SL2 -> M10-R/M11 : did anyone made the change ?

[proenca]

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Hi there,

So here is the thing - I've been a M shooter since ages ( read : film days :)) 

I had pretty much every iteration of M digital cameras : bought a M8 on launch day, M9 on launch day, M10 had a few ( P , MD ) and in the interim had a SL - nice but very slow, sold it.

So I sold few M digitals ( kept the M9 because is heavy brassed and so many memories with it ) for Sony's A7RIII then IV then A1 and while they were magnificent ( G lens and AF is incredible )  - damn they felt soulless so I switched back and bought a SL2 and 35SL APO and 90SL APO, since my vision and I was getting used to AF and eye focus.

Happy pictures, sharp as "#!3(& , its perfect - but missing the rangefinder experience - and the M9 ( still have it ) its a dog sh... on ISO above 400 or trying to pull something from the shadows.

My eyes are not the same ( wear glasses ) and while with the M's, sometimes focus is missed a bit ( like to shoot lens wide open ) , SL2 is hit or completely miss because AF is a bit dodgy at best; seems that with the M with the pre-focusing on what was going to happen was a better experience than a clunky - albeit precise - AF.

So I've been offered a trade for my SL2+35SLAPO+90SLAPO for M10-R chrome ( my favorite ) + 35FLE ( my favorite focal lenght ) or M11+35FLE for a small change.

I truly believe that the SL APO lenses are the pinnacle of Leica - they are flawless - but I do quite a bit of travel photography and the SL2 and two APO's is just a bit... cumbersome. So I usually take the SL2+35SL APO and that's it - which is not bad, I'm a bit of one lens guy - but the SL2 size and weight, sometimes do get in a way a bit, apart from loosing a bit the "stealth" factor a M

Leaning towards the M10-R ( rather than the M11, which had a bit of terrible start, plus the 40mp of the M10-r are good enough and the sensor being comparable to the SL2, seems fine, plus has the lower removable, which I'm a bit snob and prefer it ( call it old film guy stupid things ). The M11 for me has better battery, the addition of Visioflex for critical focusing ( but then again I might be left with the SL2 and that's it ) and not much more ) - but having seconds thoughts.

Anyone did the SL2 -> M10R or M11 route and regreted it ? Really on the fence here.

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[Jon Warwick]

1 hour ago, proenca said:

Anyone did the SL2 -> M10R or M11 route and regreted it ? Really on the fence here.

In terms of Leica products, I sold the SL2 and now own an M11 as my main Leica set-up. No regrets whatsoever. But there’s a caveat in that I have another EVF, in the form of a 100mp medium format GFX100S. The SL2 and SL 50 Summicron make a GFX100S and GF 50mm lens look light and compact in comparison. The image quality of a 100mp MF sensor is a whole notch up too. Without a real aperture ring or shutter dial, the SL2 (to me) was just another “electronic” camera, and a heavy and bulky one at that.

But it’s the M cameras that continue to feel much more “analogue” in use compared to the SL2, GFX, any EVF that I’ve tried - I guess I really like a real aperture ring and shutter speed dial, and all manual focus too.

Now I feel I have the best of both worlds, I have the medium format EVF beast for those times I’m targeting massive landscape prints (ie, it’s taken the place of my 5x4 large format for prints to 60” wide), and for everything else, I find the M11 ticks all the boxes.

Firstly, for image quality (the M11 is really impeccable at ISO 64 with my APO Lanthars, and to a print size of c 40-50” prints I’d happily just use my M11 rather than the GFX).

Secondly, for size and weight - pick an M11 and pretty much any combo of regular M lens, and it’s half the weight of a SL2 set-up, helped even more by the M11’s lack of brass vs M10s, and far smaller in a bag.

I use the Visoflex 2, it is OK’ish but seems small as you peer through it after coming off an SL2 or even the lowish resolution GFX100S EVF (more a moot point now the new GFX has launched). So if on a tripod, I’d prefer to typically use the rear LCD or even the Fotos app. But at least the optionality is there for rangefinder or solid enough EVF.

The other optionality i like about the M system is access to a large variety of native M Mount lenses, allowing me to capture different renderings, in my case from edge-to-edge high resolution lenses like the latest APOs, or older lenses like the v5 Summicron that I use for portraits due to a softer rendering. Yes, one could do it on an SL2 and adapter, but I prefer the balance and size of just doing it all through the M system.

[PCPix]

I have an M10R and an SL2. 
 

I’m considering ditching the SL2 and getting a second M10R body. I have just never got on with the SL2 - it’s a beautiful camera but it’s the ‘looking at a tv screen’ experience that I just don’t like (that of course applies to all mirrorless cameras). 
 

I also have the 35 FLE and from what your options are, I’d go for the M10R/35. 
 

It’s an emotional decision as much as a photographic or financial decision. Follow your heart - using a camera you love will be better for you and your photography….

[goodbokeh]

I do a lot of travel in my retirement years. Like PCPix I have the SL2 and M10R. I also have the M10M, Q2, and GFX 100S.

For my uses the SL2 and the Q2 complement each other well and are the core system on trips. I need flexible focal lengths and speed.

The M10R or M I use as a change of pace camera when I want to slow things down or use a character lens.

I understand for a dedicated landscape photographer the 100S is a strong option. But it does have its limitations with lens size, slow apertures, limited range of focal lengths, narrow depth of field, and it can be a bugger with PDAF sensor flare in strong backlit situations.

[profus]

I would never do it.
SL2 is perfect for me - both with M lenses, but also with SL/ Sigma lenses.
Have no issues at all with autofocus (don't use continuous af)

[SoarFM]

12 hours ago, goodbokeh said:

I do a lot of travel in my retirement years. Like PCPix I have the SL2 and M10R. I also have the M10M, Q2, and GFX 100S.

For my uses the SL2 and the Q2 complement each other well and are the core system on trips. I need flexible focal lengths and speed.

The M10R or M I use as a change of pace camera when I want to slow things down or use a character lens.

I understand for a dedicated landscape photographer the 100S is a strong option. But it does have its limitations with lens size, slow apertures, limited range of focal lengths, narrow depth of field, and it can be a bugger with PDAF sensor flare in strong backlit situations.

That kinda describes me mostly (not quite retired yet, but soon…) but I have “narrowed”(😏) my systems to Leica only, SL2/SL2S M11/M11M. I ‘ve beeen down the Fuji and Hasselblad path but have found the ease of using M lenses on the SL series as desired really out weighed everything else. On a pixel peeping level, I could make an argument for the Fuji or Hasselblad but everything else about them is outweighed by the leica design and interoperability. I liked the Hasselblad more than the Fuji but am uneasy with the future of the brand under DJI.

[Printmaker]

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On 9/13/2023 at 2:38 AM, profus said:

I would never do it.
SL2 is perfect for me - both with M lenses, but also with SL/ Sigma lenses.
Have no issues at all with autofocus (don't use continuous af)

Nor would I. In my case, it is the SL2S and a M10. Both have their advantages and I take the one that fits the needs of the shoot. Travel is better when I pack a light kit such as a M10 with 35 and 75 mm lenses. Safari is the best with a SL2(S) and 28-70 and 100-400 mm lenses. Weddings and events are nice with the SL2(S) wearing the 28-70 with the 50/1.2(M) and 105 macro in the bag.

 I find the visoflex slow and cumbersome on M cameras. The same is true with manual focusing M lenses in rapidly changing situations. Both systems have their advantages and strengths. My heart is with the M but the SL2(S) sure is practical. If I were you I’d just add the M10R to your collection and forget trading the SL2.