Thoughts on replacing an SL2-S with a Nikon Z6 ll

[quiet.seattle]

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Hello. I am an enthusiast street photographer and use the Q3 43 as my every day camera. I also own an SL2-S and two Panasonic lenses, the 26mm and the 85mm for when I want to shoot landscapes or portraits. I love the haptics of the SL2-S, the UI, the beautiful EVF and it's great for portraits and low light. It's so robust and easy to operate. However, I'm developing some significant arthritis (in the thumbs, specifically) and find that the weight of the camera is an issue.  I shot with a Nikon Z6 before acquiring the Q3 43 and had no problem with its weight and how it rendered images--basically the same as the SL2-S, in my opinion. Its menu and all the buttons don't appeal to me, though, and of course it feels plasticky and cheapishly constructed compared to the Leica. But because I find myself rarely using the beloved SL2-S much, I'm thinking about trading it in for a used Nikon Z6 ll and a couple of Z lenses. Part of me sees the sense in this trade, but another part thinks I'll regret losing the SL2-S. I could use some guidance with others who may have faced this dilemma. What are your experiences with using the Nikon Z6 ll vs the SL2-S. Thank you.

Edited July 24 by quiet.seattle

[frame-it]

OR

get this S9, L-Mount so no need fore new lenses>

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[LD_50]

2 hours ago, quiet.seattle said:

Hello. I am an enthusiast street photographer and use the Q3 43 as my every day camera. I also own an SL2-S and two Panasonic lenses, the 26mm and the 85mm for when I want to shoot landscapes or portraits. I love the haptics of the SL2-S, the UI, the beautiful EVF and it's great for portraits and low light. It's so robust and easy to operate. However, I'm developing some significant arthritis (in the thumbs, specifically) and find that the weight of the camera is an issue.  I shot with a Nikon Z6 before acquiring the Q3 43 and had no problem with its weight and how it rendered images--basically the same as the SL2-S, in my opinion. Its menu and all the buttons don't appeal to me, though, and of course it feels plasticky and cheapishly constructed compared to the Leica. But because I find myself rarely using the beloved SL2-S much, I'm thinking about trading it in for a used Nikon Z6 ll and a couple of Z lenses. Part of me sees the sense in this trade, but another part thinks I'll regret losing the SL2-S. I could use some guidance with others who may have faced this dilemma. What are your experiences with using the Nikon Z6 ll vs the SL2-S. Thank you.

If the only reason to switch is the weight, I would look into a wrist strap and/or some sort of other strap to take weight off the thumbs.

If you’re referring to the Panasonic 26 f/8 it’s just about the lightest lens you could buy. 

SL2-S + Panasonic 26 f/8 = 920+58 =978g

Z6II + Z 26 f/2.8 = 705 + 125g= 830g

It may be more about ergonomics than weight given the above comparison.
 

A non pancake lens may also allow you to support the camera with your left hand so you don’t cause the strain on your thumb. 

[Archiver]

I agree with @frame-it , have a look at the Panasonic S cameras, particularly the S5 II and S9. They are much lighter than the SL2S and will allow you to retain your L mount lenses.

Having said that, the SL cameras are unique in their sense of quality, user interface and menus. After years of shooting with Panasonic cameras, it has taken me a few months to become fully comfortable with operating the SL2S. But there are positives to both styles of body/controls/menus. I find the Leica menus quite disorganized, whereas the Panasonic menus are logically placed and clearly labeled. I appreciate the many Panasonic function buttons that the SL2S lacks.

Nothing comes close to the heft and sense of quality in the SL2S, however, unless you step up to a heavy pro body, which defeats the purpose of your desired change. If current budget allows, why not pick up a gently used S5 II body and give it a month of use? They are reasonably available at good prices, and you can offload it with little loss if you decide that it isn't for you.

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Reading your post again, it's apparent that you have preferences for the controls and menus of the Leica compared with the Nikon. At this time, there is no full frame camera apart from the Sigma BF and Fp with that level of simplicity. and the build quality of those cameras is surprisingly solid. But they lack a mechanical shutter, which may or may not be important to you.

 

Edited July 25 by Archiver

[Archiver]

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[GFW2-SCUSA]

Have you considered finding a CL to replace the SL2? I find I use my CL more than my SL2 because of its small size and excellent build quality. Used ones are  somewhat hard to find, though Leica Miami just had one in excellent shape listed (now sold).  My most used camera is my M10R  as I think it fits my hands best and I've used Leica rangefinders since the '60s. 

 

[frame-it]

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1 hour ago, GFW2-SCUSA said:

Have you considered finding a CL to replace the SL2?

why would you recommend a discontinued camera from a company with an average 3-6 month repair window?

[GFW2-SCUSA]

Because the CL is a solid, well built, excellent camera that seems to be suitable for the OP's need. It will use all the L mount lenses and the M mount ones witn an adaptor so the choices are very large. It seems all Leica's have a very long repair wait. Having used Leica for the past 50 years I have only had one repair need which took 6 or 7weeks. They seem to be reliable.

[hansvons]

The Nikons are proper workhorses used in the millions by demanding pros. In terms of usability you can’t go wrong here. The rest is personal preference. If the SL2-S (in that market a rare contender) isn’t for you anymore because of heft (sturdiness is it’s signature), don’t look back and swap systems. But it will come with costs.

A) you must develop new muscle memory, and b) pay money because you won’t find a deal for nought. And finally c) you might lose the wow-factor of your SL2-S that made you go out and shoot. There will be a brief honeymoon, though. But it will be about exploring the system rather than shooting proper pictures. Chance isn’t low that you’ll be kept in the loop of GAS, provoked by this gear swap. The neighbour’s lawn is never greener upon closer inspection.

