24-70mm lens

[Knarf]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have recently picked up a SL2-S which I have been using with a Sigma 24mm and a 35mm.

Contemplating getting a 24-70mm lens to use with it, just a case of which one as Ideally I would like to keep the weight down as much as possible. (old git!)

Choices appear to be the Leica Vario Elmarit 24-70mm f 2.8  or the Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 DG DN II also the Sigma 28-70 mm contemporary lens.

From what I gather the Sigma has good reviews and is a little bit lighter

Has anyone tried / used any of them.

Thoughts appreciated. 

 

[Jean-Michel]

The Leica 24-70 and the Sigma 24-70 are essentially identical (I have the Leica-branded one as I was able to get a very good price for my dealer's demo at the time). It is a convenient lens to have.

I have no experience of the 28-70, also available in both brands. 

[Ivar B]

I would go for the Sigma 24-70 mark II. Optically, I see that some reviewers mention that the difference is not that great compared to mark 1, but it is lighter and I guess better dust sealed. Mark 1 and the Leica sibling accumulate a lot of dust due to some design problem. Leica cleaned my lens free of charge, by the way. The 28-70 does not meet the optical quality of the 24-70 as far as I know, but the difference is not great. The compactness of the 28-70 probably comes at a small disadvantage regarding optical quality.

[Chris Nebard]

Congratulations on your SL2-S, wonderful camera. I’m a big fan of Sigma L Mount lenses - particularly the I-Contemporary primes. They’ve turned my SL2-S into a great, portable camera that I take everywhere. I also have the Leica 24-70 VE for event work and, like Ivar B, Leica took it back to clean out the dust of the front element. I would hope that, as this was a problem with the earlier production runs, it might not be such an issue four years later - but who knows. It is a heavy but beautiful lens. I suspect the Sigma 24-70 mkII is, too.

Looks, weight and cost aside, the output of the SL2-S with the 24-70 VE is superb. The 28-70 (both Sigma and Leica) will, I’m sure, be excellent too, but I do like the comfort blanket of the extra 4mm at the wide end.

Either way, a couple of Sigma I Contemporary primes and one of the 24-70s will give you a fantastic setup. Enjoy whatever you choose 👍

Edited September 1 by Chris Nebard

[harbelot]

I had the Sigma 28-70 Contemporary on the SL2-S and it was really good value for money!

And it's lightweight too. It's really sharp and it's a good starter lens, for traveling imho.

But I traded it for a 24-90 and I can feel the difference (luckily !)

[beewee]

I have the 24-90 and coincidentally, I’ve been thinking of getting either the SL 28-70, Sigma 28-70, or Sigma 24-70 ii to save some weight.

From many reviews, looking at sample images, and seeing the MTF curves of the various options in comparison to the SL 24-90, here are their strengths/weaknesses:

