Leica SL or SL2-s only for manual shooting?

[wolan]

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Hi

would in your opinion make sense to buy a Leica SL or the newer SL2-s to only shoot manual M lenses?

I like my M10 but it has a lot of limitations, and in the SL I find all the things I am missing in the M system. However, I do not like the SL lenses, they are way to big and heavy. 

Thanks.

 

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[rcusick]

Plus 1

[6bit]

Yes, that’s what I do.

[Hanno]

I never used the AF on my SL-2. Never had an issue, even when photographing my children having a friendly fight in front of me in a high speed boat!

[Ba Erv]

I’m generally using M lenses with my SL2-S but also use the Sigma Contemporary lenses on occasion when I want AF.   The 35mm f2 “C” is actually quite good.  I realize this would be blasphemy to some but the trade-offs has its merits.

[T25UFO]

14 hours ago, wolan said:

Hi

would in your opinion make sense to buy a Leica SL or the newer SL2-s to only shoot manual M lenses?

I like my M10 but it has a lot of limitations, and in the SL I find all the things I am missing in the M system. However, I do not like the SL lenses, they are way to big and heavy. 

Thanks.

 

Check out this from the Leica Blog:

https://www.leica-camera.blog/2021/07/14/freedom-to-focus/

Should answer your question even if you can afford the 75mm Noctilux!

[pgk]

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21 hours ago, wolan said:

would in your opinion make sense to buy a Leica SL or the newer SL2-s to only shoot manual M lenses?

That's what I bought an SL for. Makes perfect sense to me.

[omega1848]

Go ahead and buy a used SL (601), it is a ‚bargain‘ to do exactly this, using M lenses with no complaining quality loss.

[6bit]

My favorite feature of the SL2 is holding the shutter button down can reveal the review image until you take your finger off the shutter. That is a really nice way to review a photo you just shot without having the auto review on.

[LBJ2]

On 8/7/2021 at 6:37 PM, wolan said:

Hi

would in your opinion make sense to buy a Leica SL or the newer SL2-s to only shoot manual M lenses?

I like my M10 but it has a lot of limitations, and in the SL I find all the things I am missing in the M system. However, I do not like the SL lenses, they are way to big and heavy. 

Thanks.

 

Compared to many other high end, fast,  FF mirrorless primes, I found the few SLs primes I use not really what I would consider large in real life and real world handing. Very different IMO than then the impressions I picked up from reading the internet. I think when the SL system initially lead with the large 24-90 it set the stage for internet perceptions. However, relative to most Leica M lenses, most mirrorless FF lenses seem very large to me. 

I would absolutely agree, for those that can’t or don’t want to handle a rangefinder any longer. Absolutely buy and use the SL2/SL-S for M lenses as it does provide everything those that complain they want but don’t have in the rangefinder. Given the lower price point to boot, seems like more than a “no brainer” to me. Seriously. 

OTOH, as much as I enjoy to use my M lenses on the SL2, I couldn’t imagine not owning at a minimum THE FL 35/2 APO! I bought the SL2 to OWN the SL 35/2 APO. Loco I know but there it is. 

I spent a lot of time learning and practicing AF and AF scenarios on the SL2. To date, better than I expected but I did realize consistent AF false positives when shooting portraits in strong back or side lite scenes. I believe this is a weakness in general with CDAF technology that Panasonic is attempting to overcome or improve upon with the latest DFD firmware—which I hope to see applied to the SL2 soon. This would not have been a problem of course if I was shooting manual. 

[LBJ2]

On 8/8/2021 at 2:36 AM, Hanno said:

I never used the AF on my SL-2. Never had an issue, even when photographing my children having a friendly fight in front of me in a high speed boat!

It’s as if the world has forgotten how to take fast action photos with MF now that AF is so widely adopted. 

[Hanno]

2 hours ago, LBJ2 said:

It’s as if the world has forgotten how to take fast action photos with MF now that AF is so widely adopted. 

@LBJ2 thank you - you made my day! 😁 yeah I would prefer to miss shots but keep on with manual focus and manual settings. It is for me about retraining absolute responsibility of what the image will be. I don’t know  how else to learn and improve! There is so much of the focusing which can be made by moving yourself and not the focus ring! 

[Jk1002]

I complemented my M262 with an Sl, using M lenses, Panasonic 20-60 and now splurged on the Leica 24-90

I would not give up the M for an SL or Sl2. Biggest reason is it draws much less attention. I wanted the SL mostly for zoom and then also lower light which I struggle with the M with. If getting a preloved SL  keeping the M is an option, then thats the way to go.

I am sure you can find a deal and resell without much of a loss if you dont like it

 

Cheers

JK

[Cowz]

WOW .... it seems my decision to augment my M10P and M9M with a second hand SL(601) to be very typical.  I love using my M Lenses on if (Leica and Chinese).  TBH the only AF lens I own is the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG HSM.  I would never get rid of either M bodies for the distinct jobs they perform, but for my intimate portraiture, the SL rules.

 

[rcusick]

I just did the same thing.  I bought a used sl for $2000 from keh.  I've got Panasonic 20-60 and 80-300 on the way but otherwise love my 28 summilux on the sl.