down. So there are generally perspective differences between my zoom and prime images.

[Photon42]

I think size and weight is fine overall, if you consider what the lens covers. Along with the camera, we are talking about 2kg in hand, of course. Flexibility is great, however. I do not have a problem with the weight. Maybe check out this video: 

 

 

[Homo Faber]

For me, the 24-90 is still the best lens for the SL (the 50mm is a close second). A genuine Leica product – large and heavy, but magical in terms of image quality and excellent in terms of feel. The other ‘rebranded’ zooms can't compete with that. Sure, other lenses may have better technical specs, for example in terms of edge sharpness, but if you don't really need that (and who really does?), the 24-90 captures light in a way that I think is fantastic. And when the light is right, it produces great images full of character, beautiful colours, plasticity and that certain something.

 

[Olaf_ZG]

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Last month I photographed two events and an editorial. Didn’t plan this, but it happened. The 24-90 shined. I love to photograph with primes, but then, for events, this means I need at least two cameras.

I sold off almost my complete SL system, but I kept a SL2 because of my love for the SL lux.  In the last moment I also decided to keep the 24-90, just in case I might need to do an event or I want to go out in bad weather. So glad I kept it. 

It is so much more versatile than a 28-70… the extra mm’s are useful, and its rendering is gorgeous.
 

 

[harbelot]

This lens is superlative.

With a good strap, it can be used all day long.
It only lacks stealth on the street, otherwise..

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[LeicaR10]

Olaf_ZG,   I agree with you about the SL 24-90 and bad weather.  The lens IMO, is truly amazing from a rendering and performance perspective.  The weather sealing really helps in less than favorable weather and climates.  Mine has gone with me from Antarctica to Borneo and many places in between.  It has never failed me in any climate or environment.  Same goes for the SL2 and SL2-S.  For me, the weight is not an issue either.  I found the SL 24-90 renders landscapes as I see them, and that for me is the bottomline at the end of the day.  r/ Mark

[helged]

On 10/13/2025 at 3:20 AM, LeicaR10 said:

Olaf_ZG,   I agree with you about the SL 24-90 and bad weather.  The lens IMO, is truly amazing from a rendering and performance perspective.  The weather sealing really helps in less than favorable weather and climates.  Mine has gone with me from Antarctica to Borneo and many places in between.  It has never failed me in any climate or environment.  Same goes for the SL2 and SL2-S.  For me, the weight is not an issue either.  I found the SL 24-90 renders landscapes as I see them, and that for me is the bottomline at the end of the day.  r/ Mark

+1. Thinking about it, SL21, SL24-90 and the utterly beautiful (and underrated?) SL50Lux would cover most of my type of photography. For macro, I would use the bitingly sharp Sigma 105mm DG DN. On the longer end, Sigma (and Leica) 70-200mm and Sigma 500mm DG DN are all great.

Re L-mount bodies, I really miss one with fast sensor read-out speed (preferably sub 10 ms), facilitating electronic shutter for most moving subjects. It will come, but a little disappointing that Panasonic and Leica is lagging here.

Edited October 14 by helged

[harbelot]

I can confirm the 24-90 is still a good option today.

And finally perfectly manageable for a trip.
It fact, it's maybe the only lens you'll need, can face almost every situation with ease.

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[LeicaR10]

Habelot,  I agree.  For many needing or wanting one SL lens the SL 24-90 covers many genres of photography.   r/ Mark  

[marknorton]

I hope so! Just today ordered one to add to my collection of 34 M and R lenses. Waiting for an SL3, will use my old T in the meantime! I’m very attracted by the possibility of using those M and R lenses on the SL3. 

[Olaf_ZG]

Martina on the SL2. Despite having the range of 24-90 available, I took this around 50mm. Obviously 50mm is how I see the world. 
 

The 24-90 is extremely versatile and also a good portrait lens.

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[dkCambridgeshire]

The SL 24-90mm can be used with impunity at full aperture throughout its zoom range. It's heavy but worth the carrying effort. Those having any doubts as to whether they should acquire the lens should consider 'try before you buy' – and not be shy about full aperture use. 

[harbelot]

The only drawback with the 24-90 is you don't really need any other lens in this range
I mean it. Of course APO's are better, but at what cost and practicality ?
Real question asked.

That's why I use only R vintage lens with it, to bring something different and light weight of course.

[Photon42]

On 11/6/2025 at 10:29 AM, marknorton said:

I hope so! Just today ordered one to add to my collection of 34 M and R lenses. Waiting for an SL3, will use my old T in the meantime! I’m very attracted by the possibility of using those M and R lenses on the SL3. 

Using M lenses on the SL system is great and finally pushed me over to sell the Nikon Z + lenses. On the last vacation I took the 24-90 with some primes. About 70% of the shots were done with the 24-90. There are only two areas where I can see primes for what I do: A special look / very shallow depth of field and compactness - both a good use case for M lenses. Image quality of the 24-90 is definitely good enough for everything except maybe some extreme cases.

Maybe get a second / third battery with SL3. And if you don't need IBIS, switch it off. It makes quite a difference in energy consumption. There is an R to M adapter available (also from Novoflex), which may be a good alternative to the relatively expensive and clunky R to L adapter from Leica.

[marknorton]

On 11/11/2025 at 7:17 AM, Photon42 said:

Using M lenses on the SL system is great and finally pushed me over to sell the Nikon Z + lenses. On the last vacation I took the 24-90 with some primes. About 70% of the shots were done with the 24-90. There are only two areas where I can see primes for what I do: A special look / very shallow depth of field and compactness - both a good use case for M lenses. Image quality of the 24-90 is definitely good enough for everything except maybe some extreme cases.

Maybe get a second / third battery with SL3. And if you don't need IBIS, switch it off. It makes quite a difference in energy consumption. There is an R to M adapter available (also from Novoflex), which may be a good alternative to the relatively expensive and clunky R to L adapter from Leica.

Interested in your comment about the R to L adapter. Definitely expensive. The M to L adapter has the sensor to read the lens bar code which is good but I’m wondering what, if anything, the R to L adapter offers? 

[harbelot]

1 hour ago, marknorton said:

Interested in your comment about the R to L adapter. Definitely expensive. The M to L adapter has the sensor to read the lens bar code which is good but I’m wondering what, if anything, the R to L adapter offers? 

Doesn't worth it imho. (820 euros!!) that's more than 10x the cost of third party adapter.. better buy some glass instead.

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[uber]

I'm a long time M and R user.  I now own an SL2 and use SL zooms, M and R lenses with respective adapters.  The R to L adapter transfers data as the M to L adapter does.

Expensive but pretty seamless.  I use the R 50mm 1.4, 100mm 2.8 Elmarit Macro and the 180 2.8 Apo on the SL2.  All great.  The 24-90 SL zoom is superb.  The trade off of weight and speed for convenience, autofocus and weather seal.  Using an autofocus zoom demands a different skill set than just using a manual R or M lens.  All are great.