Leica SL in 2022

[erniethemilk]

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I'm currently using an M10-P along with the 35mm and 50mm Summicron lenses, but have been thinking about an original SL as an alternative option.  At present, I have a Nikon Z6 and a couple of Z lenses which is a great camera in terms of output, but it's the most boring, soulless camera I think I've ever owned!

Adding an original SL appeals for some work I do... along with the option of a couple of non Leica L mount lenses.  I love the output from the Leica files and guess I'd be getting similar from an SL.

I do have a couple of questions though with regards to the SL.

How is it for long exposure work, the M10 is do-able, but I don't find it that easy to work with.  The Z6 works better in this regard, but I'm not a fan of bulb mode, I guess the question is what is the longest time available before bulb mode on the SL?

Are accessories such as an L bracket easily available for the SL?

How easy is focussing on the SL with M Mount lenses, I want an AF camera in my life for certain moments but if I do buy a used SL I would probably start with the M mount lenses just to get a handle on the workings.

Apologies for the rambling questions (no doubt I've got more as I research more) - I've spent a day out with the Z6 this week and found the whole experience mind numbing! 😂

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[MLochmansPhoto]

16 minutes ago, erniethemilk said:

I'm currently using an M10-P along with the 35mm and 50mm Summicron lenses, but have been thinking about an original SL as an alternative option.  At present, I have a Nikon Z6 and a couple of Z lenses which is a great camera in terms of output, but it's the most boring, soulless camera I think I've ever owned!

Adding an original SL appeals for some work I do... along with the option of a couple of non Leica L mount lenses.  I love the output from the Leica files and guess I'd be getting similar from an SL.

I do have a couple of questions though with regards to the SL.

How is it for long exposure work, the M10 is do-able, but I don't find it that easy to work with.  The Z6 works better in this regard, but I'm not a fan of bulb mode, I guess the question is what is the longest time available before bulb mode on the SL?

Are accessories such as an L bracket easily available for the SL?

How easy is focussing on the SL with M Mount lenses, I want an AF camera in my life for certain moments but if I do buy a used SL I would probably start with the M mount lenses just to get a handle on the workings.

Apologies for the rambling questions (no doubt I've got more as I research more) - I've spent a day out with the Z6 this week and found the whole experience mind numbing! 😂

Hi,

I think the SL is a very good choice. In fact....Secondhand they can be bought for very interesting prices. It would be a great and relative cheap backup for your M10-P.

If you buy the Leica M adapter-L  (original) you will have a breeze focussing any M lens wider than 28mm or longer than 50mm. I love the M camera system but my aging eyes with glasses prevent me from using one. EVF all the way for me 😀.  If 24MP is enough for you you can't go wrong with the SL or Sl2-S.

I know RRS (Really Right Stuff makes an L-Bracket for the SL. (it's expensive though) For sure their are some cheaper ones.

I can't answer your question about long exposures but think the SL will be better at it compared to the M. I know the SL2-S goes to 30 minutes?

I haven't used it that way so I can't be certain. As to non Leica L mount lenses........Just look as my sig. 😉

Hope this helps a bit.

Martin.

[BernardC]

5 hours ago, erniethemilk said:

How easy is focussing on the SL with M Mount lenses, I want an AF camera in my life for certain moments but if I do buy a used SL I would probably start with the M mount lenses just to get a handle on the workings.

Manual focus is very good on the SL, whether it's with M lenses or any other manual lenses. The EVF is really sharp enough to focus, and you can punch-in via the joystick if you want to double-check.

[caissa]

Using the original SL with M lenses is very much fun and focusing is very easy and precise. I recommend the  Leica M to T (or M to L) adapter even though it is quite expensive. Maybe you can get it used together with a used camera. I even use my oldest M lenses again, like the silver Elmar 4/135mm from 1962. It works very well. (No, I got it used and much later ... 😉   It looks strange but delivers excellent optical quality. https://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/135mm-f4.htm )

If you want to check features in detail it is a good idea to download the manual from the web. (E.g. here. https://www.camerauserguide.net/leica-sl-typ-601-camera-user-manual-instruction-manual-user-guide-pdf/28590   , but I think you can also find it on the Leica website. )

Edited February 4, 2022 by caissa

[Olaf_ZG]

Today I ordered a used SL. For weeks I was doubting if the newer versions could replace my gfx, but in the end I decided they can’t cause of long exposure.

I researched a lot and came to the conclusion that Leica is not good in long exposure (>4 minutes). Except may be now with the new M11.

So, as I decided not to sell the gfx, my budget was lower, but enough for a used SL. Bought the original m-l ring and hope to have lots of fun.

[Darrell]

13 hours ago, Olaf_ZG said:

Today I ordered a used SL. For weeks I was doubting if the newer versions could replace my gfx, but in the end I decided they can’t cause of long exposure.

I researched a lot and came to the conclusion that Leica is not good in long exposure (>4 minutes). Except may be now with the new M11.

So, as I decided not to sell the gfx, my budget was lower, but enough for a used SL. Bought the original m-l ring and hope to have lots of fun.

