The general 24-70mm zoom has been a staple for photojournalist, travelers, as wells as many beginners, earning its place in many photography kits and camera bags as the workhorse lens suitable for any occasion. At first I was a bit skeptical if the Leica 28-70mm f2.8 Vario-Elmarit-SL ASPH would feel any different from the Leica 24-70mm f2.8 Vario-Elmarit-SL ASPH… so why 28-70mm?
Zoom Range & Close Focus:
The focal range might sound odd at first since 24-70mm has been the status quo for standard zoom optics but after some time with the 28-70mm, I found myself quickly adapting to the 28mm focal length and not really missing the 24mm focal length. From a subjective standpoint, difference between 24mm and 28mm is minor and the 28mm focal length felt a bit more focused and intentional when it comes to composing.
Another surprising feature with the Leica 28-70mm is how close you are able to focus at each focal distance: 0.19m at 28mm, 0.38m at 70mm. This is comparable to the 0.18m minimum focus on the Leica 24-70mm and closer than the 0.3m minimum focus on the Leica 24-90mm f2.8-4 Vario-Elmarit-SL ASPH.
Initial Thoughts:
One of the main reasons I typically gravitate towards prime lenses for everyday use is mostly due to: size, weight, and ergonomics. Keeping the profile of the camera light and compact is key (at least for me) to carrying a camera with me at all times. The Leica 28-70mm did not disappoint. It felt like a happy medium between the Leica Apo-Summicron-SL optics and the Vario-Elmarit Zoom optics due to the benefits of the reduced size and weight. The auto focus response was quick, snappy, and accurate. I felt like I could photograph with the lens all day and often times, I would forget that I was using a zoom lens. Paired with the Leica SL3-S, this zoom lens felt practical for the everyday photographer.
Leica 28-70mm f2.8 Vario-Elmarit-SL ASPH is a fast compact zoom lens that really emphasizes on versatility and efficiency. The form factor is the smallest of the standard zoom range Leica optics and offers quick and accurate auto focus suitable for any scene, making this lens a great addition to the current line of Leica Zoom SL Optics.
