Brand new SL2 - June 2024

[Winedemonium]

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I just bought a brand new Leica SL2 (man. Dec 2022) in June 2024.

I'm going to use this for M lenses mostly, and some longer Contax Zeiss C/Y lenses. In other words, I bought this as a manual lens camera, though I may pick up an AF Leica or Sigma lens later.

I was offered the SL3 last week. I'm going to hold off on that. The SL3 does look to offer some advantages over the SL2 that I might find useful. But I'm taking a more cautious approach than usual because I want to see if I bond with the SL system second time around (I owned the SL from late 2015 to mid 2016, with the only lens of the time, the 24~90 SL zoom, and found it just a bit of a lump overall). This is a mature system now, and perhaps in time I will find other uses, with the wide range of L-mount lenses available.

I was offered a new SL2 for half the price of a new SL3, so that seemed tempting enough to give it a go.

My primary reason for the SL2 - as an M user principally - is that new eyeglasses mean I can't see the 35mm framelines anymore in my M10R BP / M10M or MPs. I like that focal length. I will keep the M system for 50mm, which I also like. The SL will be mainly for 35mm and wider, and over 90mm use cases. Let's see how it works out.

I also bought the Leica M-Adaptor L, rather than skimp on that adaptor from other brands. 

Anyone here using the SL system principally for their M lenses, (or other adapted ones), I'd appreciate any config/setup and shooting tips you may suggest I try out. Thank you.

 

 

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[Jean-Michel]

Hi,

I have an SL2, and an M-P(240). I originally purchased the SL2 without any L lenses, but now own the Leica 24-70; Sigma 85 f/1.4 and the Sigma 50 f/2. M lenses include a WATE, 35 and 50 Summicrons, 90 Macro-Elmar and a googled 135 Elmarit. I also have some donated Canon FD lenses, including  the beer can 70-210 zoom.

A big plus of using M lenses on the SL2 is the IBIS. With the M-L adapter, coded lensed are recognized, and other ones can simply be selected manually. The camera needs to know the focal length in order to have the IBIS working correctly.

You can also see the DOF when stopped down, but at the expense of precise focus. You can enlarge the image the image of course, but that is an extra step.

I also wear glasses and understand the difficulty of viewing the 35 frame; for decades I used a goggled 35 Summicron on my M bodies. I not so wisely traded it for a current 35 for use on my M9 and M-P — I really should have kept it!

Now that I have L lenses, I don't often mount M lenses on the SL2. I do occasionally mount the 135 (quite a sight!) or the Canon 70-210 for rather excellent results.

There really is no config/setup other that Manual and IBIS on to worry about. 

Just mount your 35 and se how it works for you.

[Leslie22]

I used the original SL as a M Leica lens camera for 3 years (I may be the only Leica user NEVER to even try the 24 to 90 zoom) in fact that big zoom put me off buying the SL until I tried a 50 M lens …… a wonderful combination.  Time goes by and `I now have the SL2 and 4 SL lens , and use both M and SL. You may find that you will buy an SL lens eventually, The Apo’s are amazing.

[Jeff S]

Different strokes and all that.  I wear glasses, but comfortably use 28/35/50mm lenses on my M bodies via the RF.  Thin, flexible eyeglass frames probably help.  But using the system for approaching 40 years likely has more to do with it; second nature by now.

I use an SL2 to complement the M system in ways that it’s better suited when needed, e.g., zoom lenses, weather sealing, IBIS, etc.  My M lenses stay on M bodies and the SL2 stays with SL lenses. The 24-90 remains the workhorse.  Not nearly as fun as primes on the M, but effectively serves the use case. More often than not, however, the M10 Monochrom is my camera of choice, with either 35 or 50mm lens. 
 

The beauty of the SL system is its flexibility to accommodate a wide range of uses.  I’d use it more if smaller and lighter, but not until I can no longer get the results I expect from the M. So far, so good.

Jeff

[hansvons]

11 hours ago, Winedemonium said:

My primary reason for the SL2 - as an M user principally - is that new eyeglasses mean I can't see the 35mm framelines anymore in my M10R BP / M10M or MPs.

I wear varifocals. They are glued to my face, can't see properly without them. 

I figured that with the second eye open I see the 35mm frameline completely, but when closing the unused eye, they partly disappear. It takes some time to get used to that but it’s an easy fix adding for right-eye-sighted people the opportunity to see the environment outside the VF. 

