The Leica SL3 marks an enormous step ahead for Leica’s mirrorless SL vary, with gorgeous picture high quality, highly effective video options and a long-awaited swap to phase-detect autofocus. Digital Digicam World editor James Artaius was so impressed he considers it the finest Leica digicam ever made and the primary Leica he would really purchase.
The Leica SL3 is not only one of many highest decision cameras available on the market, it’s, for studio and business work, one of many finest skilled cameras too, even at this value level. Leicas have all the time been costly, however just lately the professional merchandise from different manufacturers have been getting ever extra pricey too. The hole is nowhere close to what it was once.
The 60MP sensor within the SL3 delivers not simply fabulous element rendition however distinctive general picture high quality, so in case you purchase certainly one of these cameras you’ll want the absolute best lenses to go together with it. We do have a information to the finest L-mount lenses, however that covers all manufacturers, and we predict that anybody who invests in an SL3 goes to need Leica glassware to go together with it.
So right here’s our record of what we predict are the most effective lenses for Leica SL3. Some are costly, as you’d anticipate, however some are actually fairly near different manufacturers – and a few are fairly distinctive to the Leica SL lens vary.
We’ve included all of the Leica zooms, as a result of these have some very attention-grabbing alternate options, and the SL3 is knowledgeable digicam possible for use in conditions the place focal size flexibility is necessary. We haven’t included all of the primes, partly as a result of there are some complicated alternate options (like common vs FAR costlier APO variations) and partly as a result of that is the place Leica’s costs actually do begin to sting. We additionally need to name out the wonderful Sigma Up to date L-mount primes, that are superbly made, include old-school aperture rings and price a LOT much less. Sacrilege, we all know, however nonetheless one thing to consider…
Finest lenses for the Leica SL3
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Leica SL3 customers have a few decisions of ordinary zoom. The Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. is essentially the most logical because it has the 24-70mm f/2.8 specification now used for professional customary zooms the world over. Leica has stored this lens smaller and lighter by not utilizing an optical stabilizer, however the SL3 does after all have a 5-stop IBIS unit inbuilt. Optically, it’s first price – although the nook sharpness is a bit disappointing in a professional lens from 50mm as much as 70mm. This lens additionally makes use of an extending lens barrel slightly than an inner zoom mechanism although, to be truthful, that’s fairly regular on lenses of this sort.
See our full Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. evaluate with lab outcomes
If you happen to set your sights somewhat larger (or additional away), the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. makes a really compelling different to the common 24-70mm. The rise in most focal size comes at a price, and it’s not only a monetary one, because you get a variable f/2.8-4 most aperture. That’s nonetheless fairly quick for a lens with this focal vary, however might be annoying in case you like to keep up publicity settings whereas zooming. Leica makes use of a variable aperture on a lot of its zooms – clearly the corporate doesn’t prefer to push optical designs previous their limits only for the sake of bragging rights. This lens has a really unique optical building which incorporates 4 aspherical components and no fewer than 11 anomalous dispersion components, which helps clarify its substantial value premium over the common 24-70mm.
This isn’t the one ultra-wide Leica zoom. There’s additionally the Leica Tremendous-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH., however this can be a very rather more costly lens, and whereas it does have the comfort of a daily 82mm entrance filter mount and an extended and probably extra helpful (for some) focal vary, it hardly appears price the additional price. The Tremendous-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm f/2.8 ASPH. is half the worth, lighter and extra moveable and has a relentless f/2.8 most aperture. It’s not even that costly by own-brand ultra-wide professional zoom requirements.
Personal-brand professional lenses have been steadily creeping up in value particularly within the mirrorless period, so though this can be a Leica lens, it’s in the identical value ballpark as equal lenses from different manufacturers. You possibly can arrange your SL3 with a trio of f/2.8 ‘trinity’ extensive, customary and telephoto zooms for not rather more than the price of an equal Canon, Nikon or Sony setup. The Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. springs few surprises, providing the identical focal vary and most aperture as rivals, with Leica’s lovely minimalist design, water and dirt resistance and a water-repellent Aqua-Dura coating for the entrance aspect.
A 70-200mm f/2.8 may appear a no brainer alternative for a professional telephoto zoom simply because that’s what everyone else does. However what if 200mm simply isn’t fairly lengthy sufficient? The Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 takes the idea a step additional with a focal vary round 25% longer to supply rather more ‘attain’ – and this turns into longer nonetheless in case you benefit from the SL3’s crop modes, and with 60MP to play with, that’s not such a loopy thought. The Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 is definitely costly, and it’s a disgrace it has a variable most aperture. However then have a look at it this fashion – how a lot would you pay for a 300mm f/4? This lens almost will get there, and it has the flexibleness of a zoom too.
Typically, the optical efficiency of 100-400mm telephoto zooms could be a blended bag at longer focal lengths, and with the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 you could be anxious you’re paying via the nostril too. Effectively don’t be! Our lab exams reveal superb decision proper via the focal vary and, extra importantly, it’s constant. You don’t need to dodge particular focal lengths or apertures to keep away from any efficiency potholes. Higher nonetheless, for a Leica lens, this isn’t even that costly. The SL3 isn’t actually lower out for high-speed sports activities and motion, however in case you do must shoot longer vary topics, this lens is a good alternative.
See our full Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 evaluate with lab exams
Whereas Leica’s SL zooms are sometimes surprisingly cheap, its SL primes up the ante significantly. Some, just like the Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. additionally are available in plain vanilla variations which can be nearly inexpensive but additionally extra superior ‘APO’ variations that price twice as a lot. If you happen to do need a few primes in your bag for infrequent use, then the Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH. is an effective entry level. It’s only an f/2, which makes even this model appear fairly costly, however it’s a pleasant lens and never too large and heavy to make use of. Frankly, although, you’d be effectively suggested to take a look at the less expensive Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Up to date too.
With the Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. you’re getting what you’re paying for in a single sense as a result of this can be a very costly lens and a really heavy one. With rival makers placing out 50mm f/1.2 lenses, this one provides distinctly mid-range specs. Nevertheless, it does pay you again with excellent middle decision – however the nook definition doesn’t actually choose up till about f/5.6, which is a little bit of a shock. If you happen to don’t undoubtedly want f/1.4 and f/2 will do, then the Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. is less expensive and lighter.
See our full Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. evaluate with lab exams
On the lookout for one thing completely different? Try the total vary of the finest Leica SL lenses