Maybe time to move on from the SL 601

[Big John]

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Had the SL since new, bought with the 24-90 (which I have recently sold due to weight) and mainly used with M mount glass (Zeiss and VL). No desire for any of the next gen SLs but have been thinking critically about how I operate the SL with M lenses. While the EVF is still a decent spec by today’s comparisons, the fact that the M lens is not held open by the camera means that the EVF brightness is dependant up selected aperture - so the EVF can get dim and grainy.  I don’t focus wide open and then stop down. I have accepted it - but have just seen how the Nikon ZF would manage with the same lenses: automatic EVF brightness and much better focus assist options. 
 

Interested in views please form anyone using the ZF with M lenses. The EVF spec doesn’t look (on paper) as good as the SL, how is it in practice?  Thanks.  

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[Luke_Miller]

I use my SL (Typ 601) with both M and Nikon manual focus lenses. I turn off Exposure Preview (PASM to PAS) to avoid dimming as I stop down. I have to do the same with my  Z bodies when using my Nikon manual focus lenses.

[Archiver]

Which M lenses do you use with the 601? Anything wider than 35mm is going to have varying results on the Zf depending on the lens, although I've read that the Zf is third in line for M lenses after the M and SL cameras.

I know a guy who shoots with the Zf and says the 35 FLE is perfect on it. But on my SL2S, the Zeiss Biogon 21/2.8 is surprisingly soft and low contrast compared with the M9, and the SL2S is supposedly more optimized for M lenses than other mirrorless cameras.

[lencap]

Big John - I feel your pain.  I too owned the 601, as well as the SL2-S, shooting both the native L mount lenses (including the 24-90 and SL f/2.0 50mm Summicron).  I eventually realized that I missed my M lenses and tried to shoot them on the SL bodies.  The SL2-S was a better match than the original 601 - better viewfinder, and for me, more ergonomic and comfortable in use.

Unfortunately, the "honey moon" didn't last.  I found myself wondering what did the SL body actually provide, and how did it related to my many years of shooting M digital and film cameras?  I came to realize that each platform offers much, but, for me, their optimal use was pairing the body to the native lens mount.  Without doubt, for me, the SL2-S body/lenses gave me the ability to shoot anything anywhere in any situation - an amazingly flexible platform.  BUT, it wasn't a "joyous experience".  As you noted, the size/weight got to me over time, and I found that I left the kit home more and more often.

Shifting to the M mount lenses (with native Leica adapter) helped, but less so than I expected.  What was the point of a manual lens on a Mirrorless camera designed for autofocus and flexibility along with video capabilities?  The other factor was what I call the "goofy look".  A SL platform with a M to L adapter holding a  Leica M mount pancake lens?  It looked strange.  I also realized that I was still missing shots, and moved to zone focusing to "get the shot" (something a L mount does natively with automation).  The result was a different composition - more "Depth of Field", suitable in many but not all situations, and less "dreamy/bokeh" of my preferred candid shooting.  The end result was a return to the 50mm SL lens as my primary lens on the SL bodies - capturing 90% of everything I shot.

The journey reminded me that I'm basically a "50mm guy", and over many decades that's the core of my image collection.  So, I decided to move to the Q3 43.  It captures my most used focal length (with minor exceptions, easily fixed by focusing with my legs), and the APO lens is stunning along with the 60MP sensor.  I have autofocus and macro capability (a very under appreciated feature), but also a very useful manual option with true distance scale engraving on the lens useful for zone focusing and more.  The "one and done" Q3 43 camera largely mimics my SL2-S everyday carry, and the smaller size and weight mean that I actually take it with me.  

For me, that was the solution, BUT if I were making the decision today, I'd be very tempted to consider the M-EV1 to replace the SL kit and keep my M mount lenses.  Same 60MP sensor, mostly the same features as the SL kit (with some exceptions), and, for me, a more balanced solution - M body for M lenses.  No need to worry about framing or parallax error, and a high quality EVF like the SL2-S, but with more native resolution and flexibility.  What still is missing is weather-sealing on the M lenses, but it's still better than most solutions.  I'd get to keep myself in the Leica ecosystem, and continue to enjoy an incredibly wide array of lenses (of ANY focal length) to mount on the camera.

In the end only you can decide what works best for you, but I briefly left Leica out of frustration with some issues, and moved to the Nikon Z mount camera/lenses.  They are fine tools if image capture and creation is the goal, but they have all the enjoyment and involvement of a refrigerator.  It does the job, but it feels like a job.  I didn't just grab the camera and go shooting with the Nikon kit (or my FUJI X kit) - I tried but the menus/endless choices made it challenging, and frankly the feel in hand is night and day different from ANY Leica, despite very good materials and design.

Good luck in your journey.  A final thought - DON'T RUSH.  Give yourself time to play with your gear more deeply.  Find what works best and what doesn't.  See if you can use the camera/lenses at what they do best more often, and try to find solutions to things that aren't working well.  There are times I miss the SL kit - the 24-90 lens is amazing, and despite the weight of the kit some of my images ever came from that setup - weight and all.

Edited 5 hours ago by lencap

[Archiver]

@lencap Glad you posted, as I was wondering how you got on with the SL2S after your earlier threads. It's great that you've found the Q3 43 and that it suits your needs. If I was primarily a 50 shooter, that camera would be high on my list.

I agree with your thoughts about the M EV1, as it seems to be the right solution for someone who wants to shoot M glass with the benefits of an EVF. Only a M body will bring out the best image quality from the range of M lenses, and the EV1 is a more compact way to shoot Leica R lenses without compromise, too.

[Sandokan]

The Zf is smaller and lighter. Viewfinder not as sharp. With native lenses (inc. Voigtländer), the focus assist works much better than SL. The face detect is great. The AF adaptor for M lenses does work. 

I sold it and returned to SL. 

[Archiver]

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11 minutes ago, Sandokan said:

The Zf is smaller and lighter. Viewfinder not as sharp. With native lenses (inc. Voigtländer), the focus assist works much better than SL. The face detect is great. The AF adaptor for M lenses does work. 

I sold it and returned to SL. 

Now I'm curious! After all those benefits and upsides, you still sold the Zf and returned to the SL?

[Big John]

@lencap Huge thank you for a very thoughtful post. You have addressed the issue perfectly. Will reflect at length on your comments. 
 

Btw, I am also considering a film M, for the experience, nostalgia of film, longevity, less reliance on electronics, simpler life …..