Newbie Leica (almost) Owner Lens Choice

[alywit]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I would like to thank everyone who responded to my inquiry. Your informed discussions added depth and much needed insight into the outlines of my initial thoughts.

Considering the Leica 24-90/2.8 is comfortably in my wheel house since I just sold a Canon 24-70 f2.8L that I liked a lot. However at the time I also owned a couple of Canon primes and a macro lenses and didn't depend on the bulky 24-70 full-time. My concern is it's a 2.5lbs lens which is really weighty for me to carry around on all day. When I decided to switch to Leica I knew the lenses were significantly heavier and accepted that so I am going to have to compromise somewhere and the weight may be the best place to do it. Clearly the pictures you have shared and your personal experience attests to the excellent quality of the images.

I am toying with the idea of a 24-90 Leica and getting possibly a used 50 Summilux-M f1,4 ASPH prime lens.  I know the M series requires manual focus and F stop adjustment but unlike the TL's it will utilize the full frame sensor. SonomaBear in our discussion mentions he uses the M series with an SL camera and I am comfortable with manual systems as I have had them in the past.

I could easily see myself getting the 45mm Sigma as well, however I switched to Leica for their glass and camera quality and really want to try and experience that first if possible. I am looking forward to seeing more examples of the work produced on Panasonic SL compatible zoom lenses as well since they are being released soon.

I have seen so many beautiful pictures posted with the Leica 16-35 wide angle lens and the SL 35mm lens which make them very tempting options but maybe too limited for now since I need to depend on it full time. I think one of these should be the next lens on the list?

The learning process that has gone along with migrating to Leica at times has been overwhelming since it is so unlike anything I have dealt with in the past. The greatness Leica strives for in their systems inspires me to continue excelling in my own photographic endeavors. Knowing there is a supportive community here willing to step up and share their wisdom is an awesome reflection on this group. I will be sure to continue reading all the discussions and greatly appreciate your patience with my Leica beginner efforts.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2019 by alywit

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Mr.Q]

Yeah you can't go wrong with the 24-90 if you don't mind the weight (4.6 lb with SL2). It's optically stellar and built like a tank.

[alywit]

3 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

In my testing the 24-90 outperforms the 24-105

. I think the same between the 90-280 and 70-200. The 50's are close. The surprise to me was the Sigma 14-24 f2.8. I bought one while my 16-35 is in for repair (user error not a fault with the lens) and I am seriously thinking of selling the 16-35 when it comes back from Leica. The 14-24 is fantastic, except it can't take normal filters.

So my vote is the 24-90 followed by the Sigma 14-24 if you want a wide. Then a 50mm Summicron or 'lux.

Gordon

Thanks for the specifics in your posting.

[Jeff S]

4 hours ago, Artin said:

That goes without saying, artistic talent, knowledge of how to use the tool in hand and thinking out of the box is fundamental to success, 

but at the end of the day you can be the best race car driver in the world ? But you will never win the formula 1 championship with a hot rod ... It is really difficult coming from my background to not judge every image at the pixel level, we never ever went to print with the images . First you reviewed the slides on a light table ( ironically with a Leica loop or a Rodenstoch loop ) then the slides got oil mounted on a drum Scanner, then they were edited in a some kind of a proprietary Imaging software called a (system) colour corrected , Manipulated, then imposed in to the final layout to be plotted on to offset printing plates.  So regardless what size the final image was presented in a magazine or a brochure or a book ,  every image had to be scrutinized on a pixel level. I am sure anyone who comes from a lithography background would agree with me that there is no substitute for step one ...start with the best possible image you can record 

and when it comes to 35mm Glass. Leica is the benchmark that is why we are all in here  

Maybe you should get out more and look at pictures, not pixels. There are gorgeous photographic prints in museums and galleries worldwide that didn’t require a Leica lens.  Many of these are not even technically ‘sharp’. And millions of fantastic paintings that didn’t require one brand of paint brush. Fortunately there’s no ‘One Formula’ (see what I did there) involved.  

Jeff

[sillbeers15]

Asking for Lens Choice is like asking ‘what’s good for dinner’. There are many answers based on many reasons.

It is important for you to recognise the fact that despite the bulk and weight ( and price of course) the 3 SL zooms have prime lens matching IQ. So it is not a compromise by selecting them like you normally would from other lens/camera makers. The 90-280 is the most expensive SL lens followed by 16-35 as both optical performance are outstanding.

I would agree with all that the 24-90 would be the lens to bring if I am only allow to carry one. And I’ve done so with no regrets. However my choice will swing to bring the 16-35 plus SL75 if I am allow to carry two lenses. Further if I am allow to carry more. I will add on 90-280,  M50Notilux & M21lux as full kit.

