Traveling to Tibet in February with Leica SL2-S, which 35mm prime for documentary work?

[Adam_James]

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Hello All,

     Going to Tibet in February.  I own a Leica SL2-S and purchasing an S3 very shortly.  Lately, after a trip to Madagascar, I’ve been more into reportage photography.  I want to pick up a 35mm prime.  Deciding on the following lenses for my SL2-S:

* Leica 35mm Summilux-R

* Leica 35mm Summarit-S

* Leica 35mm Apo Summicron-SL

* Leica 35mm Apo Summicron-M ASPH      
 

     I own a few S lenses 120mm and 180mm, the 24-90 SL Zoom, and 21mm Summilux-M.  Willing to carry the weight in my pack, and will not be taking the 24-90 Zoom.  I want to bring strictly primes, and even started a gym regiment to be able to carry my equipment.  Looking for your advice on best 35mm for reportage style photography and documentary work.

 

Thank you,

Adam

[FrozenInTime]

1 hour ago, Adam_James said:

.  Looking for your advice on best 35mm for reportage style photography and documentary work.

Leica M and 35mm Summilux - nothing else !

... probably not the answer you were looking for. I tried using the SL2-S with the small Sigma 35/2 but am now firmly back to the M system.

Alternatively if you want to move away from reportage, Phil Borges work is still inspirational after many so many years.

https://www.philborges.com/tibetan-portrait

Edited June 6, 2024 by FrozenInTime

[OR120]

Hello Adam, sounds like a wonderful trip. I shoot with an SL2-s - using R and M lenses most of the time. With R lenses - I shoot 50 Summilux E60 and 80 Summilux. When using M lenses - I use 35 Summilux V2 and 75 Summilux. I prefer Summilux lenses. I did pick up a used Lumix 20-60 to use when weather is intense. I have many other Leica, Zeiss, Nikon lenses - but 99% of the time I use my Summilux lenses. I have considered the Leica 35mm-R Summilux but have a hard time with the going price. If you have time - go into a Leica Store or borrow a M 35 Summilux V2 or any M Summilux. I think you'll find it is a very capable lens in low light conditions AND considerably SMALLER/much less expensive than the Leica 35 Summilux-R WITH the R to L adapter. Since the late 70's Summilux lenses have been my go to lenses - I think you will find good use for the 1.4 in many situations. Have fun!

Edited June 6, 2024 by OR120
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[Adam_James]

@FrozenInTime  I like the idea of an M body, I’m just not there financially.  My eyesight is also starting to get ‘eh,’ and I’m looking into eye surgery at some point next year

[Adam_James]

@OR120  That’s awesome!  Nice to hear about your experience with R lenses and SL bodies.  There’s something ethereal about the R lenses that I want to bring to my photography.  I know I like the 35mm focal length after taking my 24-90 Zoom to Madagascar.  I took a look at the images , and 35mm was the focal length that came up most in the metadata.  
     Regarding price, the 35 Summilux-R commands a staggering price.  I’m going to make my decision at the end of July.  Thanks for your answer

[Jean-Michel]

To Adam

You may find this video from Reddotforum interesting: 

 

[HuntingSand]

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Exciting trip! But February? Not a month I would have chosen, but I'm sure you have your reasons. I visited Tibet with a good friend back in May 1986, the high altitude light can be really challenging and something you need to get used to. Spotmetering will be your friend. 35mm glass will be fine (any such lens, really, especially a 16-35 actually), but I guarantee you will run into such interesting people and faces and places up there, you absolutely do want to bring a portrait lens. I traveled with my Leica R4, the 50 Cron and the 70-200 zoom lens, which is more or less a formula I've been using on my travels ever since (swapping the 50 for a 35 or 28, as needed). Shot 25 and 64 Kodachrome. I wouldn't bring the S 120 APO, though (I have that lens as well), it's too slow focusing as the Macro that it is, and too large for what it would do for you on an SL body. A nice 85 or 105, something in that range will do the trick.
Btw, as you no doubt realize, the air is very thin up on that plateau, you can train as much as you want, these conditions are a different ballgame.

