Thinking of trading in SL2-S for another M11 body

[petereprice]

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Hi all,

I currently own the M11 Monochrom, SL2-S and the Q3.

I also own two Sony cameras that I use for commercial work.  I plan at the moment of using my Sony’s for professional work and the Leica’s for my personal work.  
 

When I got the SL2-S I originally had intended on transitioning entirely to Leica and getting rid of Sony however there are certain parts of the Sony kit that I couldn’t live without for my commercial work so I kept the SL2-S as a second/backup body to my M camera as well as the ability to shoot color since I own a Monochrom at the moment.

But in the coming year I want to dedicate more of my personal work to getting better at the rangefinder platform and starting to feel like the SL is a redundancy to my Sony kit.  And since I’m planning on keeping the Sony’s for the time being, I’m considering selling my SL2-S and replacing it with another color M body like the M11 or M11-P.  

Is there any reason this would be a bad idea?  I currently own a 50mm lux and 35mm Lux FLE II.  I like adapted glass on my SL but don’t plan on getting any more M glass beside maybe a 28 cron.  I also own the EVF for the M11 series.

Thoughts?  Should I be keeping the SL2-S as my secondary color body for my M system or should I swap and get a second color M body?

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[benqui]

You will get a lot of different answers, but yes, I understand what you mean. With your Sony system, there is no need for the SL-2. Go for another M body.

[grahamc]

On 11/17/2023 at 1:24 AM, petereprice said:

 When I got the SL2-S I originally had intended on transitioning entirely to Leica and getting rid of Sony however there are certain parts of the Sony kit that I couldn’t live without for my commercial work

Hi Peter ,  I'm sorry this is not a direct response to your query (which I can't help with sorry because I don't yet own the SL system) BUT.... your comment above has got my attention because I am considering losing my Sony kit and replacing with SL .

Would you mind letting me know briefly why you decided that SL2 couldn't replace your Sony, and for what kind of applications   ? 

My guess is auto-focus speed but please let me know as I'm going through the same thought process.   My idea was to wait for SL3 and get rid of the Sony

This would leave me with SL for work and M for everything else, and the advantage that SL can also mount my M glass nicely.  That's the theory anyway.  

(I don't need lightening auto-focus but do enjoy the Sony for convenience in many different conditions)

Cheers ! 

Edited November 17, 2023 by grahamc

[petereprice]

3 hours ago, grahamc said:

Hi Peter ,  I'm sorry this is not a direct response to your query (which I can't help with sorry because I don't yet own the SL system) BUT.... your comment above has got my attention because I am considering losing my Sony kit and replacing with SL .

Would you mind letting me know briefly why you decided that SL2 couldn't replace your Sony, and for what kind of applications   ? 

My guess is auto-focus speed but please let me know as I'm going through the same thought process.   My idea was to wait for SL3 and get rid of the Sony

This would leave me with SL for work and M for everything else, and the advantage that SL can also mount my M glass nicely.  That's the theory anyway.  

(I don't need lightening auto-focus but do enjoy the Sony for convenience in many different conditions)

Cheers ! 

Although I enjoy the SL2-S a lot especially when using M glass, I don’t find it versatile enough when comparing it to my Sony A1 or A7rV.  I find the EVF blackout lag to be hard to shoot consecutive shots unless switching to burst mode.  I shot some pictures for the New York Marathon and although it looked like images were in focus I did not have nearly the keeper rate as the Sony’s.  
I also find more luck shooting in AF-S than AF-C but then I lose tracking so that adds challenges.  So to me the only areas that work best for the SL2-S is probably static subjects, like portraits, landscape and cityscape.  And probably street photography and some documentary but I think I would rely more on manual m lenses than the AF at that point.  So I think it all depends on what you are doing.  I do a variety of work.  From events, some sports, some photojournalism, some documentary, street, portraits and travel.  It can do ok in Al these things but the Sony does some of it better for my work.  So for me I kinda want to split up the worlds and maybe do all my personal work on M system and all my pro work on the Sony.  And I’m seriously considering selling the SL2-as at least till the SL3 comes out since I do find having the Sony and SL to be slightly redundant where as having M body or bodies alongside my Sonys are two completely different worlds.  Does that make sense?

[bcaslis]

I have a Nikon mirrorless setup for my do everything camera. I've had an M11 for 11 months now, and I tried an SL2 a couple of months ago and found that I liked the EVF and build, there was nothing in it that my Nikon didn't do better. Last weekend I bought an M11 Monochrom, so two M11's now.

[ajmarton1]

I have the M10M and Q3 and Sony a1 with every possible GM/GMII lens as I have a contact at Sony and get everything at a discount or a loaner when needed. The a1 is the most practical and effective camera for fast action, sports and wildlife photography in my opinion.  The  fast shutter speed, AF tracking and ability to nail the focus on the eyes of people, birds and animals is unmatched.  That said the Q3 is the most convenient of the lot and my go to when I go out and want to do street, low light or some non-wildlife oriented travel.  The M10M for me is like using a film camera which I love but is not for all occasions (I also had the M10P but sold it when I got the Q3).  

 I don't know about the SL2 line but I was never happy with my SL and sold it shortly after using it on a Leica workshop in India.  I would sell the SL2-S as I think the it is redundant to the a1 and you might as well get something that gives you a different user experience.  

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[LeicaR10]

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PeterPrice,   I see you asked a question that has been in the forum many times before.  Plus you have advice from a number of sage photographers and others who offer their ideas, to include myself.  Each camera is simply a tool, with pros and cons to each.  Some cameras help create photographs better than others types.   During my 40+ years in photography with many different brands, I personally found Leica to have the best tools for me and my genre of photography.  All said, I found early on, it's the content of the photograph that is really paramount.  How one achieves their visionary impression to create meaningful photographic content is solely up to the photographer.  The camera brand, model, lenses, etc., are simply a means to an ends.  Last, your question is important to you, others have offered advice, yet in reality, only you can determine the answer for yourself.  r/ Mark

Edited November 26, 2023 by LeicaR10