Edited November 20, 2019 by sillbeers15

[alywit]

Thought I would give you a quick update...because of my reservations about the weight of the 24-90 and my insecurities from having never spent that much $$$ on a lens before I totally got cold feet and purchased the 45mm f2.8 Sigma lens. I am hoping my local Leica store will have a couple of SL lenses to try out so I can build my confidence before purchasing. I will probably head toward primes as they are more portable. If I have to pick one prime today in addition to owning the sigma it will be either the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm or 90mm f/2. In the distant future when budget allows I would really like the Leica 16-35mm F/3.5-4.5 Super-Vario-Elmar-SL Aspherical Lens (again a really heavy lens). Maybe I will come across a used one sooner or later that better fits in my budget.

 

 

 

[BlackDoc]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Am 21.11.2019 um 17:48 schrieb alywit:

Thought I would give you a quick update...because of my reservations about the weight of the 24-90 and my insecurities from having never spent that much $$$ on a lens before I totally got cold feet and purchased the 45mm f2.8 Sigma lens. I am hoping my local Leica store will have a couple of SL lenses to try out so I can build my confidence before purchasing. I will probably head toward primes as they are more portable. If I have to pick one prime today in addition to owning the sigma it will be either the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm or 90mm f/2. In the distant future when budget allows I would really like the Leica 16-35mm F/3.5-4.5 Super-Vario-Elmar-SL Aspherical Lens (again a really heavy lens). Maybe I will come across a used one sooner or later that better fits in my budget.

 

 

 

As you are receiving the 24-90 mm too it might be  a good idea waiting for the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 21mm f/2 ASPH lens, anounced 2020.

[alywit]

1 hour ago, Artin said:

I hate to say it but the primes are not much cheeper and not much smaller, two primes will cost way more then a 24-90 and have a lot more bulk in your bag

Yep. I’m coming round to that realization. For both the lens and camera it’s about 3lbs with a prime and 4.5lbs with the 24-90. 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

You've gone and done it now... You've climbed down into the rabbit hole.... There's probably no coming back from this now...

To be blunt for a second, you're just going to have to get over it. You chose the biggest and heaviest 135mm system to invest in. Simply put, there's no way to make a truly ultralight kit in the L mount. If that was the goal then you should have gone with either Sony or Nikon. And there's nothing at all wrong with Sony or Nikon mirrorless glass, although Nikon is still building their system.

And it gets worse. The Sony 24-105 and Nikon Z mount 24-70 2.8 are as sharp as the Leica 24-90. The Sony and Nikon 50mm 1.8's are both sharper than the Pansonic 45mm 2.8. And cheaper. Much cheaper. We're all fu@@@@ng crazy, I tell ya.....

Except we're not.

When you say you can almost immediately recognise a shot taken with the 24-90, it's not the sharpness that stands out. It's everything else. It's the way it draws. Leica glass draws differently. Some anonymous guy at Leica (let's call him *Peter*  ) has designed the lenses to have a look. A feel that's not like a Sony or a Nikon. Unfortunately that *look* for some people is a bit addictive. I'm counted as one of those people. I know bugger all about wine, although the version with an extra *h* I'm pretty good at. But I get lenses. I can see the small differences in the way lenses draw and we, the collective owners of the biggest, heaviest and most expensive 135mm mirrorless cameras on the market have decided we want the look of Leica glass over all other considerations. Leica glass is like a drug. I don't call my Leica Store "my dealer" for nothing.....

Your fatal mistake was looking at images until you recognised the Leica L glass. Now you've drunk from the fountain there's no going back. And your burden is literal. You have to carry the weight of the L mount on your broad shoulders. So go and get the 24-90, if you can afford it. You know you want to. Deal with the 2kg on your shoulder by dumping the Leica strap and getting a sling strap or an Optex neoprene (but really, the sling is better in every way) and honestly after a full day, you won't notice the weight. You be too busy looking at the images and shooting like a mad man. And really 2kg is lighter than some camera bags. Something you don't need with an SL2 and 24-90 over your shoulder.

One more thing. It can get worse. Much worse. Whatever you do don't start looking at images of the L mount Summicrons. Some have said the SL24-90 is like a bag of primes. It isn't  Not a bag of Summicrons, anyway......

Gordon

[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

... Deal with the 2kg on your shoulder by dumping the Leica strap and getting a sling strap or an Optex neoprene (but really, the sling is better in every way) and honestly after a full day, you won't notice the weight. 

Gordon, which sling do you use, and do you attach it to the standard lugs or use another method so the lens hangs down rather than sticking out from the hip?

