Q2+SL2+?? for landscapes

[kobra]

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@Pelu2010 - wonderful work and really shows what the Q2 can do. Thank you!

Brad

[Pelu2010]

10 hours ago, kobra said:

@Pelu2010 - wonderful work and really shows what the Q2 can do. Thank you!

Brad

Hi Brad, 

 

This is a tool. 
The tool defines the extreme you can go. 
then there is the process of maybe many years of experience. 
I for ex have dedicated my life to imagery 

does not matter which tool. 
I choose the tool for a purpose. 
 

but I can assure everybody that this camera is one of my favorite tools. 
 

I get so much fun out of it. 
I can feel that the tool pushes me in one or the other direction. 
 

when I started this journey I only had one lens. One 50 mm 1.8 zuiko. 
 

After all those years of taking pictures I had a look at my old pictures and it seems that this lens was quite good. 
 

After this lens came a long and very difficult way of finding the right lens and camera combination. 
 

And even then in the early time I was always attacked to Leica. I just could not afford it at that time, so I thought. 
 

Have I know how different the camera/lens would have been, I may have put much more effort into the acquisition of one. 
 

the other problem was, that all the cameras I could use where also so good that the differences are only visible if you work more time with the system. 
 

And I was working with so many systems that I could not tell. 
 

If I could start again, I would start with a Leica. But this is in retrospect. 
This took 40 years. 

I am writing this to my younger self out there. 
 

kind regards 

peter 
 

[kobra]

7 hours ago, Pelu2010 said:

Hi Brad, 

 

This is a tool. 
The tool defines the extreme you can go. 
then there is the process of maybe many years of experience. 
I for ex have dedicated my life to imagery 

does not matter which tool. 
I choose the tool for a purpose. 
 

but I can assure everybody that this camera is one of my favorite tools. 
 

I get so much fun out of it. 
I can feel that the tool pushes me in one or the other direction. 
 

when I started this journey I only had one lens. One 50 mm 1.8 zuiko. 
 

After all those years of taking pictures I had a look at my old pictures and it seems that this lens was quite good. 
 

After this lens came a long and very difficult way of finding the right lens and camera combination. 
 

And even then in the early time I was always attacked to Leica. I just could not afford it at that time, so I thought. 
 

Have I know how different the camera/lens would have been, I may have put much more effort into the acquisition of one. 
 

the other problem was, that all the cameras I could use where also so good that the differences are only visible if you work more time with the system. 
 

And I was working with so many systems that I could not tell. 
 

If I could start again, I would start with a Leica. But this is in retrospect. 
This took 40 years. 

I am writing this to my younger self out there. 
 

kind regards 

peter 
 

Hi Peter, thank you for your thoughtful post! 

I started with a K1000 and a 50 f1.8 back in the late 70s, as a teenager. I enjoyed it for many years, but unlike you I let life get in the way for many years. Finally after our children had grown, my wife (who is very creative) was gently pushing me to explore my creative side. So, I got a Fuji X100 and really enjoyed learning to "see" again; and I actually liked the 35mm view better than 50mm. Eventually, I bought a Fuji X-T3 and a few lenses, and have created many special memories. Like you, I always wanted a Leica and the Q2 was the one; about a year ago. It was just another level compared to my Fuji gear that I really wanted more. So I have now purchased a used SL2 and Leica 24-70 and will likely get a couple more lenses (I think SL16-35 is next for WA). But I know what you mean - the Q2 with the single lens forces me to see in that frame; it will stay as an important tool for me, as I continue to grow and learn. 

All the best,

Brad

 

[beewee]

A few more SL 16-35 images, this time made with 100 MP multishot mode.

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[Tpau17]

Am 14.1.2023 um 00:27 schrieb kobra:

 

-UWA. I'm thinking of Sigma 14-24 or the newer 16-28, but also hear that the Leica 16-35 is amazing. What would you choose and why?

-Astro. I'm considering the Sigma 20 1.4 Art, but open to other suggestions. 

-WA. I do have the Q2 which offers a bit wider than 28mm, so I'm not inclined to get either a 24 or 28mm prime. I am also not sure that I will gain much by getting the SL APO 35 as the focal lengths may be too similar?  Although I struggle as it seems universally agreed that it is a spectacular lens and I do like the 35mm FOV. I welcome your thoughts on the results from the Q2 for landscape photography and whether this can meet the needs as a backup body and a WA prime? 

-standard zoom; I found a very good deal on a used Leica 24-70 lens. I suspect there could be a difference with the 24-90, but even used it would likely be almost double the cost; and I start to worry about size and weight when traveling. Is there enough of a difference in landscape and travel photography between them? 

-telephoto. I am considering the Sigma 100-400, even though I'm not sure this is the sharpest option out there. Again, my use is primarily landscapes, although I do some wildlife as well. However, I do not do BIF and would likely not get the SL system if I did. So, great IQ for landscapes is the primary goal. I like the size of the Sigma 100-400, but may regret not spending more to get a better solution? 

-macro. I am considering the Sigma 105 macro and I don't think Leica has an SL macro? This is an area of interest, but as part of landscape photography. IOW, the range of lenses I have is to try to capture the essence of a place, from the sweeping vistas to isolating features, to the flaura and fauna. 

-other primes? Considering the reviews of the SL APO line, I'm wondering if the SL50, SL75 or SL90 has a place in a landscape kit. Part of me drools over the flat plane of focus, the apparent sharpness, and focus falloff (where appropriate). But, I do wonder how much this will factor into landscape photography, or how much the love is for people and portrait use. 

