Cancelled my SL Order - did I do the right thing?

[Flyer]

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Ok firstly I have had some good lens advise on this forum and I ordered the SL today, but after thinking things through I had massive buyers remorse, why?

 

Over the years I have had many DSLR's ( the last one Canon 5D MKIV) but I have always had soft spot for mirrorless, mainly because its compact, consequently I bought the Fuji X PRO2 and really liked it's form factor but there was just too many dials and buttons and it just seamed fiddly.

 

So I started looking for an alternative and finished up spending substantial time looking on you tube and reviews of the Leica SL and although I have a very limited budget I though at least I could buy a starter kit (Body and entry level lens).

 

So I decided today to push the button on line and order the SL and I had already bought a use Voightlander 35mm f1.2.

 

Then reality hit, for almost £6000 I had a camera that, unless I bought native lenses which are very heavy and expensive, then I have a camera that is manual focus, no image stabilisation (mainly for video) and due to budget a limited focal range.

 

As such I rang the store and they hadn't processed the order, so I cancelled.

 

I mainly do landscape and city stuff along with a bit of street.

 

I guess in a nutshell its a lot of money for a limited range of versatility, for example the SL really should be used with native to maximise its features?

 

Problem is I still love the SL Body, but that's only part of the set up. I guess I was just dreaming about owning a Leica.

 

Do you think that in time I could get used to;         Manual Focus  - No Images Stabilisation     -   Prime Lenses 

 

Advise from anyone who has had a similar transition would be appreciated.

 

Flyer

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Good decision. Stick with your Nikon

 

 

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[HeinzX]

I would only buy the SL, if I could buy it together with the 24/90. I started with that, when I sold my Canon system with exception of some special lenses, which I kept and use on the SL with the Novoflex adapter. Otherwise better keep the 5 D IV with your lenses.

[ropo54]

Ok firstly I have had some good lens advise on this forum and I ordered the SL today, but after thinking things through I had massive buyers remorse, why?

 

Over the years I have had many DSLR's ( the last one Canon 5D MKIV) but I have always had soft spot for mirrorless, mainly because its compact, consequently I bought the Fuji X PRO2 and really liked it's form factor but there was just too many dials and buttons and it just seamed fiddly.

 

So I started looking for an alternative and finished up spending substantial time looking on you tube and reviews of the Leica SL and although I have a very limited budget I though at least I could buy a starter kit (Body and entry level lens).

 

So I decided today to push the button on line and order the SL and I had already bought a use Voightlander 35mm f1.2.

 

Then reality hit, for almost £6000 I had a camera that, unless I bought native lenses which are very heavy and expensive, then I have a camera that is manual focus, no image stabilisation (mainly for video) and due to budget a limited focal range.

 

As such I rang the store and they hadn't processed the order, so I cancelled.

 

I mainly do landscape and city stuff along with a bit of street.

 

I guess in a nutshell its a lot of money for a limited range of versatility, for example the SL really should be used with native to maximise its features?

 

Problem is I still love the SL Body, but that's only part of the set up. I guess I was just dreaming about owning a Leica.

 

Do you think that in time I could get used to;         Manual Focus  - No Images Stabilisation     -   Prime Lenses 

 

Advise from anyone who has had a similar transition would be appreciated.

 

Flyer

 

I'm in the minority so far, but yes, absolutely you could get used to MF lenses. The camera is much more manageable also when using small M lenses, or even some of the R lenses.

There are some terrific voigtlanders as well.

 

In the interim there are also the TL lenses which can be purchased which will give you autofocus. The 11-23 is likewise very well regarded.

 

Another thought if you are looking for a Leica: save some $ and purchase a TL2. Or, if you really want to dip your toes into Leica, find a pre-owned TL for around $600USD and see whether you like the images.

[Flyer]

I would only buy the SL, if I could buy it together with the 24/90. I started with that, when I sold my Canon system with exception of some special lenses, which I kept and use on the SL with the Novoflex adapter. Otherwise better keep the 5 D IV with your lenses.

 

I have now sold all my Canon stuff, bit silly really should have waited. But hey I may have to sweet talk the wife and get the 24-90, even if I did its just lugging it around!

