Is The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90 f/2.8-4 ASPH Still Relevant In 2022?

#leica #Leica2490 #LeicaSL2S

The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90 f2.8-4 ASPH has been out on the market since 2016. Shunned by some due to the variable aperture, size and weight does it still hold relevance in 2022? Check out my video to find out more.

Thanks to Leica Singapore for loaning the SL2-S and the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90 f2.8-4 ASPH for this review.

Bobby's Gear For This Review:

Camera: Leica SL2-S / Leica SL 24-90 f2.8 | Canon R7
Audio DJI Mic
Macbook Pro 16 inch M1 Max
Eizo 2K Monitor
Lights: Aputure 300X
Display Cabinet: Terravault

leica sl2 firmware 4.0

[fotonutzz]

I bought this lens together with the original SL in 2016 and I'm still using it. The lens is super tough and it still works perfectly even though it was drenched in torrential rain, splashed by the jet skis at Water World Universal Studios and it still looks pretty good. The weather sealing on this thing is really incredible. After seeing how sharp & robust this lens was, I bought the 90-280 followed by the 16-35. No regrets so far as the image quality is truly

[daveed]

Thanks Bobby. Seriously considering picking up this lens. Pre-owned prices are pretty reasonable right now.

[DidierMOULINPhotography]

This lens is THE one to have for the L Mount !!! Well, the 16-35 too !!!
I sold it last year when I switched back to Nikon but I kept my S1R since I found a Sigma 35mm f/1.2 and this combo is awesome.
I just found a 24-90 SL lens today on the used market at a reasonable price so I didn’t hesitate a second! 
Will I come back to the L Mount ? I never quoted it 100% and the reason why is that in some occasions I need a mirror less camera for noise purpose instead of my beloved noisy DSLR !
And the 35mm f/1.2 on one side (S1R) and the 24-90 f/2.8-4 on the S1 on the other shoulder and here I can do all I need.

[rumporridge]

I have this lens with the SL2. All I really need on most shoots and no need to carry my primes. Took me many years to work up to the cost of Leica. But I don’t see myself ever leaving this system. Outstanding results will all the zooms.

[PhotoViking]

I also bought this lens with the SL. I later ”converted” to GFX, but I still would call the 24-90 one of the absolute best zoomlenses ever made. Pin sharp and renders Leica-beautifully. Love it!

[rafaelkamaltdinov]

Hello Bobby, thank you for your review. Great job. I bought this lens on my Leica SL2 with Leica SL 90/2 APO Summiricon

[crispin]

A nice video as always, and I've seen you featuring in YouTube adverts too.
The lens is nice. I have it. But too heavy for everyday use.

[robynkis]

Yes, it's on the heavier side but it's not brutally heavy. Considering that this is actually capable of replacing 3-4 primes (optically it's as good as any of them) or 2 zooms, the weight in the bag is actually great. And man is it a good lens. Bought mine used, that also helps a lot with the monetary burden

[HatefYaminiOnline]

Thanks for spotlighting this lens. I have it on my SL-2S and love the rendering.

[davidkieltyka]

The extra 20mm at the long end seals the deal for me. It is bulky and a bit heavy but not enough to keep me from using it as the “normal” lens on an SL2. Because of how quickly the focus falls off, at 90mm and f/4 (wide open) photos look like they were taken at a wider aperture than they actually were.

[MelonAMango]

The weight was the downside of this lens but it is a significantly sharper lens than the majority of all the zoom lenses out there in the market while rendering beautifully. The weight saved with the VE 24-70 2.8 as well as constant aperture sure is lovely but sometimes, that extra 20mm is desired. Not only that, the 24-90 is pretty much prime Leica lens quality throughout the focal lengths. Absolute beast especially with the built-in IS, shooting 1-second exposure is like shooting 1/60th, very usable!

[christosgserepas]

Hi Bobby thanks for the video!
I have found a deal on this lens but before pulling the trigger need to know if it’s suitable for narrative film work. Very few online reviews and no mention on the matter. Could you please inform?
Do you by any chance recall how did it fair in terms of af for video? Hunting ? Motor noise ? More importantly lens breathing ?

[nickcr]

This is the best zoom lens ever.When SL launched this was the only lens and had to be that good.The target was:a zoom lens with the quality of the best primes.24-70 is a ok lens it is’nt a Leica lens (actually is a Sigma lens with the touch of Leica).24-70 is here for marketing reasons because 24-90 is too expensive for compo for new buyers and 24-90 is too expensive for Leica to build also this 2.8 think (for the people who care only for specs and don’t know nothing about quality).If I had to compare 24-70 with 24-90 really there is no comparison.24-90 and 90-280 are two of the best lenses Leica ever made.

[TimofejNenarokov]

Would like to see your review of Leica Q2 Monochrom

[louisperromat]

Hi Bobby, thank you for that video! This lens figures as the oldest high end full frame mid-range zooms currently on the market, does the overall sharpness equals the last Nikon and Sony (24-70 F2.8) ?

[reddychan]

If you want to complain this lens, it would be the size, but not much bigger than the 24-70mm f2.8. In low light, you can see the 24-70mm is not performed as well as the 24-90mm, and at the 90mm f4 is good enough for normal DOF, unless you are very far from the model then this doesn't matter to have a f2.8 or brighter.
If anyone wants a new SL zoom this is the one to look at, APO-SL prime is another level therefore there is no need for comparison between them.