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So now I've bought an SL, what lenses should i get?


geetee1972

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Thank you all for the contributions to my question 'should I buy an SL'. It worked and now I have one. Please now help me decide on the right set of lenses.

 

I will NOT be buying the 24-90mm. Good as it may be it is unequivocally not what I want.

 

I have narrowed my options down to the following two or three:

 

2nd hand 50 summircron (M) + 2nd hand (and mint) 80mm Summilux ®

2nd hand 35mm Summarit + 2nd hand 75mm APO Summircron

New 50mm Summilux (M)

 

I am very happy at 50mm focal length and could shoot all day like this, both candids, portraits and street. My principle focus in photography though is portraiture of all kinds, but in particular environmental portraiture and I've previously loved the effects that a fast 80mm+ lens can offer wide open. I'm drawn to the R-Mount 80mm because it's so compact, fast and offers the potential for a particular differentiated look. But if I can have everything in one lens, i.e. the Lux 50, then the simplicity of one camera one les is very appealing.

 

The 35/75 is obvioulsy the best spread but I find that almost every picture I've previously taken at 35mm ends up being cropped, so I've concluded that 50mm is where I should be. Happy to take alternative perspectives and advice though.

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Yes, impossible to answer. Regarding size and "history" and also haptics., the R lenses are a natural choice.

So Elmarit R 28, Summicron R 50, Summicron R 90 or Macro Elmarit-R 100 seem a reasonable choice.

I like the Zeiss colors, so even Contax 3.4/35-70 and Contax 2/100 seems a reasonable choice.

 

As said: Impossible to give an advice.

 

But the new primes are arriving soon. So lean back, buy a used zoom (e.g. Contax 28-85, or anything you always wanted to try but did not fit to your camera), and wait for the AF 35 and AF 90.    :D  :D

 

P.S. I see you have a C Sonnar, so no need to buy anything until the primes are there. You might like the Summicron-SL 75mm as your single lens and by chance it is the first Summicron prime to be available.. The R 80 plus adapter will be about equal in size, but with limited functionality in comparison. (The R 80 is probably similar to your C Sonnar, while the SL 75 is expected to be "clinically sharp" at all apertures).

Edited by steppenw0lf
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I think your only choice is between the 24-90SL and the 50SL.

Yes, I know you said you don't want the 24-90, but you don't say why.

- if it is size, then I doubt that the 50SL will be a big step way; the 24-90 is also more versatile, especially for environmental portraits.

- if it has too small an aperture, or you don't like zooms, then that is more reasonable.

 

Whatever, if you don't have anything at the moment, find a cheap s/h 50M or 50R to tide you over till the 50SL is out, then you can compare them.

 

If you don't get an SL lens, then you are forgoing weatherproofing and AF, which were two (of many) reasons I wanted the SL.

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All reasonable points. I am not considering the 24-90 for two reasons. One is the size; it's just too large and this is one of the main reasons I sold up my Sony gear in the first place. Yes the A7rII was small but the lenses were huge and cumbersome. The other reason is I don't like zooms; I much prefer working at a focal distance I know and understand and working myself as a photographer around that focal length. Zooms, like autofocus, make me lazy, whereas primes and manual focus keep me sharp.

 

I opted for the SL over an M240 because focusing the SL with manual lenses was, is, a dream. It's actually so easy to do, especially compared to the Sony where the promise of live view, magnified view and focus peaking was always let down by the poor quality of the EVF, at least compared to the SL. You need the EVF to be really good to make manual focus at large apertures realistically possible.

 

The SL 50 Lux is still a consideration but it is also still going to be huge and AF. The weatherproofing is an interesting point and strong point though. I have asked if the M/R lenses are weather proof and it seems the answer is along the lines of 'no but then there are no electronics inside them so nothing to go wrong'. My first thought though was that moisture is the best medium for fungus to grow in but I don't know if that is the actual cause of fungus in a lens or not.

 

Really this comes down to whether I just have the M 50 Lux or the M 50 Cron plus a longer focal length, larger aperture portrait lens.

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Thank you all for the contributions to my question 'should I buy an SL'. It worked and now I have one. Please now help me decide on the right set of lenses.

 

I will NOT be buying the 24-90mm. Good as it may be it is unequivocally not what I want.

 

I have narrowed my options down to the following two or three:

 

2nd hand 50 summircron (M) + 2nd hand (and mint) 80mm Summilux ®

2nd hand 35mm Summarit + 2nd hand 75mm APO Summircron

New 50mm Summilux (M)

 

I am very happy at 50mm focal length and could shoot all day like this, both candids, portraits and street. My principle focus in photography though is portraiture of all kinds, but in particular environmental portraiture and I've previously loved the effects that a fast 80mm+ lens can offer wide open. I'm drawn to the R-Mount 80mm because it's so compact, fast and offers the potential for a particular differentiated look. But if I can have everything in one lens, i.e. the Lux 50, then the simplicity of one camera one les is very appealing.

 

The 35/75 is obvioulsy the best spread but I find that almost every picture I've previously taken at 35mm ends up being cropped, so I've concluded that 50mm is where I should be. Happy to take alternative perspectives and advice though.

 

 

In my opinion :

 

2nd hand 50 Summicron M (smaller) or 2nd hand 50 Summicron R (cheaper and as good) + 2nd hand (and mint) 80mm Summilux R

Edited by Leicaiste
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I only use M and R lenses with the SL.

 

I tend to stick with only R lenses or only M lenses. I try not to mix them.

 

It put the focusing ring and aperture rings consistent when switching lenses.

 

Also, one adapter is enough.

 

If you use both M and R at the same time the stacked adapters (M-Adapter L + R Adapter M) will make your life easier than the two dedicated M-Adapter L and R-Adapter L. 

Edited by Leicaiste
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All reasonable points. I am not considering the 24-90 for two reasons. One is the size; it's just too large and this is one of the main reasons I sold up my Sony gear in the first place. Yes the A7rII was small but the lenses were huge and cumbersome. The other reason is I don't like zooms; I much prefer working at a focal distance I know and understand and working myself as a photographer around that focal length. Zooms, like autofocus, make me lazy, whereas primes and manual focus keep me sharp.

 

I opted for the SL over an M240 because focusing the SL with manual lenses was, is, a dream. It's actually so easy to do, especially compared to the Sony where the promise of live view, magnified view and focus peaking was always let down by the poor quality of the EVF, at least compared to the SL. You need the EVF to be really good to make manual focus at large apertures realistically possible.

 

The SL 50 Lux is still a consideration but it is also still going to be huge and AF. The weatherproofing is an interesting point and strong point though. I have asked if the M/R lenses are weather proof and it seems the answer is along the lines of 'no but then there are no electronics inside them so nothing to go wrong'. My first thought though was that moisture is the best medium for fungus to grow in but I don't know if that is the actual cause of fungus in a lens or not.

 

Really this comes down to whether I just have the M 50 Lux or the M 50 Cron plus a longer focal length, larger aperture portrait lens.

M and R lenses are reasonably moisture proof due to narrow tolerances. Don't worry about fungus. Lenses that are used don't get fungus.

Just get a Summicron R 50 and take it from there.

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I've no experience with the SL, but regarding focal length, you convinced me and it seems everyone else that you should get a 50. So that takes the 35s off the table. You have the ZM 1.5/50? If so, use that for a while and see how you like it.

(I would go for the R 2/50 if I were you; they just look cool on the SL - they seem to be a better match)

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I have both an SL24-90 and a full range of R system lenses from 15mm to 250mm. I also have a select set of lenses in M mount. I generally prefer shooting with prime lenses rather than zooms: the fixed field of view works better for me in most cases. 

 

- When I'm focused on photographing a particular thing and I ignore the size and weight of it, the SL24-90 is without a doubt the right lens to have if I'm shooting within that focal length range. Between its superb imaging performance, image stabilization, and the additional features that the SL body provides with a dedicated lens (better metering, more metering modes, choice of focus modes, etc), it's the right choice. Even if I just set it to 50mm and leave it there for the whole shooting session. 

 

- When I'm focused more on walking and looking, and catching photographs of things I see in a wider and more diverse way, I don't like to carry such a large and heavy lens ... and my preference for prime lenses wins over versatility. In this case, my favorite camera kit is a pick of three lenses depending on the whim of a day: R19 or R24, R50 (either 'Lux or 'Cron) or R60 macro, R90 or R180. I tend to put the Summilux-R 50mm f/1.4 on the camera most of the time. If I choose a two lens kit, it's almost always R35+R90 or R50+R135. But I most often choose to carry just one lens. And there the whim of the day takes precedence ... either R15, R19, R60, R180, R90, R50, etc.

 

- When I travel, I almost never carry more than three lenses and I'm looking to minimize the total package bulk and weight. Then it makes most sense to carry the Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21, the SL24-90, and the Elmar-R 180/4 if it's lens versatility I'm after. But more of the time I want the lighter weight and prime lens workflow, so R24, R50, R90 becomes the standard. 

 

If you notice, I pick R lenses over M lenses most of the time. I find most M lenses to be a compromise in ergonomics and capability on the SL: they don't focus close enough and their weight/balance/control layout isn't ideal for the SL body. There are exceptions, of course—like the Noctilux 50mm—that fit better on the SL than they do on the M. 

 

Beyond my notions and ideas, you'll have to decide what works best for your photography and go with it. No one can really say what the best lenses for another photographer are.  :)

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Interesting question that is still bothering me. I'm thinking of getting the SL and I have a nos. of M and R Lens.

 

To me the SL 2490 lens is a duplication of my M lens. I have the 28 cron, 35 lux, 50 lux and the 90 cron. My favourite M lens is the 50 lux.

 

My conclusion was to get the SL 90-280 lens instead of the SL 24-90 lens.

Edited by Fang
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M and R lenses are reasonably moisture proof due to narrow tolerances. Don't worry about fungus. Lenses that are used don't get fungus.

 

 

Sure, for the M system, but the issue is whether a non-native lens, plus adapter, on the SL will prevent moisture from getting into the camera, especially under extreme conditions.  The S system and the SL system seem to be on another level.  

 

The blog post from David Farkas with his S system in Iceland, water running off everything in the middle of nowhere, is something I wouldn't do with an adapted lens....   http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2015/09/my-photographic-adventure-through-iceland-with-the-leica-s-typ007/

 

Depends on your needs.

 

Jeff

Edited by Jeff S
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I like a good 50. Fortunately Leica makes a whole bunch of them.

 

Personally, I find the Summilux ASPH M, a little too small on the SL. It's best focused with the tab and I don't find that as comfortable as on the M. I think the R version might be a bit easier in use on the SL than the M.

 

You might want to spend a bit of time comparing the Mandler style lenses to the Karbe designs. They draw very differently. Most of the R lenses are a bit more gentle in their approach. Something I quite like in a lens. It's a very personal thing but I've moved away a bit from the super sharp contrasty ASPH M lenses to pre-asph and even CV lenses. I also prefer the way non ASPH lenses draw the background with less onion ring blur and smoother transitions.

 

I think the Summarit range of M lenses are great and highly underrated by some. The 2.4 version focuses closer than the 2.5. A 50 and 90 Summarit would be a nice small combination.

 

I could spend a lot of your money and tell you the Noctilux is brilliant on the SL. Better than it is on the M and easier to focus. I consider my Noctilux to be an SL lens now. Expensive but who actually needs two kidneys? :)

 

Maybe a 50mm Summicron R and a 80 'lux might be a good combination for you. Good news with R lenses is you can try and resell for the same price if you don't like them.

 

Gordon

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Thankyou kindly for all the input. Gratefully received and well considered. I decided to go with one lens and to make that the Summilux 50mm in M-Mount, partly because of its legendary reputation for all round brilliance but also because ultimately I see myself acquiring an M6. I will post my experiences and results with it in the SL image page.

 

Thanks again.

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