Favorite M Glass To Use On SL2 / SL3?

[MakinMemories]

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Soliciting opinions from forum members as to which LEICA M lenses are their favorite to use on LEICA SL cameras. I have enjoyed an SL2 for nearly two years and was lucky enough to snag an SL3 within days of official release! Already have put together a nice selection of Leica SL glass (only one or two SL lenses still on my wish list) and looking to add some Leica M lenses to the mix🙂

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[LeicaR10]

MakinMemories,   Perhaps you will provide a little more detail as to what are your genre(s) of photography.   My genres are; a. Landscape, b. Humanist photography.  During my 40+ years in photography both for business and personal, I usually only carry and use three lenses at hand.  If out hiking in remote terrain, I might lighten the load with just an SL2-S or M10-R and two M lenses.  If in really dramatic climate, I will take the SL system and two lenses.  My lens preferences are listed in my profile if you wish to get an idea.  All M lenses listed work best for me with the SL cameras.  r/ Mark 

Edited March 25, 2024 by LeicaR10

[MakinMemories]

15 minutes ago, LeicaR10 said:

MakinMemories,   Perhaps you will provide a little more detail as to what are your genre(s) of photography.   My genres are; a. Landscape, b. Humanist photography.  During my 40+ years in photography both for business and personal, I usually only carry and use three lenses at hand.  If out hiking in remote terrain, I might lighten the load with just an SL2-S or M10-R and two M lenses.  If in really dramatic climate, I will take the SL system and two lenses.  My lens preferences are listed in my profile if you wish to get an idea.  All M lenses listed work best for me with the SL cameras.  r/ Mark 

 

 

 

LeicaR10, You have a very nice selection of kit! My use will be general and varied-no specifics. Years ago on 35mm SLR's, I found I used a 35mm lens as a 'normal' lens vs the 50/55mm lenses then considered a 'normal' lens, so thinking of one of the M 35mm lenses...Also always liked a 105mm lens for portraits, macro capability would be a plus-this would likely mean two different lenses...So at least one M in the 105-135mm range. Question, and I am sure there are many opinions-which ones are truly iconic and which perform best on the SL?

I am sure other members have their favorite M glass to use on SL's and why...

[LeicaR10]

MakinMemories,   Perhaps you will find using the same focal lengths of M lenses for your SL3 camera, i.e. 35 and perhaps a 90 to be outstanding for your photography needs.  It will get down to a couple of things.  First, how does the lens render.  Second, how much do you wish to spend.  In the Leica M lens line up, the good news you have a number of excellent choices.  I know a lot of well meaning photographers will give you their sage advice, to include myself, but at the end of the day, it gets down to what you need and perhaps want.  I can easily suggest considering the M 35mm Summicron Asph latest version.  It works quite well on the SL cameras and won't break the bank.  Also, for a M 90mm, you could go the 90mm Apo Summicron Asph, 90mm Summarit and 90 Elmarit M and others.  Of course you could go the third party route too.  I don't use third party lenses, just my preference.  So others might suggest those to you too.  I would highly recommend buying previously owned M lenses from a reputible dealer with a warranty and return policy just in case.  To help you, the links below will give you an idea how the different M 35 and 90mm lenses render.  The site has many other lenses and examples too.  I am certain you will find the best lenses for your photography.  r/ Mark

PS  As you go through the photographs you can see what camera was used.  There are photographs taken with different SL cameras.

Try:  35 Summicron Asph  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=358&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  35 Apo Summicron Asph  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=4280&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  35 Summilux Asph FLE  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=360&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  90 Apo Summicron https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=388&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  90 Summarit  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=392&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  90 Elmarit M   https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=389&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Edited March 25, 2024 by LeicaR10

[MakinMemories]