Count on it. Since buying a used SL a few months ago I have not used my M10. I also bought the Leica M-L adapter and so can use all of my M lenses, even the one that will not work on a digital M camera, the 50mm Summicron DR (dual range). I’m not retiring the M10, but the SL is so much fun with M glass that I’m rediscovering older lenses that I haven’t touched in years.

[northernlights]

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I moved from an Mp240 used to the SL used. I predominantly use M-mount lenses on the SL and the magnification mode is easy to call out, enlarge and focus down to f1.4 and get sharp focus on my vintage Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM (48mm)

Contrary to many here, i sold away the expensive Leica M-L adaptor and went for a cheap Fotasy M- L adaptor that costs $20. i only have one Leica M lens: 50 APO. My 21mm is a Zeiss 21 Biogon T and my Canon as mentioned both are uncoded and the Leica M-L adaptor would not be useful. 

i bought a 24-90 vario-elmarit used and it’s better than Nikon or Canon standard zooms IQ wise. This is my go to lens for events and when i need versatility. It is heavy and big. 

i don’t have experience on super long exposures and never needed that for what i shoot so I don’t know. 

 

Edited February 5, 2022 by northernlights

[tedd]

Contrary to everyone else here, I sold my M adaptor T as I found focusing M glass through the EVF to be painfully slow compared to an M. It's great if you're on a tripod and have all day, but a rangefinder or split prism are much faster (for me) in real world use. I've just ordered a Sigma 24-70 L mount to give autofocus a crack (also not had a zoom lens in a very long time) as I think it's the only way this system could be useful for me, and I want it to be useful, as it's a lovely camera that produces beautiful files.

[davidmknoble]

@erniethemilk, I used the SL when it first came out, upgraded to an SL2, then got the SL2-S and sold the SL2.  If you are looking for low light performance and / or high ISO, the Sl2-S has the other SL’s beat by a mile. The SL2-S also has the best dynamic range of the SL’s.  The best I can tell, the reason it is less expensive is that it “only” has a 24mp sensor, not the mega sensor of the SL2.  However, you can also use the hi-res mode in the SL2 and SL2-S on a tripod.  It shifts the sensor over several shots and combines them to a larger DNG, meaning a raw large RAW file.  I don’t have the specs with me, but the SL2-S can produce something like a 64mb? DNG - key being only on a tripod with essentially static subjects.

I use the SL2-S with SL glass, R glass, S glass and M glass and it is just super.  I’ll post an image here with the R APO 90 summicron.  The price of the SL2-S is incredible for the new technology IMHO.

[lencap]

I recently purchased a SL to replace my Z6 and couldn't be happier.  I agree that the Z6 is capable of creating wonderful images, but I also agree that it has all the personality of a refrigerator.  The SL, in comparison, makes me want to shoot everyday.  I bought the camera along with a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens, and it's a wonderful combination.  I bought the Sigma because I wasn't sure that I'd be happy carrying heavy lenses, and at the price point the Sigma is exceptional.  Be prepared if you do move to L mount lenses to go through an adjustment period based on weight/size of L glass versus M lenses.  Despite the weight the camera is a true "do everything" machine.  In fact, it's such an amazing tool that I broke down and bought the 24-90 Leica zoom.  It's heavy and at least as good as the reviews suggest.  Having a 90mm focal length makes the Zoom a "one and done" lens kit.  (All of the acquired gear is second hand, bought through authorized Leica dealers).

Some prefer the SL2-S versus the SL, but I'm fine with the original.  It has built in GPS, that is lacking but available on an app for the SL2-S, and the problems people seem to have with the original grip and sharper shape of the SL isn't a problem at all for me.  In terms of weight the SL with the 24-90 is lighter than the old film Nikon F3HP with autowinder and more traditional 24-70 zoom lens.  The SL is less than half the price of the SL2-S. With careful shopping your can purchase used SL and 24-90 zoom for not much more than the price of a new SL2-S body.  Then you'll have the best of all worlds - a collection of well loved M lenses, and the ability to mount autofocus lenses at various price points and focal ranges.  

I paired the SL with a Q.  They have nearly identical sensors, paint images very similarly, and allow for a fully flexible all in one camera (SL) or a lightweight easy to carry camera capable of wonderful images.  It also makes post-processing easier since file sizes and color correction are similar.   If you buy a SL and decide it's not for you, depreciation is likely to be very modest, and your financial risk is minimal.

[AZN]

5 hours ago, lencap said:

SL, but I'm fine with the original.  It has built in GPS

The built-in GPS is also a big plus for me. Can anyone say they have their "connect your phone app to the camera" scheme working reliably?

Furthermore, for daylight/ evening use (95% of what I do) the sensor is still excellent.

So for me, why upgrade?  I already have two Sonys (A7RII and A7RIV) for more MP or autofocus.

[beewee]

29 minutes ago, AZN said:

Can anyone say they have their "connect your phone app to the camera" scheme working reliably?

Does reliably unreliable count?😆

[LocalHero1953]

For those of us who have no interest in using GPS, a lot of these considerations are irrelevant!