Help me, I’m driving myself nuts! :)

[PaulJS]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I’m trying to decide on what lens to pair with an SL2. I have a Q2 already. The three I’m going back and forth between are:

1) SL APO 50mm

2) SL APO 35mm

3) SL Vario 24-90mm

I’d love any input

[Advertisement]

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

[biswasg]

5 minutes ago, PaulJS said:

I’m trying to decide on what lens to pair with an SL2. I have a Q2 already.

I have a similar dilemma. I have a SL2 on order with a M to L adapter to use immediately my M lenses. However, since I am buying the SL2 for autofocus purpose, an L mount auto focus lens is essential. The 24-90 is an obvious choice, versatil but the slow apertures and bulk remain its negatives. The other lens I am considering is between the SL Cron 50 or 75 as my main interest is candid portraits and street photography. For landscapes, I can fall back on the Ms.

Let me know what you finally decided.

[frame-it]

14 minutes ago, PaulJS said:

I’m trying to decide on what lens to pair with an SL2. I have a Q2 already. The three I’m going back and forth between are:

1) SL APO 50mm

2) SL APO 35mm

3) SL Vario 24-90mm

I’d love any input

why not get a set of 3 Sigma L mount lenses ?

[biswasg]

1 minute ago, frame-it said:

why not get a set of 3 Sigma L mount lenses ?

I don't know Paul's view on this, but if one buys into Leica it is for their high quality lenses. For the Sigma Ls the Panasonic S1R would be good.

[jackson.gabriel]

I agree with the other poster who told you to stick with Leica glass. 
 

it is the lenses that are superb, the camera is great, but is not on par with some other ones for the price. 

[Jeff S]

I decided to start with a native prime rather than the vario to make it easier to handle and to make sure that I bond initially with the SL system. If so, I’ll later add the 24-90 for more versatility.  Since I use 35/50 extensively with my M cameras already (M10, MM1), I chose the SL75 for a change of pace to start. I never liked the 75 frame lines on the M, but I’m comfortable with the focal length for my shooting needs.  

If I get another prime after that, it will likely be the SL35... better spacing with the 75, ability to crop to 50 equivalent given higher MP (can’t always go the other way), and Karbe says it’s the best performing lens of all the Summicrons (and even his best lens ever).

Jeff

[Leicaiste]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I would pair the Q2  28mm with a 50/2 on the SL2. 
 

Both their 47” sensors offer a lot of room for cropping. 
 

If the Q2 had a 35mm I would have said go for a 75/2. 

[thighslapper]

Daft question.

24-90 ...... you can do everything with it and with IBIS it's plenty fast enough for any situation, plus it's the best value of the lot. 

Add primes when you have spare cash sometime in the future.

[tom0511]

you have to tell us what you like to shoot and how you like to use the camera.

We dont know if you are a zoom-shooter or a prime guy.

Do you want/need f2.0 or is f2.8-4.0 fine for you?

I wouldnt buy 35mm, since you have the Q2 and can crop it a bit if you want, except 35mm is your most needed focal length.

for the 50/2.0:

+ perfect size and handling with the SL2

+ beautiful optics and rendering

+ pairs nice with the 28mm of your Q2

- just one focal length

for the 24-90:

+ very flexible in regards of focal length. You can even leave the Q2 at home, if there is enough light

+ you have the Q2 for low light, so maybe 2.8-4.0 is fast enough for your SL lens

+ very good optics, ( allthough the 50/2.0 seems even more brilliant)

- weight/size/ handling - not as nice as the 50 Summicron

 

I own both, at the moment I like to use the primes. But for example for a vacation/travel the zoom flexibility is also very nice.

If you shoot a lot of portraint Q2 (28) and 75 Summicron for SL2 good also be a interesting combo (just to confuse you even more)

[digitalfx]

what Tom said. 

This is completely a personal decision...I prefer the primes, but thats my style. I rarely if ever shoot with a zoom. You need to decide what works for you, not the other way around.

That being said the 35mm Summicron is a religious experience...once you see the images that the SL2/Summicron SL combo produce...its hard to use anything less.

[giampo]

I would sell the Q and buy both 35 and 50... 

But sincerly I really think that you shouldn't get any input from anyone. Your biggest mistake is to do such a question to some one elese, but you!
You could really regret this.

It is kind of if you are asking some one else which is your favourite color. No sense.

My advise: look at many photos taken with a 50 and with a 35 and ask yourself what will you use the lens for.

[Jeff S]

I agree that each person should make his/her own choices based on personal needs, priorities and circumstances.  My input was strictly to provide my own thought process when confronted with this question, not to suggest that my end decision should be taken as the ‘right’ answer; it’s just the right answer for me.  Photography is never about surveys; it’s about making personal judgments and choices... visual and otherwise.

Jeff

[snooper]

Keep the Q2 for the days you can't carry the SL2, get a SL35 and then save the $$ to get the SL75 and you'll be the happiest photographer!

[dem331]

Being heavily vested in the M system I had a not dissimilar dilemma when I bought the SL2 primarily for M lens use. In the end I went for the 24-90 which I’m half regretting and half not. The problem is not so much the weight but that you feel such a dork walking around and taking pictures, like everyone is noticing you, which is not the case with the M. 

[PaulJS]

I love the Q2 for its size. It’s always with me and the images that come out of it are phenomenal. If the M had autofocus, I’d sell the Q2 and get an M with 35 and 50. I was able to take an SL2 and 24-90 out to play. It’s a nice lens but really big. A prime is smaller and a better IQ but the zoom covers more ground. Should I just flip a coin.......

[Jeff S]

9 minutes ago, PaulJS said:

If the M had autofocus, I’d sell the Q2 and get an M with 35 and 50. 

I focus them perfectly using RF manually, and probably faster than AF. Practice.

Jeff

[m9photo]

50 and 90, skip the zoom.

[rfunnell]

I have the SL2 with APO Summicron-SL 35 and 75 and they are special lenses.

Keeping it simple as it's easier to travel and less decisions to make regarding focal length more time for creativity.

Traded the Q2 and enjoying zooming with my feet again.

 

 

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Agent M10]

3 hours ago, m9photo said:

50 and 90, skip the zoom.

Two primes and done.

[Donzo98]

My set up...

Q2 47mp allows tons of crop options.

S1 + 16-35, 50 APO SL + 90-280. I may add a 90 SL down the road.