p.1 #1 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
I bought a Leica SL2-S more or less spontaneously and without real preparation. It's currently available new in Germany at a good price so I took the chance.
I also bought a used Leica SL 24-90mm, apparently the best zoom lens ever made/or still made (along with the Leica 90-280 SL). Both are made in Germany. I‘m looking forward to receiving it.
My very positive experience with the Leica Q3 43, which I bought about a month ago, was the deciding factor. The images are truly impressive. After a week, the handling (menu) is more intuitive than my Sony A7III, which I've had for 6 years (or more?).
I initially wanted the SL3 because it's smaller, but I want to take it slow. And if I really do use the SL as the best way to use M lenses with an EVF, as some claim, then I don't need the SL3's better AF (and it will certainly be significantly better) that urgently.
Which M lens would you buy if it were just for special shots? I'm leaning toward a "portrait-capable" lens Or should I try a Voigländer (cheaper)?
But the Leica Magic is only available with genuine Leica M lens?
Remember, I also have the Leica Q3 43 with an APO lens. Do you have any tips for a little M lens magic?
P.S. For my Sony I have three Loxia lenses, but I still use them far too rarely (almost a euphemism), (25, 50, 85).
p.1 #2 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
I have extensively used the Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 w/ the oroginal SL typ 601 with wonderful results. Great color and pop, perhaps the "magic" to me that you may be referring to.
Dont forget that vintage glass also plays very nice on the SL platform. If this is appealing to you, R-lenses and older Minolta glass would give you the opposite to your APO results, a bit more character. Black and white conversions with older vintage glass is just, muah !
p.1 #3 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
Thank you for your feedback! I will consider your recommendations. The 40mm 1.2 must be a wonderful lens. It has been mentioned so often I remember when it was about great manual lenses.
p.1 #4 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
The best lens available for the SL is any of the SL APO Summicrons. Nothing matches them.
For an M lens if you want something close to the 43mm then the 50 Summilux. It’s not perfect but it is *Leica*. For something longer I’d likely get a CV 90mm. They’re cheapish and fabulous.
I personally prefer the Cv50mm f1.0 over the 1.2’s. The 1.2’s are technically better but the 1.0 is more interesting.
p.1 #5 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
Welcome to the wonderful World of Leica! As you have experienced it is addictive. I am now selling off my entire collection of Sony prime lenses since when I want to shoot primes it is because I want the best possible image quality, and/or the most compact form factor possible. I may end up also selling my Sony bodies and zoom lenses. My leica kit is oriented as follows.
My SL3 is strongly focused on the best Full Frame Image quality available in the World today. This is achieved through using the unmatched Leica SL APO primes of which I have 3 lenses 28/50/90mm. The quality of images that these lenses produce is actually noticeably better than any other lenses I have tried when printing. They are just astoundingly good. All are f/2.0, all the same size and form factor, all have 67mm filter threads, and all can use the same hood. This interchangeability between the lenses helps mitigate size, and makes the kit actually reasonably compact.
My M system is oriented toward compactness, easy to carry, ergonomically superior, optically excellent (not up to SL APO however, but equal or better than any other system.), with that wonderful M workflow experience. Since I do have the SL kit, I tend to have faster, more character rich or legacy style lenses for the M system. Optically, the M lenses tend to have dual personalities when you buy the very fast Summilux or Noctilux lenses. Full of character and unique charming rendering when shot wide open, technically excellent when stopped down. Never reaching SL APO standard however, but darn close. When I want to shoot the SL3 with lots of character I just shoot my M lenses on my SL3 body. For some focal lengths the SL is better than the M even with M lenses. Many of the legacy style lenses also offer unique ergonomics which can be entertaining to shoot.
I presume you want your first M lens for shooting on your SL body since you don't have an M body. If that is the case I suggest you go longer in the 50mm - 90mm range. In order to get the most character I say also go with Summilux (1.4) or faster lenses. Even better if you went with one of the legendary Noctilux Leicas, or at least Nokton Voigtlanders. F/1.2 or faster. probably 75mm or 90mm for portraits.
I suggest you also get at least the Leica 35mm Summicron APO-SL lens. It is pretty much acknowledged to be the most optically perfect lens ever commercially made for a Full Frame sensor camera. Astounding.
Used pricing on SL system equipment is very reasonable. It doesn't hold as much value as the M system stuff. But if you buy M equipment used at good prices I find that you get 100% of your money back or even a profit when you sell. This actually can make Leica less expensive to own overall that the major brands.
