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

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

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 Neil got out from the wrong side of bed again.

 

I am still waiting for him to get out of the wrong side of bed again and he decides to sell off his Noctilux cheap (like he did for the other M lens.)  Blame it on his Scottish decent especially those guys from Dundee 

Fang

You can have it for RM34k, I will throw in a Kota Permi membership for another 40k...............mates prices :)

[ramarren]

No one besides you can tell you whether you've done "the right thing" ... There is no "right thing" when it comes to selecting equipment that will suit you. There's only what suits you, your workflow, and your subject matter best.

 

When I first ordered the SL, way way back in October 2015 (LOL!), I only ordered the body because I had a dozen beautiful Leica R lenses and a similar dozen Leica M lenses. I amended the order to include the SL24-90mm as well a couple of days later, figuring "I should really have at least one lens that allows me to utilize all of the SL body's features." 

 

I hardly touched the SL24-90 for the first year I owned it. I prefer the direct, simple feel of a manually focused lens, never felt I've missed anything by not becoming dependent upon image stabilization, and if I only have Manual and Aperture Priority exposure modes, well, I worked with Nikon and Leica cameras for thirty years where having those two things was a plus that only a few of my cameras had: most only had Manual exposure. 

 

In the second year of ownership, I began to use the SL24-90 more of the time. It's a superb lens. So good, in fact, that I decided that having its big brother SL90-280 would be more effective for my photography than my long R lenses were—because image stabilization is specifically best used to extend the hand-holdability of longer lenses in good light, in my opinion. I sold off my longer R lenses, a couple of my shorter R lenses, a few M lenses, and some of the other excess camera baggage to fund the Bazooka. I'm delighted with it. 

 

But to this day, I still have an R lens on my SL most of the time. The Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8, the Super-Elmar-R 15mm f/3.5, the Summilux-R 50mm f/1.4, and Summicron-R 90mm f/2 are the mainstay of my photography with the SL. I love how they render, I love how they focus, etc etc. 

 

So did you do the right thing? I don't have any idea, nor do I understand why others might feel they can tell you. I know I'm completely delighted with the Leica SL AND my R lenses, my M lenses, and the two SL lenses that I use with it. And that's all that matters.

 

 

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

[Waterden]

Did you do the right thing? IMHO No!

[darylgo]

So did you do the right thing? I don't have any idea, nor do I understand why others might feel they can tell you

 

He asked 

[dkCambridgeshire]

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

 

It's possible to buy a secondhand SL bodies in the UK at considerable savings on the new price … that's how I acquired mine. And your 'almost £6000 purchase ' was on the £high side because dealers are discounting the SL new price. The SL is very usable with many manual focus legacy lenses … users do not necessarily need to buy SL lenses. 

 

dunk  

[Joshua Lowe]

You need more than a store demo to really see if a camera works for you. Rent an SL for 3 or 4 full days of shooting the way you would if you owned it. It took me a couple of days just to figure out the menus.

[calilocal20]

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I was in a similar situation as yourself. I had a Canon 5d Mark IV with all the L lenses I needed. Sold them all to buy the SL, m adapter, extra battery, thumbs up, and 24-90. Used it for 6 months and sold it to fund another 5d mark iv and an M10. Overall my pros and cons were as follows:

 

Pros:

- Takes as sharp if not sharper photos with the zoom as any Canon prime I have used

- Versatility of being able to use M glass as well is amazing and super easy to focus with the EVF

- Built like a tank

- Fantastic button layout and customization

- Best EVF in the game

 

Cons:

- Way too heavy with the 24-90 to be used day to day if you are walking around a lot

- 24-90 is pretty rough in low light as it's a variable aperture. Would have preferred a f/2.8 the whole way through and lose the last 20mm of focal length personally

- All autofocus lenses are an absurd premium over similar leica manual focus lenses and way too large/heavy

- Buffering was a bit rough with rapid shooting

 

Overall the SL is probably my favorite DSLR style camera when using it, but the other factors made it not a great fit for myself. I am much more comfortable with the Canon for all the other attributes I listed. Yes I may be biased as I also acquired an M10 at the same time, but this is just my take on it. Your results may vary. Good luck and whatever you decide to do, you will make the right choice. Although I am not a current SL owner, I never once regretted buying it.

