Favourite 2 lens combos

[Virob]

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What are some of your favourite 2 lens combinations and why? You can have several for different situations. I find that when I’m out and about, having 1 mounted lens and a spare is a nice compromise between covering a range of situations, while not being overly burdened. 3 lenses works ok, but more than that L find cumbersome.

here are some of mine:

16-35P + 70-300P: workhorse combo for wilderness river canoeing trips where I run into a range of situations and have to act fast, with little opportunity to change my position. Fits into a 1450 pelican case, strapped to the boat with easy access. If I ruin one I won’t feel too badly.

16-35P + 75/2L or 65/2S When I don’t need the extra reach and can take my time. I don’t do a lot of people portraits, but more landscape/ environmental portraits. The 75 is still new to me and is measurably better than the 65, but the 65 is still a heck of a lens. Objectively, I should save the weight/cost/size and go with the 65, but don’t think I will. One of these will have to go.

20/2 Sigma + 75 apo or 65/2 still experimenting with this one. 20/21 is one of my all time favourite focal lengths, Trying to anticipate if this will work once the 21apo arrives. I have to confess, I have cheated and added the 35/2S on occasion….

Q2 + SL2 + 20/2 or 75/2: this is also cheating a bit, but the Q2 alone is excellent for light travel or just to carry anytime, and then supplementing  with either the 20/2 or 75/2  depending on the the anticipated situation. 
 

so, what are some of yours?

 

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[robb]

35 and 75 apo SL summicrons

hands down.  Lighter weight.  Razor sharp edge to edge.  Fine background.  
 

many other lenses are also wonderful including a Q combo but if I’m headed to a desert island.  These are my two
 

Robb

Edited May 18, 2023 by robb

[huwm]

Two lens Q2 and SL2S 70-300P for light weight hiking/travel

might cheat and chuck the 20-60P in my bag as well

Just one lens is SL2S and SL 35 f2 asph or Q2

[hansvons]

8 hours ago, robb said:

many other lenses are also wonderful including a Q combo but if I’m headed to a desert island.

Since I‘m already on that island, I only use a 35mm Summicron ASPH and a 50mm Summicron V4, both M mount and adapted. This is possibly the most compact and lightweight combo you can get with the SL. Why not a digital M then? The SL2-S provides the best sensor for reportage shooting and the EVF allows for supercritical focus, plus I need the very good video. 

35mm and 50mm cover every aspect of my line of work, from long shots to portraits. But mostly, the 35mm is mounted.

 

[fededuran]

I'll go with 28 and 50 Apos. 

[Olaf_ZG]

I don’t have my mind made up yet…

[Ken Abrahams]

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I have a couple of SL lenses in the last few months  but I have to sat the Apo 35 SL is a favourite along with the 21 Super Elmar lens. The 21 SEM is a fantastic lens on both SL2 and SLl2s. Razor sharp and a favourite perspective to work with. 

[Coral Palm]

I agree with robb, the SL 35mm and 75mm Summicrons would be the two lenses I would grab as well--the reasons being for what I often shoot when traveling those focal lengths are ideal and image quality is stellar. If the two lenses were for shooting landscape would bring the SL 16-35mm and the 24-90mm.

[Steven Lane]

Another vote for the 35 and 75 APO’s, particularly if travelling abroad. Around my home town I would reach for the 16-35 and 90-280 behemoth.

[kobra]

Q2 and SL2+90-280 

Q2 covers reasonably wide to standard quite well, so then it's about the reach and the 90-280 is the best I've ever used for that. The latter is big and heavy though, and I have a 3 day kayak trip coming this summer, so I may look at the 70-300 as a lighter weight combo...

And, of course, the Q3 may be available soon, and that will be tempting as it should improve the "digital zoom", low light performance, and add better AF. 

Brad

[LBJ2]

35 and 50 mm FL primes have always been my go-to with just about any system. The Leica SL APO 35/2 and 50/2 just raises the IQ potential to nirvana level, so an easy "favorite" recommendation. The SL2+35/50APOs sling bag kit goes along very well for afternoon stroll to long distance travel too: 😍

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[Sohail]

Q2 + 50/1.4 SL + 90/2 SL

[Chris Nebard]

Q (typ 116) and SL2-S + 50mm Summicron M. Carried together in a Hadley Small, all day, spare battery for each. Nothing else. Fantastic. 

[Yellow_78]

I love the 35 apo SL + 90 apo SL combo on my Leica SL2-s. I carry them in my Wotancraft Ryker shoulder bag which is also superb quality. 👌

[Dr. G]

On 5/18/2023 at 7:02 PM, robb said:

35 and 75 apo SL summicrons

hands down.  Lighter weight.  Razor sharp edge to edge.  Fine background.  
 

many other lenses are also wonderful including a Q combo but if I’m headed to a desert island.  These are my two
 

Robb

When I travel, these are the two lenses I carry with my SL2-S.  Both are spectacular, but I was really surprised by how good the 75 was.

I also own the 50 Lux-SL for portraiture (although the 75 works nicely for this) and the 50 APO-SL for shooting in restaurants because of the closer minimum focus distance.  I have a LLL Speed Panchro II on the way, but I'm still thinking the 35/75 will be the most versatile for me.

[panoreserve]

I've been using the SL system since 2016 and have been able to use all SL lenses in the past. I now work with the "classic" combination of 28-50-90mm. Most of the time I decide to take only 2 lenses with me: SL Apo 28mm & SL Apo 50mm or SL Apo 28mm & SL Apo 90mm. The image quality when cropping to 35mm (and even 50mm) is still quite excellent with the SL2... Personally, the combination 35/50 or 35/75 would be too "tight" for me...😉

[hoolyproductions]

Music photography in low light (and casual candids in lower light): 50mm Summicron-SL either alone or together with my 75mm-SL. Bit unorthodox combination but works very well for me, I am usually too close to the stage for a 90mm to work. And I am in love with the 75mm even though the 50mm is more versatile.

In decent light for landscape and abstracts: 24-90 SL. I also have a 90-280mm which is awesome for landscapes but rarely carry it with me.

Edited June 8, 2023 by hoolyproductions

[huwm]

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My no changing of lens out in the field rucksack kit.

However more often than not I'll find myself just carrying the SL2S with 24-70 VE in my hand and leave the rucksack in the car or fill it with swimming kit, snacks etc

If swimming I've got a tow float/bag which will fit my sandals shirt shorts camera and phone etc and enable me to one way swim across bay or lake or just reassure me that no one able to walk off with my kit.

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[jplomley]

How many use a SL2/s with their two lens combo's for street photography? Just curious.

[Abenteueranalog]

I have now used my SL2 for a year with the combination of 
Sigma Art 50mm f1.4 DG HSM
Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 35/2 VM

operated. Plus a Summicron-R 50/2 II and an Elmarit-R 90/2.8.

I sold the Sigma and the Voigtländer during a sale and bought the Sigma 24-70 Art and the Sigma 50/2 DG DN. 
I don't regret it and think the combination is great.
50mm is my focal length. For everything above/below that I have the 24-70 but it's not always on.

Edited July 5, 2023 by Abenteueranalog