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

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Leica L Standard Zoom full-frame 2025

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28-70mm

Focal length

f/2.8

Max aperture

572 g

Weight

14mm35mm85mm200mm600mm

▲ 28-70mm

Max aperture

f/1.8

f/2.8

f/5.6

Constant Aperture

Zoom Ratio: 2.5x
Zoom Method: external

Focal length50 mm

28 mm70 mm

Aperturef/2.8

f/2.8f/22

Near focus8' 2"

Far focus9' 9"

Total DOF1' 6"

Hyperfocal101' 9"

Subject distance8' 11"

Focal length50 mm

Aperturef/2.8

SensorFull Frame

Illustrative scene preview based on this lens's focal length, aperture, and sensor coverage.

This preview uses 50mm, f/2.8, and Full Frame. Subject distance is estimated to keep lens previews comparable.

Min aperture: f/22

Optics

Optical construction: 16 elements in 12 groups
Special elements: 3 aspherical
Coatings: Aqua-Dura

Focusing

Minimum focus: 19 cm
Max magnification: 0.3×

Physical

Weight: 572 g
Dimensions: ⌀73mm × 102mm
Filter thread: 67 mm
Hood included: Yes
Color: Black

Recommended Use

Ideal for: Landscapes, Portraits, Street, Travel, Vlogging, Walkaround / Daily, Weddings

Release year: 2025
Approx price: $1890 USD
Optical correction & RAW development: NDPix Photo Editor

The best

A compact f/2.8 zoom for the whole day

Also

Sealed body and close focusing

Summary

The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70mm f/2.8 ASPH., the most compact standard zoom in the SL system: 572 g, 102mm long and 73mm in diameter. It covers 28–70mm at a constant f/2.8, using 16 elements in 12 groups with three aspherical lenses. The Leica design for the L mount is meant to travel from reportage to film production without the bulk of a larger zoom.

The constant aperture holds exposure steady as the focal length changes and keeps background blur consistent for portraits and close-ups. Aqua-Dura coating on the external elements and a dust- and splash-resistant build support outdoor work. The diaphragm is controlled electronically from the camera, with no aperture ring, and autofocus works with the SL body's face and eye detection. There is no optical stabilisation, so low-light handheld shooting relies on the camera's sensor stabilisation when available.

Minimum focus is 0.19 m at 28mm and 0.38 m at 70mm, with a maximum magnification of 1:3.3 for detail shots. At 70mm and f/2.8 it renders soft backgrounds; stopping down to f/4 or f/5.6 evens out the corners. For street, documentary and video work that calls for a bright, light and discreet zoom, the most manageable option in the SL range —accepting a simpler optical construction and no built-in stabiliser— is this Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70mm f/2.8 ASPH.