Help me, I’m driving myself nuts! :)

[earleygallery]

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Buy them all and then sell the ones you find yourself using least.

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

[Jeff S]

7 minutes ago, Agent M10 said:

Two primes and done.

Or 35/75... allows cropping to 50/90 FOV, not always possible in reverse... 35 is top performing Summicron...and 75 front glass element is recessed for better protection without hood.

Jeff

[Donzo98]

14 minutes ago, earleygallery said:

Buy them all and then sell the ones you find yourself using least.

That's sort of what I did... over time.

I found the 24-90 too big and too slow for my use. I like shallow DOF. I had the 50, 75, 90 at different times. I think the 50 and 75 were too close, so I sold the 75. I felt the 90 was too long for general use, sold it. Never felt the need a for a 35... since I have the Q2. The 50 APO SL lives on my S1 most of the time.

I had the 90-280... and sold it once... not enough use, and too big. However, it's stellar... and I missed a long lens when I wanted it. I found a great deal on one, and use it occasionally. I also use it for portraits.

The 16-35 is awesome...also got a great deal on mine. I love it.

Edited December 12, 2019 by Donzo98

[otto.f]

12 hours 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

Strange idea that you expect to become happy by following other’s advices. If you do not know what lens you need or want, you are much too busy with your equipment instead of what you want to create.

[PeterGA]

The 24-90 is the most versatile lens but it is also a lens which is large and isn't internally focussing ie barrel length elongates - which is just an awful and cheap look. This is why a lot of people end up buying it and selling it and rebuying it...and reselling it...image quality out of this lens can not be faulted - however shooting subject with a close background b ehind them makes separation without lighting problematic compared to faster primes - some distance from subject and separate background from subject - and you get the typical Leica separation happening. The 90-280 is a frustratingly beautiful lens - frustrating only because an extra 100mm in focal length would make it far more versatile  - as a portrait tele lens or 'standard tele - it is the best money can buy - for some people the weight is too much to carry around for too long. Both these zooms have OIS so combined with IBIS - you can shoot handheld easily.

When it comes to primes you are now looking at the best prime lenses with autofocus that money can buy and the focal length(s) you favour are all about what you like to see and frame with at any distance from subject - weight size are all the same as is quality- with some people futzing about the 35mm as being the best - but when we are talking what the best is - you wont see it in your image - they are all remarkable lenses - better than anything ever made for M - jif you want a comparison and as good if not better than any Otus- which are all manual focusing anyway.

The elephant in the room question is do you really need to spend Leica prices for any focal length - given alternatives coming or already available. The answer (likely) being - well if you needed a Leica SL2 then you will probably prefer a Leica lens on it.

I recommend you go into your image making history and look at what lens focal lengths you favour- for me it is 50/75(80) and 35 in that order. I came across a an excellent 75cron at good price so I started my prime collection from there - I can see the 35 coming in next - to provide the gapping, but like a few shooters 50 /75 for general purpose works. I'm really looking forward to a prime 24cron when/if it is ever made.

The suggestion of buying 2-3 Sigma art L primes isn't a bad one if one is unsure of what focal lengths - 90% of the IQ for 30% of the cost - but that is probably too sensible for the typical Leica shooter - like me.😂

 

 

 

 

 

[Donzo98]

1 minute ago, PeterGA said:

The 24-90 is the most versatile lens but it is also a lens which is large and isn't internally focussing ie barrel length elongates - which is just an awful and cheap look. This is why a lot of people end up buying it and selling it and rebuying it...and reselling it...

 

 

 

 

 

The 24-90 elongating on zoom really annoyed me... One of the reasons I sold for sure...

[Mr.Q]

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1. If you don't mind the size, I'd get the 24-90.
2. If you plan on using the Q2 and SL2 together, I'd get the SL50 or SL75.
3. If you plan on using the Q2 and SL2 seperately, I'd get the SL35.

[Chaemono]

vor 23 Stunden schrieb PaulJS:

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

This may help:

 

[Arrow]

Here is my SL lens take. I started with M 50 on the SL because that was the focal lengths, I always used the most. Then I got the 24 - 90 and tried out the different focal lengths. I use it a lot, when shooting people in changing situations. Then came the Summicron SL 90 because I wanted f2 instead of f4. I felt, I needed better stabilisation for low light situations that I often happen to shoot. So, I added the 90 - 280 (f2.8 is fine for 90). That one is really great in every way and I would not want to miss it  

Right, that was for the SL. The Sl2 is a different story. Because of the IBIS, primes are likely to take over, making the 24 - 90 zoom redundant.

So, prime wise: 50 and 90

Zoom: 90 - 280

The exotics for special occasions: Summaron M 28, Noctilux M 50, Thambar M 90

Well, the classic 50 and 90 combination can do almost everything. Add a M 28, when you feel, you need something wider.

If you wish to to keep your lens selection versatile and reduced. Three lenses will do. If you want it more reduced: 50 only!

 

Edited December 13, 2019 by Arrow

[jrp]

The double with the 24-90 is that it is so good / versatile that it obviates the need for more exotic lenses, when you have light.

[Tailwagger]

Like Jeff, I have the SL-75 and an order in for the SL-35.  Zooms in the context of a 47 MPx sensor seem redundant in my view, unless you really need every last pixel for huge prints. It actually been a fun challenge to shoot with the 75mm as my only focal length. Where it a lesser lens, it might be tedious, but it is superlative and a joy. When the 24/28 'crons arrive, I'll likely get the 24 or wait for the 20. Wider at this point essentially means zooms. The 16-35mm Leica is just a bridge too far for me.  After a lot internal debate, decided to pre-order the Pano 16-35 over the Sigma 12-24.  Long end will likely be served by the Sigma 135 at some point. 

[Jeff S]

I’ll still get the 24-90, though, for inclement weather and other situations when I don’t want to change lenses and subject matter varies. I would have preferred a smaller, non-telescoping design (even if 28-70), but so be it.

Jeff