Leica Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 Review

Leica Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 is a manual zoom lens for SLR cameras Leica R. Produced since 1990 through 1997. During this time, 34,110 copies were produced.

The optical design is 11 elements in 8 groups, was designed and manufactured by Sigma in Japan, but such nuances as a coating have made Leica in Germany. Leica also developed a lens barrel design.

Also, the Olympic version of this lens was released for the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. It differs from the normal version only the «OLYMPISCHE SPIELE '92» inscription in the rest are identical.

And there is a later version, the so-called ROM-version. It has a slightly different barrel design, as well as contacts for Leica R8 and R9 cameras. This version also lacks a built-in lens hood.

According to serial number 3548482, my copy was released in 1991. This is the first version of the lens.

Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 Specs

Focal length: 28-70mm
Max. aperture: f/3.5-4.5
Weight (gr): 450
Length (mm): 76
Filter Ø (mm.): 60 мм
Aperture blades: 6
Min. Focus distance (m.): 0,5 м

Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 Handling and Mechanics

The lens has an impressive size and looks solidly on the camera. Immediately when you take it in hand, you know that thing you take. The body is made of metal.

A wide rubberized focusing ring having about 25 mm of width is located closer to the lens front. It is rotated by 180 degrees. It rotates when the focusing front lens and the front block motion occur about 3 mm. The rear lens, however, remains fixed. Focus such a wide ring is very convenient.

The lens includes distance scales in feet and meters.

The aperture setting ring is located closer to the bayonet side. It is not as wide, with an 8 mm. Ring of corrugated metal. When zooming moves whole optical part, including the rear lens, is about 20 mm. But the lens barrel is configured to move within the barrel, so the lens does not change its size.

When zooming, the front element does not rotate. The lens has a reverse zoom, at 70 mm optical part closer to the sensor and 28 mm farther.

At 70 mm optical part is planted closer to the sensor, and the barrel forms a hood.

On the ring, there are such tags focal distance: 28 - 35 - 50 - 70 mm.

Close to the bayonet is located aperture setting ring. The aperture closes stepwise on half stops. On the ring marked values: 3.5 - 5.6 - 8 - 11- 16 - 22. The Aperture has 6 blackened blades.

In front of the barrel is a built-in retractable lens hood. It extends about 1 cm. In my instance, it becomes loose, so put forward but not fixed. This is a common problem in this model.

The lens has an interesting classic cap made of plastic with a Leica logo covered from the top barrel.

Mounting Leica R Lenses to Other Systems

Leica R lenses have a long flange distance - 47 mm; they can be adapted for any other system. For example, my copy was adapted for the Nikon F mount.

Leica Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 adapted for Nikon.

Adaptation is achieved by simply replacing the bayonet fitting. China produces such special tails. Of course, with such adaptation, the automatic preset aperture will not work.

View on Nikon D3100

Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 Sample Photos

I used this lens on a Nikon D3100 APS-C sensor camera. So this optics is better to put on a full-frame camera, to reveal its full potential, but unfortunately, so far, I have only APS-C.

All the examples are captured on Nikon D3100, RAW export with small exposure compensation in some photos.

Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 Sharpness

At wide-open, the lens is sharp enough. Sharpness is excellent, even though it is the zoom.

70 mm f/ 4.5

100% size crop of the previous photo

28 mm f/ 3.5

100% size crop of the previous photo

It seemed to me that the 70 mm sharpness a little better than 28 mm. This is quite normal, given that a 28 mm lens on a step lighter.

28 mm f/ 3.5

50 mm f/ 4.5

70 mm f/ 4.5

At f/5.6 sharpness is even better.

28 mm f/ 5.6

28 mm f/ 8

Further sharpness growth, I did not notice, at least just magnifying the image on the camera's screen.

Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 Character and Bokeh

The lens has a good plasticity and character a nice background blur.

28 mm f/ 3.5

70 mm f/ 4.5

On the long end, of course, bokeh nicer than short.

60 mm f/ 4.5

70 mm f/ 4.5

70 mm f/ 4.5

I'm not a fan of zoom lenses bokeh, but this lens behaves very well. It has its own character.

70 mm f/ 4.5

Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 Contrast and Color Rendition

The lens has good contrast—Copes with strong side light and good keeping backlight.

28 mm f/ 5.6 Flare example

Sometimes, if it enters the lens to direct light, you can catch the flare.

70 mm f/ 4.5 An example brightly reflect light from the house in the background

Actually, what this lens impressed me with is its character, combined with color rendition.

70 mm f/ 4.5

I really liked how it renders colors. Excellent detail rendition, especially in the highlights.

29 mm f/ 3.5

The colors are obtained naturally.

28 mm f/ 5.6

60 mm f/ 5.6

70 mm f/ 4.5

70 mm f/ 4.5

70 mm f/ 4.5

Also, the lens has a good mikrokontrast.

28 mm f/ 3.5 Gray sky

70 mm f/ 4.5

28 mm f/ 3.5 Небо

Summary:
Leica Vario-Elmar-R 1:3.5-4.5/28-70 has good performance and ergonomics. The most interesting for its color rendition and character. The disadvantage for me, probably the only variable aperture. In all other respects, a great versatile zoom, which you can get live pictures.

Its price on eBay $350-800 depending on the condition and the seller.