Best 28, 50, 135 lenses for an SL2

[Bruce Robbins]

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Hi folks. I'll be moving to a smaller house in a month or so and I want to "rationalise" my photography to go with the downsizing. I've been enjoying my time with a Leica M2 (you can read about the journey here if you have some time) and have been thinking about selling off my 35mm SLR gear - I've far too much - and getting an SL2 and 28, 50 and 135 lenses. I don't know much at all about R lenses and would value some input.

 

I don't need fast lenses but the "cam thing" is confusing and I'm not sure which lenses in these focal lengths are most prized. Would I be better sticking to early lenses or are later ones compatible and, if so, which are the most highly regarded?

 

This is all part of moving to an all-Leica workflow for 35mm, enlarging the M2 and SL2 negs on a 1C with the LFE Focotar. At some point I hope to pick up a 2C for my Rollei negs.

[Hugh 38]

With  an   SL2   you  can use   2  cam  lenses ,  or  3  cam  ones  .  The   SL2  ignores  the   third  cam .

Do  not   use  ,  or  even  try   to  attach  a ROM  lens .  The  ROM  contacts   will    mess up   the  insides , that  if  you  can  even   fir  it on . 

 

I  do  not  think  you  can  use  the   early  one  cam  lenses . However   there  are   very  few  about  ,  and  most  of them  had  red  numbers on  the  focus  scale .

As  for  which  lenses   you  use  it  is  up  to  you  .  I  use    the  Elmarit   35  and  90  a  lot . I do  have  a    135   though  have never   got  on  very  well  with  it . I  mostly   shoot  slides  now  and  use  the Pradovit  projectors . 

[bocaburger]

The 2nd version of the 28 Elmarit-R (e55 filter) is a better performer than the 1st (48mm filter), and can be found in 3-cam configuration to work with the SL2.  In 50mm, the 2nd version Summicron-R is also the better performer, and takes an e55 filter vs the rather awkward series-VI+retaining ring.  Likewise there were some improvements in the 2nd version (e55) of the 135 Elmarit-R.