Leica 28-70 vs 24-70

[Jeff S]

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48 minutes ago, Stuart Richardson said:

 If you want to photograph while it is actually raining heavily for long periods, then get a sealed camera/lens combo. I will certainly say that if you are in very bad conditions, a sealed combo is nice because then you don't have to think about it. saying nothing can go wrong, just that I think people worry about it a bit too much. 

 

Mostly this.  I don’t disagree with anything you’ve written, having photographed since 1974, using 11 different brands up to large format, and having had very few issues using common sense.  I do worry more, however, using modern day electronic gear.
 

Living in a place like Iceland is also different than being the guy who needs to squeeze in a week’s vacation from afar, and is just out and about regardless of weather, not wanting to miss any picture opportunities.  I’ve known @georgecp for over 30 years and he’s wise enough to use common sense and to take precautions.  But I also know he appreciated using his sealed SL kit during his week’s adventure.

For anyone embarking on a similar trip using Sigma lenses, all I’d say is that the Pro lens lineup should bring more peace of mind than the Contemporary lenses.  Leica should be commended for being unusual, if not unique, by its IP ratings for certain gear.

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[Archiver]

If Sigma lenses are not for you, then perhaps look elsewhere for a zoom lens. The 28-70 is a Sigma lens built to a Leica shell design, perhaps with Leica's lens coating. The Gaston Shutters YouTube review suggests that the Leica version is robustly weather resistant. An alternative would be the newly released Panasonic 24-60mm f2.8, which lacks in reach but makes up in width. I'm a fan of Sigma lenses so I'm thinking about either the Sigma, Leica or Panasonic short zooms.

[jaapv]

2 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Mostly this.  I don’t disagree with anything you’ve written, having photographed since 1974, using 11 different brands up to large format, and having had very few issues using common sense.  I do worry more, however, using modern day electronic gear.
 

Living in a place like Iceland is also different than being the guy who needs to squeeze in a week’s vacation from afar, and is just out and about regardless of weather, not wanting to miss any picture opportunities.  I’ve known @georgecp for over 30 years and he’s wise enough to use common sense and to take precautions.  But I also know he appreciated using his sealed SL kit during his week’s adventure.

For anyone embarking on a similar trip using Sigma lenses, all I’d say is that the Pro lens lineup should bring more peace of mind than the Contemporary lenses.  Leica should be commended for being unusual, if not unique, by its IP ratings for certain gear.

But not for most lenses…. If you want to be sure you need an XU or an iPhone (IP68) 

[jaapv]

1 hour ago, Archiver said:

If Sigma lenses are not for you, then perhaps look elsewhere for a zoom lens. The 28-70 is a Sigma lens built to a Leica shell design, perhaps with Leica's lens coating. The Gaston Shutters YouTube review suggests that the Leica version is robustly weather resistant. An alternative would be the newly released Panasonic 24-60mm f2.8, which lacks in reach but makes up in width. I'm a fan of Sigma lenses so I'm thinking about either the Sigma, Leica or Panasonic short zooms.

The problem with that review is that it shows internal condensation which can happen to any lens in those conditions, weathersealed or not. Weathersealing is for water ingress, not air movement or temperature change. 

[HPFM]

Interesting discussion for me! I´m looking for a solution (equipment)  for my next trip up to Norway in February 2026 (Lofoten). Most of my trips had indeed weight restrictions for cabin baggage 8 kg (SAS, Air Greenland e.g) so I used a compagnon-bag (30l) and 2 bodies (SL3, SL3-s), lenses 24-90, 100-400, batteries and a MacBook Air - ups!!! 8 kg?? Result: discussion with the guy from Air Greenland 😬 for the way to Nuuk. Now considering the 16-18-21 for wide angle and the 100-400, perhaps the 28-70 Leica version.... As I learned: weight is everything😀

[Jeff S]

48 minutes ago, jaapv said:

But not for most lenses…. If you want to be sure you need an XU or an iPhone (IP68) 

But there are different degrees of sealing, which Roger Cicala has clearly demonstrated with his various lens tear downs, including some from Leica.  

