Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70 f/2.8 ASPH.
Launch MSRP
$1,890- Weight
- 572g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.19m
- Max mag.
- 0.30×
- Formula
- 16E / 12G
- Released
- 2025
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x Aspherical
- Aqua-Dura coating
- Aperture range
- f/2.8 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 572g
- ⌀ × length
- 73.0 × 102.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.4 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.19m
- Max magnification
- 0.30× (1:3.3)
Optical character
Leica's lightest SL standard zoom: a constant f/2.8 standard zoom that gives up 4mm at the wide end to come in at 572g and 102mm long, about a third lighter than the 24-70 and far cheaper. The 16-element, 12-group design includes three aspherical elements, and the outer surfaces carry Leica's water-repellent Aqua-Dura coating.
The housing is magnesium and aluminium, sealed against dust and splashes, with 67mm filters. Close focus is 19cm at 28mm (1:3.3), handy for close details. Like the 24-70 it has no optical stabilisation and no switches, only zoom and focus rings, and lens firmware updates through the camera.
Reviewer consensus
Early testers find it sharp at all apertures and focal lengths, sharp enough to pixel-peep on a 60MP SL3, with smooth wide-open bokeh that one tester rates above the other two SL standard zooms. Colour is pleasing and not oversaturated, and no fringing was seen in the conditions tested. Autofocus was quiet and more than sufficient for portraits, street and landscape work, and the in-body stabiliser made 1/15 sec handheld shots possible.
The build is praised as fully Leica despite the lower price, and the lens handled rain and mist without trouble. The main trade-off is the narrower 28mm wide end. One tester points out that the optical design is similar to Sigma's 28-70mm f/2.8 Contemporary, so the Leica premium buys the metal, sealed housing.
Owner sentiment
Owner feedback will appear once we have verified real-world reports for this lens.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +572g and 102mm long
- +Sharp at all focal lengths and apertures
- +Smooth wide-open bokeh
- +Sealed magnesium/aluminium housing
- +Far cheaper than the 24-70
Weaknesses
- −Starts at 28mm, not 24mm
- −No optical stabilisation
- −No switches or function buttons
- −Optics similar to a cheaper Sigma
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.7
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.4
- Flare Resistance
- 8.0
- Build / Sealing
- 9.0
- Value / Size
- 7.6
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | L-Mount (FF) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 28–70mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 16 elements in 12 groups |
| Special elements | 3x Aspherical · Aqua-Dura coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Not specified by Leica |
| Minimum focus | 0.19m |
| Max magnification | 0.30× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 572g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 73.0 × 102.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2025 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,890 USD |
Sources
Verified against the pages below. Specifications come from the maker; summaries only reflect reviews and owner reports we actually read.
Specifications
- leica-camera.com› en-US/photography/lenses/sl/vario-elmarit-sl-28-70-f2-8-asph
- leica-camera.com› sites/default/files/pm-21944-EN_Datenblatt_Vario-Elmarit-SL_
- leica-camera.com› en-US/photography/lenses/sl/vario-elmarit-sl-28-70-f2-8-asph
Launch price
- digitalcameraworld.com› cameras/lenses/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-28-70mm-f-2-8-asph-rev
Professional reviews
- digitalcameraworld.com› cameras/lenses/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-28-70mm-f-2-8-asph-rev
- macfilos.com› 2025/11/26/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-28-70-f28-review-the-ideal
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSVario-Elmarit-SL 28-70 f/2.8 ASPH. vs 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary (L-Mount)
- VSVario-Elmarit-SL 28-70 f/2.8 ASPH. vs Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90 f/2.8-4 ASPH.
- VSVario-Elmarit-SL 28-70 f/2.8 ASPH. vs Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH.
- SigmaContemporary
28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary (L-Mount)
28–70mmF2.8- WT
- 470g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.19m
- MSRP
- $899
AF - LeicaVario-Elmarit
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90 f/2.8-4 ASPH.
24–90mmF2.8–4- WT
- 1,140g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.30m
- MSRP
- —
AFSTABWR - LeicaVario-Elmarit
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH.
24–70mmF2.8- WT
- 856g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.18m
- MSRP
- —
AFWR
