There are lots of incredible lenses for the Leica L mount camera system. We’d know, we’ve reviewed pretty much all of them! But if you’re using a Leica SL camera, the old saying goes something along the lines of “What’s the point?” referring to pairing the cameras with 3rd party lenses. Thankfully, the best zoom lenses for Leica SL are actually made by Leica. Not only are they super durable, but pack incredible image quality and character. Dive into this guide with us and see for yourself!
How to Use This Guide to Zoom Lenses for Leica SL Cameras
Here’s some insight into how to use this guide to the best zoom lenses for Leica SL cameras.
- Our Editorial Policies prevent us from recommending products we haven’t tested. With that said, we’ve handled the best lenses for Leica SL cameras, and reviewed them all. Those reviews are hyperlinked within this roundup. To boot, all the images within this roundup were shot by our staff.
- This post is sponsored by Leica, who trusts us with Editorial freedom on this piece.
- You can just from our product images how durable some of these lenses are. Speaking of durability, Leica provides IP-certification ratings on their cameras, and their lenses are built to suit.
- The best zoom lenses for Leica SL have incredible image quality. Most folks really love Leica’s prime lenses, but their zooms are also very capable.
- These lenses are all a variation of Leica’s moniker, “Elmarit” which means that they’re f2.8 and slower.
- Photographing a busy news event? Set the camera to AF-C and tracking. We like using the best zoom lenses for Leica SL in aperture priority and with a higher ISO. Then we let the cameras and lenses work together to track moving subjects.
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f2.8 ASPH
Tech Specs
Taken from the Leica Camera Store listing:
- 19 elements (3 with ASPH surfaces on both sides) in 15 groups
- Consistent f2.8 maximum aperture through full zoom range
- Fast internal focusing with a single, lightweight lens element
- Compact dimensions and lighter weight thanks to omission of OIS
- Lens is stabilized by the SL2 and SL2-S IBIS systems
- Excellent sharpness across all f-stops and focus distances with creamy bokeh and the Leica look
- Metal body with weather sealing
- Durable in any environment, making it suited for even the rigors of outdoor landscape and adventure photographers or the hustle and bustle of a pro wedding photographer
Our Thoughts
In our review, we state:
“The Leica 24-70mm f2.8 SL is in this beautiful place between being pretty standard and pretty saturated regarding colors. It’s beneficial as a photographer. I like it, and when combined with the right sensor, it will mean your colors are just that much better.”
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f2.8-4 ASPH
Tech Specs
Taken from the Leica Camera Store listing:
- Super versatile focal length from 24-90mm
- Highest image performance at every aperture and distance
- Silent and precise Auto Focus
- Leica Optical Image Stabilization
- Excellent close focus distance of 0.3m or 0.98 feet
- Dust proof and water proof with AquaDura water repellent coating for outer lens elements
- Detachable tripod mount
Our Thoughts
In our review, we state:
“One of the reasons you pay for a Leica is that they don’t play around with build quality. Leica went ahead and IP rated their cameras, but not their lenses. However, the Leica SL 24-90mm f2.8-4 is very weather sealed. We’ve taken it out into the rain, snow, and other conditions, and the lens kept working. This is a very reliable lens.”
Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 16-35/f3.5-4.5 ASPH
Tech Specs
Taken from the Leica Camera Store listing:
- Improved frame geometry and high quality coating
- High flexibility
- High product quality and exceptional imaging performance with specially developed focus motor
- Newly developed optical design
- Wide-angle photography
- Focal length of 16-35 mm expands existing portfolio
- Fast and almost noiseless autofocus
- L-mount bayonet
Our Thoughts
In our review, we state:
“Something I truly adore about the Leica 16-35mm f3.5-4.5 SL is the color. Combine that with fixed white balances, and you’ll be very, very happy. Part of that comes from Leica’s sensors and processors.”
Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f2.8-4
Tech Specs
Taken from the Leica Camera Store listing:
- Super versatile focal length from 90 mm – 280mm
- Highest image performance at every aperture and distance
- Silent and precise Auto Focus
- Leica Optical Image Stabilization
- Excellent close focus distance of 0.6m or 1.96 feet
- Dust proof and water proof with AquaDura water repellent coating for outer lens elements
- Detachable tripod mount
Our Thoughts
In our review, we state:
“The Leica 90-280mm f2.8-f4 SL is a big, heavy lens that’s pretty capable of doing everything except fast-moving sports photography. It boasts beautiful image quality and a very hefty price tag as well. For what it is, it’s a great lens. It’s very useful.”
This piece is presented in partnership with Leica Camera. We’ve independently and ethically reviewed all the products in this post already without sponsorship. And we worked with them to recommend a few key gems to you.
The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups. If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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