Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm F/5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom Lens and 1.4x Extender Launched

Lens News

by Jeff LochMarch 14^th, 2023

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Leica has just released an L-mount lightweight telephoto zoom lens: the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm F/5-6.3. This medium telephoto zoom features a built-in optical image stabilization system that can compensate for up to 4 stops. It also has an internal focusing system that should work well with the Leica SL2 and SL2-S. And if that 100-400mm zoom range is not enough for you, Leica also launched a 1.4x extender. So let’s take a closer look at these!

After the more affordable Summicron-SL 35 and 50mm F2 ASPH L-mount prime lenses announced in February, Leica is back with a new “affordable” zoom lens: the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm F/5-6.3.

Indeed, Leica already had a telephoto zoom in its lineup of L-mount lenses: the APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm F/2.8-4, but at $7,295, this is far from an affordable telephoto zoom for most people.

Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm F/5-6.3 – features

The Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm F/5-6.3 is a lightweight medium telephoto lens for full-frame L-mount mirrorless cameras. The housing is composed of magnesium and black-anodized aluminum, which is dust/splash protected.

The length is around 19.8cm/7.8in, and with a weight of only 3.26 lbs/1.48kg, it’s not a lens you can put in your bag and forget about, but the focal range/weight ratio is still impressive.

The lens barrel extends when you zoom in and you’ll find the focus ring at the back and the zoom ring at the front.

The Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm F/5-6.3 features built-in image stabilization that can compensate for up to 4 stops. In a very “Leica-style,” there is no AF/MF nor IS On/Off switch on the lens: all these changes must be done using the Menu inside your camera.

On the inside, according to Leica, you’ll find a fast internal motor that works well in combination with the Leica SL2 and SL2-S tracking abilities.

Finally, the lens has a lockable tripod clamp and a detachable tripod shoe. The detachable tripod shoe is Arca-Swiss compatible, so you don’t need an extra quick-release plate.

The lockable tripod clamp also allows the lens to be fixed securely to a tripod at any angle. The clamp locks every 90 degrees for quick changes between landscape and portrait formats. According to Leica, “only this specific tripod clamp must be used for shoots with a tripod to avoid damage to the bayonet of the camera.”

Lens design

The lens design of the Leica Vayou’llmar-SL 100-400mm F consists of 22 lenses in 16 groups. On the external lenses, you’ll find an AquaDura hydrophobic coating.

The minimum focusing distance is 3.6’/1.1m, and it has a front filter diameter of 82mm.

Leica Extender L 1.4x for the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm F/5-6.3

If the 100-400mm range is insufficient, you can transform it into a 140-560mm telephoto lens by using the Leica Extender L 1.4x.

This extender maintains the electronic communication between your lens and camera, so the extended focal length and the aperture are written into the image data.

Price and availability

The Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 F/5-6.3 is available now for $2,195. The Leica Extender L 1.4x is also available now for $875.

For more information, please visit Leica’s website here.

What do you think about this L-mount telephoto lens? Would the wide focal range be helpful for the kind of content you shoot? Let us know in the comments down below!