I hope he doesn’t find out about the superiority of the 90-280!  (I might consider the Lumix S 70-200 Pro nevertheless, just because of its greater portability.)

Jeff

[Mr.Q]

Of course there are the jewel-like M lenses. That's the other way to get the Leica look while keeping the weight down. 

The 50/1.4 ASPH has a magical rendering regardless of the camera it's adapted to. X1D + 50 LUX has been the golden ticket for me lately.

[alywit]

7 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

Your fatal mistake was looking at images until you recognised the Leica L glass. Now you've drunk from the fountain there's no going back. And your burden is literal.

I recognize it, I drank, not going back and yeah, it's literal. I can't disagree with anything you said, I'm in.

 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

21 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Gordon, which sling do you use, and do you attach it to the standard lugs or use another method so the lens hangs down rather than sticking out from the hip?

I hope he doesn’t find out about the superiority of the 90-280!  (I might consider the Lumix S 70-200 Pro nevertheless, just because of its greater portability.)

Jeff

Jeff, I'm using Rapid Straps modified with RRS QD clips and RRS tripod plates. Right now I'm using a standard RRS tripod plate but my SL's and X1D's have dedicated RRS plates on them. I've also made hand straps and belt clips with QD pins as well. I like my setup as it makes going from sling/belt to tripod incredibly easy and I use a tripod often.  Sometimes I just use a belt clip (it's just a handstrap threaded through my belt) to get the weight off my shoulders and unclip when I want to photograph something. If you don't use a tripod the supplied Rapid Clip works well as a sling. I generally prefer the one that has the extra strap that goes under the armpit to stop the strap moving around.

The first thing I do when I get a new camera is put a QD enabled tripod plate on it.

I've been using the QD system for a couple of years now and it's perfect for my requirements.

Gordon

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[SrMi]

49 minutes ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

Jeff, I'm using Rapid Straps modified with RRS QD clips and RRS tripod plates. Right now I'm using a standard RRS tripod plate but my SL's and X1D's have dedicated RRS plates on them. I've also made hand straps and belt clips with QD pins as well. I like my setup as it makes going from sling/belt to tripod incredibly easy and I use a tripod often.  Sometimes I just use a belt clip (it's just a handstrap threaded through my belt) to get the weight off my shoulders and unclip when I want to photograph something. If you don't use a tripod the supplied Rapid Clip works well as a sling. I generally prefer the one that has the extra strap that goes under the armpit to stop the strap moving around.

The first thing I do when I get a new camera is put a QD enabled tripod plate on it.

I've been using the QD system for a couple of years now and it's perfect for my requirements.

Gordon

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

How did you modify Black Rapid straps? In the old version, you could easily open the strap, but with new ones you cannot. 
I use a QD attachment on standard Black Rapid strap carabiner. Black Rapid is selling one strap with QD, but I do not like the color.
RRS also has plates to attach on 90-280 tripod foot. That plate has even a QD connector. It is better to carry 90-280 with the strap attached to the tripod foot than attached to the camera.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

3 hours ago, SrMi said:

How did you modify Black Rapid straps? In the old version, you could easily open the strap, but with new ones you cannot. 
I use a QD attachment on standard Black Rapid strap carabiner. Black Rapid is selling one strap with QD, but I do not like the color.
RRS also has plates to attach on 90-280 tripod foot. That plate has even a QD connector. It is better to carry 90-280 with the strap attached to the tripod foot than attached to the camera.

I've had my straps for a few years. It was easy to unlooop one end and replace the original clip. I do have one that needed to be unstitched and re-stitched. I've also made a strap with some webbing and an old camera bag shoulder pad I had lying around. I don't like the RRS straps. They're not slide straps. And they're HUGE.

On my 90-280 I removed the original foot and just use one of these. It works well, allows normal camera usage and is MUCH more compact than the original foot.

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/bqds

Gordon

[SrMi]

2 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

I've had my straps for a few years. It was easy to unlooop one end and replace the original clip. I do have one that needed to be unstitched and re-stitched. I've also made a strap with some webbing and an old camera bag shoulder pad I had lying around. I don't like the RRS straps. They're not slide straps. And they're HUGE.

On my 90-280 I removed the original foot and just use one of these. It works well, allows normal camera usage and is MUCH more compact than the original foot.

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/bqds

Gordon

Yeah, I need to find a place to unstitch and restitch my Black Rapid straps. RRS "military-grade" straps are OK when in a heavy outfit, e.g., when shooting in the Southern Ocean (5 layers of clothing, 30 lbs of equipment), otherwise I prefer lighter straps like Black Rapid. I have several RRS BQDS plates, love them. For 90-280, I used the Really Right Stuff L85 plate. It is just slightly longer than the original plate.