Worth to put the money on a SL2-S?

[JMPerona]

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I already have a Leica Q2 that I enjoy very much and use mainly for my travel camera and street photography camera. I need now a camera for my YouTube channel and for my product photography so I need something with interchangeable lenses. I was thinking about continuing into the Leica ecosystem and get a used SL2-S Camera. The prices for these cameras are ok ("Leica-ok level") and it seems like a good camera. There is a catch here: I will need to buy the Camera AND the lenses and with that the price will skyrocket immensely. 

So, I know this is an emotional decision, but is it even worth to think about this? For less than that I can get a Nikon Z6III with a 24-70mm or 24-120mm lenses, or even other camera in the market with maybe better specifications. 

Maybe I just can use the Leica Q2...

what experiences do you have with the SL2-S? What would YOU do in my shoes?

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[jaapv]

Sigma and Panasonic build excellent lenses as well which you can use without constraint on the SL. At quite affordable prices, that is the advantage of the L Alliance. 

[JMPerona]

1 minute ago, jaapv said:

Sigma and Panasonic build excellent lenses as well which you can use without constraint on the SL. At quite affordable prices, that is the advantage of the L Alliance. 

I like both of those brands very much, specially sigma.

About the Camera... am I thinking all of this wrong?

[jaapv]

It can do things that the Q cannot...

[huwm]

I don't ever video but love the SL2 S

It is a great companion to a Q for sure

you can use many excellent Panasonic, Sigma and of course Leica lenses

[jaapv]

And M lenses with the M adapter. Which includes some really nice and affordable Voigtländer etc. ones. 

[Photoworks]

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the SL2s can be haves for good prices these days in the used prices.

But if video is the main concern I would buy the Panasonic S5IIx, has the same colors of the SL2s and it is a better setup for video and better AF if you are filming yourself.

both cameras share many elements.

[miatadan]

Just received the SL-2S bundle with 50mm lens, M-Adaptor L and will try at least 1 M series lens. Replacing Leica X Vario ( APS-C )

[hansvons]

On 9/7/2024 at 5:53 PM, JMPerona said:

I already have a Leica Q2 that I enjoy very much and use mainly for my travel camera and street photography camera. I need now a camera for my YouTube channel and for my product photography so I need something with interchangeable lenses. I was thinking about continuing into the Leica ecosystem and get a used SL2-S Camera.

If I were to buy a “creator” camera for a YT channel, I’d get the Lumix S9 and a Sigma 35mm f/2 Contemporary lens. There is no Leica offering in that segment for now.

The SL2-S is a proper mirrorless hybrid camera made for rough environments. Paired with the SL APO primes or M character lenses it can produce highly convincing photography. Paired with a traditional 24-70 zoom, much of the magic will be gone and any Canon, Sony, Nikon, Lumix can do it as good or better (AF).

The Q2 relies much on its formidable lens. If that’s what you are after, I’d start with the lens. A 24-70 remains an uninspiring 24-70 regardless of the brand. There are good reasons why they exist, but they are rooted in versatility and journalism and not expression. 

[hansvons]

On 9/7/2024 at 5:53 PM, JMPerona said:

Maybe I just can use the Leica Q2...

I’d try, at least. Its constraints and its character will add to your channel’s imagery some uniqueness. I don't know how deep you already explored the Q2, but I leveraged it as much as I could.

Zoom lenses never improve one’s photography. They make you lazy and stop you from moving your feet. They are indispensable for fast-paced journalism, however (that can be family events). If that's part of your YT channel, I’d get one. For expressive pack shots, I’d get a 35mm prime and for neutral product shots a fifty. All of that can be done with your Q2 in a sufficient quality for online content. 

Summary: Don't buy anything. Create with what you have.

Edited September 9, 2024 by hansvons

[jaapv]

On 9/7/2024 at 8:22 PM, Quarterpounder said:

You can buy the Novoflex adapter and use R lenses which are really cheap (With exceptions).

For Youtube use AF might be practical. 

