Leica Vatio-Elmar-SL 100-400 f/5-6.3 – a new telezoom in the L-Mount system

Leica has announced the latest addition to its L-Mount zoom range. The Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 model is a relatively compact offering for sports and nature photographers, but aren’t we paying extra for something that can be bought for much less?

The newest lens Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 is a proposal for a long zoom in affordable sizes. The dimensions of the glass are 198 mm x 88 mm and the weight is 1530 g. It also features a detachable Arca-Swiss-standard tripod mount and metal housing, typical of the manufacturer’s entire glass line.

Is Leica’s new telezoom more than a Sigma in disguise?

However, a closer look reveals that the optical system of the lens is practically identical to the Sigma 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS model. So we get 22 lenses in 16 groups, the ability to focus at a distance of at least 1.10 meters and a stepping AF motor.

Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 lens optics

Is it the same lens, just in a different package? Given the manufacturers’ collaboration on the L-Mount, it’s highly likely, and Leica has recently done the same for the compact 35 and 50mm f/1.8 primes, which are confusingly similar to Panasonic’s products. However, the Leica glass is noticeably heavier (1530g vs 1140g) and has an otherwise different filter diameter (82mm vs 67mm), which may mean some design changes have been made outside the housing. happened

The lens is also compatible with the new telephoto extension Leica Extender L 1.4, with which the zoom gives us a true 140-560mm (and f/7-9 light). It adds mass to the whole set another 182 g.

Price and availability

However, the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 differs from the equivalent Sigma in terms of price. In the West, the lens was priced $2195, which is about $1,200 more than the Sigma. The Leica Extender L 1.4 teleconverter costs an additional $875.

For more information, visit leica-camera.com.