Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 Lens

The APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 Lens from Leica is a versatile telephoto zoom lens featuring an apochromatic design, specifically crafted for full-frame and APS-C-sized L-mount mirrorless cameras. Its sophisticated optical construction consists of 23 elements arranged in 17 groups, including seven anomalous partial dispersion elements, which effectively minimize chromatic aberrations across the entire zoom range, ensuring accurate color reproduction without fringing. The maximum aperture of f/2.8-4 enhances performance in various lighting environments and allows for greater control over focus, facilitating shallow depth of field techniques. This lens is engineered to deliver exceptional performance across a wide range of focal lengths, maintaining high clarity and sharpness throughout its extensive zoom capabilities.

In addition to its optical excellence, the 90-280mm lens is designed for rapid performance, featuring internal focusing and zooming mechanisms. The optical layout is divided into seven distinct moving groups, including two specialized focusing elements powered by linear stepping motors, which enhance both focusing speed and accuracy across the zoom and focus ranges. To further improve sharpness, an optical image stabilization system compensates for up to 3.5 stops of camera shake, making handheld shooting more feasible in challenging lighting situations. For tripod use, a removable rotating tripod collar is provided, offering enhanced stability and featuring firm detents at 90° intervals for smooth transitions between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations. Additionally, this lens is equipped with Leica's AquaDura hydrophobic coating on both the front and rear elements to protect against moisture and smudges, along with a fully dust and water-sealed construction to safeguard the lens during adverse weather conditions.

• Telephoto zoom 90-280mm L-mount lens is designed for use on full-frame mirrorless cameras, and can also be used on APS-C models where it will provide a 135-420mm equivalent focal length range.
  
  
• The f/2.8-4 maximum aperture is ideal for working in difficult lighting conditions and also offers increased control over focus position for selective focus applications.
  
  
• Designated as an apochromat, this lens features seven anomalous partial dispersion elements that reduce chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range in order to virtually eliminate color fringing and false colors.
  
  
• An optical image stabilization system compensates for up to 3.5 stops of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting with slower shutter speeds.
  
  
• A stepping motor with linear positioning offers smooth, silent, and precise autofocus performance for focusing as closely as 2' at the 90mm focal length position, or as closely as 4.6' at the 280mm focal length position.
  
  
• Dual internal focusing design employs two individual elements for focusing in order produce quick, quiet, and accurate focusing performance. This focusing mechanism also pairs well with the internal zoom design to maintain the overall lens length and to prevent the front 82mm filter ring from rotating during use.
  
  
• The water-repellent AquaDura coating has been applied to the front and rear optical surfaces to protect against moisture and other elements.
  
  
• Weather-sealed design protects against dust and moisture to benefit working in trying shooting conditions.
  
  
• Included lens hood helps to guard against stray light from entering the lens and to prevent unwanted ghosting and flare from occurring.
  
  
• A removable rotating tripod collar lends increased stability when shooting atop a tripod, and incorporates detents at 90° positions for more intuitive switching between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations.