New SL for Christmas :)

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

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So after a whole bunch of deliberation I have decided to buy the ugly camera after all. My plan is to use it with a Noctilux 0.95.

I looked on the Arte De Mano website and they have a half case for the SL that also has the battery compartment access (sweet) I like there Burgundy colour the same that I had on my M so will get one of those as well. I have a few questions;

1. I plan to buy the body in Scotland along with a new Noctilux...... would you advise to get a extended protection plan?
2. Has anyone used S lenses on the SL and if so would it be worth getting an S to SL adapter?
3. My current M lens are just a 35mm f1.4 and a 50mm Elmar 2........what would you guys recommend as a SL lens?
4. Does the SL come with a built in Diopter or should I buy one of those as well
5. How long does one battery last?
6. AcraSwiss tripod plate recommendations??

Any other tips or needs that I should get?

Later

 

Neil

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[LocalHero1953]

1. The SL hasn't been around long enough to see its reliability. I would say you don't need a plan beyond the warranty, but who knows?

2. I have no experience of S lenses.

3. You have a choice of two. If you feel you need one to go with your M lenses, then get the 24-90, for versatility.

4. Yes, it does.

5. I find it lasts several hundred shots, but not a full day of intense use.

6. I have the RRS universal plate (BP-CS): small, light, secure.

[Peter H]

Neil, will you still be getting the X1D in January?

[steppenw0lf]

Take the SL 90-280 lens. It is complementary to the lenses you already have  - M and/or S. 

The battery lasts for 400-600 shots. That could be 2-3 hours or 2 days, depends on the frequency of shooting.

An empty battery is fully recharged in 3 hours, 80% in 1 hour.

Use the SL with your glasses (diopter is built-in), it is easier than without. (If you have astigmatism, then the diopter is not corrected for that. That is the case for me).

Use it first manually (OIS) ! Then decide later if you want an L-bracket or simple plate. RRS has now a dedicated (2-part) L-bracket. But the Universal also works nicely and can be reused, when you sell the SL again.  

 

Ask testers/user groups: All protection plans are completely unnecessary. But they are great for the sellers, that's why they are offered at all occasions. Just think about the value of the gadget after the end of the regular guarantee time. Does the protection plan reflect this ? What's the value of an electronic camera after three years ? Just a fraction of the new price. And I think Leica is not different - but I could be wrong.

[steppenw0lf]

I do not have any S lenses. But the S 2.5/120 Macro is special. So special that it is worth buying the S adapter.

For the other S lenses I would not bother too much - but if you have a bunch of them, use them. (Just my opinion    ).

FlashGordon posted some examples (test).

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Neil, will you still be getting the X1D in January?

 

Peter

I talked with Alister yesterday and he just got the demo in. I told him I will be in Scotland on the 22nd and plan to go and try the X1D on the 29th after they reopen after the holiday.

My thinking now is that I might just drive straight to Inverness on the 22nd, pick up the SL and try the X1D at the same time...........my gut feeling is that I will give the X1D a miss as I don't want to buy into a completely new system when I already have the S medium format system. Plus the S lenses will work on the SL (probably will feel clumsy on the SL) but either way they will work.

I'm also swithering over getting the 50mm 1.4 SL lens over the Noctilux (peer pressure), but my gut feeling is saying get the Noctilux as that was/is the main reason for getting the SL

Later

 

Neil

[jrp]

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Get the zooms to complement the Noctilux. You won't regret it.

[MT0227]

Hey Neil,

 

I have an insurance rider for my $$$ camera equipment, I think this is your best option - lost, stolen, drops (or don't works) ...its covered.  I think you will enjoy your 35lux on the SL, that what I carry with my Nocti... it does look a little small on the SL, but the results are pretty sweet.  I'd second the RRS BP-CS plate, it has lugs to attach a hand grip if you so choose. RRS makes a fitted plate for the SL, which can be purchased in parts; bottom only or with an added portrait side mount.  As far as other lenses go, I have a 21SEM and just started playing around with it on the SL.  I never have used one, but I was actually looking to get a leather half case for my SL..there are some pretty sweet options out there. 

 

Merry Christmas and enjoy your new gear!

 

~Marc

 

So after a whole bunch of deliberation I have decided to buy the ugly camera after all. My plan is to use it with a Noctilux 0.95.

I looked on the Arte De Mano website and they have a half case for the SL that also has the battery compartment access (sweet) I like there Burgundy colour the same that I had on my M so will get one of those as well. I have a few questions;

1. I plan to buy the body in Scotland along with a new Noctilux...... would you advise to get a extended protection plan?
2. Has anyone used S lenses on the SL and if so would it be worth getting an S to SL adapter?
3. My current M lens are just a 35mm f1.4 and a 50mm Elmar 2........what would you guys recommend as a SL lens?
4. Does the SL come with a built in Diopter or should I buy one of those as well
5. How long does one battery last?
6. AcraSwiss tripod plate recommendations??

Any other tips or needs that I should get?

Later

 

Neil

[MT0227]

SL+35Lux FLE 

 

Shot this one through my office window

 

2016-11-21_028-030 by Marc Tauber, on Flickr

 

 

It's also fun to shoot it in a 1:1 aspect ratio; something you are already used to seeing.

 

2016-11-18_037-040 by Marc Tauber, on Flickr

 

 

[Paul J]

Hey bud,

 

Cool. I definitely think you should consider the adapter given the S's reliability issues you've been finding. Could be a handy thing to have when you most need it if the S fails. At lest you will have a spare body if you need it.

 

This decision came about because you miss your Noctilux, I think you should try the Noctilux rather than the Summilux. It's easy to get excited about new things and forget why you were doing it!

 

I would certainly wait until the Summilux-SL is out. First accounts do not seem that encouraging so far. Bad vignetting, terrible distortion and seems very easy to flare. If true it is not the Otus killer people are hoping for and I don't think it's going to go well for Leica if this an indication of final production models.

http://www.jupitersnake.com/review/50-summilux-sl-f1-4-review-first-look/

 

I think it's ugly with small M Lenses but I think with the SL lenses it looks great, and it looks great with the bigger M lenses like the Noctilux. I actually really like the design and think it's going to be a seminal one influencing all the other brands for years to come. We will see.

 

Personally I would stick with the M, but I seem to remember you having sight problems so the SL may be a perfect fit for you. Just remember there is no auto aperture for the M lenses so you have to focus while stopped down or focus wide open and then stop down. That is definitely not for me. But given you like long lenses the SL will open up some new doors for you there too!

 

have fun either way!

[Jeff S]

 

I'm also swithering over getting the 50mm 1.4 SL lens over the Noctilux (peer pressure), but my gut feeling is saying get the Noctilux as that was/is the main reason for getting the SL

 

 

The 50 Summilux-M works perfectly on an M, with a wonderful optical finder.

 

And who knows what a new M will offer for harder to focus lenses like the Noctilux.

 

And the 50 Summilux-SL isn't even out yet.

 

Can't wait to see how the latest Neil adventure plays out.  Holiday entertainment at its best.

 

Jeff

[ramarren]

So after a whole bunch of deliberation I have decided to buy the ugly camera after all. My plan is to use it with a Noctilux 0.95.

I looked on the Arte De Mano website and they have a half case for the SL that also has the battery compartment access (sweet) I like there Burgundy colour the same that I had on my M so will get one of those as well. I have a few questions;

1. I plan to buy the body in Scotland along with a new Noctilux...... would you advise to get a extended protection plan?
2. Has anyone used S lenses on the SL and if so would it be worth getting an S to SL adapter?
3. My current M lens are just a 35mm f1.4 and a 50mm Elmar 2........what would you guys recommend as a SL lens?
4. Does the SL come with a built in Diopter or should I buy one of those as well
5. How long does one battery last?
6. AcraSwiss tripod plate recommendations??

Any other tips or needs that I should get?

Later

 

Neil

 

 

Whether you want a half case or not is up to you. I find it unnecessary for the SL; makes it ugly and bulky...   

I always use a half-case with my M-P because I have trouble holding that one (too little good gripping surface on it, solved with the M-D where I also don't need a half-case...). A half case gets in the way of a good tripod mounting plate. 

1. Not enough data to determine reliability. No problems in a year's usage with mine. 
2. Unless you already have S lenses, I wouldn't buy an adapter and lenses just to use on the SL. You complain about weight and bulk, S lenses are pretty big and bulky. 
3. Buy the 90-280 and then the wide-zoom when it comes out. Your lens kit will be complete. 
4. Eyepiece diopter is built-in.
5. Power consumption depends a lot on how you use the camera, after the initial conditioning of a couple of charge cycles. I've had a battery charge last as many as 1200 exposures and as few as 150 depending on how much time I spent fiddling with camera configuration menus and setup options. Average is around 400-500 exposures per charge. I bought two additional batteries.
6. I use the Really Right Stuff BP-CS Multi-camera conventional plate and an Acratech Universal L Bracket. The BP-CS is small and can stay on the camera all the time. RRS makes a dedicated plate for the camera too; many folks keep it on the camera all the time. 

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Whether you want a half case or not is up to you. I find it unnecessary for the SL; makes it ugly and bulky...

I always use a half-case with my M-P because I have trouble holding that one (too little good gripping surface on it, solved with the M-D where I also don't need a half-case...). A half case gets in the way of a good tripod mounting plate.

• Not enough data to determine reliability. No problems in a year's usage with mine.
• Unless you already have S lenses, I wouldn't buy an adapter and lenses just to use on the SL. You complain about weight and bulk, S lenses are pretty big and bulky.
• Buy the 90-280 and then the wide-zoom when it comes out. Your lens kit will be complete.
• Eyepiece diopter is built-in.
• Power consumption depends a lot on how you use the camera, after the initial conditioning of a couple of charge cycles. I've had a battery charge last as many as 1200 exposures and as few as 150 depending on how much time I spent fiddling with camera configuration menus and setup options. Average is around 400-500 exposures per charge. I bought two additional batteries.
• I use the Really Right Stuff BP-CS Multi-camera conventional plate and an Acratech Universal L Bracket. The BP-CS is small and can stay on the camera all the time. RRS makes a dedicated plate for the camera too; many folks keep it on the camera all the time.

Thanks

I only mentioned the S lenses as I have 3 of them. My plan is still to just get the Noctilux and use that with the SL. I may add other lenses at a later date............

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tom0511]

Ni Neil,

the advantage owning the S and SL is that the menues/user interface are pretty the same, thats one thing I like.

And you could use the SL as a backup for the S as well.

I am not 100% happy with the LR profile and had some second thoughts, but overall I decided to stay in with the SL.

Today I shot some sports images of the kids with the 90-280 and that worked out fine.

[IkarusJohn]

... Just remember there is no auto aperture for the M lenses so you have to focus while stopped down or focus wide open and then stop down...

Yes, it's true that there's no auto stop down. It doesn't need one, as it's not a reflex camera. The EVF auto adjusts for brightness, so you get a clear, bright image in the view finder at the actual aperture selected, read off the sensor. If you want the final image at the exposure, without that brightness adjustment, you need to press the fn button on the front - then you get the actual exposure through the viewfinder.

 

I like this feature as it enables you to use the camera in manual without Auto-ISO - exposure becomes intuitive. The only problem is you have to press the fn button - a number of us have asked for this to be a fixed menu option in the next update.

 

Others had asked for auto stop down on the R adapter - to be honest, I haven't found the need for it, nor do I feel any point focussing wide, then stopping down - there's no issue nailing focus at your final aperture. The EVF really is that good.

 

PS - the more important question is, how long before Neil sells the SL? My bet is as soon as the X1D, with firmware upgrade, hits the market.

[Andrew Gough]

After two weeks, I can say that the SL is by far my favourite camera. It is a joy to use. You have all the advantages of a DSLR, mirrorless, and a M camera rolled into one body. The EVF is outstanding. It blows the Sony away in usability, resulting in much better images. It has much better colour than the Sony A7R2, which has this nagging cyan cast. I shot my M with the GPS grip, so the SL is essentially the same size, but it has the EVF...

 

A super cam.

 

Andrew

[John Black]

I had the Arti di Mano 1/2 case of the SL and added alot of girth to the SL's grip and it felt too big / too fat.  I'm 6' tall, average size hands.  I much prefer the SL with the RRS base plate.  that's ~.5" of height and gives the grip enough extra length for my last two fingers.  The RRS base plate is very nicely made and follows the contours of the SL camera body extremely well.  

 

Most of my M lenses look out of proportion with the SL body (35 FLE, 50 APO, etc.); lenses like the 75 Lux and 90 APO fit SL rather well in terms of aesthetics & proportions.  In actual use, having the EVF and ease of focus trumps the visuals aesthetics of the lens on the camera SL camera body.  The 135 APO looks silly on the SL (in my opinion), but I use that combo alot.  The SL's EVF is its stand out feature in my opinion.  The SL's battery life is okay, but not great.  I'd guess total click range of ~250-300 for most people.  My M-P 240 & M-M 246 seem to last forever on their batteries (like 750 clicks per charge).  

 

The SL with the RRS base plate isn't too far off from being Leica S body sized, so I think for the most part the SL would feel fairly similar to a Leica S body grip / feel.  I've owned the Leica S, so I'm familiar with its size, etc.  The 70S would probably feel pretty good.  The 120S would probably seem a bit nose heavy.  30-90S will feel heavy for sure. 

 

Given the size of the S lenses, I don't think I'd buy any just to use on the SL.  The native SL lenses have much faster auto-focus, and the zooms have stabilization which is really nice.  If I still had an S system, I would buy the SL / S adapter.  Being able to leverage the lenses on both systems (S and SL) would be worthwhile endeavor.  

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I have the S adaptor for my SL. I think it's worth the investment. The 120mm is stunning on the SL.

 

The lenses I have used on the SL (35, 70 and 120) all work well. Handling is good as the SL handles well with larger lenses anyway.

 

Focus is slower than the S007. OTOH you can focus anywhere in the frame so accurate off centre focusing is easy.

 

As to what SL lenses to get? Depends on you. I have both zooms and they're wonderful but big like S lenses. Ramarren's solution of the 90-280 and the 16-36 might be a good one but we don't know the delivery date of the wide yet. Personally I'll probably stick to my WATE as I am happy with MF for a wide lens and it's so small. The SL 50mm Summilux has been getting weird press. I haven't seen any comentary from anyone who actually likes the SL system yet so I'm reserving judgement. Leica don't generally make sub standard lenses and I can't see them dropping the ball on this one because it's important to the system. We'll see.

 

Personally I think the SL is the Leica where a zoom makes sense. The 24-90 is excellent so give it some consideration. Having the two zooms and a couple of select M lenses works for me. I also use the Canon TS lenses extensively on the SL.

 

Most M lenses work well on the SL and they're a doodle to focus. You will use what you have, plus your Noctilux when you get it. The Noct is extra special on the SL. I also use my 90mm AA and WATE on the SL. I don't tend to use my 24, 28 or 135mm lenses as those are covered with the zooms and about the same apertures. I tried my 50mm 'lux M on the Sl for the first time last week and I actually really liked it. Very different from the Noctilux. I'm hoping the SL50 is great (and I think it will be) but if it isn't the M lux will be more than fine.

 

I have the RRS dedicated SL baseplate (and L which I usually don't use). I like it. I use tripods every day. Also it's diminished my desire for the battery grip.

 

I don't like half cases so I just live with the ugliness.

 

Gordon

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[IkarusJohn]

Sorry, I meant to add that I got two classic Arca Swiss base plates when I bought my D4 classic head - one lives on the SWC, and the other either on the SL or the 90-280 zoom.

 

https://www.arca-shop.de/en/classic-fliplock-serie

 

I would also endorse the benefits of getting the two zooms, as they are really good. Your only complaint then will be size and weight. As you have 50mm & 35mm covered in M lenses, you then also have a compact alternative. The only thing you could consider adding is a nice M wide (the 21 Summilux sits nicely on the camera, and I also use the 15 Distagon - the contrast and colour cast is very Zeiss, which makes an interesting alternative).

 

I have enjoyed wide zooms in the past, but I'm not sure I need an autofocus wide, and I can imagine it will be rather large (my Nikkor wide zoom was) - as I already have 15-21-28 in M mount, a 16-36mm zoom seems superfluous.

 

Then again, the X1D with 30mm AF prime would be a very attractive option :-)

 

Cheers

John

[John Black]

Ditto on not using the "L" portion of the RRS base plate.  The "L" portion makes the camera too big for most of my bags.  Also, I have the Novoflex EOS / SL adapter and focus magnification is triggered by the lower-left button (M lens magnification can be triggered via the joy-stick --- I much prefer that method).  Having the "L" portion makes the left side of the camera bulkier.  The "L" portion isn't horrible or anything like that, but with my left hand shifting back and forth from supporting the lens, focusing and pressing the lower left button, the "L" portion just seems in the way.  Just my opinion.

 

As for the RRS base plate portion, that just fits the camera so well and integrates so cleanly that it looks & feels like something Leica could have included as part of their design.  I generally like RRS products, but in this case they did an exceptionally good job.  The only praise I'll give the half case is that it does offer some protection to the SL's finish - which is delicate.  The SL's finish is easy to scratch and/or ding. 

 

Somebody above mentioned adapters; I'd avoid the SL/M + M/R combo - that caused some physical vignetting where the Novoflex SL (TL) / R adapter did not (specifically in reference to the Leica 105-280mm R).  I've not had a chance to try the Leica SL / R adapter, but if I had alot of R lenses or had a strong interest in that area, I'd probably go with the Leica R/SL adapter despite the hefty price tag.  Having full EXIF for ROM based lenses would be nice (such as select focal length when using a zoom lens - I believe this is supported the Leica R / SL adapter), and I also would not have to go into the menu select which R lens is attached -- something I often forget to do