[jaapv]

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22 minutes ago, HPFM said:

Interesting discussion for me! I´m looking for a solution (equipment)  for my next trip up to Norway in February 2026 (Lofoten). Most of my trips had indeed weight restrictions for cabin baggage 8 kg (SAS, Air Greenland e.g) so I used a compagnon-bag (30l) and 2 bodies (SL3, SL3-s), lenses 24-90, 100-400, batteries and a MacBook Air - ups!!! 8 kg?? Result: discussion with the guy from Air Greenland 😬 for the way to Nuuk. Now considering the 16-18-21 for wide angle and the 100-400, perhaps the 28-70 Leica version.... As I learned: weight is everything😀

You are allowed to carry  a "small camera" besides your carry-on. I take one camera and not-too-large but heavy lens and hang it around my neck. 

[HPFM]

Exactly the solution i discussed with Air Greenland…. I‘ll put my Sl3 out and around my neck-as result he „gave up“ and i went onboard😀 But: 8 kg are a heavy restriction for my preferred Leica equipment….😂

[Stuart Richardson]

3 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Mostly this.  I don’t disagree with anything you’ve written, having photographed since 1974, using 11 different brands up to large format, and having had very few issues using common sense.  I do worry more, however, using modern day electronic gear.
 

Living in a place like Iceland is also different than being the guy who needs to squeeze in a week’s vacation from afar, and is just out and about regardless of weather, not wanting to miss any picture opportunities.  I’ve known @georgecp for over 30 years and he’s wise enough to use common sense and to take precautions.  But I also know he appreciated using his sealed SL kit during his week’s adventure.

For anyone embarking on a similar trip using Sigma lenses, all I’d say is that the Pro lens lineup should bring more peace of mind than the Contemporary lenses.  Leica should be commended for being unusual, if not unique, by its IP ratings for certain gear.

Yes, I agree with you. I also appreciated my S camera here and my SL and apo summicrons now. It is all about common sense. The cameras are not going to self-destruct if they get damp, but I do get a bit triggered when people are like “you can’t use an unsealed camera in Iceland” because it is patently false. I am not saying you said exactly that either, but I have read it before and seen it in youtube etc. 

[Jeff S]

23 minutes ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Yes, I agree with you. I also appreciated my S camera here and my SL and apo summicrons now. It is all about common sense. The cameras are not going to self-destruct if they get damp, but I do get a bit triggered when people are like “you can’t use an unsealed camera in Iceland” because it is patently false. I am not saying you said exactly that either, but I have read it before and seen it in youtube etc. 

Yup, I’ve used unsealed cameras most of my life in all kinds of weather, and common sense prevails.  The S and SL systems, however, offer better protection and peace of mind than many other choices. In my old age, my best defense against inclement weather is increasingly to stay inside until the front passes.

The forum probably doesn’t encourage the best assumptions on these topics, as apparently a great many people can’t even figure out what camera or lens or bag to take to City X, despite years of personal use.

[Archiver]

9 hours ago, HPFM said:

Interesting discussion for me! I´m looking for a solution (equipment)  for my next trip up to Norway in February 2026 (Lofoten). Most of my trips had indeed weight restrictions for cabin baggage 8 kg (SAS, Air Greenland e.g) so I used a compagnon-bag (30l) and 2 bodies (SL3, SL3-s), lenses 24-90, 100-400, batteries and a MacBook Air - ups!!! 8 kg?? Result: discussion with the guy from Air Greenland 😬 for the way to Nuuk. Now considering the 16-18-21 for wide angle and the 100-400, perhaps the 28-70 Leica version.... As I learned: weight is everything😀

As an aside, I try to minimize gear in carry on luggage, even leaving a second body behind, or using a lighter body or lens if necessary. Last week I flew interstate and took my SL2S, Panasonic S5, Pana 24-105, Pana 50mm f1.8 and Summicron SL 35 ASPH. This plus a change of clothes, toiletries and chargers took my carry on to 8.2kg, and I had a 14kg carry on limit. I used the lightest carry on bag in the wardrobe, and left behind the tablet I would normally use for processing images. My next overseas trip is likely to see me take the SL2S, Summicron 35 SL, and the Panasonic GX85 + two or three small primes to cover wide, normal and tele. I understand the desire for a long reaching lens like the 100-400 but the thought of lugging it around is not very appealing to me.

[mirrorless]

Does anybody know how the Leica 24-70mm 2.8 works for Video with the SL3? Any notes concerning hunting focus / AF-noise / Slow Focus adjustments? Thanks!

BTW I tried the new Leica 28-70mm but wished most of the time a bit more WA. Especially when my Q3 is with me which is more a 25mm prime lens. The 28-70 is light and compact, but this justifies not a purchase when I let it sit in the shelf at the end.