Tip: Easy alignment when mounting L-mount lenses on SL/SL2/SL2-S

[beewee]

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Having shot on M bodies for the last 10 years going back to the M8.2, I’ve always found that mounting an M-lens on an M-body was very intuitive and easy. It only required the red alignment dot on the lens to be lined up with the bayonet unlock button on the body and the lens fits effortlessly. Aligning the red dot to the body can even be done by feel.

With the L-mount lenses, I’ve found it a lot less intuitive, even though the process is identical. Granted, I don’t have nearly as much muscle memory for swapping L-mount lenses as compared to M-lenses but I’ve been having a hard time aligning the lens to the body partly because the red alignment dot is quite difficult to see as it is much lower on L-mount bodies as compared M-mount bodies. In addition, because L-mount lenses are much bigger, it often block my view of the alignment marker on the body while it is being worn on a neck strap. That was until I noticed a happy coincidence!

I recently noticed that, when the top of the lens barrel is aligned with the red Leica logo on the SL/SL2/SL2-S bodies, the mount is clocked in the exact orientation needed to mount the lens onto the body. It also happens that the top of the lens barrel normally has some convenient markings as it is where you will find the focal length engraving on Leica L-mount lenses as well as the aperture or zoom focal length marking on Sigma and Panasonic lenses. Since the red Leica logo on the SL/SL2/SL2-S is much higher up on the body, when the body is hanging on a neck strap, it is much easier to see the red Leica logo that is higher up on the body. Also, the red Leica logo in such a position where, even the largest lens will not block the logo while you have the body hanging on a neck strap.

The photo below shows how the top of the lens, denoted by the focal length marker, is aligned with the red Leica logo. In this orientation, the lens will align with the body’s bayonet mount perfectly for mounting.

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[MITDelay]

You think its coincidence or done on purpose? Just curious.

[Paul2660]

Thanks for the tip. I agree it can be a bit tricky to align with just the tiny red dot. 
 

Paul

[beewee]

5 hours ago, MITDelay said:

You think its coincidence or done on purpose? Just curious.

Not sure about Leica but there’s no such logo or feature on Panasonic or Sigma bodies.

[helged]

I must say that the S-lenses are the easiest to mount; all you have to check is that the focal length print on the lens points up (towards you when looking down onto the lens body). Very easy. (Almost) Impossible to miss. So I am actually somewhat disapointed/surprised that Leica didn't transfer this to the L-lenses... 

Edited August 1, 2021 by helged

[beewee]

37 minutes ago, helged said:

I must say that the S-lenses are the easiest to mount; all you have to check is that the focal length print on the lens points up (towards you when looking down onto the lens body). Very easy. (Almost) Impossible to miss. So I am actually somewhat disapointed/surprised that Leica didn't transfer this to the L-lenses... 

Interesting. Never noticed that design element of the S-lenses.

The bayonet release button and red dot on the S and SL lenses/bodies are in the same orientation. However, Leica did offset the focal length engraving on the S-lenses and that would definitely help with alignment. The top of the S-lens has the focus distance indicator which is not present on the SL-lenses so the focal length engraving takes its place on SL lenses.

[helged]

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1 hour ago, beewee said:

Interesting. Never noticed that design element of the S-lenses.

The bayonet release button and red dot on the S and SL lenses/bodies are in the same orientation. However, Leica did offset the focal length engraving on the S-lenses and that would definitely help with alignment. The top of the S-lens has the focus distance indicator which is not present on the SL-lenses so the focal length engraving takes its place on SL lenses.

If I were to review the S-lenses, the position of the focal length engraving would come high up on the list... (matching of red dots work, but using the engraving on the S-lenses as guide is way better). In my personal, subjective view, clearly. 

Edited August 1, 2021 by helged

[LBJ2]

On 7/31/2021 at 6:59 PM, beewee said:

Having shot on M bodies for the last 10 years going back to the M8.2, I’ve always found that mounting an M-lens on an M-body was very intuitive and easy. It only required the red alignment dot on the lens to be lined up with the bayonet unlock button on the body and the lens fits effortlessly. Aligning the red dot to the body can even be done by feel.

With the L-mount lenses, I’ve found it a lot less intuitive, even though the process is identical. Granted, I don’t have nearly as much muscle memory for swapping L-mount lenses as compared to M-lenses but I’ve been having a hard time aligning the lens to the body partly because the red alignment dot is quite difficult to see as it is much lower on L-mount bodies as compared M-mount bodies. In addition, because L-mount lenses are much bigger, it often block my view of the alignment marker on the body while it is being worn on a neck strap. That was until I noticed a happy coincidence!

I recently noticed that, when the top of the lens barrel is aligned with the red Leica logo on the SL/SL2/SL2-S bodies, the mount is clocked in the exact orientation needed to mount the lens onto the body. It also happens that the top of the lens barrel normally has some convenient markings as it is where you will find the focal length engraving on Leica L-mount lenses as well as the aperture or zoom focal length marking on Sigma and Panasonic lenses. Since the red Leica logo on the SL/SL2/SL2-S is much higher up on the body, when the body is hanging on a neck strap, it is much easier to see the red Leica logo that is higher up on the body. Also, the red Leica logo in such a position where, even the largest lens will not block the logo while you have the body hanging on a neck strap.

The photo below shows how the top of the lens, denoted by the focal length marker, is aligned with the red Leica logo. In this orientation, the lens will align with the body’s bayonet mount perfectly for mounting.

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Every time I attach a new SL lens to the SL2, I think of your post. What a helpful tip. I use it almost every day with great success!  At least with the two lenses I own SL 35/50 APOs. The little red lens mount/alignment indicator on the SL2 is really too far down to be of much visible use and can really slow me down especially changing lenses on the go. Now I just line up as you recommended and life is good. Invaluable --thanks again!