Leica unveils its first-ever macro lens for its SL mirrorless camera system – and I got to try it out!
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Credit: Chris George / Digital Camera World
Over 10 years since introducing the L-mount, Leica has finally launched its first macro lens for its SL range of mirrorless cameras. The Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8 will be available to buy by the end of the year.
With a design based on the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8 that was launched for its DSLRs in 1987, the new macro lens will offer a lifesize magnification and a minimum focusing distance of 29cm. The full-metal body is 137.6mm long and weighs 862g, without the supplied lens hood.
The Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8 comes supplied with a lens hood | Credit: Chris George / Digital Camera World
| Lens mount |
L-mount |
| Full frame |
Yes |
| Autofocus |
Yes |
| Image stabilization |
No |
| Lens construction |
17 elements in 12 groups |
| View angle (diagonal) |
22.7° |
| Diaphragm blades |
8 |
| Minimum aperture |
f/22 |
| Minimum focus distance |
0.29m |
| Maximum magnification |
1:1 |
| Filter size |
67mm |
| Dimensions |
137x77mm |
| Weight |
801g |
The Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8 provides two limited focus ranges, to avoid excessive hunting when using the macro lens | Credit: Chris George / Digital Camera World
Announced at the same time as the new Leica SL-3P camera, the macro lens will not go on sale until the end of 2026, and will retail for $2,700 / £2,100.
Despite the wait for its release, I managed to have a brief chance to try out the new Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8 during a studio session with fashion photographer Pat Domingo at Leica's Wetzlar HQ in Germany.
The photos I shot are below, with full technical details…
Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/200sec at f/6.3, ISO 64. | Credit: Future
Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/125sec at f/4, ISO 8000. | Credit: Future
Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/500sec at f/4, ISO 8000. | Credit: Future
Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/320sec at f/4, ISO 8000. | Credit: Future
Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/100sec at f/3.2, ISO 8000. | Credit: Future
Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/200sec at f/6.3, ISO 64. | Credit: Future
Check out our guides to the best macro lenses, and the best Leica SL lenses
