Switching from M to SL2-s?

[kanekik83]

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Hello folks,

I am a bit unhappy with my current camera setup. My M-P 240 does a pretty good job, but somehow doesn't knock my socks off. I've done all my freelance work with the M and all my professional jobs with a Nikon DSLR.

I'm getting more and more annoyed by not being able to fully concentrate on one camera, because I always have to switch back and forth between the systems. In the future, I will shoot my freelance work more often in analog, which is why the M-P will lose importance there as well.

Therefore, I am now considering selling my MP and the Nikon to switch to a Leica SL2-S system with M-Lens adapter.

I hope to be able to carry out all my photographic activities with one and the same camera. The price I have to pay for this would be the loss of an M.

What do you think? Would you make a similar decision, or would you recommend that I keep the M? It is a special camera and I had been saving for it for a long time.

I would appreciate your opinions!

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[jaapv]

I think you are making a good decision, but if I were you, I would keep the M as a private fun camera.

[beewee]

I have both the M10 and SL2-S. They are very different in how they handle.

Being primarily a wide-angle shooter (<28mm), M lenses just (even the most modern ones) just don’t perform nearly as well on the SL system as it does on an M camera. I initially bought into the whole idea of using M glass on SL bodies but quickly discovered that it wasn’t worth the effort. For example, the Sigma 24/3.5 DG DN performs better than the 24 Elmar-M on the SL2-S. The 24 Elmar-M shot on the M is fantastic and at least equal to the Sigma 24/3.5 DG DN on the SL2-S. But when the 24 Elmar-M is shot on the SL2-S, it is definitely not as good as the Sigma which is 1/5th the price. The Sigma is just as compact and light, has AF, and at its price,  is nearly disposable as compared to the 24 Elmar-M. So I just don’t see the point of taking out the 24 Elmar-M when using the SL2-S, even though 24mm is my most used focal length. If I’m going to shoot with the 24 Elmar-M, I would use it with the M10 and not the SL2-S.

That said, I’ve been mostly shooting the SL2-S since I got it because I do enjoy the flexibility of the SL zoom lenses. Particularly the 16-35mm for what I’m shooting which is primarily landscape so I’m ok with a bit of extra bulk and weight if it means I don’t have to change lenses in dusty environments or poor weather conditions.

Aside from having zoom options, another reason for owning an SL system is to use the APO SL primes (if the look suits you). They are seriously benchmark lenses in terms of resolution and the rendering is unique. Some say they’re clinical but I personally dig the look.

Perhaps you can elaborate on what aspects you like or dislike about the M and Nikon systems and that could guide the advise that best suit you.

Edited June 18, 2022 by beewee

[beewee]

One more thing, since you mention about shooting professionally, reliability and support is key. You might want to read this thread: 

It’s a long thread so there’s no point trying to dig out all the details but it talks about some of the challenges of using the SL system for professional work.

[ajmarton1]

I have the M10P and M10 Mono for my street work. But I also got the Sony a1 as I need a fast camera with animal and bird AF for wildlife. And the new GM2 lenses are super light and fast. It’s a great balance.

[Kim Dahl]

I have Leica MD only for fun and holiday photos.  Canon R3 for my professional work.  I sell L Mount out as it is apsc and TL2.  For professional use, service and a reasonable balance between quality and price are important.  Otherwise, one can not make money on pictures today.

[jaapv]

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The  L mount is a full-frame mount which happens to be used by some APS-C cameras as well. 

[robb]

12 hours ago, kanekik83 said:

Hello folks,

I am a bit unhappy with my current camera setup. My M-P 240 does a pretty good job, but somehow doesn't knock my socks off. I've done all my freelance work with the M and all my professional jobs with a Nikon DSLR.

I'm getting more and more annoyed by not being able to fully concentrate on one camera, because I always have to switch back and forth between the systems. In the future, I will shoot my freelance work more often in analog, which is why the M-P will lose importance there as well.

Therefore, I am now considering selling my MP and the Nikon to switch to a Leica SL2-S system with M-Lens adapter.

I hope to be able to carry out all my photographic activities with one and the same camera. The price I have to pay for this would be the loss of an M.

What do you think? Would you make a similar decision, or would you recommend that I keep the M? It is a special camera and I had been saving for it for a long time.

I would appreciate your opinions!

 

SL2-s will knock your socks off just with the viewfinder.  Then add all the other amazing features.  I enjoyed my two mp 240’s but sl2 and sl2-s are in another league.  Similar size.  Amazing working with m lenses also.

I’d always want to have one M camera as well but if I can only have one, it would be sl2-s.  Move ahead with confidence.

Robb

 

[AZN]

14 hours ago, beewee said:

For example, the Sigma 24/3.5 DG DN performs better than the 24 Elmar-M on the SL2-S. The 24 Elmar-M shot on the M is fantastic and at least equal to the Sigma 24/3.5 DG DN on the SL2-S. But when the 24 Elmar-M is shot on the SL2-S, it is definitely not as good as the Sigma which is 1/5th the price. The Sigma is just as compact and light, has AF, and at its price,  is nearly disposable as compared to the 24 Elmar-M. So I just don’t see the point of taking out the 24 Elmar-M when using the SL2-S, even though 24mm is my most used focal length. If I’m going to shoot with the 24 Elmar-M, I would use it with the M10 and not the SL2-S.