Edited June 6, 2024 by HuntingSand

[Adam_James]

@HuntingSand  Thank you for your response…. I turn 50 (shhhh), in February and wanted to go somewhere epic.  That’s the only reason I’m going away in February.  I do realize I will freeze my @lls off as I live in Mississippi…

     As for portrait lens, I used the Apo Macro Summarit-S in Madagascar with good results.  For reportage, I used a 24-90 Zoom, but want to forgo any zoom lenses for this trip.  Looking for a reference 35mm prime to pair up with my SL2-S.  As crazy as it sounds, I’ll have an S3 with me as well.  What would be your 35 mm lens choice?

[Virob]

1 hour ago, Adam_James said:

@FrozenInTime  I like the idea of an M body, I’m just not there financially.  My eyesight is also starting to get ‘eh,’ and I’m looking into eye surgery at some point next year

If eyesight is becoming an issue then l would be pairing that SL2s with an AF lens as a long term solution. None finer than the 35/2 APO SL.

[Almizilero]

If you want reference, I guess the SL-APO is the answer. The APO lenses are just something else. If you really feel weight doesn't matter, the Sigma 35/1.2 ist incredibly close to the APO and looks very special at F/1.2. I have shot them side by side many times and while the APO is just outstanding, the Sigma is close enough and has the F/1.2 aperture, so I never could bring myself to pay an extra 2.000 for the APO (used).

BTW, great plan with the trip to celebrate your 50th! I might adopt that idea when the time comes for me. I hope it'll be the trip of a lifetime for you!

[costa43]

I’m a big fan of M lenses but for a trip to Tibet in off season I would go for the 35mm sl apo. It’s weather resistant and is the most technically capable lens Leica has ever made according to many users. I doubt you can go wrong with it. 

[Photoworks]

On a trip I would normally get 24-90 and a fast lens like 50 or 35 to shoot in low light. But i usually have a set of M lenses with M11, 28lux-50lux-90 is what I use most.

I have both Sigma 35, Panasonic 35, Leica Lux-M, and The APO 35 SL

There is a night and day difference from all these lenses.  On The SL I like to shoot M lenses wide open, otherwise, it is a guessing game that is in focus on quick situations. the rendering is soft wide open on SL2.

The best lens is the 35 APO SL, wide open you can see detail that are great in travel and landscape. and the detail allows you to crop in a bit.

When I shoot people I use diffusion filters on the APO lenses, to sharpen the skin most of the time.

I know the APO SL is only f2, but it lets light true better than other lenses, take sigma and Panasonic at f2, the images are noticeably darker at the same settings.

That said the APO lenses are heavy once you add all the other lenses, I would probably think it is better to enjoy it and not bring everything you have. lighter is more enjoyable unless you have someone who carries it for you.

Have a good trip

[tangosix]

I would take the SL35APO.  I regularly take the 50 APO only for these types of trips, but I agree that the 35APO would provide better context.   

[OR120]

Since you have some time before your trip - hunt down some of the above mentioned lenses - beg, borrow or steal - and try them out for yourself. You have the time. Since you will have a second body by trip time - just take two lenses - don't have to worry about changing lenses - stay in the moment and enjoy!! You won't have to worry about dust and cleaning because you never take the lens off the body. You are good to go. 

[Adam_James]

@Photoworks   I’m leaning heavily to the 35mm Apo Summicron-SL and working with special effects filters like you mentioned.  The 35mm Summilux-R is ‘drool-worthy,’ but we’re talking $8000 for a pristine ROM version with all paperwork and box.  The weather sealing of the SL is another plus as well…

     Curious to see what peoples’ opinions of the 35mm Summarit-S are…

[Adam_James]

@OR120  I have thought of that idea…. The 24mm is going to stay permanently attached to the S3…

[Adam_James]

1 hour ago, Almizilero said:

If you want reference, I guess the SL-APO is the answer. The APO lenses are just something else. If you really feel weight doesn't matter, the Sigma 35/1.2 ist incredibly close to the APO and looks very special at F/1.2. I have shot them side by side many times and while the APO is just outstanding, the Sigma is close enough and has the F/1.2 aperture, so I never could bring myself to pay an extra 2.000 for the APO (used).

