With the launch of its new Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH, Leica has now completed a long-promised trio of f/2.8 professional zooms for the full-frame SL system, giving the series a significant boost in overall focal length coverage.
This third and final instalment in the series joins the Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14–24 f/2.8 ASPH (2023) and the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–70 f/2.8 ASPH (2021), providing photographers with a wide selection of options for shooting with a generous continuous aperture throughout the entire focal length range in a relatively compact package.
Performing as a classic telephoto zoom, the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70–200 f/2.8 ASPH is considered ideal for shooting portraiture, with an excellent image stabilization system lending it 3.5 stops of shake correction and making it equally suited to event, sports and nature photography.
The lens comprises 20 elements in 15 groups – including three aspherical elements – perfectly arranged to ensure the delivery of super-sharp, highly detailed images across the frame throughout all focal lengths. It comes equipped with aqua-dura coatings on the glass surfaces and a detachable lens hood to help keep distracting stray light at bay.
The dust- and splash-resistant magnesium and aluminum barrel sports engraved markings at each of its 70, 90, 120, 160 and 200mm focal lengths, and with an internal focusing mechanism, the lens maintains a constant length when focusing.
View Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH Pricing and Availability at Vistek
Accompanying this launch and sold separately is a new extender for the SL lenses: the Extender L 2.0x, which expands the the focal length of the latest addition up to a whopping 800mm. The only drawback is that with the extender attached, the Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm loses about two stops of light-gathering ability.
Features
- f/2.8 to f/22 aperture range
- Full-frame format
- 20 elements in 15 groups (three aspherical elements)
- 3.5-stop optical image stabilization
- 11-blade aperture diaphragm
- Dust and moisture-resistant design
- L Mount