I also own the SL2-S. It’s a fundamentally different system with different goals. It’s a mature, professional system for everything except sports and birds. It’s made for larger AF lenses and comes naturally with some heft.

Racking focus via the EVF, focus peaking, and magnification isn't exactly what I call an enjoyable experience. It’s strengths are IBIS and AF. I use it on editorial assignments with the 35mm Summicron ASPH M with good results but without joy. I owned the 24-90, but it was too bulky, and I’m a 35mm guy. So, I sold it.

I now contemplate to get the Sigma 35mm f/2 Contemporary lens for these jobs and use AF again, as it’s fairly compact for an AF lens. It’s a modern aspherical design but wide open may show some enjoyable character. 

 

Edited June 3, 2024 by hansvons

[Winedemonium]

1 hour ago, hansvons said:

I figured that with the second eye open I see the 35mm frameline completely, but when closing the unused eye, they partly disappear. It takes some time to get used to that but it’s an easy fix adding for right-eye-sighted people the opportunity to see the environment outside the VF. 

 

This is a very interesting tip which I'll go try. My (additional) problem here is being left-eye dominant. I've been using the M system for 11 years, and always with the left eye (perhaps the main advantage of which is a very steady hold of the camera). But yes, two eyes together can do magic things.

I am perhaps a victim of my own indulgence here - last year, having moved to Paris, I decided to have custom eyeglasses frames made (Maison Bonnet - a great experience BTW). It was a long process, and I'm really happy with them. But they are thicker, and prouder from the face than my previous very thin and very flexible close-in fitting Lindberg frames, and the consequence is I've lost sight of the 35mm framelines. 

I thought about various fixes, including having those Linberg frames as "photography day" frames, but in the end I realise (or choose) that my photography should fit me rather than the other way around. If it's too much pfaff, I'm less motivated, etc. 

...just tried your trick. I can't see the whole of the 35mm framelines, but I can see more, and it takes less of a wiggle to find the edges. Question is whether I can retrain to use the right eye....

[hansvons]

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12 minutes ago, Winedemonium said:

Question is whether I can retrain to use the right eye....

Just use your left eye and let the camera blank your right eye 😉.

I'm also fairly picky about my spectacles' style. Two decades ago, I defaulted to Ray-Ban Aviators frames. Today, they are experiencing a renaissance, almost becoming a fad. I probably have to wheater that. However, they don't fit particularly close to the eyes, but they are just about close enough to let me see the 35mm frame lines with both eyes open. 

[Jeff S]

11 hours ago, Jeff S said:

Thin, flexible eyeglass frames probably help.  

Yup. For me, photography is important enough to consider when choosing a pleasant style.

Regardless, M framing is not precise. One learns to adjust and, in my case, frame generously enough to tweak via PP and to accommodate more precise matting dimensions for any worthy print.

I can’t imagine using my left eye for M viewing. Seems contrary to the design (including nose placement). But I guess one can get used to anything. 

Jeff
 

 

[Leslie22]

Left eye dominant , and wear glasses …. M shooter for 30 years or more , I have a spare pair of glasses , my “photography glasses” The left lens ends up smudged , eventually scratched from rubbing up against the camera.

While having my eyes checked a few years ago the specialist said “I hope your using your left eye for that thing”

 

 

 

[Winedemonium]

On 6/3/2024 at 10:52 AM, hansvons said:

Two decades ago, I defaulted to Ray-Ban Aviators frames. Today, they are experiencing a renaissance, almost becoming a fad. I probably have to wheater that.

Reminds me of a quip from King Charles that he is fashionable about every 25 years. 

21 hours ago, Jeff S said:

I can’t imagine using my left eye for M viewing. Seems contrary to the design (including nose placement). But I guess one can get used to anything. 

The M is clearly a right-eyed design. But the (minor) benefit to the left-eyed user is perhaps enhanced stability. 

 

11 hours ago, Leslie22 said:

I have a spare pair of glasses , my “photography glasses” The left lens ends up smudged , eventually scratched from rubbing up against the camera.

This may end up the way forward, in contradiction to my opening remark on this. I do still have the super flexi Lindberg frames and they have the previous (still good enough) prescription progressive lenses mounted. 

 

For the film MPs, I may also give a 35mm brightline finder a go. Light Lens Lab now make a replica of the old Leitz one. It's just a pity Zeiss don't make that focal length, as I really like their 25/28, and 21mm versions.