Hi Brad,

From my side I can give you the following points:

I have the Sigma 14-24 Art lens and it is just fantastic from the image quality and color intensity, but not a lightweight.
The 16-28Cont.Sigma is not on the same high level as the Leica 16-35 or the Sigma 14-24Art. The Sigma Art lens has one drawback for me in the meantime: filters. You need a RearFilter (from NISI or HAIDA specifically for the 14-24), available are only ND filters, no polarizers or astro filters. There is also a special stem from kasefilters.de, but it is very expensive. 

Astro: Sigma has developed a lens entirely for astrophotography with the 20/1.4, therefore perfect choice!

28 vs 35mm
not an easy decision, I'm on the shore side 35, since I've been using this focal length for decades and never really "arrived" with 28mm. somehow in between and then I personally just go more in the direction of 24 or 35, in between "it doesn't spark with the 28 focal length and me..."

The 35 Leica lens takes incredibly great pictures and Leica lens architect Karbe said two or three years ago that this lens is by far the best lens in the SL family. The highest imaging quality and also virtually ready for triple digit MP (not "just" 24/47 or 60MP). I use (for cost reasons) the Sigma 35/1.2 Art lens. A heavyweight lens in several respects without question, the imaging results are really impressive, compared to the Leica SL35 that I was already allowed to use on my SL(601): It is somehow clinically too perfect; there everything fits but really at the highest level, but the warmth and the Leica feeling is somehow missing on the results, but you can not prove it fact-based. So do not misunderstand, both lenses are in the Himalayas the highest mountains but yet different at the highest level!

Macro: I also have the Sigma 105 Macro and can say the lens is perfect for macro photography with an SL (601/2/2s)! There was once a rumor that after the 24-70 Leica also with Sigma in the SL macro area a cooperation should take place, but just a rumor.

The SL90 is a dream, beats the Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN without question, but both lenses are undoubtedly HighEnd, even two 8000m mountains in the Himalayas.... 

Under the link you can find some pictures with the mentioned lenses: I have cleaned out once a few months ago, but from the beginning of January there are a few pictures from Iceland with the 24-70 as well as the 14-24: https://www.fotocommunity.de/fotograf/thomas-pfister/15544 and https://www.pfister-online.de/seite5_island.html respectively. 
The picture with the marigold "Pacifica" was taken with the 105erMacro in my own garden and despite web compression still wonderful for me from the imaging performance lens and SL camera. 

Best regards Thomas
 

Hier noch ein Bild vom Sigma 14-28.Art & Leica SL(601):
 

 

 

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[kobra]

@Tpau17 - Thomas, thank you for the thoughtful reply and for sharing your beautiful images! 

I'm very much now in favor of the SL16-35, and will consider the Sigma 20/1.4 for astro. I've also considered the Sigma 105 macro, and I like that it takes the teleconverters also. 

As to my first SL APO prime, I am considering the SL75, but it is a tough decision. I'm thinking it might pair nicely with my Q2, and also would pair nicely with an SL35 if/when I get that lens. Lots of good choices, but too many; soon the bag will be way too big to carry. 

Thanks again!

Brad

[kobra]

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@beewee - thanks for posting the SL16-35 images using multishot mode. 

I'm curious, did you use long exposure AND multishot? Or, does multishot mimic long exposure in this case? 

I've heard of it, but not tried it yet. 

Thanks,

Brad

[Simone_DF]

11 hours ago, Tpau17 said:

The 16-28Cont.Sigma is not on the same high level as the Leica 16-35 or the Sigma 14-24Art. The Sigma Art lens has one drawback for me in the meantime: filters. You need a RearFilter (from NISI or HAIDA specifically for the 14-24), available are only ND filters, no polarizers or astro filters.

Haida makes a rear astro filter for the 14-24:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1595147-REG/haida_hd4647_clear_night_filter_sigma_14_24mm.html

[Tpau17]

vor 6 Minuten schrieb Simone_DF:

Haida makes a rear astro filter for the 14-24:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1595147-REG/haida_hd4647_clear_night_filter_sigma_14_24mm.html

Thanks for the information! -thomas 

[beewee]

32 minutes ago, kobra said:

@beewee - thanks for posting the SL16-35 images using multishot mode. 

I'm curious, did you use long exposure AND multishot? Or, does multishot mimic long exposure in this case? 

I've heard of it, but not tried it yet. 

Thanks,

Brad

You can expose for up to 1 second in multishot. Generally speaking for moving water, 1/3 to 1 seconds is the ideal exposure time so it’s well within the capability of the camera.

Multi-shot by itself will try to actually remove any motion across different frames but for long exposure it seems to handle this pretty well. The only time I’ve seen some not so pleasant artifacts from motion in multishot is when shooting open water at higher shutter speed where there are specular highlights reflecting off the water. This can cause some strange looking artifacts but longer exposure times tend to help.

 

[Stuart Richardson]

One thing with multishot: if you truly want to get the most out of it, I have found that you need an exceptionally stable platform. I found I got better results on my heavy wooden tripod for 8x10 than I did on my RRS TVC 33, which is no flimsy tripod. I am not saying it doesn’t work on a lighter tripod, only that you should keep it in mind. Especially in conditions where there is any wind at all and/or with longer lenses.