chris_tribble

And if you're curious to see how it looks on the SL2, see below:

As an alternative I've just made a set of straps using these attachments: https://www.pgytech.com/products/quick-connectors-with-quick-beads. In the UK you can get them through Amazon. They strike me as being a nicer design than Peak, have no external metal parts and pair very well with 25mm webbing and strap adjusters you can get for pennies. If you can use a sewing machine, they're the best thing I've come across yet 😊

A few more test results - and I should say that of course the adapter I'm using is the Fotodiox 35mm adapter. I wasn't able to get hold of the 15mm version in the UK - if anyone knows where to buy I'd be interested to hear, Looking at the results, it still looks as if the V-E 24-90 is the most useful lens - though I was interested to see how the close focus M Summilux 50 Close Focus stacked up. For interest I include an example of the closest focus you can get with that lens alongside the image with the 35mm extender. All of these were hand-held, and I reckon the M lenses will do better on a tripod. The IBIS + Lens stabilisation on the 24-90 make life a lot easier.

Well - for £69 the Fotodiox x2 adapter is a VERY practical and inexpensive option for occassional macro. The AF works well on L lenses and it's good with M lenses via adapter. Some hand held examples below. This solves my needs - and even picks up the EXIF data. Still at the begining of a learning curve with this set up, and I've not tried the APO lenses yet. For the moment it looks as if the 24-90 is going to be the most useful option. 😊

Sorry you’ve had these problems. I was considering going back to Canon for DSLR, but have decided to stay with the SL2 as the glass is so good (and I love the design decision to make the zooms 24-90 and 90-280)! I hope things work out for you as the QA should have picked up these problems 🫤

And as a further contribution to discussion, I've been looking at the miserably poor high iso output from the SL2 and wondering how I ever found it acceptable. As someone who's never bothered with more than 6400 I suppose I should accept myself as stone-age, immediately through away my unworthy outdated kit, and buy the shiniest and last. Problem is, that when I look at real world images on screen and in large prints, I find it hard to find anything seriously wrong with the results the SL2 gives in VERY difficult light conditions, like theatre, jazz performances or classical concerts. And actually the same applies to work I've done with earlier M digital cameras (M8 through to M10R). Although the drive for ever "cleaner" high ISO output seems to be a marketing imperative, "obsolete" cameras like the SL2 don't do to badly! No plan to get rid of mine for the moment 😊. The image below was taken in dress rehearsal lighting (complex, mixed), with a monopod to support the SL 90-280 (it's a beast to work with unsupported during a 2 hour shoot!). Client satisfied, photographer satisfied. The images look VERY good on web, and individual A3+ prints were very very good too. More work in complex and low light here: https://www.ctribble.co.uk/galleries/THEATRE/COG_La_Voix_Humaine/ (A splendidly innovative performance of Poulenc's La Voix Humaine).

One ot the results of the noise generated by the SL3 launch has been to make me take out an SL2 and give it some love (I've been using the M10R most of the winter). A drear, grey March day in Cumbria, but I saw my first primroses and there were daffodils and catkins galore. I also reminded myself what a stunning combination the 35 APO and the SL2 are - colour, detail, handling, everything! I'm not jumping ship for the moment 😊.

Like the OP I only need occasional macro functionality, so I’ve just ordered this: https://fotodioxpro.com/products/l-35-mcr-af. It only seems to be available through Amazon 🫤. i plan to try it with APO 35 and 75 lenses (despite some negative concerns re APO lenses used for macro), or with M lenses + Leica M to L adapter. I’ll report back with results.

My one reason for eventually getting the SL3 might be the increased depth of the grip. This would maybe solve the problem of my (very short, beautifully manicured 😎) finger nails digging into the faux leather fabric. In the meantime the real leather half cases I mentioned earlier have solved the problem (much as I dislike using these) - oh, and ironically, the original problem body has had a second re-skinning as a result of the shutter being replaced after the System Error issue. My SL2 is beginning to feel like “my grandfather’s axe”…

@Photoworks that’s helpful. I wonder why… would the extension tube work with the 24~90 at the wide end? I’ve got one on order from Amazon (Fotodiox 35mm - the only one I can get in the Uk) so can always return if it doesn’t do the job. It’s only for occasional use . And hey - I’ve just thought I can also use my M lenses with the M-L adapter - and these might be ok. I’ll be interested if the new 50 Summicron close focus does anything with this rig… I lose the benefit of the AF, so could as well have used a dumb adapter, but we’ll see. I’ll report back to this thread…

Gosh - that's helpful / food for thought! I'm still debating if it's sensible to go in this direction or get one of the modern L mount lenses that are available. There are good (enough) ones available used for under £400. For occasional use it might be the way to go . Otherwise I might even think about getting an extension tube and trying that with my 75 Apo for my very occasional need for macro.

