Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Lens
With the widest focal length range in the SL portfolio, this compact telephoto zoom lens gets you close to the action in an instant, capturing your images and videos in outstanding quality. With its focal length of 100-400mm, the Vario-Elmar-SL is extremely versatile. Particularly when photographing and filming animals, nature, sports and action, it brings you up close to the subjects in the distance - for shots with the unmistakable Leica look and outstanding image quality. The optical image stabiliser and precise autofocus capture movement with sharp contrast. With its compact design and flexible handling, the telephoto zoom lens lets you react quickly at any time. And thanks to the L-Mount bayonet, it works not only in combination with SL-Cameras. The optical design of the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f/5-6.3 comprises 22 lenses in 16 groups. Both outer lenses have a water and dirt-repellent Aqua-Dura coating. The ARCA-SWISS compatible, detachable tripod base is extremely practical and convenient. It can be inserted directly into a suitable mounting system without the need for a quick-release plate, always ensuring a solid hold when using a tripod. The lockable tripod clamp allows the lens to be fixed seamlessly at any angle, but you can feel when it locks in every 90 degrees to enable quick changes between portrait and landscape formats.
With the widest focal length range in the SL portfolio, this compact telephoto zoom lens gets you close to the action in an instant, capturing your images and videos in outstanding quality. With its focal length of 100-400mm, the Vario-Elmar-SL is extremely versatile. Particularly when photographing and filming animals, nature, sports and action, it brings you up close to the subjects in the distance - for shots with the unmistakable Leica look and outstanding image quality. The optical image stabiliser and precise autofocus capture movement with sharp contrast. With its compact design and flexible handling, the telephoto zoom lens lets you react quickly at any time. And thanks to the L-Mount bayonet, it works not only in combination with SL-Cameras. The optical design of the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f/5-6.3 comprises 22 lenses in 16 groups. Both outer lenses have a water and dirt-repellent Aqua-Dura coating. The ARCA-SWISS compatible, detachable tripod base is extremely practical and convenient. It can be inserted directly into a suitable mounting system without the need for a quick-release plate, always ensuring a solid hold when using a tripod. The lockable tripod clamp allows the lens to be fixed seamlessly at any angle, but you can feel when it locks in every 90 degrees to enable quick changes between portrait and landscape formats.
With the widest focal length range in the SL portfolio, this compact telephoto zoom lens gets you close to the action in an instant, capturing your images and videos in outstanding quality. With its focal length of 100-400mm, the Vario-Elmar-SL is extremely versatile. Particularly when photographing and filming animals, nature, sports and action, it brings you up close to the subjects in the distance - for shots with the unmistakable Leica look and outstanding image quality. The optical image stabiliser and precise autofocus capture movement with sharp contrast. With its compact design and flexible handling, the telephoto zoom lens lets you react quickly at any time. And thanks to the L-Mount bayonet, it works not only in combination with SL-Cameras. The optical design of the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f/5-6.3 comprises 22 lenses in 16 groups. Both outer lenses have a water and dirt-repellent Aqua-Dura coating. The ARCA-SWISS compatible, detachable tripod base is extremely practical and convenient. It can be inserted directly into a suitable mounting system without the need for a quick-release plate, always ensuring a solid hold when using a tripod. The lockable tripod clamp allows the lens to be fixed seamlessly at any angle, but you can feel when it locks in every 90 degrees to enable quick changes between portrait and landscape formats.
With the widest focal length range in the SL portfolio, this compact telephoto zoom lens gets you close to the action in an instant, capturing your images and videos in outstanding quality. With its focal length of 100-400mm, the Vario-Elmar-SL is extremely versatile. Particularly when photographing and filming animals, nature, sports and action, it brings you up close to the subjects in the distance - for shots with the unmistakable Leica look and outstanding image quality. The optical image stabiliser and precise autofocus capture movement with sharp contrast. With its compact design and flexible handling, the telephoto zoom lens lets you react quickly at any time. And thanks to the L-Mount bayonet, it works not only in combination with SL-Cameras. The optical design of the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f/5-6.3 comprises 22 lenses in 16 groups. Both outer lenses have a water and dirt-repellent Aqua-Dura coating. The ARCA-SWISS compatible, detachable tripod base is extremely practical and convenient. It can be inserted directly into a suitable mounting system without the need for a quick-release plate, always ensuring a solid hold when using a tripod. The lockable tripod clamp allows the lens to be fixed seamlessly at any angle, but you can feel when it locks in every 90 degrees to enable quick changes between portrait and landscape formats.
in 8 offers
The lowest price for Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Lens right now is $2,999.95 at Digital Camera Warehouse, compared across 8 retailers.
The all-time low was $2,202.67 on 7 May 2026 — today's price is 36% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 8 Sept 2026.
