The second L-Mount super-wide zoom from Leica definitely deserves a closer look. So far, the discussion of the Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 f/2.8 ASPH has been focused mainly on its similarity to the 14-24 from Sigma. But there is a lot more to it, and it is time to do justice to this lens that opens many new photographic opportunities.
The Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 f/2.8 ASPH was announced on October 6th 2023: A fast, constant-aperture f/2.8 super wide-angle zoom. And it came as a bit of a surprise. Of course, we have had the peerless 16-35 Super-Vario-Elmar-SL f/3.5-4.5 zoom for several years now. This offers wonderful quality and a slightly longer zoom range, but at the cost of a slower aperture and more weight, and with a considerably longer widest zoom.
The new lens is obviously a companion piece to the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH which was released on May 6th 2021 (you can see my article about it here)
The Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 f/2.8 ASPH and where it comes from
Both of these f2.8 zooms are manufactured in Japan to Leica’s design and with their stringent quality control, which is one of the reasons that they are cheaper than the lenses manufactured in Germany. In fact, the new 14-24 zoom is a little less than half the price of its big brother (the 16-35), and despite being faster and with a wider focal length, it’s about 100 gm lighter.
Leica has had successful collaborations for many of its products over the years, lens projects with Konica, Minolta, Kyocera, Zeiss, Schneider and Sigma have all resulted in fine lenses over the years, often at more comfortable prices than Leica originals.
This lens certainly looks rather like the Sigma 14-24 F2.8 ART lens (which I have owned for a couple of years). But the Leica build quality is definitely a step-up (the Leica lens is nearly 100g heavier). Of course, we cannot know how much of the design is a collaboration or whether the QA or manufacturing standards change.
I had a copy of the Leica lens from August to October 2023, but in reality most of the work was done in August and early September, after which I was concentrating on the M11-P.
Construction
The 14-24 has an all-metal aluminium housing, and it is dust and splash-resistant (as are all the SL lenses).
The lens hood is integrated into the body with a push on lens cap, and there is a mount for sheet filters on the bayonet mount.
The optical construction features 18 lenses in 13 groups. There are three Aspherical elements, helping to improve image quality.
As you can see from the design, and in common with equivalent lenses from other manufacturers, the front element protrudes quite a long way, and the built-in lens hood is great protection for this.
The MTF curves are good, and the lens is technically excellent right from f2.8, being especially good at 14mm and 24mm.
Close Focus ability
The 14-24 focuses down to 280mm (about 11′) which produces a magnification of 1:11.4 at 14mm and 1:7.4 at 24mm. This is great for shooting wide-angle shots with clear details in the foreground.
Image Quality
I haven’t done formal tests with the lens, but every impression is that it’s really exceptional. I didn’t get much chance to do any architectural or street photography with it (being a paid up country bumpkin). But I did manage to do quite a lot of landscape photography and a fair amount of close-up work.
Wide open for close up work, the bokeh is really splendid — not something you can often say about super wide-angle lenses. It’s sparklingly sharp at the centre, and the edges and corners are more than satisfactory.
For landscape work I would normally be stopping down a bit, and here the lens is excellent — sharp to the corners and with very little distortion or vignetting, (whether by software or optical correction isn’t really very relevant). I can imagine that this excellence would also transfer to architectural photography.
Flare is very well controlled — even with the sun on the edge of the frame or just inside it.
Chromatic aberration is also really well controlled, and I saw none in my images.
Conclusion
With the
- Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35 f/3.5-4.5 ASPH, the
- Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90 f/2.8-4 ASPH and the
- APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280 f/2.8-4
Leica has produced a full range of peerless zoom lenses (I think they are technically the best zoom lenses I’ve ever used), but they are big and heavy, and many photographers prefer a fixed aperture.
However, with the
- Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 f/2.8 ASPH and the
- Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH
Leica has now fielded two of the triumvirate of f/2.8 zooms. They are smaller, lighter and much more affordable than the original zooms. And they have a fixed aperture as well. While they are perhaps not quite up to the stunning technical standard of the original zooms, they are very, very good.
I’m really hoping that they complete the set sometime soon with the f/2.8 70-200.
I think it is truly challenging to criticise this lens; it handles beautifully, looks great and produces wonderful images at all apertures, focal lengths and distances. It’s weather sealed and feels really well-made. Flare, chromatic aberrations and vignetting are all extremely well controlled. Not only that: For a Leica lens, it’s a real bargain.
Read more reviews from Jonathan Slack
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So THAT’S the inside of an Austin Champ – and pristine after all these years! ..Luvverly!
(I thought I’d mention something nice about the photographs, rather than just arguing about Leica and Sigma.)
HI There David
Our neighbour in Cornwall bought this a couple of years ago, quite ready for the scrap heap, now it’s immaculate, concourse condition, beautiful, right down to the leather strap for the hatchet on the side. . . .
All the best
Jono
It will be a great lens but I cannot believe it will be any better on the image quality than my spectacular Sigma version. The best ultra wide angle lens I have ever owned.