• SL 24-90
  • Pro
    • IP Rated dust and weather resistant
    • Arguably sharpest of the group in the center of the frame
      • Edges are also sharp when stopped down for landscapes
    • Chromatic aberrations are well controlled
    • Absolutely no longitudinal chromatic aberrations at closest focus distance at 24mm and 90mm
      • Just ran a test on my copy with the SLs3 out of curiousity
  • Cons
    • Heaviest of the bunch at 1140g
      • If 90mm is a must, then you should factor in the  ~300g for a Sigma 90/2.8 DG DN or ~400g for a Leica 90mm Elmarit-M that you’re saving
    • Sharpness falls off towards edges/corners relative to center when shot wide open
    • Most expensive of the group by a large margin
      • Buy a good used copy and the pain is a little less
    • Some have reported zoom lens creep when the lens is pointed down but my copy doesn’t have this issue at all
    • The lens hood is massive
• SL 24-70
  • Pro
    • IP Rated dust and weather resistant
    • More even sharpness between center of frame and out to corners compared to SL 24-90
    • At least based on available sample images, longitudinal chromatic aberration seems better controlled than Sigma options
  • Cons
    • 2x the price of the Sigma v1
    • Heavier than the Sigmas at 904g and not a huge amount lighter than the SL 24-90
      • Factor in another 300g for a Sigma 90/2.8 or 400g for a Leica 90/2.8 Elmarit-M if you need 90mm
    • Poorer close focus performance compared to Sigma 24-70 ii
• SL 28-70
  • Pro
    • Light and compact at 572g
      • Factor in another 235g for a Sigma 24/3.5 or 365g for a Sigma 24/2 if you need 24mm
      • Factor in another 300g for a Sigma 90/2.8 or 400g for a Leica 90/2.8 Elmarit-M if you need 90mm
    • Very good performance at far distances with good edge/corners performance at far distances
    • IP Rated dust and weather resistant
    • No report of fogging in high humidity environments, as compared to Sigma 28-70
    • Nicest lens hood which will also work on a SL APO 28 if you have one
  • Cons
    • Similar poor close focus performance to Sigma 28-70 with very poor edge performance at closest focusing distance
    • Strong longitudinal chromatic aberration at close focus distances
    • Strong chromatic aberration found in edge of background bokeh blobs when shooting at closer distances
• Sigma 24-70 ii
  • Pro
    • Dust + Splash resistant with improved design
    • Improved corner and edge sharpness over the Sigma 24-70 v1 and SL 24-70 which makes it the best performer on the corners/edges of the entire group
    • Much improved close focus performance relative to other 28-70 and 24-70 options in this list
      • Good on the 24mm end and a bit weaker on the 70mm end at closest focus distance
    • Lighter than everything except the 28-70 at 745g
      • Factor in another 300g for a Sigma 90/2.8 or 400g for a Leica 90/2.8 Elmarit-M if you need 90mm
    • Almost zero focus breathing which can be useful for video
  • Cons
    • Longitudinal chromatic aberration at close focus distances
• Sigma 24-70
  • Pro
    • Dust + Splash resistant
    • More even sharpness between center of frame and out to corners, at least at far distances
    • Very good performance at far distances
  • Cons
    • Heavier than version 2 at 835g
      • Factor in another 300g for a Sigma 90/2.8 or 400g for a Leica 90/2.8 Elmarit-M if you need 90mm
    • Poorer close focus performance compared to version 2
    • Longitudinal chromatic aberration at close focus distances
• Sigma 28-70
  • Pro
    • Lightest of the bunch and compact at 475g
      • Factor in another 235g for a Sigma 24/3.5 or 365g for a Sigma 24/2 if you need 24mm
      • Factor in another 300g for a Sigma 90/2.8 or 400g for a Leica 90/2.8 Elmarit-M if you need 90mm
    • Very good performance at far distances with good edge/corners performance at far distances
  • Cons
    • Minimal dust resistance, gasket by lens mount
    • Poorest close focus performance of the bunch with very poor edge performance at closest focusing distance
    • Strong longitudinal chromatic aberration at close focus distances
    • Strong chromatic aberration found in edge of background bokeh blobs when shooting at closer distances
    • Report of fogging in high humidity environments

 

 

Edited September 1 by beewee

[beewee]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Based on the above information, this is how I would pick.
 

• SL 24-90
  • If you need 24mm and 90mm, especially shooting in inclement weather and especially dusty environments where changing lenses is not advisable
  • If you’re shooting lots of close focus objects with specular highlights like jewellery, watches, chrome accents, dinnerware, etc. where longitudinal chromatic aberration can be a pain
  • If cost, weight, and size is not a concern
• SL 24-70
  • If you need 24mm but not 90mm
  • If you’re not so concerned about edge sharpness at close focus distances
  • If you feel chromatic aberration correction is more important to you than close focus sharpness
  • If you want to keep your costs somewhat sane
  • If you want an IP rated lens and are willing to pay 2x the price of the Sigma version
• Sigma 24-70 ii
  • If you need 24mm but not 90mm
  • If you want the biggest bang for your buck
  • If you’re not shooting things with lots of specular highlights at close focus distances or you’re willing to clean up chromatic aberrations in post processing
  • If you still prioritize sharpness at close distances at the cost of some longitudinal chromatic aberrations
• Sigma 28-70
  • If neither 24mm or 90mm is needed
  • If you prioritize cost, weight, and size and are not concerned with weather/dust resistance
  • You’re not shooting lots of close objects
  • You’re primarily shooting with the aperture stopped down
  • You’re primarily shooting during the day when there’s less strong highlights in the background bokeh
• SL 28-70
  • If you prioritize all the things about the Sigma 28-70 but want better weather/dust resistance and you’re willing to pay 2x the price

 

Neither here or there but if you shoot with filters, the 28-70 uses 67mm filter diameter whereas other zooms use 82mm filters. 67mm filter pairs well with the APO SL line whereas 82mm pairs well with the other SL zooms.