[jaapv]

1 hour ago, hansvons said:

Zoom lenses never improve one’s photography.

They are essential if you are working from a fixed position.

[costa43]

The z6iii with NIkon glass will probably cost you more overall than a mint used sl2s and Sigma glass. Where the Nikon will have the Leica beat (well and truly) is the AF. The SL2s is ok in my experience but not in the same ballpark as the new bodies we are seeing from others. For fast movement video, it is not very good but fine for talking head stuff. In my opinion, the Leica body will quite possibly reward you with a more pleasurable shooting experience due to it's superior build and menu system. 

Edited September 9, 2024 by costa43

[Photoworks]

6 hours ago, hansvons said:

If I were to buy a “creator” camera for a YT channel, I’d get the Lumix S9 and a Sigma 35mm f/2 Contemporary lens.

Many product photography require Flash, to stop motion and get DOF.

The S9 has only an electronic shutter and can do flash photography.

[BernardC]

7 hours ago, hansvons said:

If I were to buy a “creator” camera for a YT channel, I’d get the Lumix S9 and a Sigma 35mm f/2 Contemporary lens. There is no Leica offering in that segment for now.

Second vote for the S9, although the S5ii is better if you need to use a flash, or if you want an EVF (neither of which is a requirement for video).

The kit 20-60 Lumix zoom will cover most of your shooting requirements, but you may also want a faster lens or a longer macro. It depends on your subject matter and visual style. Don't forget that you can switch to Super 35 mode (aka "APS-C") to get 90mm-equivalent coverage from a 60mm lens. Obviously you can also spend a lot of money on lenses in any system, the sky is the limit. The 20-60 is a good starting point, you'll quickly realize if you need more than that.

[JMPerona]

On 9/7/2024 at 9:08 PM, Photoworks said:

I would buy the Panasonic S5IIx, has the same colors of the SL2s and it is a better setup for video and better AF if you are filming yourself.

I bought the Lumix S5IIX Camera with the Sigma 24-70 mark II. I hade a sony a7IV before, and the 24-70 was perfect for my studio and for what I needed. Nothing fancy or spectacular, but a good all around zoom lenses that helped me make close-ups, video and product photography without changing the lenses each time. 

9 hours ago, hansvons said:

I’d get the Lumix S9

1 hour ago, BernardC said:

Second vote for the S9, although the S5ii

This is an interesting point of view. The Lumix S9 is very interesting camera and I don't even know why. I already have the Q2, that is my main Travel /every day camera, and thinking about the Lumix S9 as a substitute seems a little bit crazy. Still, I have those thoughts. But then I see the pictures I take with the Q2 and forget about it... until some of you remains me of the S9 existence. 

8 hours ago, hansvons said:

Zoom lenses never improve one’s photography. They make you lazy and stop you from moving your feet. They are indispensable for fast-paced journalism, however (that can be family events). If that's part of your YT channel, I’d get one

I can't agree with this. It's not the lenses that makes the photograph. It's not even the camera. But in my case, the zoom is essential for my studio. I thought that maybe I could try with some primes instead, but then I realize that the primes would work better for my everyday photography, not for the studio work.

 

I will get the Lumix S5IIX soon. I can't wait to try it. In the future I will get a 24mm 1.4 lenses and the 50mm one for photography. Still, I think I would like to get the SL2S just for fun. Any fun lenses for the SL2s?

 

 

[Guest]

I'd go with the Nikon setup but get the Z6II over the III. I like the all magnesium body of the Z6II and it's traditional tilt screen over the half plastic/magnesium body of the Z6III and it's flip out rotating screen. With the money saved by getting the Z6II you could get the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 over the f/4 zooms that you mentioned. 

[gregfountain]

Personally, when I get a back up for my SL2, it'll probably be the SL2s. I had one a while ago and loved it. Superb IQ, excellent high-ISO performance, and with the lens choices from Leica, Sigma and Panasonic, it's hard to go wrong. It's a personal choice, but if you don't need a gazzillion pixels, it's still a solid choice.

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