Last updated at 08/09/2026 21:19:57
Leica 100-400mm f5-6.3 VARIO-ELMAR-SL L Mount Ì„82mm| Secondhand
Delivery $9.95
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm F/5-6.3 Lens (L Mount, 11191)
7-day returns
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Lens (L Mount) at Etoren
Delivery $57
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom Lens with OIS, L-Mount
Delivery between 15–18 Sept $8.95
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Lens
Delivery between 15–23 Sept $9.90
Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 100-400 mm f5-6.3
Delivery between 14–22 Sept $15
Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400 f/5-6.3 - Leica Official Shop
Free delivery between Fri – Tue
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Lens (New)
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
I promised myself that would not be a beta testor for Leica, remembering the development of the R4/R5. But like Rocket Raccoon, I really really wanted it so there went my resolve and I push the purchase button. So the next question is what what did I really want. The answer is a replacement for very old, but very well loved Telyt 560mm 6.8f. I have used this lens on a Visoflex II, III, an R5, R7 and finally a type 601. I was 35 when I bought it and am now 78. So auto focus, auto exposure and image stablization have all start sound pretty good, but the real issue is how fast you can grab image. The attached photo is the first I have taken with my new toy. I saw my cat, pointed and shoot faster than you can say point and shot the camera was set with the, stablizer on, ... MoreI promised myself that would not be a beta testor for Leica, remembering the development of the R4/R5. But like Rocket Raccoon, I really really wanted it so there went my resolve and I push the purchase button. So the next question is what what did I really want. The answer is a replacement for very old, but very well loved Telyt 560mm 6.8f. I have used this lens on a Visoflex II, III, an R5, R7 and finally a type 601. I was 35 when I bought it and am now 78. So auto focus, auto exposure and image stablization have all start sound pretty good, but the real issue is how fast you can grab image. The attached photo is the first I have taken with my new toy. I saw my cat, pointed and shoot faster than you can say point and shot the camera was set with the, stablizer on, program mode, 3x3 center focus matrix, center weighted exposure, ISO 800, hand held. The results 1/250 and f10. The focus peaking indicator show the camera focused on the cat's left ear. So my first impression is WOW, I am going to like using this thing. So my other first impressions... It is not very big, infact slight smaller and lighter than the 90-280. Which is the better lens, personally I don't care, so no comparisons here. They are really 2 different lens for 2 different jobs. Down sides, just one, who decided to put that unusual tripod bracket on the 90-280 and then copy it, they are not just the same part being recycled and mount it on the 100-400. The center of gravity for both lens coincides with the bracket. I now have 2 square Arca Swiss plates with a slot milled down the middle to match the edges of the dove tail on the lens. The result are lenses that balance in a gimbal mount -nice, infact very nice.
| Focal Length | 100 to 400mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/5 to 6.3 |
| Lens Mount | Leica L |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
Leica 100-400mm f5-6.3 VARIO-ELMAR-SL L Mount Ì„82mm| Secondhand
Delivery $9.95
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm F/5-6.3 Lens (L Mount, 11191)
7-day returns
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Lens (L Mount) at Etoren
Delivery $57
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom Lens with OIS, L-Mount
Delivery between 15–18 Sept $8.95
Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Lens
Delivery between 15–23 Sept $9.90
I promised myself that would not be a beta testor for Leica, remembering the development of the R4/R5. But like Rocket Raccoon, I really really wanted it so there went my resolve and I push the purchase button. So the next question is what what did I really want. The answer is a replacement for very old, but very well loved Telyt 560mm 6.8f. I have used this lens on a Visoflex II, III, an R5, R7 and finally a type 601. I was 35 when I bought it and am now 78. So auto focus, auto exposure and image stablization have all start sound pretty good, but the real issue is how fast you can grab image. The attached photo is the first I have taken with my new toy. I saw my cat, pointed and shoot faster than you can say point and shot the camera was set with the, stablizer on, ... MoreI promised myself that would not be a beta testor for Leica, remembering the development of the R4/R5. But like Rocket Raccoon, I really really wanted it so there went my resolve and I push the purchase button. So the next question is what what did I really want. The answer is a replacement for very old, but very well loved Telyt 560mm 6.8f. I have used this lens on a Visoflex II, III, an R5, R7 and finally a type 601. I was 35 when I bought it and am now 78. So auto focus, auto exposure and image stablization have all start sound pretty good, but the real issue is how fast you can grab image. The attached photo is the first I have taken with my new toy. I saw my cat, pointed and shoot faster than you can say point and shot the camera was set with the, stablizer on, program mode, 3x3 center focus matrix, center weighted exposure, ISO 800, hand held. The results 1/250 and f10. The focus peaking indicator show the camera focused on the cat's left ear. So my first impression is WOW, I am going to like using this thing. So my other first impressions... It is not very big, infact slight smaller and lighter than the 90-280. Which is the better lens, personally I don't care, so no comparisons here. They are really 2 different lens for 2 different jobs. Down sides, just one, who decided to put that unusual tripod bracket on the 90-280 and then copy it, they are not just the same part being recycled and mount it on the 100-400. The center of gravity for both lens coincides with the bracket. I now have 2 square Arca Swiss plates with a slot milled down the middle to match the edges of the dove tail on the lens. The result are lenses that balance in a gimbal mount -nice, infact very nice.
| Focal Length | 100 to 400mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/5 to 6.3 |
| Lens Mount | Leica L |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