HI There Brian
I also have the Sigma version. I thought about doing a detailed comparison, and then I didn’t think I would lower myself! Basically if I were to find a difference it would much more likely be due to sample variation.
I’ve been using Sigma ultra wide lenses since the 80s, and they’ve always been spectacular.
Some say that Leica do better QA, but I’ve no idea if that’s true.
I like the minimalism of the Leica design . . . but I’m not about to sell my Sigma for the Leica.
All the best
Hi Jono, a person cannot go wrong with Leica but one can make choices and the l mount group is brilliant for options. I turned 70 a few days ago and have limitations that are not improving from a car accident that are slowing getting worse. I have an OM Systems Om-1 Mark II arriving in a couple of days. I am in the process of exiting my amazing Leica based environment but I look forward to continuing the joy of photography with a much lighter kit but still amazing. I already have a used Panasonic Leica lens delivered. They are so tiny, like the M jewels.
As always, your reviews and images are second to none.
I am currently in the mode of getting ready to move from the west coast of Canada to the east coast to Nova Scotia in April.
I hope all is well with you and especially your family.
You are the second person I have heard of in a week who is moving from the west coast to Nova Scotia. Is this some form of mass exodus?
Hi Mike, my favourite and only daughter is moving there and I have photographed everything here (that was a wee bit of humour- I constantly hear “photographers” say they need to travel to find photos!). I have a lovely MFT kit again that I love: OM System Om-1 Mark II, Panasonic Leica 12-60/2.8-4 that I repossessed from my daughter that defected to the iphone photography dark side, new 0lympus 8-25/4, new Olympus 40-150/4, mint 17/1.2, new 25/1.2, new 45/1.2, mint 75/1.8, and new the amazing 90/3.5 macro. Many of these I have owned before and loved. With Topaz denoise I am a very happy camper. The lens sizes are tiny compared to full frame. I am entering a new chapter in my life. Leica full frame is amazing but I cannot deal with the weight anymore. The MFT is bringing the joy of photography back to me. I am delighted with the move at this point in my journey in photography.
Good to hear, Brian. I am sure all Macfilos readers will wish you well in your new life in such a different environment. Thank you so much for your unfailing support for Macfilos over many years.
I hope your new location will give you inspiration, and I am sure we all look forward to seeing some results from your new equipment. We’ve done a lot recently on BC, so a visit to Nova Scotia would be fascinating.
Mike
As you already own the Sigma version, why did you not do a comparison of their optical properties?
I’m sure that’s what many want to know. We already know the build will be more solid on the Leica version, but the Sigma is so good already it’s hard to believe the Leica has better image quality.
Thanks, Mark
Well you are talking about two things optical quality and build quality and some people want both! Build quality, tolerances and handling are also part of a lens’ performance in the field.
It comes down to this, if the optical quality is your only concern you would be perfectly happy with the Sigma. If you also care about the build quality ( I do because I tend to use a lens for many years and in extreme outdoor situations where the lens can get a lot of abuse ) and would like better AF then you may prefer the Leica zoom.
You can think of the Leica zooms as being better built versions and consequently more expensive versions of the Sigmas. While the optical quality of many lenses for digital cameras has improved tremendously from the film camera days, the construction quality hasn’t followed suit (in my experience) and while the focus rings, zoom rings and lens alignment might be good out of the box you may find that handling performance deteriorates over time. Leica doesn’t compromise in this aspect and of course, it costs more. Where you will see the differences optically will be with Leica’s premium lenses. Even bigger, heavier and more expensive. I think these 2.8 zooms are the best combination of optical and build quality. I own the 24-70 Vario-Elmarit. Handling both this and the Sigma before purchase I did feel the Leica was worth the premium, you may not. As you said, the Sigma is so good (optically) already.
Hi, I purchased the Leica version but I think the Sigma version was better value but price was no problem for me being now 70 years old as of today. Ironically, I have decided to sell off all of my SL system and M system and go back to a OM System OM-1 Mark II based system as I need a light quality system.
Hi There Brian
I’ll tell you a little tale.
I came to exactly the same conclusion as you (with respect to the SL system). I thought I’d sell it all and move to OM System. . . . . . . . So I bought an OM-1 (mark 1) back in October and loved it . . . . . but actually, in the end, and especially in low light, the 20mp wasn’t really enough. AF, size and weight, handling etc. was wonderful . . . .
Anyway, I bought it from WEX so after a couple of weeks I went back there and changed it for a Sony A7R V with the GM2 24-70 and 70-200. Those lenses are pretty much as light as the Olympus equivalents, and I had better high ISO and much more resolution – perfect! Except that the rolling shutter meant that you couldn’t use electronic shutter all the time (like with the Olympus) and I thought the mechanical shutter sounded like stamping on a tin can.
So – back to WEX before Christmas where I returned the A7RV and bought a minty Sony A1 to go with the lenses . . . 50mp is excellent and the autofocus unbelievable. Sorted, Fixed and I’m looking at them as I type.
