SL2-S not $L2$ (Non-Leica M-Mount Lenses on SL2-S)

[augustwest100]

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I did it, guys! Thanks to all your help, I took the plunge and traded some Sony stuff to get the Leica SL2-S! So far, I have only one M-Mount Lens (my Summicron 35mm M-Mount).

I'm generally the type that will wait until I can afford a Leica lens, whether new or used, rather than going with Voigtlander, or Zeiss, or even now TTArtisans, or 7Artisans.

HOWEVER, part of the fun of having the SL2-S for me is going to be experimenting with some different lenses, working some autofocus and some manual.

If a smaller Leica standard zoom will come out eventually, such as a 24-70 2.8 or even a 28-70 2.8, I would probably go for that just for the ease of use and flexibility. Other than that, I am open to trying some less expensive lenses for the focal lengths that I like to experiment with, but are not my primary focal lengths. So, if anyone has any advice on decently performing lenses in these focal lengths, I'm all ears:

1. I love the Leica super elmar 3.4 M-mount 21mm - are there any viable alternatives? This is one I would consider buying a used Leica over something else new because I'm very interested in exploring this focal length and it is easy to zone focus

2. Looking for a longer focal length, something around 70-200 I don't usually live in this focal length but looking to experiment. So I'd be open to a prime, either manual or autofocus, but would lean towards autofocus. I prefer lenses that are not too heavy though. Usually, if a lens is more than about 800 grams, I end up leaving it at home.

Ok, I have to remember to take it slow!

Thanks, all...

 

[augustwest100]

Oops I meant to add that I have a Leica M to L adapter. Does the SL2-S with the Leica M adapter automatically recognize only Leica lenses and only the ones with the 6 bit coding on them? What do you do when you attach a non-Leica lens, such as the Voigtlander Color Skoper or some other third party lens?

[kegon]

vor 50 Minuten schrieb augustwest100:

Does the SL2-S with the Leica M adapter automatically recognize only Leica lenses and only the ones with the 6 bit coding on them?

Hi! As long as the lenses are 6 bit coded, they will be recognized... BTW Voigtlaender or Zeiss lenses - the current ones - are mostly also coded and definitely worth to be considered...

[pkwok]

9 hours ago, augustwest100 said:

I did it, guys! Thanks to all your help, I took the plunge and traded some Sony stuff to get the Leica SL2-S! So far, I have only one M-Mount Lens (my Summicron 35mm M-Mount).

I'm generally the type that will wait until I can afford a Leica lens, whether new or used, rather than going with Voigtlander, or Zeiss, or even now TTArtisans, or 7Artisans.

HOWEVER, part of the fun of having the SL2-S for me is going to be experimenting with some different lenses, working some autofocus and some manual.

If a smaller Leica standard zoom will come out eventually, such as a 24-70 2.8 or even a 28-70 2.8, I would probably go for that just for the ease of use and flexibility. Other than that, I am open to trying some less expensive lenses for the focal lengths that I like to experiment with, but are not my primary focal lengths. So, if anyone has any advice on decently performing lenses in these focal lengths, I'm all ears:

1. I love the Leica super elmar 3.4 M-mount 21mm - are there any viable alternatives? This is one I would consider buying a used Leica over something else new because I'm very interested in exploring this focal length and it is easy to zone focus

2. Looking for a longer focal length, something around 70-200 I don't usually live in this focal length but looking to experiment. So I'd be open to a prime, either manual or autofocus, but would lean towards autofocus. I prefer lenses that are not too heavy though. Usually, if a lens is more than about 800 grams, I end up leaving it at home.

Ok, I have to remember to take it slow!

Thanks, all...

 

For a prime tele lens, you may try 180mm f3.4 R lens. It is light and very sharp, but you need a R to L adapter. The original R to L adaptor can use IBIS, I am not sure whether a 3rd party adapter can do the same.

 

Edited March 1, 2021 by pkwok

[Joakim]

For your second question, Panasonic has both a f/2.8 and a f/4 70-200 zoom in L mount so if you want AF I think you should  check them out although the fast one is probably to large and heavy for your liking 

Edited March 1, 2021 by Joakim

[Slender]

Congrats and welcome aboard the Leica community.

