Leica M lens tips suggestion regarding aperture setting on SL3/ SL system

[daned]

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Finally getting a Summilex 35mm 1.4 and going to use it on the SL3. I have never used a manual lens but wanted to learn about it. I am comfortable with the focussing part of it but not sure if would struggle with the aperture part. Any tips advice as if shooting portrait of kids what would be the go to aperture and if landscapes what would be a starting point for that.

 

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[jaapv]

Umm That depends entirely on the image you want to create. Shallow DOF? Deep DOF? The relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO?  There are no realistic starting points if you are unsure of the effect you want to create. Don’t overthink. Experiment. Use Aperture priority and Auto ISO and choose your preferred aperture. Truisms from the past century:  Sonne lacht? Blende acht! F 8 and be there! But those are meant for snapshots. 

[andybarton]

It sounds to me as if you need to invest in a book which will teach you the basics of aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

This will also teach you about depth of field dependent upon aperture and how the focal length of the lens affects that. 

Similarly, how the shutter speed affects the potential to freeze the action. 

All are interdependent to get an acceptable exposure. 

[jaapv]

Focal length is a handy shortcut but in reality DOF is related to subject distance and magnification. 

[Stuart Richardson]

Jaap and Andy are right, but if you are looking for somewhere to start, I would say f2-f4 and f5.6-f11 for portraits and landscapes respectively. You are generally going to be in that range.

[la1402]

For Portraits of Kids, manual focus requires experience as most of them don’t sit still most of the time. I suggest F4.0 - 5.6 to start with and work your way down as you get more experienced. Regarding landscape, M lenses are not great in terms of corner sharpness anyway and diffraction sets in quickly. F8-F10.

Of course these are no rules. Key is what you want to achieve and what you like. But I am specifically underwhelmed by M lenses for landscape and on a SL they are (a bit) compromised vs the M. I see their strength in midrange street / portrait/ reportage/travel. If you can focus correctly.

[BernardC]

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16 hours ago, la1402 said:

For Portraits of Kids, manual focus requires experience as most of them don’t sit still most of the time. I suggest F4.0 - 5.6 to start with and work your way down as you get more experienced. Regarding landscape, M lenses are not great in terms of corner sharpness anyway and diffraction sets in quickly. F8-F10.

There are lots of exercises you can do to gain experience. I was following a bee around yesterday, as it moved from flower to flower. They key is to acquire muscle memory, turning the focus ring in the right direction and not overshooting the focus point. It's a relaxing activity on a nice summer day.

Modern M lenses (APO and ASPH) are fine for landscape. They aren't as good as the APO-Summicron L series cameras, but nothing is.