Marac Posted October 17, 2017 Share #1 Posted October 17, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I own the SL, great camera as you all know. I have always wanted a camera & 1 lens that was tight enough and gave me the quality and range I like to use that is also light to carry (i'm getting old) I tried the various M lenses but ended up with 4 lenses and needing a bag to carry them in etc. So I thought, and decided to sell 3 of M lenses (keeping the summilux 50) and I got myself the SL vario elmar 24-90, WOW, great lens for IQ, too bulky, too heavy, too unbalanced, for me. So I traded it back for a Leica Q. perfect, brilliant little camera, use it A LOT. But what about the SL sitting there with the Lux 50 looking gorgeous but also not getting used a great deal.... hmmmm, sell it? NO! Today I picked up a very reasonably priced Tri-Elmar E55 28/35/50 ... Yes I know and have read of it's 'problems' and maybe in time I will encounter one or two of them, but for now, THIS is the lens I have been looking for as a travel companion for my SL. The Summilux fits nicely in my pocket and the SL around my neck with the MATE is perfect for me. Some have knocked the IQ of this lens and the first thing I checked was the washy contrast issue (thanks jono) all perfect the locking issue at 28mm coming back, no problem. The flare at 50mm, well, I don't consider that will be an issue for me, really. Does anyone else here have the same combination? would be nice to get a few other opinions. Actually, I should test it on my M8 too now its been converted to IR. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 17, 2017 Posted October 17, 2017 Hi Marac, Take a look here Finally for me, the search is over (lens). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted October 17, 2017 Share #2 Posted October 17, 2017 Famous last words... GAS is incurable. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted October 17, 2017 Share #3 Posted October 17, 2017 The MATE is a perfectly serviceable little lens with good but unspectacular performance. The only real issue is f4 ...... but if you have the 50/1.4 handy it bypasses most of that issue. I have used it on the SL but it is a bit clunky for a general snapping lens. It is however a wonder of opto-mechanical engineering and a good copy is a delight to play with from time to time. Personally I would still prefer to carry 1 lens with the extra 400g and benefit from AF/OIS and the extra range of the 24-90. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dritz Posted October 17, 2017 Share #4 Posted October 17, 2017 I use the Tri-Elmar for events. It is an excellent performer at 5.6 -- which is fine for flash or the lovely overcast skies of Seattle. I use it on both an M246 and SL. Perhaps it isn't the perfect lens but it is perfect for what it is. Regards, Dean Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted October 18, 2017 Share #5 Posted October 18, 2017 ... Today I picked up a very reasonably priced Tri-Elmar E55 28/35/50 ... And if you use the SL in APS-C mode you also have access to 42/52/75 mm equivalent focal lengths. Pete. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LD_50 Posted October 18, 2017 Share #6 Posted October 18, 2017 And if you use the SL in APS-C mode you also have access to 42/52/75 mm equivalent focal lengths. Pete. Or 84/104/150 and everything in between if you consider cropping the same as having these focal lengths optically. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marac Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted October 18, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks guys, I'm quite happy using 28/35/50 for now. I do still have an R adapter and the R 250mm ver II if I ever do need some serious reach but its a heavy lens. I have a problematic back and now, lucky me, I have a frozen shoulder too hence the need for a light tight system. I enjoy street photography and also landscape so this little kit will do nicely for me now. When I was younger and a lot fitter I remember carrying a ton of stuff up mountains and through valleys deep, sadly those days are long gone. I know the lens isn't perfect but it is for me right now, I'm happy with the IQ, the size/weight, & also the fact that the SL is getting used a lot more now. I have never used the crop mode, apparently it produces a cropped jpg to slot 2 and the raw in slot 1 remains full image? this could be handy while travelling to send the jpg to my phone for instant gratification. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted October 18, 2017 Share #8 Posted October 18, 2017 Good that the SL provides enough flexibility to cope with our individual needs and wishes. It really is the 'universal camera body' for Leica and other users. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papimuzo Posted October 18, 2017 Share #9 Posted October 18, 2017 (edited) And why not use the TL 18-56 zoom? It is light, small (relatively) and cover a large part of your prefered range? When space for tools is restricted, I use this combination with pleasure. Edited October 18, 2017 by papimuzo Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted October 18, 2017 Share #10 Posted October 18, 2017 And why not use the TL 18-56 zoom? It is light, small (relatively) and cover a large part of your prefered range? When space for tools is restricted, I use this combination with pleasure. ... err .... why not just get a TL2 then you can use this lens at 24mp and benefit from even more reduction in size and weight? A TL2 is an excellent SL back-up body for travel and a useful option if you want to travel very light..... which is precisely why I added one to my arsenal. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papimuzo Posted October 18, 2017 Share #11 Posted October 18, 2017 Yes you're right. But I was replying to OP : one SL and one "lens".. I owned the T since its birth and got several TL lenses and recently bought a SL but couldn't afford the price and the weight of any SL lens, so my take. BTW I am rather satisfied with the results of the SL as an APS-C device . For the rest I use my (sometimes old and very old!) M lenses. Have good pictures. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted October 18, 2017 Share #12 Posted October 18, 2017 What advantage would an SL camera have over a T type camera as an APS device given the e considerable bulk disadvantage? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LD_50 Posted October 18, 2017 Share #13 Posted October 18, 2017 What advantage would an SL camera have over a T type camera as an APS device considering the considerable bulk disadvantage? Ergonomics. Dual SD cards. EVF quality. GPS. Everything that makes the SL body special is why I would prefer it to a TL body. The only disadvantage (and one too large for me to bother using it with TL lenses) is the resolution of the cropped images. The SL body is not too heavy for me with M lenses so I don’t see why TL lenses would be an issue. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 18, 2017 Share #14 Posted October 18, 2017 Built-in EVF. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marac Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share #15 Posted October 18, 2017 Never been a fan of the T series due to the 'sticky up' EVF & the fact that it did not sit well in my hands when I picked one up. Im my case, I also wanted a lens that would fit my M8. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted October 19, 2017 Share #16 Posted October 19, 2017 One camera, one lens for me with the SL is the SL body fitted with the Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8. Fast enough, outstanding sharpness and bokeh, down to 1:2 magnification, and light weight. I like the "long normal" focal length too. It's what's usually on my SL these days as a default. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozytripper Posted October 26, 2017 Share #17 Posted October 26, 2017 I have had the 28-35-50mm V1 - no problems mechanically Upgraded to V2 also no problems mechanically Both flares quite badly when the light source is just out of sight of the viewfinder and coming in from the top Very convenient lens for travel and walk abouts 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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