11 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

MakinMemories,   Perhaps you will find using the same focal lengths of M lenses for your SL3 camera, i.e. 35 and perhaps a 90 to be outstanding for your photography needs.  It will get down to a couple of things.  First, how does the lens render.  Second, how much do you wish to spend.  In the Leica M lens line up, the good news you have a number of excellent choices.  I know a lot of well meaning photographers will give you their sage advice, to include myself, but at the end of the day, it gets down to what you need and perhaps want.  I can easily suggest considering the M 35mm Summicron Asph latest version.  It works quite well on the SL cameras and won't break the bank.  Also, for a M 90mm, you could go the 90mm Apo Summicron Asph, 90mm Summarit and 90 Elmarit M and others.  Of course you could go the third party route too.  I don't use third party lenses, just my preference.  So others might suggest those to you too.  I would highly recommend buying previously owned M lenses from a reputible dealer with a warranty and return policy just in case.  To help you, the links below will give you an idea how the different M 35 and 90mm lenses render.  The site has many other lenses and examples too.  I am certain you will find the best lenses for your photography.  r/ Mark

PS  As you go through the photographs you can see what camera was used.  There are photographs taken with different SL cameras.

Try:  35 Summicron Asph  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=358&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  35 Apo Summicron Asph  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=4280&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  35 Summilux Asph FLE  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=360&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  90 Apo Summicron https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=388&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  90 Summarit  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=392&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  90 Elmarit M   https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=389&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

 

 

Awesome and Thank You!

[SoarFM]

19 hours ago, MakinMemories said:

Soliciting opinions from forum members as to which LEICA M lenses are their favorite to use on LEICA SL cameras. I have enjoyed an SL2 for nearly two years and was lucky enough to snag an SL3 within days of official release! Already have put together a nice selection of Leica SL glass (only one or two SL lenses still on my wish list) and looking to add some Leica M lenses to the mix🙂

The best M lens for an SL… Don’t chase optical perfection, you will always come up wanting compared to an SL lens.

If you are chasing “the look”, M is the way to go. I have a Noctilux 1.2 reissue, a Noctilux f1, v4 and a Summilux-35 (steel rim) reissue that work great on the SL. I’m sure there are many others worth a look.

[JohnQ]

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20 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

MakinMemories,   Perhaps you will find using the same focal lengths of M lenses for your SL3 camera, i.e. 35 and perhaps a 90 to be outstanding for your photography needs.  It will get down to a couple of things.  First, how does the lens render.  Second, how much do you wish to spend.  In the Leica M lens line up, the good news you have a number of excellent choices.  I know a lot of well meaning photographers will give you their sage advice, to include myself, but at the end of the day, it gets down to what you need and perhaps want.  I can easily suggest considering the M 35mm Summicron Asph latest version.  It works quite well on the SL cameras and won't break the bank.  Also, for a M 90mm, you could go the 90mm Apo Summicron Asph, 90mm Summarit and 90 Elmarit M and others.  Of course you could go the third party route too.  I don't use third party lenses, just my preference.  So others might suggest those to you too.  I would highly recommend buying previously owned M lenses from a reputible dealer with a warranty and return policy just in case.  To help you, the links below will give you an idea how the different M 35 and 90mm lenses render.  The site has many other lenses and examples too.  I am certain you will find the best lenses for your photography.  r/ Mark

PS  As you go through the photographs you can see what camera was used.  There are photographs taken with different SL cameras.

Try:  35 Summicron Asph  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=358&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  35 Apo Summicron Asph  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=4280&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  35 Summilux Asph FLE  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=360&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  90 Apo Summicron https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=388&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  90 Summarit  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=392&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Try:  90 Elmarit M   https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=389&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

Greetings Leica R10. I am very interested in your posts on this topic and appreciate you have gone to the trouble to provide links. I am finding, however, that the links are generating a message telling the server cannot be found.

Is there any advice you can give me on how to access the site?

 

Regards,

 

John

[LeicaR10]

John,   The site occasionally does maintenance.   But the main link to the overall site that is free is:  onfotolife.com    I just tried it and it's working.  r/ Mark

[JohnQ]

Thanks Mark. I’ll give it a try.

