TL2 in 2023 as a Backup?

[ropo54]

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On 2/28/2023 at 1:51 PM, LACANYONHIKER said:

 Of course now I want to buy the Leica 18mm 2.8 to make it a really tight kit.  I don't know, that's another seven or 800, I'm not sure I want to invest much more in it. If anyone is in LA and has one they want to sell, lmk.

 

 

 

Check out Fred Miranda Buy/Sell. I think there was one there for $650 range.  Rob

FS- Leica Elmarit-TL F2.8 18mm ASPH - FM Forums.webloc

Edited March 2, 2023 by ropo54

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[LACANYONHIKER]

You were right. I adjusted my expectations and the TL2 with the 18mm 2.8 did not disappoint.

Whenever I get a new lens or camera, I walk around my neighborhood (I live in downtown Los Angeles), and photograph, my favorite building, the Walt Disney concert hall designed by Frank Gehry. 

I think this camera is going everywhere with me. Peace all. 

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[Dopaco]

Both the Leica TL2 and CL with only 2 TL lenses, 18-56 and 55-135, cover such a wide range that there will be very few photos you can't take.

[Stonewall Brigade]

Today I also purchased a new TL2, black, and a mint used Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm lens, for $2,000 total. First day od shooting will be tomorrow.

[Dopaco]

12 hours ago, Stonewall Brigade said:

Today I also purchased a new TL2, black, and a mint used Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm lens, for $2,000 total. First day od shooting will be tomorrow.

I think you have chosen well.
The first thing to see if the latest firmware is 1.5, if not, you must install it.
Some functions that are added in the latest firmware are not explained in the manual, so you will have to discover them on your own or through the forum.

 

[Ray Im]

I know you already got TL2 and believe that it is a very interesting camera to use.

I have SL 601, CL, and T 701. Using Leica T is very refreshing and fun compared to the other two.

I just want to suggest a different opinion for you.

As a backup camera compact one is usually better to have but think of a lens mount, TL2 works much better with TL lens in general which means that you also need to develop another lens lineup for the backup body.

Since you already have SL2 and SL lenses, you can at least try using Panasonic S1 or S5 as a backup option.

Used Panasonic body value is quite low now between 1K to 1.5K, and its usability and raw file quality would be closer to SL2 than using TL body.

Edited March 7, 2023 by Ray Im

[LACANYONHIKER]

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On 3/4/2023 at 8:34 PM, Stonewall Brigade said:

Today I also purchased a new TL2, black, and a mint used Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm lens, for $2,000 total. First day od shooting will be tomorrow.

How did it go? are you having fun shooting with the TL2?

[Stonewall Brigade]

On 3/11/2023 at 6:51 PM, LACANYONHIKER said:

How did it go? are you having fun shooting with the TL2?

Have used the TL2 enough times now to have dialed in my -⅔ EV setting and other Menu settings. My image results nearly rival my M11 RAW images.

[LACANYONHIKER]

15 hours ago, Stonewall Brigade said:

Have used the TL2 enough times now to have dialed in my -⅔ EV setting and other Menu settings. My image results nearly rival my M11 RAW images.

yeah i keep my exp comp at -2/3. I’m glad you are enjoying it. 

[Dopaco]

Today I did a test of 2 lenses again to see the differences, this time with macro and using the Elpro E52.

Leica TL2 camera
Leica TL 18-56, f3.5 lens
Leica TL 18mm f2.8 lens
Leica M 135mm f.4 lens

Without being relevant proof, because I took the photos without tripods and at different angles for each image, it has helped me to realize once again that with the naked eye and by cutting the images I cannot appreciate big differences in the results of each one of them. . . . .

The conclusion I came to is that the 18-56 compared to the fixed TL 18mm f.28, both lenses at their lowest f (f3.5 and f2.8), both give similar image quality.

   The 18mm f2.8, its best charm is its size and weight and better background blur.

The Tele 135 mm f4 M (year 1960-1965) does not seem to behave badly.

I think if you have a Leica CL or TL2 camera with 2 TL 18-56 f.3.5 and TL 55-135 lenses plus Elpro E52. (for macros), there will be very few photos you can't take, just with those 2 Lenses.

TL2+18-56mm f3.5 + Elpro 52 (ISO 1250, F3,7, 1/60)

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[Dopaco]

TL2+18mm f2.8 + Elpro 52 (ISO 1000, F2.8, 1/50)

 

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[Dopaco]

TL2+135 f4 (ISO 6400 F4 1/60)

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[eobet]

On 3/17/2023 at 7:27 PM, LACANYONHIKER said:

yeah i keep my exp comp at -2/3. I’m glad you are enjoying it. 

 

On 3/17/2023 at 4:24 AM, Stonewall Brigade said:

Have used the TL2 enough times now to have dialed in my -⅔ EV setting and other Menu settings. My image results nearly rival my M11 RAW images.

 

Hah... just came back from vacation using the TL2 as my primary camera, and noticed that the -1/3 EV setting I used still blew out some highlights. Live and learn, I guess.

[Le Chef]

23 hours ago, eobet said:

 

 

Hah... just came back from vacation using the TL2 as my primary camera, and noticed that the -1/3 EV setting I used still blew out some highlights. Live and learn, I guess.

If you can, use the histogram to avoid blowing out highlights and also consider using the clipping setting that will show you blown highlights in a different color so you can adjust exposure accordingly.