One lens to rule them all......maybe with a 3rd party companion :D

[djinn415]

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So I pre-ordered the SL2, upgrading from the Q. I am having a hard time picking one native Leica lens at the moment since I won't be able to afford another one for a while. If I do both Portrait and Landscape photography, do I start with a zoom? 24-90 perhaps? 16-35? Or do I simply just start with a prime? Popular choice would probably be the 35mm. I'm also thinking maybe, I could go with the 24-90 zoom and get a cheaper Sigma Art 35mm 1.4. But, alas, I am more of a purist and would prefer to use all Leica lenses. Any thoughts as to what your first lens would be? 

Edited November 19, 2019 by djinn415

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[Tailwagger]

While the 35mm is a jewel, is not necessarily the first lens I would reach for in either task.  Were I asking myself this question, I'd first ask, which situation is more important to me.  If the answer is landscape and you are hesitant about the 24-90,  perhaps the 16-35 would be a better initial option which could temporarily be paired with a longer Sigma or even one of the Pano 70-200 zooms.  If portrait, an alternative might be to go with the Pano 24-70 or a couple of Sigma wide primes paired with a 75 or 90mm Summicron.  But frankly, unless speed at the long end of the L zooms is an issue, and if the lens must be Leica, I'd probably stick with the 24-90 (perhaps used) as its range of focal lengths is certainly capable of handling the tasks you expect it to be called upon to perform.

[helged]

54 minutes ago, djinn415 said:

So I pre-ordered the SL2, upgrading from the Q. I am having a hard time picking one native Leica lens at the moment since I won't be able to afford another one for a while. If I do both Portrait and Landscape photography, do I start with a zoom? 24-90 perhaps? 16-35? Or do I simply just start with a prime? Popular choice would probably be the 35mm. I'm also thinking maybe, I could go with the 24-90 zoom and get a cheaper Sigma Art 35mm 1.4. But, alas, I am more of a purist and would prefer to use all Leica lenses. Any thoughts as to what your first lens would be? 

Of the the 3 SL zooms, I use the 24-90 most, and the 90-280 least. The 16-35 is very, very good. For more general photography, I would pick the 24-90, embrcing the classical focal lengths in one lens. 

But hardly anything beats the primes.... All are excellent+, and the SL 35 likely at top. So if you are a 35mm shooter, and if you want some Leica magic, this is a lens to check. Furthermore, the 35 and 75 forms a super-fine duo, if two SL lenses could be an option forward in time (and yes, I do have and love the SL75, although some prefer SL90). If so, the 35+75 is an interesting two-lens combo, partly substituting the 24-90 zoom. 

Many options... 

Edited November 19, 2019 by helged

[m9photo]

I stick with 50 Lux.

[hillavoider]

get the sigma 24-70 and a Leica prime 

[Dr. G]

I liked the 50 Lux with my SL.  Going with the 50 APO Summicron SL this time around (I'll probably end up with the 50 Lux again as well) - but I shoot 50mm more than any other lens on my other system.  

[djinn415]

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Hmmm interesting. The combo of 35 and 75 might be nice and then opting for 3rd party lenses like Sigma. But then yes, the 50mm looks damn nice too. 1st world problems I tell ya lol. 

[Jeff S]

All personal choice, of course.  If I get the SL2, I'll stick with the SL 24-90 initially.  That would suit my immediate complementary gear needs, presuming I bond with the zoom, having been a long time prime user. If so, I'd then likely add the Lumix 70-200 and/or 16-35, as smaller, lighter (and far less expensive) alternatives to the well regarded SL zooms, as these would receive much less frequent use.  The Summicron primes are appealing, so I could see adding one or more, sooner or later. Much sooner if the zoom approach doesn't prove ideal. Summicrons formed the heart of my M system decades ago....still the sweet spot, I think, for Leica FF primes.  One step at a time, though, but not because of budget; instead to see what serves best.

Jeff

[PeterGA]

For your purposes OP ( portrait and landscape)  - the 24-90 as a starter lens would be very good.

