Hello All,
Looking for your suggestions and thoughts on using leica M lens on SL2. My primary reason to get SL2 is to use existing M lens. I tried the M6 path (could not afford M11) but film has been too much of a change after using digital for a long time. Hoping SL2 would be a good compromise.
My primary interests are landscape (60%), family (30%) and sports (10%). I was using OM1 with 40-150 for sports and may fallback to it if SL2 is too heavy for sports focal lengths.
Current M lens I have (all are asph 6-bit newer versions):
I have to part with one or two of the above for a while and need to choose which finds the most usage on SL2. As a backup I use Q2 for everyday and lightweight travel. Appreciate your comments if you have used the above combinations or just plain thoughts on what works well in a given situation.
Congratulations! SL2 is a great camera. M lenses are optimal on M bodies. The EVF of SL2 + digital zoom also is a nice manual focus alternative to using a rangefinder on M.
All your current M-lenses, especially both of the Summiluxes, should serve you well on SL2 for landscape and family. If you wish, you could swap 21mm Elmarit with a 21mm super-Elmar (or Nokton 21mm f/1.4 as suggested above).
[Down the road: (i) an L-mount zoom, such as Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 II DG DN can also prove helpful/versatile in travel/family situations. (ii) If APO SL are in consideration, then 28mm/35mm + 75mm are great for the use cases you mentioned.]
Thank you for your suggestions. I agree M are meant for M bodies ideally. Young kids and eye sight issues took me away from M9 and later got priced out with expensive new M bodies. I just couldn't part with the lenses and trying all these hybrids
Maybe zone focusing and a couple of years down the line they become more affordable.
I have used both 35 and 50 Summiluxes on SL2 and they perform brilliantly. Make sure to use the Leica M adapter L and not third party ones, else lens corrections are not applied. Another lens with stellar performance on the SL2 is the Zeiss ZM Distagon 35 F1.4 - balances very well on the SL2 and IMO a better 35 F1.4 than the 35 'Lux FLE (except size, but on SL2 that larger size works better).
Overall, the ability to nail the focus every time wide open at F1.4 and the stellar IBIS enabling shooting at low ISO are of real value in the field.
I would sell the 21mm, as there are great alternatives in that focal range. I used the 35lux FLE I on the SL2 exclusively and loved it. Small plug: I have a pristine silver SL2 for sale in the buy/sell/trade.
