Confessions of a defector to Sony

[jaapv]

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M lenses on M cameras are the best option. 

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[lct]

I prefer the M11 too but Sony users can shoot M lenses with pleasure IMHO. Another snap here for their info. A7r2 mod + SA 21/3.4 again.

[lct]

Another snap with Sony a7r2 mod and S-A 21/3.4. The M11 can compete easily but the M240 cannot due to severe color shifts with this lens.

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[rob_w]

On 6/4/2025 at 6:40 AM, JTLeica said:

I just wanted to ask Rob, are you still a Sony shooter 3 year after buying into the system?

Hi JT.  Just dropped in and saw your questions.  Yes I am still with Sony.  And essentially for the same reasons.  Of course, I have moments of nostalgia for that particular Leica feeling and experience I knew for so long, but I cannot argue with the results the Sony gives me, and I still do not trust the Leica/Panasonic AF to lock on and capture fast or fleeting moments reliably.   OTOH the CL images in my photo library hold up well -- they still look beautiful, as do the M images before that.  So I feel very fortunate to have captured so much of my life with such wonderful equipment.

I had my cataracts treated which means I can now manually focus once more.  If I seriously went back to manual focus I would choose an M for M lenses, no question.  I do now have a Zeiss Loxia 50mm MF lens designed for the Sony, but for me the focusing experience is not as fast and reliable as the rangefinder is, and I wouldn't even think of adapting M-mount lenses -- it requires a lot of dedication to get a good result AFAIK.

Recently I upgraded to the A7CR.  By no means an essential upgrade but the slightly smaller form factor meant I could re-use all my Leica M/CL camera bags.  Picture shows it with the Batis 25/2.0   It's the kit I took to photograph my grandson's ninth birthday party yesterday.  Kept up with all the fast movement admirably and yielded some beautiful results.

 

 

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Edited June 18 by rob_w
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[JTLeica]

51 minutes ago, rob_w said:

Hi JT.  Just dropped in and saw your questions.  Yes I am still with Sony.  And essentially for the same reasons.  Of course, I have moments of nostalgia for that particular Leica feeling and experience I knew for so long, but I cannot argue with the results the Sony gives me, and I still do not trust the Leica/Panasonic AF to lock on and capture fast or fleeting moments reliably.   OTOH the CL images in my photo library hold up well -- they still look beautiful, as do the M images before that.  So I feel very fortunate to have captured so much of my life with such wonderful equipment.

I had my cataracts treated which means I can now manually focus once more.  If I seriously went back to manual focus I would choose an M for M lenses, no question.  I do now have a Zeiss Loxia 50mm MF lens designed for the Sony, but for me the focusing experience is not as fast and reliable as the rangefinder is, and I wouldn't even think of adapting M-mount lenses -- it requires a lot of dedication to get a good result AFAIK.

Recently I upgraded to the A7CR.  By no means an essential upgrade but the slightly smaller form factor meant I could re-use all my Leica M/CL camera bags.  Picture shows it with the Batis 25/2.0   It's the kit I took to photograph my grandson's ninth birthday party yesterday.  Kept up with all the fast movement admirably and yielded some beautiful results.

 

 

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Thanks for the reply, glad you are getting on well. I am enjoying the CL so far, not my main camera but a lovely small addition.

Have you ever tried the Sigma iSeries lenses on your Sony? That would be my pick for a set of primes, they are tiny, metal, real apertures and stunning IQ too.

[rob_w]

Re Sigma, short answer is 'Yes'.  I had the 85/1.4 for a while and thought it was v good, but eventually swapped it for the Batis 85.  I started with the 45/2.8 because I knew its reputation from Leica users.  It's a strange lens.  At some distances, e.g. circa 3m, the results can be fantastic.  At other distances, not so good.  In the end, I felt I could not trust it to use as a default lens.

Glad you are enjoying the CL.  It was a fantastic camera for its time and could easily have been upgraded to more modern spec if Leica had so chosen.  Would still like to justify buying another Leica as a second camera, maybe an M for manual focus outings, but it is hard to justify as an amateur -- I just do not take enough photos!