Edited September 1 by beewee

[SudaliuS]

@beewee great research, sir...But now even harder to make a right choice 😃

[tom0511]

Mmmh,

I own the Leica 24-70 and 24-90 but use the 2490 more often. I like the range and feel the rendering is a bit more "special". I often leave the hood off, except in bad weather or extreme light. If I want something compact I use my D-Lux 8.

But I also just use the SL3 with a 35mm prime and maybe bring a second prime, leave the zoom at home.

[Archiver]

Have you considered the recently released Panasonic 24-60mm f2.8? It lacks that extra bit of reach of a 24-70, but is lighter, smaller, weather/dust resistant, and the focus ring turns in the same way as the original Leica zooms. It has the fastest AF motors of any L mount zoom at this time with the possible exception of the Sigma 24-70 II, and it has image quality reportedly close to the amazing Panasonic 24-70mm Pro lens.

The Leica 24-70mm is essentially the same as the original Sigma 24-70 DG DN, with dust suction and even heavier. I like the idea but not those downsides. I'd prefer the Panasonic 24-60 or Leica 28-70 for a lighter and more weather/dust resistant standard zoom.

[Tirpitz666]

As cited by Archiver, I would recommend the Panasonic 24-70 F2.8 S Pro, that to me remains a very compelling alternative even to the mighty 24-90, especially at the very good prices that can now be found used.

I did a long research myself to buy a normal fast zoom for my SL2s and at the end I went for it and couldn't be happier in terms of overall IQ and rendering, as the web wisdom the being "certified by Leica" is the closest in rendering to the 24-90 turned out to be true (at least to my eyes): I did a lot of side by side shots @70mm F2.8 with the Panasonic and "simulating" the 24-90 @90mm F4 with my Leica 90-280 (which is supposedly even a tad better than the 24-90 at the same FL and anyway it was also stopped down one stop) and the resulting pictures were strikingly similar in terms of overall rendering, "presence", overall tonality and also sharpness.

If bulk and weight is not a factor in the choice (and anyway is in line with the 24-90), for me it's a keeper and I'm completely satisfied with my choice (also considering that basically in like new shape I bought it for less than half the price that a good copy of the 24-90 usually goes). BTW, AF even on the SL2s is remarkably fast and reliable, I was very positively surprised by that.

Edited September 11 by Tirpitz666

[Jptsr1]

I have the OG Sigma 24-70. If you go this route make sure you get one with the updated baffle and gasket. You can find the serial number range with a Google search.  Dust was a real issue with the early runs. I love the lens but its a monster in terms of weight. I mostly just walk around with the 35mm unless I know for sure I'll need the 24-70. Its just too heavy. Even the 35 f2 and 90 2.8 in the bag feel lighter than the Sigma. 

[Chris Nebard]

10 hours ago, Jptsr1 said:

I have the OG Sigma 24-70. If you go this route make sure you get one with the updated baffle and gasket. You can find the serial number range with a Google search.  Dust was a real issue with the early runs. I love the lens but it’s a monster in terms of weight. I mostly just walk around with the 35mm unless I know for sure I'll need the 24-70. It’s just too heavy. Even the 35 f2 and 90 2.8 in the bag feel lighter than the Sigma. 

If you’re a wedding/event photographer, then any of the Leica or Sigma 24-70s or 28-70s will be excellent (my 24-70 V Elmar hasn’t let me down in 4 years - wonderful lens).  As you suggest, however, if I’m on the street or travelling, then a couple of Sigma i contemporary primes are my definite preference (maybe with a m/f M lens thrown in). I really enjoy the 24mm f3.5, 35mm f2 and the 45 f2.8.

May I ask, how do you find the 90mm f2.8? I think it might be the next i Contemporary I buy to accompany any one of the above as a 2 lens kit for wandering around with my SL2-S. Sincere apologies if this is veering off topic.

Cheers, Chris.  

[Steve Dworman]

Hi everyone. I have owned the Leica 24-90 since I purchased the SL1 - 3. The lens is incredible and I love the pictures from it. That being said, I was looking for something lighter to walk around with. I tested the Leica 24-70 in the store, but ended up purchasing Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 DG DN II .  The sigma locks focus much faster than the Leica. I've constantly been amazed at how fast it locks focus going from one object to another. In looking at the images at 200% they are razor sharp. The lens color is slightly different than the Leica, but a tweak or too in Lighroom and you'd never know. I'm very happy with the images and for the cost, I think you will be too.

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!