Does anyone use the APO Summicron-SL lenses on the Lumix S1?

[Dr. G]

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My preowned SL arrived this week and I've been using it daily with the following lenses:

APO Summicron-SL 35mm

APO Summicron-SL 50mm

Summilux-SL 50mm

I'm still on the fence about the Lux vs Cron 50 - each has it's advantages.  I was wondering if anyone uses the APO Cron-SL lenses on the Lumix S1.  I do a fair amount of low light indoor photography where the high ISO performance of the S1 and IBIS would come in handy.  The SL2 isn't an option as I'm fairly noise intolerant.  I was just wondering if the IBIS system with the APO Summicron lenses works just as well as with the SL2.

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[douglas ball]

I use the S1R which is superb with these lenses. Everything works as it should. As a matter of fact I like the S1R so much I just traded in my SL on a second S1R body. I would have been happy to get the S1 instead, just for the higher ISO capabilities, but the R was available and I am very happy with that. I found that I was just not using the SL that much, and having a second body set up exactly the same way is great. 

[Dennis]

1 hour ago, douglas ball said:

As a matter of fact I like the S1R so much I just traded in my SL on a second S1R body

I'm reading in these days a lot about S1R and Sony A7RIV. Besides the difference between them, and the highest MP sensor in Sony, I feel the S1R is a better camera. Bigger, weightier, but with more Dslr Pro feel and body. I had never considered a Panasonic as brand, except for old VHS 😂

The EVF, among with SL2 and Sony A7RIV, are the best in the marker with more of 5M dots. If you don't mind, why you like it so much, even more than the SL?

 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Have taken a S1R all over the world (when we were allowed) with Leica SL lenses both zooms and primes. Fantastic combination and worked flawlessly. The S1 is one of the best 24MP sensors on the market I think you'll be pleased.

The camera does have many buttons but the bigger body means better buttons. The layout is fantastic and almost every button can be customised to almost any function. You can even move the playback to another spot. The EVF, tri flip screen and shutter are superb. You'll get a vast choice in off camera flash due to the S series using the 4/3 flash protocols and not Leicas. The joystick isn't as good as the SL and I love the 4 button layout but am extremely happy with the Panasonics. AF is also better than the SL (tracking is way behind the Sony and Canon though) especially in low light where it is sensational.

Gordon

[Dr. G]

I have the a7r iv and everything about it, technically, is amazing. I just can't get the files to look like what I get out of the SL, which is why I purchased one again.  I know I'll get a little heat for this, but to me the files from the SL have a different look than those from the SL2 - I actually prefer the SL files.  The S1 is on sale right now, so I think having the S1/SL combination would be best for all lighting conditions.

I still don't know which 50 to keep, though

[FlashGordonPhotography]

8 hours ago, Dr. G said:

I have the a7r iv and everything about it, technically, is amazing. I just can't get the files to look like what I get out of the SL, which is why I purchased one again.  I know I'll get a little heat for this, but to me the files from the SL have a different look than those from the SL2 - I actually prefer the SL files.  The S1 is on sale right now, so I think having the S1/SL combination would be best for all lighting conditions.

I still don't know which 50 to keep, though

I kept both. Couldn't decide which I preferred. You can never have to many 50's  .

Gordon

[douglas ball]

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Denis asked why I opted for a second S1R over the SL.  Since this is a Leica site I do not wish to put down the SL in any way. Ever since I first held and shot with the SL I loved it. I loved absolutely everything about it. While I could find little fault with the camera, one of the things that bothered me about Leica was their indifference to flash systems. I bought the SF 64, and the SF 60 with trigger, all at a ridiculous Leica price. The SF 60 was a weak performer, and the cost of buying a second or third speed light to take advantage of the system was prohibitive. This is what attracted me to the S1R when it was first announced. Now the lighting choices are numerous and the cost is relatively low compared to Leica.

Initially with the S1R I was put off by the sight of so many buttons. However, the more I used the camera the buttons started to make more sense. The menu layout, once you are acquainted with it, is simple and direct. They use symbols to indicate settings for flash or display etc. This means far less hunting. The extra buttons allow you to set up custom functions as you chose. Once this is done I rarely ever look at the menu system.

The extra buttons allow me to see what the key settings are before I even turn the camera on. I will know that I am in Aperture mode, (which incidentally cannot be accidentally changed as with the SL), know when I am in single shot mode or with a two second delay, know that it is set for AFS, or MF, be aware of what my battery strength is, and the remaining number of pictures on the card.

When I turn it on and look through the finder, I can, simply by feel, access one of three buttons that show exposure compensation, white balance or ISO settings. All settings can be changed while looking through the finder. I can also, by feel, change from AF to MF. without removing my eye from the finder.  When In MF I can adjust the focus and immediately see a distance scale appear that allows me to control very well the depth of field. Again this is through the finder and is one of the features I like best about the S1R. With the SL,  you have to look at the small display on top of the camera. This is difficult when on a tripod and when dark, may require a flashlight. I use this feature a lot, and it is much better implemented in the Lumix than on the SL. I don't know how they now do this on the SL2.

When I pick up the camera, it just feels good in the hand. The projected lip on the grip rests on your second finger. This simple little detail improves your ability to mount heavy lenses on the body. With the SL I started with the 24-90, followed by the 90-280, and the SL50 1.4. I have gotten used to this size and weight, so much so in fact, that now my SL35, and SL75 almost seem too small on the camera . Sounds crazy, but the large ones are on the body most of the time. This is due mainly, I feel, to the large grip with the extended lip on the S1R. 

Flash Gordon talks more about the S1 and S1R. He mentions the tiltable screen, excellent battery life and so on. I agree with all of this. 

I kept the SL originally, for the times when I needed to use the Leica flash equipment, and as a second body which results in fewer lenses changes in the field. However, I became frustrated with the different menu systems, and the fact that the interface was different in each. Now I have both S1R's set up exactly the same, and I need to carry only one charger. I can also charge with the USB-C cable from a computer, or car. I suspect this can now be done with the SL2.

I am presently awaiting the arrival of the first Godox strobes and trigger that takes this to the next level. I believe that my system is now complete.

[Stuart Richardson]

Just to go back to the original question, I use the 50mm APO Summicron SL on the Panasonic S1 and it works great. No worries at all. In fact, it is a joy to have another option with different strengths. I have the SL2 and use that as the main stills camera, and I use the S1 for video. I know that both cameras do a good job at both stills and video, but in my opinion the Leica certainly wins the stills contest (both for the interface and the quality), while the S1's sensor and layout are better suited to video. Being able to natively swap the lenses around is a great bonus. I think the L mount alliance has been a boon to me...I hope it has been as helpful to others.

[Dr. G]

52 minutes ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Just to go back to the original question, I use the 50mm APO Summicron SL on the Panasonic S1 and it works great. No worries at all. In fact, it is a joy to have another option with different strengths. I have the SL2 and use that as the main stills camera, and I use the S1 for video. I know that both cameras do a good job at both stills and video, but in my opinion the Leica certainly wins the stills contest (both for the interface and the quality), while the S1's sensor and layout are better suited to video. Being able to natively swap the lenses around is a great bonus. I think the L mount alliance has been a boon to me...I hope it has been as helpful to others.

Thanks.  I had the SL2 and thought it was an amazing camera - something to my eye looked different than the SL, which I had a few years ago, so I ended up buying a really clean preowned  copy.