Should I trade my M10 for an SL2-S?

[lencap]

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I know that making the change to the SL platform isn't easy.  My emotional attachment to the M way of life was hard to give up.  But when you begin using the SL platform and see how well the EVF works, and how much easier it is to focus and see in all conditions, I think you'll find the change was worth it.  I did.

Be well, and enjoy the new gear.  It truly is a great kit, and at the discounted bundle and rebate price nothing else is even close in capability and price.

[dpitt]

On 4/24/2023 at 2:55 AM, jimleicam3 said:

I have tried the diopter and also using my reading glasses.  Unfortunately, the reading glasses are a pain to see the shot, then you need the glasses to focus the shot, then you have to remove the glasses to see the replay.  I guess I would advise to avoid cataract surgery for as long as possible.  I have not tried the Visoflex yet.

I can not help with chimping, but if you are prepared to use a goggled wide, you will be able to use a 50 mm frame for a 35mm lens. I have a visoflex, but it is worse than switching to the SL. Your M becomes a clunky wannabe DSLR.

13 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

I wore glasses full time for 60+  years before having cataract surgery last year. Because of strong astigmatism and near-sightedness I had Toric multifocal lenses implanted which gives very good vision over a wide range, and works fine with my RF and SLR cameras. Their weakness is very close vision in dim light or low-contrast views, such as working on small mechanisms, so I keep generic readers for that. Before I had very good ultra-close vision without glasses, so I miss that, but I'm still pleased with the result. It makes using my old Leica and Canon cameras form the pre-M days much nicer.

Back on topic, I also find the SL2S tempting. Although I love small cameras, I used a Leicaflex SL along with my M4 for decades, and the Leicaflex was a real tank. The SL2S should do well for my Leica R lens collection.

The SL system is very good. I finally found a solution for my R lenses that I like better than my R8+DMR. But it is not a replacement for my M. I still see the SL as a system that I will only use to do what the M is not made for (macro - tele - studio work).

[pgh]

I have an m10 and an sl2. 
I can tell you, with confidence, that if I stick my 50mm summi on my sl2, that the camera is only barely larger and heavier than the m10. The size difference is primarily due to the grip and the viewfinder - things a lot of ppl stick on their m’s. I never have and never will buy SL glass. It is stupid expensive and huge. Sigma contemporary lenses are quite nice and give AF, when I need it, but I will mostly use adapted M glass which works beautifully on it. 
I still prefer the feel of my m10 but the real physical difference is more about shape not size or weight. If I had your eye situation I would likely make the switch that way without thinking. The tool is there to be used. 

[52K]

On LeChef’s comment on vari focal corrected contact lenses… 

You can, I wear some. Air Optix. 

Edited April 28, 2023 by 52K

[Christianjwagner]

I have both an M10 and SL2-S. As I also own a Q and a CL, I need to get rid of at least one of those 4, too much capital sitting on shelves; and man, what a difficult decision - each of these cameras tick different boxes. What always (and still) surprises me negatively is the sheer weight of the (silver) M10 when picking it up. it feels like walking around with a steel brick around your neck. It’s probably the best looking camera I’ve ever owned and actually looks so compact, but it’s so heavy!! There is not much gap to the SL2S (at least you expect some of weight with it). And given the fact that I haven’t managed to get fully warm with RF focusing (especially in critical situations / dark with not much time etc) I believe that the M10 and I will part ways, sadly.

PS: the Q is the only camera I promised myself to never ever sell (I’m eying for a Q3, let’s say).

Edited June 1, 2023 by Christianjwagner

[Kiwimac]

On 4/24/2023 at 12:55 PM, jimleicam3 said:

I have tried the diopter and also using my reading glasses.  Unfortunately, the reading glasses are a pain to see the shot, then you need the glasses to focus the shot, then you have to remove the glasses to see the replay.  I guess I would advise to avoid cataract surgery for as long as possible.  I have not tried the Visoflex yet.

I had exactly this problem.

I solved it with contact lenses: I wore one in the eye that was not going to look through the VF. The brain merged the two images when not looking through the camera so that I could read camera menus and so on as well as see far distance. I was using DSLR and mirrorless then though.

Eventually I had differential LASIK that made that arrangement permanent: now I see from 6" to infinity extremely well. That is what enabled me to return to the M system with confidence.

 

[Pixeleater]

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Last month, I had cataract surgery on both eyes and now use 2.25-2.50 readers, mostly for print material. I’ve found that I can get decent focus with the M10R without using readers. I may experiment with diopters but expect that I will not need them. 

[Pixeleater]

On 6/20/2023 at 8:31 AM, Pixeleater said:

Last month, I had cataract surgery on both eyes and now use 2.25-2.50 readers, mostly for print material. I’ve found that I can get decent focus with the M10R without using readers. I may experiment with diopters but expect that I will not need them. 

Correction: …meant to say “without using a diopter.”

[Mr.Q]

My eyesight has also deteriorated over the years, and now I only use the M10-P with a 35mm lens during the day outdoors.  When stopped down to F4+ critical focus is not an issue.  I have a Q2 when I need to go out in darker settings. I thought about switching to the SL2-S but I'm quite confident I would not take that behemoth of a camera outdoors.

[cnguyen]

All I have to say is if you have issue with the patch focusing area in all Leica Ms cameras you should go with the SL series. For the original poster you can get evf for your M10 . the evf will turn your M10 into an SL2 except auto focus. I use the evf on my M10 when use with my Leica R lenses. Bought an SL awhile back for my R lenses but it so cumbersome to lug around so it went back to Leica store.