BTW, great plan with the trip to celebrate your 50th! I might adopt that idea when the time comes for me. I hope it'll be the trip of a lifetime for you!

Thank you!  I want this trip to be a memorable one.  All the advice everyone has given me has been invaluable, and I am grateful…

[Xavier]

Sounds like a wonderful trip plan!

If you are not used to high elevation (= do not know how your body reacts to it), make sure to plan a few days for letting your body adjust to it. It is one thing to prepare to carry weight and such things, but high elevation is another. Some very fit people may encounter more issues than others that do not seem so fit, there can be something a bit unpredictable about it. So planning on a few nights at slightly lower elevation and going each day a bit higher can ensure a much better experience overall!

[Adam_James]

29 minutes ago, Xavier said:

Sounds like a wonderful trip plan!

If you are not used to high elevation (= do not know how your body reacts to it), make sure to plan a few days for letting your body adjust to it. It is one thing to prepare to carry weight and such things, but high elevation is another. Some very fit people may encounter more issues than others that do not seem so fit, there can be something a bit unpredictable about it. So planning on a few nights at slightly lower elevation and going each day a bit higher can ensure a much better experience overall!

Xavier,

     I heard the same thing about reacting to altitude.  I consider myself in fairly good shape.  I’m running my first marathon in December, but honestly all the training I’m doing is for this Tibet trip.  I’ve been at high altitude before as I flew into La Paz, Bolivia and the altitude affects me for sure.  I’ll take your advice, and go slowly.  I’ve got to approach my job with the same caution, as I’ll be asking for 6 weeks off…🤣🤣🤣

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[beewee]

15 hours ago, Adam_James said:

Deciding on the following lenses for my SL2-S:

* Leica 35mm Summilux-R

* Leica 35mm Summarit-S

* Leica 35mm Apo Summicron-SL

* Leica 35mm Apo Summicron-M ASPH      
 

These lenses all have quite different rendering. The only thing they really have much in common is the focal length. Is there a certain look that you’re going for?

The 35 APO SL and 35 APO M have a very modern rendering, clean and smooth low contrast background with a quick falloff in contrast before and after the plane of focus, and it’s bitingly sharp on the plane of focus. Technically, the 35 APO SL is optically marginally better than the 35 APO M but they’re both fantastic and it’s more down to whether you want manual/auto focus vs size.

On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the 35 Lux-R which is not going to be anywhere near as sharp or have a modern rendering like the APOs. This is more of a Mandler era look. It’s optically ‘inferior’ to the APOs but it has its own character and look so if that’s what you’re going for and you’re fine with auto-focus then it’s ‘better’ than the APOs.

The 35 Summarit-S is kind of in the middle between the two groups above. It’s a somewhat modern optical design with a rendering that’s somewhere in the between the two.

If it were me, I shoot L-mount lenses on the SL bodies and M-mount lenses on M bodies, with few exceptions.

If I’m going for a classic look with a 35mm, I’d probably go for the 35 Lux-M ASPH v1 (pre-FLE). I know it’s not on your list but that has the most pleasing modern Leica rendering of the 35 that I personally own. The only thing I don’t like about it is the focus shift because it lacks the FLE but I actually prefer the look over the v2 (FLE) version which I also own. I think the pre-FLE actually makes sense shooting on the SL2-S because of the focus shift ‘issue’ which is overcome by being able focus through the lens.

If I’m going a modern look, then I’d go for the 35 APO SL because it has auto-focus. I don’t have the 35 APO SL but I do have the 28 APO SL and it’s pretty amazing on the SL2-S. 

Whether I choose a modern look or more classic look, I think it depends more on the subject matter. For landscapes, I prefer a modern look. But for reportage and capturing more historical scenes and foreign settings that are steeped in history, I’d prefer a classic look. But everyone has their own tastes and objectives so it boils down to what kind of image you want to make.

M10 + 35 FLE:

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Edited June 7, 2024 by beewee