Leica Super Vario Elmarit SL 14 24mm F 2 8 ASPH Review | 54 Data compared

The DigitalPHOTO review awards the Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 1:2.8/14–24 ASPH. an overall score of 92.2% ("SUPER"), highlighting its exceptional laboratory performance. Designed to accompany high-end cameras like the SL3, this full-frame ultra-wide-angle zoom lens features an intricate optical layout of 18 lenses in 13 groups that masterfully corrects distortions and chromatic aberrations. On the test bench, its standout advantages (pros) include an outstandingly fast and highly reliable autofocus system, top-tier resolution scaling up to 95%, and an incredibly robust, dust- and splash-protected all-metal aluminum body. Additionally, its front element is treated with a specialized hydrophobic Aqua-Dura coating to repel dirt and manage stray flare. However, the reviewer points out clear trade-offs (cons) that primarily drag down the lens's "features" score. The minimalist exterior completely lacks built-in controls, forcing photographers to make all settings via the camera body, and it offers no internal optical image stabilization. Furthermore, because the bulbous, heavily curved front lens requires a permanently fixed metal lens hood for physical defense, screw-on filters cannot be used; photographers must rely on rear-mounted foil filters instead. Weighing a hefty 855 grams...

The Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14–24 mm f/2,8 ASPH. is a premium L-mount ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for professionals and advanced hobbyists, retailing at approximately €2,500. Built with a rugged aluminum all-metal body that features dust and splash protection, it prioritizes maximum durability and exceptional optical performance. In lab testing using a 47-megapixel Panasonic Lumix S1R, the lens proved to be incredibly sharp, delivering 100% of the theoretically possible resolution (2,836 line pairs per picture height) in the center at 14mm wide open, and maintaining over 80% resolution in the corners across the entire zoom range. It also excels at minimizing typical optical defects, keeping distortion remarkably low between 0.1% and 0.5%, and chromatic aberration to a negligible 0.3 to 0.4 pixels. The primary advantages of this lens are its superb, razor-sharp image quality, highly accurate and fast autofocus, and robust, weather-sealed build quality. On the downside, its high-end build results in a very large profile and a heavy weight of 855 grams, making it significantly heavier than competing L-mount wide-zooms like the Sigma 16–28mm (450g) or Panasonic 14–28mm (345g). Additionally, due...

The Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 mm f/2,8 ASPH. review by Sarah Alexandra Fechler highlights it as an ultra-wide, exceptionally sharp premium zoom lens that expands Leica’s native L-mount portfolio. A standout strength of this lens is its outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness and premium build quality, which is defined by a robust, anodized all-metal aluminum housing. Furthermore, it features professional-grade dust and splash-water weather protection, rendering it highly capable for challenging outdoor shoots such as landscape photography. However, the review emphasizes a significant drawback regarding its overall portability, specifically its substantial weight of 855 grams. The reviewer notes that this is considerably heavier than rival L-mount ultra-wide zooms, highlighting that the Sigma 16-28 mm f/2,8 DG DN (C) weighs only 450 grams and the Panasonic Lumix S 14-28 mm f/4,0–5,6 Macro is even lighter at 345 grams. While this means photographers will feel a noticeable heft in the hand, the lens delivers a highly rugged option for users demanding no optical compromises.