Leica S lenses on SL

[ardbeg]

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On 2/23/2021 at 7:45 AM, BernardC said:

In short, don't use S lenses on an SL/SL2/SL2-S if you need fast AF. There are many other reasons why you might want to use the SL/S adapter, such as the outstanding quality and unique look of S lenses, but they are never going to focus as fast as native L-Mount lenses.

I concur. Speedy the S lenses are not on the SL2 however I love the 120mm macro and the 30mm on my SL2. My main use cases were environmental sealing and more seamless manual focus override (also I was tired of waiting for the 28mm L Summicron to come out when I acquired the 30mm) compared to the more focus by wire native L lenses. For me (as an ex-M shooter), that manual focus control was more important than the higher weight and slower focus speed of S versus L lenses. 

Edited March 1, 2021 by ardbeg

[Jeff S]

6 hours ago, ardbeg said:

I concur. Speedy the S lenses are not on the SL2 however I love the 120mm macro and the 30mm on my SL2. My main use cases were environmental sealing and more seamless manual focus override (also I was tired of waiting for the 28mm L Summicron to come out when I acquired the 30mm) compared to the more focus by wire native L lenses. For me (as an ex-M shooter), that manual focus control was more important than the higher weight and slower focus speed of S versus L lenses. 

The latest SL lens FW does, however, dramatically improve manual focus action for use on the SL2.  Still focus by wire, but ability to set linear focus and adjust focus throw makes native SL lenses feel a lot closer to mechanical focus.  
 

Jeff

[ardbeg]

On 3/1/2021 at 10:11 PM, Jeff S said:

The latest SL lens FW does, however, dramatically improve manual focus action for use on the SL2.  Still focus by wire, but ability to set linear focus and adjust focus throw makes native SL lenses feel a lot closer to mechanical focus.  
 

Jeff

My only native L mount lens is the 50Lux and unfortunately the December lens firmware didn’t apply to that lens (I think the Lux is still on lens firmware 1.1). So, no change in focus by wire. I am curious how much it improved the Crons.

[Jeff S]

21 minutes ago, ardbeg said:

My only native L mount lens is the 50Lux and unfortunately the December lens firmware didn’t apply to that lens (I think the Lux is still on lens firmware 1.1). So, no change in focus by wire. I am curious how much it improved the Crons.

I enjoy my SL 75 focusing more now, although there’s still nothing quite like a purely mechanical focus with stop action.  As a side benefit, the new FW also eliminated the annoying zoom noise on the SL 24-90 that I and some others experienced.

Jeff

[Levon]

 Leica Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 wide open on Leica SL typ 601, daylight

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[Kyros Moutsouris]

On 4/6/2021 at 11:20 AM, Levon said:

 Leica Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 wide open on Leica SL typ 601, daylight

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Really nice 👍🏻 

[Sailronin]

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I purchased the SL2-S because I want to use my TS-APO-ELMA-S with live view and can't afford an S3.  My S(006) had the sensor replaced in 2016 and is still producing lovely images but the TS is a challenge without live view.  As soon as my SL to S adapter arrives I'll post some TS samples.

[John McMaster]

The S(007) has live view....

john

[Sailronin]

13 hours ago, John McMaster said:

The S(007) has live view....

john

I had thought of that but they are still pretty dear for a fairly old camera.  I seriously considered a 007 but went for new technology and mostly warranty.  I've had "spotty" luck with digital Leica's (both M9 and S(006) had sensor replacement, two S lenses motor replacement. All under warranty) so I wanted a warranty.

Edited February 20, 2022 by Sailronin

[John McMaster]

I have had M9 and MM (both bought new) and S2-P sensor replacements, I forget how many motor replacements (4 or 5) and an aperture replacement (zoom) and not spent anything (including shipping) on any of them - and most was of my S stuff has been bought used and is often out of warranty.

john

[rtai]

For the users who are using S lenses on L bodies do you also have an S body or did you buy S lenses specifically to use with your SL/SL2? I am just wondering why someone would use (expensive) non native lenses plus an expensive adapter when there are widely available L mount lenses from quite a few reputable manufacturers.

