Leica unveils its first-ever macro lens for its SL mirrorless camera system – and I got to try it out!

Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8.

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 (Image credit: Chris George / Digital Camera World)

Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8 specifications

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 (Image 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. (Image credit: Future)

Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/125sec at f/4, ISO 8000. (Image credit: Future)

Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/500sec at f/4, ISO 8000. (Image credit: Future)

Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/320sec at f/4, ISO 8000. (Image credit: Future)

Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/100sec at f/3.2, ISO 8000. (Image credit: Future)

Leica SL-3P with Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100mm f/2.8. 1/200sec at f/6.3, ISO 64. (Image credit: Future)

Check out our guides to the best macro lenses, and the best Leica SL lenses