Leica M-Adapter L questions....

[miatadan]

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Hi

I just ordered the Leica SL-2S + Summicron SL 50mm f/2 bundle. Also comes with the M-Adapter L, extra Leica battery.

Does this adapter work with any M mount lenses from any manufacturer? What is the advantage of using this with the SL compared to Panasonic full frame L mount cameras etc?

Do only some M lenses have coding?

Dan

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[Indeepthought]

19 minutes ago, miatadan said:

Hi

I just ordered the Leica SL-2S + Summicron SL 50mm f/2 bundle. Also comes with the M-Adapter L, extra Leica battery.

Does this adapter work with any M mount lenses from any manufacturer? What is the advantage of using this with the SL compared to Panasonic full frame L mount cameras etc?

Do only some M lenses have coding?

Dan

Big congrats on your new purchase, excellent choice. Standby for a deluge of info.. 🍻

Edited August 22, 2024 by Indeepthought

[GFW2-SCUSA]

 You have a great start! Not all M lenses have the 6 bit code but it's not difficult to apply them yourself. As far as I know all M mount lenses will work with the adaptor to use on your snazzy new SL2-S. At least I haven't found any that I can use on my SL2. It is a wonderful thing to be able to use the M lenses since they are so good and small. I have never used a Panasonic camera so I am no help in that regard. From nearly 60 years with Leica I have always been more than happy with the cameras and lenses (other than the price). I hope you find the same joy in using your's. 

[Luke_Miller]

I have no experience with the Panasonic L Mount bodies.  I shoot the SL and SL2 (my SL2-S is on the way) using the Leica M to L adapter.  My M lenses work surprisingly well since the sensor's filter stack on the SL bodies is designed to accommodate them.  I could be mistaken but my understanding is that this is not the case with the Panasonic bodies, so M lenses will not work as well on them.

[BernardC]

14 hours ago, miatadan said:

Does this adapter work with any M mount lenses from any manufacturer? What is the advantage of using this with the SL compared to Panasonic full frame L mount cameras etc?

Do only some M lenses have coding?

Some historical M lenses won't fit, but there are very few of these. I think the early 1960s 21mm Angulons might not fit on an SL.

SL cameras have special sensor microlenses, and software, that hugely improve image quality with some M lenses, typically wide angle lenses. These can look very blurry in the corners with Lumix, Sony, Nikon, etc.

6-bit coding was introduced at the same time as the M8 (2008). Most lenses made before then can be coded by Leica, or by independent shops. Some lenses can not be coded, either for mechanical or optical reasons. Have a look at the M lens forum, the coding topic is pinned at the top of the page.

Non-Leica lenses can also be coded, but the codes are approximations, because they correspond to specific Leica lenses. Sometimes you'll get a good match, but not always. Answers in the M lens forum, as above.

[tomasis7]

2 hours ago, BernardC said:

Some historical M lenses won't fit, but there are very few of these. I think the early 1960s 21mm Angulons might not fit on an SL.

 

i tested and it doesnt fit

[miatadan]

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My next lense purchase most likely be one of the 28mm M lenses as not much options for this in L mount

Dan

[Donald M]

Here is a list of all kinds of lenses (and cameras) in L-mount:

https://lesdeuxpiedsdehors.com/en/lenses-for-l-mount/

M mount lenses have the advantage of being small. Beware that especially wide(r) angle M lenses, also the ones adapted to SL cameras, are less sharp in the corners than L-mount lenses. https://www.reidreviews.com tested many M lenses against L mount lenses. Behind a paywall though. 

Have fun with your SL2-S and your new lenses!