Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm F2.8 ASPH vs Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH
L-Mount
Both Leica SL zooms cover the ultra-wide range but follow different concepts. The Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm f/2.8 ASPH (October 2023) is the first SL lens with 14 mm, holds f/2.8 throughout and has a fixed built-in hood with no front filter thread. It weighs 855 g. The Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH (2018) is slower, but takes 82 mm filters, reaches 35 mm and is even heavier at 990 g.
The core of the decision: 14 mm and f/2.8 against screw-in filters and a zoom range reaching into the normal wide angle.
Which one suits whom?
- 14-24mm: You need 14 mm and f/2.8 for architecture, landscape or astro and can do without screw-in filters.
- 16-35mm: You work with filters and want a range that reaches 35 mm.
Key differences
- Focal length: 14-24 mm on the Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm F2.8 ASPH, 16-35 mm on the Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH.
- The Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm F2.8 ASPH is faster: f/2.8 instead of f/3.5, about 0.7 stops more light.
- The Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm F2.8 ASPH is 135 g lighter (855 g vs 990 g).
- The Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH is 8 mm shorter.
- The Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH focuses closer: from 25 cm instead of 28 cm.
Specs side by side
The key specs of both lenses side by side.
| Lens | Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm F2.8 ASPH | Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 14-24 mm | 16-35 mm |
| Max. aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5-4.5 |
| Weight | 855 g | 990 g |
| Filter diameter | – | 82 mm |
| Min. focus distance | 28 cm | 25 cm |
| Length | 131 mm | 123 mm |
| Autofocus | yes | yes |
| Image stabilization | no | no |
Size comparison
- Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm F2.8 ASPH: 131 × 85 mm
- Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm F3.5-4.5 ASPH: 123 × 88 mm
Side view to the same scale, length × diameter (without lens hood).