35/2 or Q2

[paul.bridges.3388]

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16 minutes ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Extreme devil's advocate: get the new Sigma 24mm 3.5 and 35mm f2, which combined cost less than half the Leica 35mm and apparently have image quality on par or better than Leica lenses made even a few years ago, keep your Q2 and see whether you actually want a prime lens for your SL2S.

Well, both seem very close to the Q2 itself. Is there any benefit? 🤔

Edited January 20, 2021 by paul.bridges.3388

[Stuart Richardson]

Yes. You get to try both options at a substantially lower cost outlay. Then if you decide to sell the Q2 you will have a more flexible kit -- both a true wide angle of 24mm and a top notch 35mm f2. Anyway, just a thought. If you are missing a wide angle lens, the 24mm is less than a 1000 dollars and apparently very very good, so it could be another option for you, as opposed to the wide zoom, which is likely to be bulkier, much more expensive, and not as good optically (Leica or no).

[paul.bridges.3388]

37 minutes ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Yes. You get to try both options at a substantially lower cost outlay. Then if you decide to sell the Q2 you will have a more flexible kit -- both a true wide angle of 24mm and a top notch 35mm f2. Anyway, just a thought. If you are missing a wide angle lens, the 24mm is less than a 1000 dollars and apparently very very good, so it could be another option for you, as opposed to the wide zoom, which is likely to be bulkier, much more expensive, and not as good optically (Leica or no).

Great thoughts : thank you. 👍 I note the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens seems cheap, fast and further away from the Q2’s 28mm...

Edited January 20, 2021 by paul.bridges.3388

[T25UFO]

10 hours ago, paul.bridges.3388 said:

Devil’s advocate: doesn’t the native SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-SL 16-35MM F/3.5-4.5 ASPH satisfy BOTH the 21mm Super Elmar M and the Q2 28mm? So, cost wise at least, the 16-35mm could make sense to replace the Q2 instead? Slower, yes, but the Q2 isn’t really cutting it indoors for me anyway. 

The Super Vario SL is a great lens, but like other SL zooms, it is just too large for my liking.  I find the primes balance nicely, but that's just me.

11 hours ago, paul.bridges.3388 said:

a fast wide indoor environmental portrait lens?

The Super Vario is f3.5 - f4.5.  That's not fast.  The M Summilux primes are both f1.4.  That's fast!

I have no experience with Sigma, although the Art series has a good reputation.  On balance, I would probably stick with Leica glass; of course, there's a price to pay and only you can decide whether the extra cost is worth it.  

I really like the Q2 (have recently bought a Q2M as well) which is why I recommend keeping it.  But I get the impression it's very much on the margin as far as your usage is concerned, in which case I would sell Q2 and buy the M 24mm Summilux f1.4.  You get one of Leica's finest lenses, wider and faster than the Q2.  A bit larger than the average M lens, but will balance well on the SL.  The Q2 should sell for a good price so the cost to change shouldn't be much above £2,000.

[paul.bridges.3388]

3 hours ago, T25UFO said:

The Super Vario SL is a great lens, but like other SL zooms, it is just too large for my liking.  I find the primes balance nicely, but that's just me.

The Super Vario is f3.5 - f4.5.  That's not fast.  The M Summilux primes are both f1.4.  That's fast!

I have no experience with Sigma, although the Art series has a good reputation.  On balance, I would probably stick with Leica glass; of course, there's a price to pay and only you can decide whether the extra cost is worth it.  

I really like the Q2 (have recently bought a Q2M as well) which is why I recommend keeping it.  But I get the impression it's very much on the margin as far as your usage is concerned, in which case I would sell Q2 and buy the M 24mm Summilux f1.4.  You get one of Leica's finest lenses, wider and faster than the Q2.  A bit larger than the average M lens, but will balance well on the SL.  The Q2 should sell for a good price so the cost to change shouldn't be much above £2,000.

I’m with you on the size of the zooms. I also prefer not to add zooming to the shot variables. Do we know if there’s a wide Leica SL prime on their roadmap?

Edited January 21, 2021 by paul.bridges.3388

[T25UFO]

2 hours ago, paul.bridges.3388 said:

I’m with you on the size of the zooms. I also prefer not to add zooming to the shot variables. Do we know if there’s a wide Leica SL prime on their roadmap?

Yes . . . 21mm, 24mm and 28mm all f2 and all using the same lens barrel as the other primes.  Originally scheduled for 2021 but probably won't appear until next year.  There are lots of other threads on this.

[paul.bridges.3388]

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2 hours ago, T25UFO said:

Yes . . . 21mm, 24mm and 28mm all f2 and all using the same lens barrel as the other primes.  Originally scheduled for 2021 but probably won't appear until next year.  There are lots of other threads on this.

Love the idea of standard lenses, to simplify the technique. Meantime, in a fit of GAS, I've today bought two used lenses:

1.Voigtlander Ultra Wide Heliar 12mm F/5.6. $500

2. Leica Super-Elmar-M 18mm F/3.8. $1500

It seemed a relatively cheap way of testing whether I enjoy a (super) wide angle.  And possibly a bridge to the Leica Primes (where ultimately I want to be operating).

 

 

Edited January 21, 2021 by paul.bridges.3388

[Reggie]

23 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Extreme devil's advocate: get the new Sigma 24mm 3.5 and 35mm f2, which combined cost less than half the Leica 35mm and apparently have image quality on par or better than Leica lenses made even a few years ago, keep your Q2 and see whether you actually want a prime lens for your SL2S.

The 35mm is not going to win any prizes for its rendering. The 24mm might but it’s early days. 

[paul.bridges.3388]

8 minutes ago, Reggie said:

The 35mm is not going to win any prizes for its rendering. The 24mm might but it’s early days. 

Rightly, or wrongly, I’m prejudiced towards Leica glass, regardless.