Still I think the 24-90 deserved to be tried

Edited March 1, 2021 by Slender

[SJH]

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Congratulations on your SL2-S!!!

In terms of viable alternatives to the 21mm 3.4 you could take a look at the Voigtlander 21mm 3.5 but I tested it and found the markings just too difficult to read in poor light https://leicarumors.com/2019/01/29/the-new-voigtlander-21mm-f-3-5-and-35mm-f-2-vintage-line-lenses-are-now-in-stock.aspx/ I have an SL2-S and M10R, M and an MP with a wide range of Leica glass but I have made an exception to this with the TTArtisans 21mm 1.5 which I'm testing at the moment. Have to say it's as good as the Voigtlander with the benefit of 1.5. It's a bit soft wide open but does gives it a vintage look but by f4 it's very sharp. 

For the zoom have you thought about the Sigma 100-400, I have that lens and glad I did to go with my 24-90, it's very light weight for the range it gives you plus you have the option of the 1.4 and 2x extenders.

[augustwest100]

Good suggestion. I am wondering: the SL2-S has been said to be better at playing with M lenses than, say, my old Sony was, because Leica knows Leica.

By extension, would that apply to a lens like a Voigtlander or a Zeiss?

In other words, the first rule seems to be use L mount lenses on SL if you can, then M mount lenses are pretty good on the SL system.

Would the Voigtlander lenses count as “M lenses” that would have good results on the SL as compared to another brand, like Sony, or would it be more like fitting my Summicron 35 on my Sony (didn’t work very well for me).

[ravinj]

12 minutes ago, augustwest100 said:

Good suggestion. I am wondering: the SL2-S has been said to be better at playing with M lenses than, say, my old Sony was, because Leica knows Leica.

By extension, would that apply to a lens like a Voigtlander or a Zeiss?

In other words, the first rule seems to be use L mount lenses on SL if you can, then M mount lenses are pretty good on the SL system.

Would the Voigtlander lenses count as “M lenses” that would have good results on the SL as compared to another brand, like Sony, or would it be more like fitting my Summicron 35 on my Sony (didn’t work very well for me).

It all depends on the lens. The newer Voigtlander lenses should be fine including the 50 APO I tried on my SL2 which was great. It is some of the the wide angles that are the issue. ZEISS Biogon T* 2.8/25 ZM was pretty "bad" on the Sony A7 and Sony A7RII when I tried it. It was fine (though not perfect) on the M9 as I could still see magenta corners even when applying different lens profiles.

Zeiss ZM 35 F1.4 Distagon on the other hand is one of the best M mount lenses I have used on either Leica M240/M10 or Leica SL2 / SL2-S. It is one lens I can highly recommend. It also behaves well on the Sony A7 series and Nikon Z system - not perfect, but certainly better than Summicron 35.

If you are buying M lenses for use on your SL2-S, I would take a look at Voigtlander 50 APO and Zeiss 35 F1.4. Both are superb. Apparently the new Voigtlander 35 APO in M mount is very good, but haven't tried it, yet.

Like you, I tried the Summicron 35 on the Sony and it was a disaster. I sold the lens long ago, but would be interested to hear what you see with your SL2-S.

Edited March 1, 2021 by ravinj

[Archiver]

4 hours ago, ravinj said:

Zeiss ZM 35 F1.4 Distagon on the other hand is one of the best M mount lenses I have used on either Leica M240/M10 or Leica SL2 / SL2-S. It is one lens I can highly recommend. It also behaves well on the Sony A7 series and Nikon Z system - not perfect, but certainly better than Summicron 35.

If you are buying M lenses for use on your SL2-S, I would take a look at Voigtlander 50 APO and Zeiss 35 F1.4. Both are superb. Apparently the new Voigtlander 35 APO in M mount is very good, but haven't tried it, yet.

The ZM Distagon is one of those 'journey's end' lenses. You go through so many 35s and then find the Distagon, and it's hard to imagine a better 35. Sure, it's bigger than the FLE, but it costs a fair bit less, and renders so beautifully and sharply. Knowing that it works well on the SL is very encouraging for a future SL purchase. Also good to know that it works decently enough on the Nikon Z cameras, as the Z6 is on my list of choices for a mirrorless M-body alternative.