Enjoy your Leica journey. It offers great opportunities for image making, learning, and enjoyment of photography.
p.1 #6 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
Since you mentioned special shots and portrait-capable, maybe the Zeiss c-sonnar 50mm 1.5 could be a nice alternative to leica glass. It has its own flavor of "magic", definitely different from the Leica-stuff. Especially interesting is that by focussing the Zeiss through an EVF (like on the SL2), you will be negating its biggest flaw - focus shift.
p.1 #7 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
Thank you! I will add your suggestions to my list.
I have now ordered the Leica 90 f2.0 Pre-ASPH as my first manual Leica lens. It's said to have character and isn't too expensive. Let's see.
p.1 #11 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
Leonardo di Vinci would have opted for either a pre-A 50mm Summilux or F1 Noctilux stopped down to maybe f2.8 for his virgin and child photo sessions. The SL2-S will be a good match with the focus assist features and stabilization.
p.1 #12 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
Thank you for your recommendation. Very much appreciated. I like lenses that produce boekh that resembles paintings. Allegedly, the Summilux 75 1.4 is one of those lenses. I'm just not sure which version.
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p.1 #14 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
zeitlos wrote:
Thank you for your recommendation. Very much appreciated. I like lenses that produce boekh that resembles paintings. Allegedly, the Summilux 75 1.4 is one of those lenses. I'm just not sure which version.
Optically there is little difference between the Leica M 75 Summilux versions.
p.1 #16 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
Nice pickup! The SL2-S is a beast, and pairing it with the 24-90mm sounds like a perfect versatile setup. Regarding M lenses, if you want something portrait-capable, the Leica 90mm Summicron-M is a fantastic portrait lens with beautiful rendering and great sharpness.
Voigtländer lenses are good budget options and have nice character, but if you want that “Leica magic,” Leica M lenses are unmatched, they’re finely built and have unique rendering that’s hard to replicate.
Since you already have the Q3 with APO lens, adding a classic M lens can really complement your gear nicely. Maybe try a 50mm Summilux or Summicron, which are all-around gems.
p.1 #17 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
Nice choice. The Elmarit-M 28/2.8 vIII and the Summicron-M 50/2 vIV (focus tab, accessory hood) or V (no focus tab, integrated hood) would make for a lovely Mandler-era trio with your 90. If you decide you want longer, the Tele-Elmar 135/4 is just as sweet (no optical difference between the accessory hood/integrated hood versions, just a big price gap).
There are some R lenses that make unique options. The Elmarit-R 28/2.8 vII is beautiful on the SL3, as is the Summicron 35/2 vIII, the Vario-Elmar 35-70/4, the Macro-Elmarit 60/2.8, the APO-Macro-Elmarit-R 100/2.8, the Elmarit 180/2.8 vII (nicely gentile portrait lens with good bokeh, strong landscaper stopped down) and APO-Elmarit 180/2.8 vII (much stronger overall performer and an absolute killer landscaper, but the bokeh tends to be complicated and distracting and the resolution harsh on faces).
Then there are some Minolta SR lenses that Leica probably should've rebranded for R, if they'd been made available for that purpose. The 58/1.2 tops the list, but the W. Rokkor 28/2, and the MD 100/4 Macro (easily the best lens of its type from the 80's and stands up well on high resolution sensors today) belong on that list. I'd also include the MD 200/4, though it's got a long MFD (2.5m). It works really well on tubes and/or with a good diopter, but, for landscapes, it's a significant step up over the Elmar-R 180/4, and I think it has better portrait-distance bokeh. The same's true for the Nikon AIS 200/4, but, if you're fussy about focus direction, stick with the Minolta. And the MD APO 400/5.6 is a rarity, but a real treat if you're willing to MF a super-tele.
p.1 #18 · Like a virgin to a child... which manual M-lens would you buy first for the SL2-S?
Welcome to the endless world of Leica! 😊
I would always go with a 50 Lux ASPH, it’s an awesome lens and if you are after 50mm, it’s hard to beat. It has some quirks though, the “ninja style” bokeh stopped down for example, just to be aware of. Other than that, it was my first Leica lens and I love it.
Some other really amazing lenses are the two (now three with the 28) Voigtländer APOs, 35 and 50. Fred has reviews of them online and they are nothing but amazing. They are really that good.
In case you are more looking for a classic rendering wide open, the Voigts 35/40/50 1.2 or the 35/1.4 are great options, but make sure you like the look. Or the countless vintage Leica lenses, which come with their own merits and quirks, but be cautious when you buy used (which is the way to go, but there are some quirks to it).
Build quality is good, the aperture blades give a nice round shape regardless of setting, and it does a very good job of mimicking the 7/5 design of the Summilux-M 35 pre-A. It's not perfect, but I greatly prefer the haptics over the Lux, and it gets enough right that it's fun to use. It also focuses much closer, which can be good or bad depending on how you feel about stopping it down when you go past a meter.
It's currently available new in Germany at a good price so I took the chance.