 

John

[matted]

As others mentioned, using M lenses to compete with Leica's native SL lenses for IQ alone is a fool's errand. I like using my M (and R) lenses when after a different look or ability that I can't get with my 24-90 Vario. My 18 and 21 SEMs get me wider, and my 50 Summilux-M ASPH gets me faster AND a lovely look with just a little bit of character. Another benefit of using M glass with the SL bodies is that even the chunkiest of M lenses are smaller than most AF L mount glass, and they balance nicely.

[la1402]

I love the Summilux M 35 & 50 on the SL3, even after only a few hours of playing around. 

[geronimosan]

I'm moving to the Leica SL ecosystem and along with a few SL lenses, have been contemplating an M lens as well.  I've decided as my first M to buy the 35 1.4 "Steel Rim" reissue - this allows me the experience and fun of using an M lens, and also doesn't replicate or compete with any of the SL lenses as it offers a very unique and distinctive result.

[Chaemono]

Any M lens with high contrast which is most of them will work well with the SL3 IMO because the files are less contrasty and colors cooler (evident in some colors like yellow, green, orange, etc. to my eyes) than SL2-S colors. High contrast lenses like the 24-90 SL zoom should also be very synergistic with the SL3.

[SJH]

For me I just love the Noctilux 50mm 1.2 - just works so well on my SL3, for people I prefer it to the SL APO’s. If you need something sharper then the Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO works very well to.

[FocusDot]

Easy - 50 Summilux at any time...

[Geoff C. Bassett]

I would not discount some of the Voigtlander lenses. The 35mm 1.2, 40mm 1.2, & 75mm 1.5 are excellent lenses with superb and unique rendering.

[o2mpx]

The M setup hasn’t gotten much use since the 16-35/24-90 Leica zooms with the SL2 are more convenient for landscapes. Now thinking of reducing weight by taking some M lenses instead. 

Lately another option came to mind, read good reviews on the Sigma f2 primes for L mount - 20/35/50/85. Has anyone tried them and feedback on these lenses vs M lenses on the SL2?

[dpitt]

If you do not already own the M lens you are after, IMO it makes more sense to go for the R equivalent/contemporary. Of course there are more modern ASPH M lenses that do not have an equivalent... The R lenses are not that much bigger and heavier than the M lenses,= and have shorter MFD. R lenses feel tiny compared to the SL lenses, and more in balance with the big SL body.
The small M lenses feel too small on the  SL, so I see not much use form my Summicron 35mm, although I like it very much on my Leica TL2.
I even prefer the Leica Summilux 50 R on the SL compared to the Summilux 50 M.
For M lenses, I mostly use the lenses that are at the edge of usability on the M, like the Summicron 90 and 135mm tele lenses, or the Macro 90mm M at short range.

I do like the 35-70 Macro Vario-Elmar F4.0 R very much on the SL. Excellent rendering and in a very compact package. And of course, I bought the SL mostly for use with my macro and longer R tele lens primes and zooms starting from the 90mm Summicron.

 

Edited May 2, 2024 by dpitt

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[Stuart Richardson]

One M lens which I think really suits the SL system is the 135mm Tele Elmar, and/or 135mm APO Telyt. I have the former, a late E49 version. It is nice to use on the SL as it is quite a bit easier to focus and compose with it on EVF as compared to the M. Optically, it is still extremely good. In my experience, it is sharper than the 90-280mm, which I also have. If I am going on a hike or something where I do not want to carry the 90-280, I will often carry it, or the 90mm APO Summicron M. Both are very sharp and comparatively handy. At shorter focal lengths I just stick with L mount lenses, as I don't find my other lenses to be particularly large or heavy (24mm 3.5 Sigma or 35 and 50mm APO Summicrons). The advantage of AF, auto aperture and image quality are more important to me. That said, I don't tend to work in a way where I will have to carry an entire kit with me for long periods. I generally work out of the car or a studio, and on longer hikes I will usually just bring one or two lenses. For example the 50mm APO Summicron and 135mm Tele Elmar. For truly light work, I will just bring a Ricoh GRIIIx.

Edited May 2, 2024 by Stuart Richardson

[frankchn]

75 Noct, 90 Lux are favorites on the SL cameras. They are sharp enough and the focus fall off is very fast such that manual focusing through the EVF is actually pretty easy.