stgrove
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IMHO, why do we buy into the SL system. That is the question. Some want to use their beloved M lenses on it where they can focus with an EVF. Some just want an AF Leica camera and associated high quality lenses with a high rating for dust and moisture. Then there is the mix of the two, where once into the system one will decide how to use it if already owning M lenses or not. For me it also depends on what I plan to do with my final images. I print my favorites, but these days only out to 17x30 maximum.
My experience to date:
I have found that over time after acquiring some L glass, a few long, some regular (35 and 50 for me) and a wide APO 28, I stopped using M lenses since they are not AF and I like the AF on the SL system, especially while using back button focus which separates the focus from the exposure settings, giving me the camera control over automation. This will magnify subjects using an manual focus lens.
It all started once the SL2S came out and I started to explore the SL system since I always thought 24MP was a sweet spot for me when using my older M cameras. Then I found that many pros had similar thoughts due to the larger pixel sizes of the 24MP sensor with what some call larger micrometers and thus the theory was less noise due to larger micrometers. Then the SL2S Reporter was introduced and I liked the look of it since the huge L-E-I-C-A letters where there, but not painted white, in fact they were not painted at all and there was no Red Dot logo either. I liked the Reporter paint color since I had also had the Q2 Reporter. I liked it so much I searched for a second SL2S Reporter model and secured one. Then I even got a third black SL2S since I had originally thought this would be the camera for shooting in wind and blowing sands and occasional rain and if no lens changes would be necessary it would be shoot til you drop. On my second journey, I decided to leave the M system at home (mainly due to longer lenses being available for the SL system) on long trips of drive-fly-drive taking over 10-12 or more hours, I would take just use 3 zoom lens in order to minimize lens changes in the conditions described above - the Leica 24-90, Pan 70-200 with 1.4x, Leica 100-400 with 1.4x. In 10 days of shooting on only one quiet morning did I change lenses out in the Death Valley wild and in the end that was not necessary. I also took the Q3. This was a camping trip of 6 nights so that long drives in the dark for sunrise would be mitigated. I slept in the back of a pickup truck with a heavy goose down sleeping bag and my driver/guide preferred sleeping on the sand with potential scorpions to keep him alert. This was during the late January- early February time period.
To date my favorite M lens on the SL is the Noctilux 0.95 which is unique on an SL and balances very well with its heavier weight. That said I seldom use it on the SL ever since getting a few APO primes. Talking with others that has been their experience too.
In rapid succession I took one trip to shoot Navajo in traditional dress (here I mainly used the APO 28 and found it perfect for interior shots and even environmental portraits) and on another separate trip I went to Death Valley during extensive flooding and some rain too, which is VERY rare in Death Valley. Blowing sand was present on both shoots.
Then once back home I compared some Q3 shots with 24MP SL2S shots and often preferred the Q3 resolution except when I used the SL2S in multi-shot mode giving 96MP images on a single DNG. Even though I very much like the 24MP results the 60MP sensor has many benefits as well, especially for intense cropping which I find myself doing from time to time.
Since already being familiar with the 60MP sensor in the M11 and M11M and now the Q3, I acquired the SL3. The SL2 was never on my radar as I felt that if all other models had the 60MP sensor then the SL would also get this sensor in the next model. The SL3 has not been used very much for shooting in earnest as I am spending lots of time getting used to the new UI, which for me is welcomed. Once I have decided on my settings I imagine going into the menu system will not be needed due to its new flexibility. On this model at least my User Profile I was using when turning it off, still appears when I turn it on again. I had been caught out on more than one occasion with that not happening on the UI of the SL2S. Perhaps user error-I do not know.
That has been my reasoning for getting the SL3 in stead of the SL2. Your mileage my vary.
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