[ropo54]

I owned the SL 601, then decided to try the S 007.  As opined in several posts here, the S 007 was my preferred choice.

So, next came the the S lenses, and then S-L the adapter, as it provided a whole lot of versatility.  There were no Sigma L mount lenses at the time to consider anyhow, but I'd still think about mixing and matching, particularly as S lenses can be found at such good prices these days. 

Rob

[aksclix]

31 minutes ago, rtai said:

For the users who are using S lenses on L bodies do you also have an S body or did you buy S lenses specifically to use with your SL/SL2? I am just wondering why someone would use (expensive) non native lenses plus an expensive adapter when there are widely available L mount lenses from quite a few reputable manufacturers.

I “had” S lenses for use on my SL2. I didn’t have an S body at the time and the S70 and S120 were MUCH cheaper than the native SL lenses in the used market 😌 but I eventually sold both the S70 and S120 but bought an S007, S180 and S35. 
so, some of the S lenses would work out much cheaper (with the SL adapter) they’re also quite a bit heavier than native SL lenses though. 

[helged]

The rendering of S-lenses are - in my eyes - beautiful. Not as perfect as modern lenses (say the SL Crons), but with more 'character'. Used on SK2/SL2-S, critical focus can be set & secured, and electronic shutter+IBIS help tremendously at longish shutter speeds (compared to S). 

[rtai]

A pro photographer friend of mine sold his M10-P and SL2 kits for the S 007 and 3 lenses with the highest recommendation I should do the same. I am just a hobbyist so having the ultimate might not be so important as the costs involved will get kind of high. But I am thinking about getting a 35mm for my SL2. Taking my friend’s suggestion into consideration I can get a used S 35mm, add motor replacement and the Leica S to L adapter all for more or less the price of a new Apo 35mm Summicron L. I can test the waters this way. 

Edited March 6, 2022 by rtai

[rtai]

5 minutes ago, helged said:

The rendering of S-lenses are - in my eyes - beautiful. Not as perfect as modern lenses (say the SL Crons), but with more 'character'. Used on SK2/SL2-S, critical focus can be set & secured, and electronic shutter+IBIS help tremendously at longish shutter speeds (compared to S). 

Sounds like this is good enough reason whether or not an S body is the end intent.

[John McMaster]

40 minutes ago, rtai said:

A pro photographer friend of mine sold his M10-P and SL2 kits for the S 007 and 3 lenses with the highest recommendation I should do the same. I am just a hobbyist so having the ultimate might not be so important as the costs involved will get kind of high.

I have sold ~20M lenses in the past 18 months, but none of my S (or R) kit.   It became clear that there was a difference between a web image (~1200 pixels max) and a decent sized print.....

john

[aksclix]

The only downsides for S lenses on the SL system should be the AF speed and weight. Everything else is going to be great! 

[ZHNL]

2 hours ago, rtai said:Taking my friend’s suggestion into consideration I can get a used S 35mm, add motor replacement and the Leica S to L adapter all for more or less the price of a new Apo 35mm Summicron L. I can test the waters this way. 

I personally think it only makes sense to do this if you plan have a S system down to the road. Yes, the rendering is beautiful and coverage is generous which is a big plus for picky eyes. However, the size, weight and AF tech penalty is just so big that I am against this approach. 

Edited March 6, 2022 by ZHNL

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[BernardC]

I've only used the S-adapter L on one occasion (other than testing): a night-time landscape where 35mm was the right focal length. I didn't pack a 35 for my SL, and there was only one place to put the camera to get the composition. I could have shot with the S-006 and cropped a little, but I would have needed a tripod.

Other than that, S lenses work against the SL cameras' strengths: light, fast, compact, etc. They are great lenses, and I love them on the S, but there's no good reason to put them on any other camera. I certainly wouldn't have an adapter and S lenses if I didn't have an S camera.