Leica has announced the new Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200 f/2.8 ASPH telephoto zoom lens for its L-mount full-frame SL system cameras, along with a 2x extender (teleconverter).
As Leica’s third zoom lens with a constant aperture of f/2.8, the new 70-200mm forms a ‘trinity’ for the SL system alongside the Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 f/2.8 ASPH and the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH. Together, the three lenses provide a focal length range of 14mm wide-angle to 200mm telephoto, all at f/2.8.
Optically, the lens employs 20 elements in 15 groups, including three aspherical elements. It provides a minimum focus distance of 65cm at the 70mm position, increasing to 1m at the 200mm end. Optical stabilisation is built-in, and the minimum aperture is f/22.
This is all identical to the existing, and excellent Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS Sports (we gave this lens five stars in our original review). So it appears that, as with the 14-24mm f/2.8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses, Leica has based this new lens on the existing Sigma optics, but with an entirely new barrel design.
Physically, the Leica SL 70-200mm f/2.8 is 207mm long, 89mm in diameter, and weighs 1670g. A detachable tripod foot comes in the box, and the front element has a ‘Hydrophobe Aqua-Dura®’ coating to repel raindrops and fingerprints. It accepts 82mm filters.
The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70– 200 f/2.8 ASPH is onsale now for $3,295 or £2,780 including VAT.
Leica extends itself
Also new is the Leica Extender L 2.0x, available separately. Using this, the focal length of the new lens can be extended from 70–200mm to 140–400mm, with a drop in maximum aperture to f/5.6. ‘Its unintrusive size makes it very easy to carry allowing you plenty of scope to realise your own creative visions,’ said Leica. Also available now, for $995 or £800 including VAT.
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From Leica:
Leica completes trinity series for the SL-System
A new telephoto zoom lens with a focal length of 70–200 mm and new 2.0x Extender expand the L-Mount portfolio.
Wetzlar, 5th September 2024. Leica lenses are valued worldwide for their outstanding quality. Their legendary imaging performance is based on more than 150 years of expertise in the manufacturing of optical instruments. The same applies to the new Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70– 200 f/2.8 ASPH.
The new Vario-Elmarit-SL 70–200 f/2.8 ASPH. is the third zoom lens with an aperture of 2.8, and so forms a powerful trinity series for the SL-System alongside the Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14–24 f/2.8 ASPH. and the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–70 f/2.8 ASPH. This series makes it possible to photograph and film with a continuous aperture over the entire focal length range from 14 mm ultra wide-angle to 200 mm telephoto. At the same time, Leica Camera introduces another extender for the telephoto Varios with L-Mount. The Extender L 2.0x extends the new SL-Lens to a focal length of up to 400 mm.
With a classic telephoto zoom focal length, it is predestined for impressive portrait shots. The high aperture ratio over the entire zoom range and the excellent image stabilisation allows the Vario lens to meet every challenge of event, sports and nature photography.
Inside the lens, 20 lenses in 15 groups, including three lenses with aspherical surfaces, ensure razor-sharp, detailed images right into the corners across all focal lengths. In addition, convenient handling is made possible by the internal focusing and the resulting constant overall length at any focal distance.
With the new Extender L 2.0x, available separately, the focal length of the telephoto Vario can
be extended from 70–200 mm to 140–400 mm. It’s unintrusive size makes it very easy to carry allowing you plenty of scope to realise your own creative visions.
The retail price for the new Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70–200 f/2.8 ASPH. will be £2,780.00 including VAT. The retail price for the Leica Extender L 2.0x will be £800.00 including VAT. Both products will be available globally at all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorised dealers starting now.