I’m testing a camera at the moment and in the course of the testing I’ve done some image comparisons between the A1 and the SL2 . . . . . and there isn’t really a comparison, the low light, colour and feel of the SL2 images are just nicer. . . . . .
So I’m in the process of selling the Sony A1, 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 – the whole journey has cost me a couple of grand and quite a lot of irritation. . . . . so I’d recommend some hard thinking before you make such a devastating change – lovely though the OM system is!.
All the best
Hi Jono, I used to own a Micro four thirds system, G9 based, after my accident a few years ago and went on to Hasselblad X1D system in hopes of getting better. I found the low light noise irritating but not much worse than my M240 experience. The Ai software has transformed my experience in photography. Topaz AI: Denoise, sharpening, Gigapixel are amazing. I no longer need full frame. I just received delivery of Panasonic Leica 12-60 (previously owned and loved), Olympus 17/1.2, 45/1.2, 75/1.8 (all previously owned and loved), Om 40-150/4. They are a tiny fraction of the size of full frame and spectacular. life is good, with options we could only dreamed of in the film days!
I think there’s a story here: if you get used to using Leica and have no regular and direct 1:1 comparison with another camera brand you forget how different Leica is.
I have borrowed Fujis, or is it Fugees? And then realized what I was missing. There’s a lot of mythology about the “Leica Look” and I’m not going to go there, but I’m happier with what comes out of my Leicas than I am with other camera brands.
Hi There Stephen
I also like the minimalist Leica versions (no buttons etc.)
But I quite agree with you – “If optical quality is your only concern you would be perfectly happy with the Sigma”
best
HI There Mark
I did think of doing a serious comparison – but they both seem so very good that I thought that probably any real variation could also be put down to sample variation. At any rate I’ve looked at the MTF and it seems to me that if it isn’t optically identical it’s going to be about angels dancing on the heads of pins. I was also certain that I would not be able to comfortably come to a definitive answer . . ..
Sorry!
Dear Macfilos readers,
I am a Leica enthusiast, but recently, they cheating a bit too obvious.
Selling Sigma and Panasonic replicas at a high price tag and cannibalising the second hand price of their own lens series like the APO-Summicron´s. But I am selling the Summicrons anyway. Sold also my Leica SL-2S, because it was much less robust built like the Leica SL 601. Got a second hand SL 601 and I am happy with Panasonic and Voigtländer lens.
Cheers,
Josef
Hi Josef, I have owned a number of camera systems including Hasselblad X1D. I have owned the Leica SL1, SL2, and SL2-S. The SL2-S is just as robust as the SL1. I also like the interface on the SL2/SL2-S.
They are also not cannibalizing the used prices of Leica glass , including exotic APO primes, by selling a few zooms that are modified designs from other brands. That is rediculous. I have bought and sold a lot of equipment and my Leica equipment has held it much better than other brands except for Hasselblad. Leica is not cheating anyone. They deliver a superb product: design, craftsmanship, image rendering,and haptics. You have a choice when you purchase and none of the brands are cheating anyone.
I only spent the effort to correct your post as it is misinformation and I do not want it to mislead new people considering Leica.
I was delighted with my Panasonic cameras and glass so as well as more than delighted with Voigtlander glass released in recent years. So I hope you find photography joy there.
Hello Brian, I apologies for my harsh tone. My comment is not based on statics, but rather on my personal frustration. My Leica SL2-S broke just after the guarantee. And you are right Leica is manufacturing great products. And as I mentioned, I am still a Leica Enthusiast and love to work with my SL 601. So, I was very subjective rather than objektiv. But, never the less I think it would be no blame for Leica, if they would be more open about their co-operations.
At the end its always a personal choice. So lets have fun with photography.
Have a nice weekend.
Josef
Hi There Josef
Leica have had collaborations with other manufacturers (especially Sigma) for decades. Other camera manufacturers do the same, it makes sense.
I’d prefer it if they were more straightforward about it as well, but I think the reason they aren’t is that if they said “collaboration with Sigma based on their 12-24” then it would just bring another deluge of questions about QA differences, coatings etc. etc. which neither Leica nor Sigma would be very keen to answer!
Best policy is just to keep quiet and let people talk about it!
Hello Jonathan,
thank you for your reply. Yes you are right, Leica has cooperations since a long time. I remember, when me and my friend got long noses when we saw the Leica R3 by that time in the window of the photoshop in Munich. At that time, there was no way to afford a Leica. However, I found a second hand Minolta XE1 in fairly good condition and replaced my Minolta SRT. The Minolta carried the same electronic inside, like the Leica. But Minolta glass could not reach the Quality of Leica R lens. Decades later, at the age of 50 I bought my first Leica (M9 in silver with a silver Summilux 50mm). Since then I was infected by the Leica virus and am now a happy Leica SL 601 shooter with a bunch of voigtländer, zeiss and Panasonic lens and off course the still superb Vario Elmarite 24-90. Lets hope, Leica can survive and surely it was the right move from Leica to go into the L-mount alliance.
All the best.
Josef