[colonel]

8 hours ago, djinn415 said:

So I pre-ordered the SL2, upgrading from the Q. I am having a hard time picking one native Leica lens at the moment since I won't be able to afford another one for a while. If I do both Portrait and Landscape photography, do I start with a zoom? 24-90 perhaps? 16-35? Or do I simply just start with a prime? Popular choice would probably be the 35mm. I'm also thinking maybe, I could go with the 24-90 zoom and get a cheaper Sigma Art 35mm 1.4. But, alas, I am more of a purist and would prefer to use all Leica lenses. Any thoughts as to what your first lens would be? 

For portrait and landscape you have to pick the 24-90

later get the sigma 45mm when you want a light wait walk around 

 

[MarkP]

The 24-90 is an outstanding general purpose lens that covers my  most used focal lengths and is reasonably fast. IS and IBIS will make it even more versatile.  
It is big and heavy but I am now used to it.  If I want compact then I use my M system.

[michali]

2 hours ago, colonel said:

For portrait and landscape you have to pick the 24-90

later get the sigma 45mm when you want a light wait walk around 

 

I'm with those recommending the 24-90mm, it's an extremely  versatile lens. And I also agree that the Sigma 45mm is a good and inexpensive option, IQ is excellent.

As Colonel says, it makes for a light walk around combination with the SL, and I love the fact that it's got an aperture ring 👌

[johnbuckley]

The 24-90 is such a good lens, you will need a law degree to justify purchasing the primes.

[Jeff S]

9 minutes ago, johnbuckley said:

The 24-90 is such a good lens, you will need a law degree to justify purchasing the primes.

Well maybe a physics degree, for a single walk around alternative...roughly one pound less, one inch shorter, and a half inch less in diameter.  Carrying multiple primes, however, might require a degree in philosophy.

Jeff

Edited November 19, 2019 by Jeff S

[Dr. G]

Just now, Jeff S said:

Well maybe a physics degree, for a single walk around alternative...roughly one pound less, one inch shorter, and a half inch in diameter.  Carrying multiple primes, however, might require a degree in philosophy.

Jeff

No, just carry multiple bodies, too

[Jeff S]

1 minute ago, Dr. G said:

No, just carry multiple bodies, too

Again, consult the degree in philosophy.

Jeff

[johnbuckley]

6 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Well maybe a physics degree, for a single walk around alternative...roughly one pound less, one inch shorter, and a half inch less in diameter.  Carrying multiple primes, however, might require a degree in philosophy.

Jeff

When an alchemist has created a lens as good as the 24-90 that meets those specs, you won't event need a high school diploma to go for it. Until then... this zoom is so good, only my extremely aggressive case of GAS gets me to overcome  logic.

 

(On a serious note: when what's needed is a walking around camera, I have an M. And if for some reason I need a prime in addition to traveling with the SL and the 24-90, thankfully M lenses work. If I were, as the OP is, starting with a new system after upgrading from the Q, and looking for a single lens as a starting point, I honestly don't think you can do better than starting with the 24-90. By all means get primes from there. But it's an astonishingly good lens, and even has good bokeh when used at the wider focal lengths and f/2.8.)

 

P.S. I have the SL 35 Summicron and the 50 Summilux. They are amazing lenses, and I don't regret the purchases.

Edited November 19, 2019 by johnbuckley

[Jeff S]

Just now, johnbuckley said:

(On a serious note: when what's needed is a walking around camera, I have an M. And if for some reason I need a prime in addition to traveling with the SL and the 24-90, thankfully M lenses work. If I were, as the OP is, starting with a new system after upgrading from the Q, and looking for a single lens as a starting point, I honestly don't think you can do better than starting with the 24-90. By all means get primes from there. But it's an astonishingly good lens, and even has good bokeh when used at the wider focal lengths and f/2.8.)

Yes, I’ve tried it, and also told the OP that  it would be MY initial purchase.  I can’t speak for him. I also have the M system for more portable needs.  But for a weather sealed alternative, with AF, I could see having at least one SL prime that is more compact, lighter and faster than the zoom.  I’d rather keep my M lenses on my M bodies.

Jeff

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[djinn415]

Quote

 

8 hours ago, colonel said:

For portrait and landscape you have to pick the 24-90

later get the sigma 45mm when you want a light wait walk around 

 

 

I'm leaning more towards this combo. I think it'll be a great start!

[djinn415]

I like the size of the Sigma 45mm f/2.8, but what is everyones opinion about the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 or even the 50mm f/1.4 ART lens? Those seem larger, but is the quality that much better?