Any updates on experience with Urth R to L adapters? I'm considering getting a 3 cam R 60 f2.8 for occasional macro but don't want to spend more on a dumb adapter than I'm spending on a lens!

Agreed re neoprene straps. But if you've got a sewing machine and a bit of skill you can make one of these for a £1! Light, waterproof, comfortable, converts to a wrist strap, and wraps out of the way when the camera's in a bag, Not that I'm planning to get an SL3 for now though - I'll let others go throue the beta+ testing after March 3 😉

Just an afterword on my earlier reliability issue. I’m pleased to report that my repaired (replacement shutter) body is back and performing impeccably. After months living with an S1R it’s a delight to be using with a matched pair of SL2s again. Despite the noise surrounding the S3 launch, I have no plans to make any system changes for now as when it’s working, the SL2 delivers all that I need. Maybe I’ll be tempted by better low light performance in future, but for now the SL2 and my very reliable M10-R will be my work and pleasure tools of choice.

Thats really interesting! Thanks.. Something to try 😊

Which software? I've never tried 2 rows of images! lovely image.

One of the things that is really interesting is that that the excellent stitching functionality in LR Classic now makes it feasible to consider a 50mm lens as a viable stand-alone lens for landscape work. With the new close focus 50 lux, I can concentrate on detail, "natural" field of view images and (using software) wide or panoramic shots. Evidence below: M10-R + 50mm lux II stitched from two landscape images in LR Classic Desktop.

It was the close focus that attracted me. I really liked the facility on the Q2 but never felt at home with the 28mm lens, and never enjoyed the overall experience which felt a bit “fly by wire”. While the 50 lux II isn’t near macro, combining the 50mm fl with the 45cm close focus isn’t bad, and with the EVF2 in my pocket I have a great degree of flexibility AND the image quality of the slightly improved Version II.

Ah. Would that I had a noctilux or two to sell! The 35 M-APO is the most serious temptation I face at the moment…. Heigh ho 🙂

A local walk on limestone - the trees are ash (which have suffered terribly from the die-back disease that has hit this species across the UK). M10-R - Summilux 50 m Asph II - two horizontal images stitched in LR Classic.

M10-R, Summilux 50 II at 0.45 - hand held

Well - the Q2 has gone to Ffordes, along with my venerable M-50 Lux Asp which I must have had since about 2008, and they've funded the purchase of the new close-focus 50 Lux. I won't be attempting a review here (see @jonoslack's excellent review for this at https://www.slack.co.uk/leica_50_2023.html). However, I thought it might be useful for others to give a couple of comments The lens is beautifully made and handles as you'd expect - detent stops are positive and focus (with the tab) is positive and smooth. The detent for close-focus is as it should be, and the black chrome looks like it will wear well. And I like the new hood! I'm really enjoying using the lens and having the option of closer focus. It's not as great a magnification as the Q2's macro mode (1:3.8 vs 1:6.4) , but it will do the job for me and doesn't feel like a sacrifice (though I strongly recommend using the Visoflex-2 as I find it hard to focus / keep things steady using the rear screen) Colour, bokeh, sharpness all feel as expected. Predictable is good 😊 A few snaps from a local walk today below. I hope they give an idea of performance. I'm very pleased with the results. I'd be interested to hear of the experiences of others. 100% crop

Hmmm - if you're willing to by from AliExpress (I've never had a problem), they have the LowePro Passport Sling in stock and will ship to the UK. AS it'll be made in China anyway, why not go for it if you're looking for one - and it's heavily discounted. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005492823691.html

@Virob - really glad you found this - and completely agree, it's a shame it's discontinued. I suppose it was a commercial decision - but it's a sad loss. It seems that the moment you find a good pair of jeans or a sweater that works, the next time you try to buy it , the model's discontinued. Though when I look back at the digital M's it's not that different 🤔

The last time I was in a small propeller plane was a flight from Riga to Tallinn in 1994. The pilot introduced himself as one Yuri Gagarin! A namesake - not the astronaut - though I did double-take…. Oh, and my OM1 survived the experience 😎