 

Flyer

[Flyer]

I'm in the minority so far, but yes, absolutely you could get used to MF lenses. The camera is much more manageable also when using small M lenses, or even some of the R lenses.

There are some terrific voigtlanders as well.

 

In the interim there are also the TL lenses which can be purchased which will give you autofocus. The 11-23 is likewise very well regarded.

 

Another thought if you are looking for a Leica: save some $ and purchase a TL2. Or, if you really want to dip your toes into Leica, find a pre-owned TL for around $600USD and see whether you like the images.

 

 

 

Thanks for the advise, I think I need to clear my head. STOP looking at you tube and think more about what I want to achieve from photography. To be honest I bough my car quicker and with less thought!!!!!!

[rafikiphoto]

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After buying the 5D MkIV then, on a whim, a s/h 5DS R for an Africa safari a couple of months ago (I already had suitable EF lenses) I haven't picked up my SL since. I fell in love with those two DSLRs, particularly the 5DS R.

[darylgo]

Does Leica have the test drive program locally?  The SL needs to be experienced to be appreciated or not.  Extremely capable, it may not win on specifications but there's a synergy when coupled with M lenses that make me less concerned with the AF lenses.  Also, rumors of a new TL mount camera with a built-in viewfinder shortly, if I was at the decision point I would certainly want to know what is waiting in the wings.  

[tom0511]

The ecellent EVF of the SL allows to adopt all kind of manual lenses. If manuel focsuing is fine for you, its a good solution. Personally I like to use  AF and for me the SL body without any native SL lenses would not be the solution.

[TheGodParticle/Hari]

Why don't you consider the M10 if AF isn't a must for you?

 

 

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[jaapv]

Ok firstly I have had some good lens advise on this forum and I ordered the SL today, but after thinking things through I had massive buyers remorse, why?

 

Over the years I have had many DSLR's ( the last one Canon 5D MKIV) but I have always had soft spot for mirrorless, mainly because its compact, consequently I bought the Fuji X PRO2 and really liked it's form factor but there was just too many dials and buttons and it just seamed fiddly.

 

So I started looking for an alternative and finished up spending substantial time looking on you tube and reviews of the Leica SL and although I have a very limited budget I though at least I could buy a starter kit (Body and entry level lens).

 

So I decided today to push the button on line and order the SL and I had already bought a use Voightlander 35mm f1.2.

 

Then reality hit, for almost £6000 I had a camera that, unless I bought native lenses which are very heavy and expensive, then I have a camera that is manual focus, no image stabilisation (mainly for video) and due to budget a limited focal range.

 

As such I rang the store and they hadn't processed the order, so I cancelled.

 

I mainly do landscape and city stuff along with a bit of street.

 

I guess in a nutshell its a lot of money for a limited range of versatility, for example the SL really should be used with native to maximise its features?

 

Problem is I still love the SL Body, but that's only part of the set up. I guess I was just dreaming about owning a Leica.

 

Do you think that in time I could get used to;         Manual Focus  - No Images Stabilisation     -   Prime Lenses 

 

Advise from anyone who has had a similar transition would be appreciated.

 

Flyer

Buy a used M9 and a couple of second hand Voigtlander lenses and get used to full manual. You can always sell them at little or no loss if you don't like it.

[geetee1972]

My personal view on how best to evaluate your decision.

 

- Only buy the SL if you can afford to buy all the lenses you want

- Don't for one moment be put off using manual focus lenses - the work flow on the SL with them is fabulous; in my view it's a superior way to photograh and makes you a better photographer (anything that is harder to achieve is worth more in the end, just my view)

- Zeiss lenses work just fine, are almost as good and cost a lot less than Lecia lenses (but you'll still hanker after Leica glass of course)

- There are also many fine options for Leica lenses in R-Mount form almost all of which are more than 50% cheaper than their M equivalents.

- The SL is just a dumb tool. If you lay it on the ground, it will take no pictures of any kind. The versatility you're after comes from you (but you already know this).

 

Hope this helps.

[thighslapper]

Generally, you need deep pockets to live comfortably in Leica land.

 

The SL is just the tip of the iceberg .... prepare for much more financial pain and anguish to come unless you have a lot of gear to liquidate to fund the process or a steady flow of disposable income. 