As for the OP: I know you would prefer a Leica lens, but have you considered some of the newer Voigtlander 21s? The pancake f4 version might not work so well with the SL2-S, but the new f3.5 version is optimized for digital sensors, as are the f1.8 and f1.4 versions.

[augustwest100]

On 3/1/2021 at 11:50 PM, Archiver said:

The ZM Distagon is one of those 'journey's end' lenses. You go through so many 35s and then find the Distagon, and it's hard to imagine a better 35. Sure, it's bigger than the FLE, but it costs a fair bit less, and renders so beautifully and sharply. Knowing that it works well on the SL is very encouraging for a future SL purchase. Also good to know that it works decently enough on the Nikon Z cameras, as the Z6 is on my list of choices for a mirrorless M-body alternative.

As for the OP: I know you would prefer a Leica lens, but have you considered some of the newer Voigtlander 21s? The pancake f4 version might not work so well with the SL2-S, but the new f3.5 version is optimized for digital sensors, as are the f1.8 and f1.4 versions.

Is the Voigtlander 21mm 3.5f six bit encoded so that it will be automatically recognized by the SL2-S? This seems like a good way for me to experiment a little bit at this focal length. What I was trying to ask before is whether a Leica 21mm Super Elmar would perform better than a lens like a Voigtlander or a Zeiss, not in terms of the optics, but in terms of the way the sensor might recognize the lens profile and adapt to it.

[augustwest100]

On 3/1/2021 at 6:52 PM, ravinj said:

It all depends on the lens. The newer Voigtlander lenses should be fine including the 50 APO I tried on my SL2 which was great. It is some of the the wide angles that are the issue. ZEISS Biogon T* 2.8/25 ZM was pretty "bad" on the Sony A7 and Sony A7RII when I tried it. It was fine (though not perfect) on the M9 as I could still see magenta corners even when applying different lens profiles.

Zeiss ZM 35 F1.4 Distagon on the other hand is one of the best M mount lenses I have used on either Leica M240/M10 or Leica SL2 / SL2-S. It is one lens I can highly recommend. It also behaves well on the Sony A7 series and Nikon Z system - not perfect, but certainly better than Summicron 35.

If you are buying M lenses for use on your SL2-S, I would take a look at Voigtlander 50 APO and Zeiss 35 F1.4. Both are superb. Apparently the new Voigtlander 35 APO in M mount is very good, but haven't tried it, yet.

Like you, I tried the Summicron 35 on the Sony and it was a disaster. I sold the lens long ago, but would be interested to hear what you see with your SL2-S.

I would be happy to let you know how the summicron does on the SL2-S. The weather has been pretty dreary where I am, but once there is some good light and I can walk around I would be able to let you know what I see in terms of the differences, if any, between the SL2-S and the Sony. The maddening part about the Sony was that I couldn’t even really describe what the issue was. I just didn’t respond to the results. I may have been spoiled with the last two cameras I used the lens on, which were the M10 and the MP!

[Archiver]

On 3/5/2021 at 1:20 PM, augustwest100 said:

Is the Voigtlander 21mm 3.5f six bit encoded so that it will be automatically recognized by the SL2-S? This seems like a good way for me to experiment a little bit at this focal length. What I was trying to ask before is whether a Leica 21mm Super Elmar would perform better than a lens like a Voigtlander or a Zeiss, not in terms of the optics, but in terms of the way the sensor might recognize the lens profile and adapt to it.

The Voigtlander isn't coded, but coding kits and methods are simple and range from cheap to relatively inexpensive. You can also choose the coding of the lens manually, which is what I do with my M9 and uncoded lenses. I believe that the Voigtlander is designed more for digital sensors, and there are comparisons between the 21mm f4 P and the new 21mm f3.5 that show the latter has much better edge to edge sharpness. Whether the inbuilt profiles of the SL2-S work as well with the Voigtlander as the Super Elmar, I don't know.