Caveat.  Not everyone experiences this.

I have no problems with my 24 Elmar-M on my SL Typ-601 and it is razor sharp corner-to-corner.

YMMV, FWIW etc.

[didier]

I could not live without at least one M  

[otto.f]

16 hours ago, kanekik83 said:

the loss of an M.

You will certainly regret that, maybe not within a year’s time, when you’ll be busy with the SL2. And maybe a second hand M10P later on might suit you just as well as a 240 in the past. 
I don’t know which analogue camera you use, but the M6 with its variants and the M7 have become pretty expensive 

Edited June 19, 2022 by otto.f

[Slender]

19 hours ago, beewee said:

One more thing, since you mention about shooting professionally, reliability and support is key. You might want to read this thread: 

It’s a long thread so there’s no point trying to dig out all the details but it talks about some of the challenges of using the SL system for professional work.

No issues with mine for 2 years in intense use - photo and video.

[jrichie]

4 hours ago, AZN said:

Caveat.  Not everyone experiences this.

I have no problems with my 24 Elmar-M on my SL Typ-601 and it is razor sharp corner-to-corner.

YMMV, FWIW etc.

I have the sl2 s and got into a significant ‘discussion’ with Leica and the performance of wide angle M lenses and this camera.  
18mm super elmar and 28mm elmarit both have a huge amount of magenta casting in certain interior lighting conditions.  They exhibit none of this with the M11.

The Leica 24-70 L on the sl2 is superb, as is the EVF.  
the big lesson I learned is use native lenses on the camera, for best results. Compromises never work 100%.

 

[geddon_jt]

5 hours ago, AZN said:

Caveat.  Not everyone experiences this.

I have no problems with my 24 Elmar-M on my SL Typ-601 and it is razor sharp corner-to-corner.

YMMV, FWIW etc.

Same. I've never seen evidence personally that M lenses, even wides, are compromised on any SL body. 

[Kyros Moutsouris]

3 hours ago, Slender said:

No issues with mine for 2 years in intense use - photo and video.

And then there is the rest of us…

[didier]

3 hours ago, geddon_jt said:

Same. I've never seen evidence personally that M lenses, even wides, are compromised on any SL body. 

+2

[hansvons]

I've never owned an M nor even had a peek through a rangefinder. But I own the SL2-S and use it professionally and for personal stuff (it never let me down). I was contemplating buying a Q2 for travel whenever I don't need a fully-fledged camera. But the prospect of being tied to the FOV of 28mm, even with the option to crop in, didn't appeal to me, as I'm a 35ies guy for environmental portraits and a 50ies guy for close-ups. Not to mention the lack of low light sensitivity and juice under twilight, which I enjoy so much with the SL2-S

Thus, I was thinking perhaps the SL2-S can be both my workhorse and my travel companion if I shave down some weight and bulk by buying a small M prime. 

So I bought a relatively cheap M mount lens used in mint condition, the Voigtländer 35mm f1,4 Nokton II Classic. I own a set of R mount Leica primes for filmmaking and a 24-90 for reportage photography. I know what to expect from Leica glass, both vintage and modern. In many ways, the Voigtländer is not a proper Leica substitute. But at f 2.0, the sharpness is good for what it is (the micro-contrast stays relatively low, though), and the halation (Leica glow) is somewhat contained, but its character is still fully maintained. It has a bend focus plane at full aperture like the 35mm Summicron R Mk1 (although not as pronounced) and renders relatively flat, drawing a likeness to the early Leica style. It's a beautiful little lens in its own right and a great entrance drug to the M system's focusing tab. Boy, do I love the focusing tab!

The focusing tab, combined with the SL2-S' brilliant EVF and focus peaking, makes this combo a quick shooter that I can throw in my rucksack as a travel companion. Now I'm contemplating getting a 50mm M, but I think that will be a Summicron Mk2 or Mk3 (or perhaps the Zeiss Sonnar? Choices, choices ...)

Tl;dr: M lenses seem to work nicely on the SL2-S, good enough for professional use.

 

[Mr.Prime]

hansvons, your experience is exactly why some of us are hoping Leica will produce a smaller and lighter version of this camera as an option for those who want a travel camera body (now that the CL is OBS); I’ll be using it with m glass.

 

p.s. I have the Voigtlander too, only version 1 which has some challenges when used with a rangefinder but would agree that it’s a lovely lens to use. I’ve ordered a Lux 35mm to try out to see if it’s worth the extra cost and weight.

Edited June 19, 2022 by Mr.Prime

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[Slender]

4 hours ago, Kyros Moutsouris said:

And then there is the rest of us…

And that is very sad, that's why you have my sympathy and that I lurk here from time to time trying to help troubleshooting or get the most out of the gear, doing my part for the brand and the craft lol.

The trap is that one need to keep in mind that in forums. "on ne parle pas des trains qui arrivent a l'heure"

Edited June 19, 2022 by Slender

[hansvons]

6 minutes ago, Slender said:

"on ne parle pas des trains qui arrivent a l'heure"

Exactly. Forums are train stations, and we are the passengers.