p.1 #1 · Anyone (still) using the Leica SL 24-90mm?
The little Q3 43 has brought the joy of photography back to me. The last time I experienced something like that was with my Pentax camera. With Sony, it was more of a sober "working relationship." And who likes working anyway?
Well, I'm currently considering getting an SL to see if photography is as much fun with it.
I would need a standard lens for that. The 24-70 2.8 and the 28-70 2.8 are nice in terms of form factor, but the design is Sigma. Unfortunately, the zoom ring also turns the "wrong" direction for me. I know some people say you get used to it, but with the Sigma for my Sony, I always turned it the wrong way at first. If you don't have any other lenses with a different rotation direction, it might get better again sooner.
I like that it's 100% Leica, as far as I understand it. It's even "Made in Germany"! Unfortunately, it's very expensive and relatively heavy. I'm actually in favor of lighter combinations.
But for targeted use, this might be a nice addition to the Q3. At least I can use the batteries interchangeably .
Does anyone use this lens? Do you have any experience with it? Some say it's one of the best zooms ever made. Unfortunately, it's not that fast, so it's probably only of limited use for portraits. But it's probably very, very good for other things. However, most of the reviews I found were several years old. A lot has changed in the meantime. For example, I have the Tamron 35-150 for Sony (f2.0 - 2.8). That's quite a statement. But I expect more from the Leica. I am really impresse by the lens Leica used for the Q3 43.
Maybe someone has experience and wants to share it.
p.1 #3 · Anyone (still) using the Leica SL 24-90mm?
Yes, I still use mine. Recently other brands shave caught up to the 24-90 but it still competes very well. It’s a very well balanced lens, optically. Draws great. Sharp and near APO performance. It’s *slightly* weaker at the long end. f4 is fine for portraits unless you’re wedded to the hair thin DoF look, which I am not. Matched with the spectacular 90-280 it makes a sensational but heavy two lens kit. AF is OK but not spectacular. A Sony it ain’t. But it’s snappy enough for portraits and most things except the more extreme stuff, which is unlikely with a lens of this focal length.
I have used the Tamron 35-150. It’s good but the 24-90 is better in that range. The newer Sony 28-70 and 50-150 f2’s are the benchmark for me. I haven’t used the new Canon 24-105 Z yet.
It is big and that matters if your have to carry it any distance. I also have the Panasonic 24-105 which I use for travel hiking, although I want to have a look at the Leica 28-70. It’s not that I can’t hike with it. I’ve done so many times. Just that at f5.6 for landscapes I may as well get similar performance with less weight. Since I use most brands interchangeably I don’t worry about zoom direction.
If you’re considering the 24-90 I’d look at in context of other zooms you might get. It’s a perfect match for the 90-280 and the 16-35, with some over lap. If you’re thinking about the 70-200 or 100-400 then the Sigma designed 24-70 would be a better option. Same zoom direction. If that’s a concern.
The side effect of the weight is that it’s one of the best made standard zooms ever produced. It’s bomb proof. I’ve had mine since it’s release day and it’s never had an issue. I’ve used it for work and play on 4 continents without issue. I’ve literally hosed it off when it’s sandy. For a telescoping design it’s brilliantly sealed. After 9 years the zoom is still smooth and nicely damped.
p.1 #4 · Anyone (still) using the Leica SL 24-90mm?
I just bought one a week ago and it's stupendously good. For my purposes the f/4 @90mm is perfectly fine since I am not a massive fan of portraits done at wider apertures; it stills throw the background out of focus nicely and hair and face are covered well by the depth of field. Yes, it's a heavy bastard but lugging around a S1R body I am kind of screwed anyway so I can live with it. But obviously it's something to take into consideration if you're going hiking. That said it'll be used for an upcoming trip to Italy and Switzerland because the focal range and spectacular IQ is exactly what I want for those landscape shots.
p.1 #5 · Anyone (still) using the Leica SL 24-90mm?
My reply is rather late. Thank you for your contributions. Very interesting. Is there a good resource (other than Flickr) for photos taken with the Leica 24-90mm? There doesn't seem to be a dedicated thread here on Fred Miranda?
p.1 #6 · Anyone (still) using the Leica SL 24-90mm?
I regrettably sold my 24-90mm and other SL lenses due to the weight of the system but should have kept that one zoom because it can do it all. You won’t regret using it.