 

As pointed out above, none of this stuff will guarantee you take any better photos, so if the potential cost causes palpitations it's not worth it. 

 

Dreaming is much cheaper and less damaging in the long run. 

[robgo2]

Manual focus on the SL is very easy and reasonably fast, though not as fast as autofocus. I have had my SL for about one month. I bought it along with the 24-90, which I soon realized is too large and heavy for my tastes. Hence, I have been using M-mount rangefinder lenses exclusively and loving it, but I had been doing that with my Sony A7ii for the prior two years. Without a doubt, the SL is the finest camera body that I have ever used and also produces the best IQ (well, equal to the Leica Q, which has the same sensor.) That said, it is a rather expensive way to dip your toe into the world of manual focusing. I would suggest renting a body and one or two M lenses for a week and see how it goes. You may decide that it's not for you or, to the contrary, that it puts you in photography heaven. Just be warned that once you see the quality of the images, it may be hard to settle for anything else.

 

Rob

[Maxx71]

You are almost there at having the $$$$ for the M10. If you don't mind MF lenses, to me it is the best option for the shooting experience you seem to be looking for. The lenses for the M are "cheap." Zeiss and Voigtlander are as you know are affordable off ebay.

[earleygallery]

Good decision. Stick with your Nikon

 

 

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That's a bit rich coming from you Neil!! 

[earleygallery]

Ok firstly I have had some good lens advise on this forum and I ordered the SL today, but after thinking things through I had massive buyers remorse, why?

 

Over the years I have had many DSLR's ( the last one Canon 5D MKIV) but I have always had soft spot for mirrorless, mainly because its compact, consequently I bought the Fuji X PRO2 and really liked it's form factor but there was just too many dials and buttons and it just seamed fiddly.

 

So I started looking for an alternative and finished up spending substantial time looking on you tube and reviews of the Leica SL and although I have a very limited budget I though at least I could buy a starter kit (Body and entry level lens).

 

So I decided today to push the button on line and order the SL and I had already bought a use Voightlander 35mm f1.2.

 

Then reality hit, for almost £6000 I had a camera that, unless I bought native lenses which are very heavy and expensive, then I have a camera that is manual focus, no image stabilisation (mainly for video) and due to budget a limited focal range.

 

As such I rang the store and they hadn't processed the order, so I cancelled.

 

I mainly do landscape and city stuff along with a bit of street.

 

I guess in a nutshell its a lot of money for a limited range of versatility, for example the SL really should be used with native to maximise its features?

 

Problem is I still love the SL Body, but that's only part of the set up. I guess I was just dreaming about owning a Leica.

 

Do you think that in time I could get used to;         Manual Focus  - No Images Stabilisation     -   Prime Lenses 

 

Advise from anyone who has had a similar transition would be appreciated.

 

Flyer

 

Short answer to your question - yes. 

 

You seem confused. Buying an SL to use with a manual M lens is a bit like buying a coach as a little runabout for popping to the shops. 

 

I think you need to work out what it is you want or need from a camera system and then make your choice accordingly. The fact you have raised manual focus and lack of image stabilisation as issues would suggest you were about to make the wrong decision. 

 

Go back to the drawing board and work it out. From what you've said maybe the TL is better for you? 

[LocalHero1953]

Buy a used M9 and a couple of second hand Voigtlander lenses and get used to full manual. You can always sell them at little or no loss if you don't like it.

+1

 

I think you need to take a deep breath and think about what sort of photography you want to do. Camera equipment should solve the photographic problems you really have, and is not a general purpose panacea. A Leica red dot will certainly not solve them in itself.

 

If you really don't know what problem you're trying to solve, but somehow think simple manual equipment is where you want to go, then start with something cheap, like an M8 or M9 and s/h Leica, Zeiss or Voigtlander lenses - when you're sure it's for you, then trade up.

If you want AF, AE and IS, and you want it done well with a simple interface, then you need the cash to do it properly with the SL and native lenses. The SL system is too new to buy into cheaply on the s/h market, and is an expensive way to find it's not for you.

[antigallican]

Dunno if an M9 is all that cheap

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[jaapv]

No, but compared to a new SL it is, and it can be sold at little loss if needed (provided it has the new sensor )