[mwilliamsphotography]

I think you made the right decision for the right reasons. That decision didn't cost you anything, and it's one you could reverse any time. Backing off and reasoning it out a bit is always wise ... up to the point where you have nothing to use ... LOL!

 

You seem intrigued with owning a Leica. Why?

 

If you are a traditional rangefinder user and understand the true benefits of the rangefinder way of seeing the world, then the M is a damned good reason ... especially considering the range of M lenses that need little exaltation and speak for themselves.  

 

If you believe in a larger sensor, versatile shutter choices, simple controls, and are willing to put up a bigger rig, then the S is a reasonable choice of Leica ... especially considering the S and CS lenses which are very fast aperture and excellent even wide open. 

 

If you are a former Leica R owner with a bunch of legendary R lenses, then the SL seems a natural choice. Seems the R lenses are a balanced ergonomic choice for the SL ... especially considering the nice balance between the acuity and character of R optics.

 

If you are thinking of buying a Leica SL and worry about the cost ... especially considering the eventual cost of a basic optical system (both zooms and the fast 50mm) ... then it could be that kit will just be too precious. I know Leica owners that coddle their gear and seem afraid to use it in the "heat of battle" so to speak. 

 

In every case it comes down to the lenses as the key element of choice.  Leica lenses are a damned good reason to want a Leica. It has always been a key reason if not THE reason. Bodies come and go. They lose value quickly. Lenses are a different matter.

 

BTW, the size of the SL wouldn't necessarily put me off ... but it sure isn't compact when you put on the lenses that were designed for it.

 

In short, it is difficult to separate the status and rich history of a Leica from the use and results of a Leica in today's world. Personally, the aspect of uniqueness of some Leica offerings also comes into play. I use a Leica MM Rangefinder, and have always had a M because it is a unique way of making photos that usage over years has made easy and productive. I also have a S system because I shoot commercially both ambient and with strobe lighting, and the S dual shutter is a unique feature for that application ... plus the set of lenses is also unique (as a set). I also have a Sony A7R-II as a general camera which can be made very small with certain lenses, and with the  Tech-Art AF module I can use my M lenses in AF mode for the first time since I purchased them ... and they DO make a difference.

 

Three words to consider ... Lenses, Lenses, Lenses.

 

- Marc    

[robgo2]

I was in a similar situation as yourself. I had a Canon 5d Mark IV with all the L lenses I needed. Sold them all to buy the SL, m adapter, extra battery, thumbs up, and 24-90. Used it for 6 months and sold it to fund another 5d mark iv and an M10. Overall my pros and cons were as follows:

 

Pros:

- Takes as sharp if not sharper photos with the zoom as any Canon prime I have used

- Versatility of being able to use M glass as well is amazing and super easy to focus with the EVF

- Built like a tank

- Fantastic button layout and customization

- Best EVF in the game

 

Cons:

- Way too heavy with the 24-90 to be used day to day if you are walking around a lot

- 24-90 is pretty rough in low light as it's a variable aperture. Would have preferred a f/2.8 the whole way through and lose the last 20mm of focal length personally

- All autofocus lenses are an absurd premium over similar leica manual focus lenses and way too large/heavy

- Buffering was a bit rough with rapid shooting

 

Overall the SL is probably my favorite DSLR style camera when using it, but the other factors made it not a great fit for myself. I am much more comfortable with the Canon for all the other attributes I listed. Yes I may be biased as I also acquired an M10 at the same time, but this is just my take on it. Your results may vary. Good luck and whatever you decide to do, you will make the right choice. Although I am not a current SL owner, I never once regretted buying it.

 

Most of your cons have to do with the size and cost of native SL lenses, not with the camera itself. Personally, I am finding that using compact M mount lenses on the SL to be fast and fun and that the complete package is not excessively large or heavy. Of course, that means doing without autofocus, but at this point, I don't regard it as a great sacrifice.

 

Rob