[LocalHero1953]

Street photography? Do you need AF? If not, how about a M10/M11?
Smaller, lighter, what not to like? 

[hansvons]

2 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Street photography? Do you need AF? If not, how about a M10/M11?
Smaller, lighter, what not to like? 

The OP has an Q43 for that (the digital camera I’d get if street photography were my thing.) He has an SL2-S and a short and long Panasonic prime for landscape and portrait photography.

I’d do everything with the Q43 and had cleaned up the shelf. Or, if a short prime would see a lot of use, I added a regular Q. Having the same camera twice makes tons of sense from a handling and postproduction perspective.

If I were in the market of digital travel cameras, I’d get a Q3 pair. 

[LocalHero1953]

4 minutes ago, hansvons said:

The OP has an Q43 for that (the digital camera I’d get if street photography were my thing.) He has an SL2-S and a short and long Panasonic prime for landscape and portrait photography.

I’d do everything with the Q43 and had cleaned up the shelf. Or, if a short prime would see a lot of use, I added a regular Q. Having the same camera twice makes tons of sense from a handling and postproduction perspective.

If I were in the market of digital travel cameras, I’d get a Q3 pair. 

I suggested the M simply to get a wider range of lenses, like the SL2-S, but in a lighter package.

But I agree, a Q3 28 would be my choice as a pair.

[hansvons]

3 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I suggested the M simply to get a wider range of lenses, like the SL2-S, but in a lighter package.

Agreed. But budget-wise and from the perspective of someone who wants to avoid endless rabbit holes, the M system isn’t the first choice that comes to my mind. But weight (the lack of it) and user experience are unmatched with the M system (use my M6 almost daily).

However, if you use AF and screens all the time and want it light and handy (most photographing people do and want that), the Q arguably is the way to go in Leica-land. That’s why it’s so phenomenally successful and why you have one, and why I’m pondering of getting the said pair since the 43 came out. In Leica terms a great value proposition and results that speak for themselves.

[pgh]

By pretty much any account switching to Nikon is a sound decision unless you have a stable of L lenses you’re attached to or use M lenses on your SL2. The Nikons are great and more reliable and a better value. 

I hold on to my SL2 because I use M lenses on it and because I mainly shoot with M cameras. 

If I didn’t, I would use Nikon or Sony and indeed that’s what I did before I adopted digital Ms. 

[pgh]

8 hours ago, frame-it said:

why would you recommend a discontinued camera from a company with an average 3-6 month repair window?

Most of this forum is people using discontinued cameras. I’m not getting rid of my perfectly good things because they don’t make them anymore. It takes no longer to fix my m10 than it would the current production m11.

[Archiver]

13 hours ago, hansvons said:

The OP has an Q43 for that (the digital camera I’d get if street photography were my thing.) He has an SL2-S and a short and long Panasonic prime for landscape and portrait photography.

I’d do everything with the Q43 and had cleaned up the shelf. Or, if a short prime would see a lot of use, I added a regular Q. Having the same camera twice makes tons of sense from a handling and postproduction perspective.

If I were in the market of digital travel cameras, I’d get a Q3 pair. 

That is a good point. If the OP uses a Q43 for street photography, and the SL2S with a wide prime and 85 for landscape and portraits respectively, a Q2 or Q3 would make more sense. The Q43 with a crop would provide very decent portraits, and the Q2 or 3 would handle landscapes like a champion, not to mention opening up other avenues of street photography.

[Archiver]

13 hours ago, hansvons said:

Agreed. But budget-wise and from the perspective of someone who wants to avoid endless rabbit holes, the M system isn’t the first choice that comes to my mind. But weight (the lack of it) and user experience are unmatched with the M system (use my M6 almost daily).

However, if you use AF and screens all the time and want it light and handy (most photographing people do and want that), the Q arguably is the way to go in Leica-land. That’s why it’s so phenomenally successful and why you have one, and why I’m pondering of getting the said pair since the 43 came out. In Leica terms a great value proposition and results that speak for themselves.

As an aside, I've been using the SL2S for a few months now after 15 years of the M9. Being able to focus M and other adapted manual lenses with punch in and that immense EVF has taken a bit of getting used to, but it's amazing now. I picked up the M9 the other day and fumbled for a back button to punch in focus! 😅 Don't get me wrong, I adore M cameras, but that punch-in to focus is so handy.

[jaapv]

On 7/25/2025 at 2:09 PM, pgh said:

By pretty much any account switching to Nikon is a sound decision unless you have a stable of L lenses you’re attached to or use M lenses on your SL2. The Nikons are great and more reliable and a better value. 

I hold on to my SL2 because I use M lenses on it and because I mainly shoot with M cameras. 

If I didn’t, I would use Nikon or Sony and indeed that’s what I did before I adopted digital Ms. 

I wonder who would come out on top in a reliability contest between Nikon and SL. Those SL camera’s appear to be rock-solid. I think it would be at least a draw. 

[pgh]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

I wonder who would come out on top in a reliability contest between Nikon and SL. Those SL camera’s appear to be rock-solid. I think it would be at least a draw. 

Until Leica makes a firmware change again.
 

Hardware, a draw. Software, I think every other brand beats Leica. 

That said, I’ll acknowledge my SL2 is tied (with one of my m10ms) for being been the most problem free digital Leica I’ve had. Caveat is it hasn’t gotten nearly the same use as other bodies. 

Edited July 26 by pgh

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[jaapv]

Wel, in functionality there is not much to choose given the different emphasis on features, but in UI the Leica is a bit of a Janus. The implementation with the icon screen and long-press short-press Fn buttons is brilliant but after that the menus are an amorphous hodgepodge of button presses without discernible structure.