Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with Leica L mount cameras.
What type of photography is the Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
| Photography Type |
Suitability |
| Bird/Wildlife | Very Good |
| Sports | Very Good |
| Portrait | Fair |
| Travel | Poor |
| Street | Poor |
| Wedding | Fair |
| Walk Around | Fair |
| Vlogging | Poor |
| Landscape | Fair |
| Macro | Average |
Lenses in Leica L Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Reasons to Buy Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f5-6.3 Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f5-6.3 lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
| Optical Image Stabilization (up to 4.0 stops) |
| Weather Sealed |
| Autofocus |
| Compatible with Leica Teleconverters |
| Hood supplied |
| Tripod Collar |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades |
| 400mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
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| Lens Extents while zooming |
| Slow Aperture at Wide end |
| Slow Aperture at Tele end |
| Variable Aperture |
| Heavy |
| Pricey |
Lens Mount
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 is compatible with cameras that have Leica L lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica L lenses are Panasonic S5 II, Panasonic S5 II X and Sigma fp L.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 has a maximum diameter of 88mm and total length of 198mm when not extended . It weighs 1530g / 54.0 oz.
For comparison purposes, below is a side by side image of Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 and Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS (Leica L mount) to get a better idea of how their size compare in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.
Comparison image of Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 and Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS Size and Weight
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 has a filter thread of 81mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3:
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Leica-Vario-Elmar-SL-100-400-f5-6.3-topview.jpg]()
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 Lens Top View
Focal Range
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 has a focal range of 100-400mm and 4.0X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 150 - 600mm.
Teleconverter Compatibility
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 is compatible with the Teleconverter lenses below:
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Weather Sealings
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 is a weather sealed lens which provides an extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have an effective protection, you have to pair the Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 with a weather sealed camera body such as Panasonic S5 II, Panasonic S5 II X and Sigma fp L.
Optical Image Stabilization
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting. Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3's stabilization system is effective up to 4.0 stops.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 198mm and a weight of 1530g, the Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a
Arca-Swiss type tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
Zoom Method
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Leica-Vario-Elmar-SL-100-400-f5-6.3-extended.jpg]()
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 Extended State
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.24x and has a minimum focusing distance of 1.1m.
Aperture
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 100mm, and a max aperture of f6.3 and minimum aperture of f22 at 400mm .
| Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
|
100mm
|
F5 |
F22 |
|
400mm
|
F6.3 |
F22 |
Optical Formula
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3's optical formula consists of 22 elements in 16 groups .
Lens Hood
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Body Colour
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 is available in Black color.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Leica-Vario-Elmar-SL-100-400-f5-6.3-withcamera.jpg]()
Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 Attached to a camera
Popular Comparisons of Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3
Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Leica SL 100-400 f5-6.3 amongst Camera Decision readers.
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