Leica Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. Lens Review

So, you're looking at the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8. This is a lens that's trying to be your one-and-done workhorse for Leica's L-Mount cameras. It's a full-frame standard zoom that covers a classic range, and it's surprisingly compact for what it is. That 590g weight means it's not going to feel like a brick on the front of your SL2, which is a nice change from some of the other zooms out there.

Honestly, this lens is for the photographer who wants that Leica badge and rendering, but needs the flexibility of a zoom. It's not the ultimate travel lens, scoring pretty low there, but it's built for a professional workflow where you might be switching between a quick portrait and a wider scene. The f/2.8 constant aperture is the key here, giving you consistent exposure and decent background separation across the whole range.

What makes it interesting is the contradiction. It's a Leica, so you expect perfection, but the specs tell a more nuanced story. The optical quality is top-tier, sitting in the 91st percentile, which is fantastic. But then you look at autofocus, which is only in the 47th percentile, and there's no stabilization. It's a lens with a brilliant core, but it asks you to work around its specific set of trade-offs.

Let's talk about that 91st percentile optical score. In practice, this means the lens is razor sharp. From 28mm to 70mm, and from f/2.8 on down, you're getting images with incredible detail and contrast. The three aspherical elements are doing their job to keep things clean and free of distortion. You can shoot this lens wide open with confidence, which isn't always the case with zooms. The bokeh score is middle-of-the-road at 57th percentile, so while the background blur is pleasant, it won't melt away like a fast prime. It's more than good enough for professional portraiture and general use.

The real-world implication of the other numbers is where you feel it. That 47th percentile autofocus score means it's competent, but not class-leading. It's quiet and decently fast, as Leica claims, but don't expect it to track a sprinting athlete with the same tenacity as a Sony GM lens. The lack of stabilization means you're relying on your camera body's IBIS, which is fine for the SL2 series, but it's a notable omission for video work or low-light handheld shooting. The 1:3 max magnification is actually pretty useful for close-ups, landing in the 75th percentile for macro, so you can get in tighter than you might think.

Here's the big question: is it worth $1,890? That's a lot of money for a standard zoom, especially one without stabilization. You're paying a significant premium for the Leica name and that stellar optical performance. Compared to similar zooms from Sigma or Panasonic for the L-Mount, you could save a thousand dollars or more. But those lenses are often bigger and heavier.

The value proposition is narrow. If you are all-in on the Leica ecosystem and demand the absolute best optical quality in the most compact f/2.8 zoom package they offer, this lens makes sense. For everyone else, the price is a tough pill to swallow when you consider the missing features.

You've got options, even in the L-Mount. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is the most direct competitor. It's optically superb, has stabilization, and costs hundreds less. But it's also bigger and heavier. The Panasonic Lumix S Pro 24-70mm f/2.8 is another alternative with stellar video features. If you're willing to mix brands, the Leica lens wins on size and Leica's specific color rendering, but loses on value and features.

Looking at your listed competitors, they're mostly fast primes, which is a different conversation. A lens like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is a fraction of the price and will give you much better low-light performance and bokeh, but you lose the zoom flexibility. The Leica 28-70mm is about convenience and consistent quality. The trade-off is that you're sacrificing ultimate speed and some modern features for that Leica zoom experience.

If you're a Leica SL shooter who needs a single, high-quality zoom for everyday professional work—think events, journalism, or landscape where ultimate portability matters—this lens is a brilliant, if expensive, choice. The image quality is undeniable, and the form factor is a real asset.

But, if you're on a budget, need stabilization for video, or prioritize lightning-fast autofocus for sports, look at the Sigma or Panasonic alternatives. Also, if travel is a main focus (given its 35.6 score), this probably isn't your lens. For that, a lighter prime or a different system's zoom might serve you better.