RoamingScott wrote:
The only people I know that seem to truly enjoy the SL series are landscape photographers using Leica glass. It seems to be the final full frame stop for many before they decide to try medium format.
To me there are many other interesting options in that space.
For me, the SL3 sits at the intersection of best for M lenses + landscape + AF lenses for casual portraits and travel. Other options are there, but they're going to lose that perfect balance (for me). If I move to an X2DII, I lose the mechanical shutter for adapted lenses. If I move to a GFX 100 camera (and like the X2DII), I lose the cover glass/microlens arrangement for best M lens performance. If I move to any other brand full frame camera, again I lose the optimal M lens performance unless I have the sensor modded with thin cover glass, which then affects its use with native lenses.
If someone only shoots M lenses only wide open for portraits, any full frame camera will work for adapting them. But I want to be able to use M lenses for landscape stopped down at infinity in addition to whatever else I shoot with them. On the SL3, that usually means I can use the same f-stop or one f-stop smaller to achieve M camera performance in the corners. And the wider the lens, the more of an issue this becomes.
If I were a working portrait or event photographer, I'd be using a Canon or Sony for that. Thankfully, I don't have to do that kind of work
RoamingScott wrote:
If you're heavily invested in M, the value prop is higher for sure. If you're only shooting L lenses, not so much.
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highdesertmesa wrote:
Unless you're into the cult of SL APO primes, but I suppose that still falls under "not so much"
All of the above!
-SL APO prime aficionado
-Adapt my M lenses to my SL
-Adapt my CZ Contax G trio of lenses to the SL *but the manual focus ring on the G-L adapter is not fun
-Use the SL system SL2 and SL3 to shoot across variety of genres *least of which is landscape ...for some reason
-When I want/need small and compact I use tiny lenses on the SL and/or grab the M11
highdesertmesa wrote:
I never thought of it as simple rebadging, especially with the camera bodies. It's more like a partnership to design something to Leica's specs. Panasonic seems to be just another vendor they work with, albeit an important one.
I see it as more of a cost, resource, and capabilities sharing than a vendor customer relationship.
The SL3-S was interesting to play around with last weekend. I love the shutter sound on that thing in high burst rate modes. Sounds like a sci-fi gadget. The grip, while substantial, was super slippery (compared to something like an X2D II), and the right side of the body (operator's left) felt heavier than the other. It was like my hand constantly wanted to bend left. Strange.
Those APOs better be class leading given their size and weight. I do love the overall build quality and ruggedness of the system. Curious to see what the SL3-P ends up being, and how it performs.
RomanMF wrote:
The SL3-S was interesting to play around with last weekend. I love the shutter sound on that thing in high burst rate modes. Sounds like a sci-fi gadget. The grip, while substantial, was super slippery (compared to something like an X2D II), and the right side of the body (operator's left) felt heavier than the other. It was like my hand constantly wanted to bend left. Strange.
Those APOs better be class leading given their size and weight. I do love the overall build quality and ruggedness of the system. Curious to see what the SL3-P ends up being, and how it performs. ...Show more →
The ridiculously expensive Thumb’s Up grip for the SL3/SL3-S helps a lot with balance, IMO, provided you don’t need the hotshoe.
RomanMF wrote:
The SL3-S was interesting to play around with last weekend. I love the shutter sound on that thing in high burst rate modes. Sounds like a sci-fi gadget. The grip, while substantial, was super slippery (compared to something like an X2D II), and the right side of the body (operator's left) felt heavier than the other. It was like my hand constantly wanted to bend left. Strange.
Those APOs better be class leading given their size and weight. I do love the overall build quality and ruggedness of the system. Curious to see what the SL3-P ends up being, and how it performs. ...Show more →
I have the sl3-s and a few sl apos- they are indeed class leading and imo the only reason to own the sl system. The images have a clarity to them that you don’t seem with other lenses. You can spot the difference at 24mp and Id imagine they’re even better at high mp. I would say the af is significantly better on the sl3-s with them than using a q3 43mm as a comparison. The downside is they are hefty lenses for sure and it’s a large setup.
For adapting lenses, I do not believe it’s worth doing so - a better m option is to just buy the ev1 or id even consider the Nikon zf. I use my m11 for m lenses.
I also tried it with sigma and Panasonic lenses but I did not find the combo worth the money. I’d probably just pick up a Sony or Nikon camera instead but Panasonic and sigma lenses are good for edge case scenarios for me like wildlife or macro where I’m not looking to spend a lot of money.
More than the SL3-P I am curious to see where Leica takes the Summilux-SL 35mm Mk II.
For me the benchmark is the excellent Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens, 524g, $1,398 right now (normally $1,498).
The Leica has a more unique look in my opinion and it will be interesting to see how much closer Leica can get in weight while still retaining that look.
SlowDriver wrote:
More than the SL3-P I am curious to see where Leica takes the Summilux-SL 35mm Mk II.
For me the benchmark is the excellent Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens, 524g, $1,398 right now (normally $1,498).
The Leica has a more unique look in my opinion and it will be interesting to see how much closer Leica can get in weight while still retaining that look.
highdesertmesa wrote:
I think you meant 50mm where you typed 35?
My bad. I was (incorrectly) comparing with the 35mm because I used to own it. I see that the 50mm is very similar in weight and price though but I have no practical experience with it. Not sure whether it is as good as the 35mm. In any case, curious to see in which direction Leica might be going. I am also surprised that the 50mm is the first lens to get a version 2, I probably would have expected the 24-90.
SlowDriver wrote:
My bad. I was (incorrectly) comparing with the 35mm because I used to own it. I see that the 50mm is very similar in weight and price though but I have no practical experience with it. Not sure whether it is as good as the 35mm. In any case, curious to see in which direction Leica might be going. I am also surprised that the 50mm is the first lens to get a version 2, I probably would have expected the 24-90.
All the original SL lenses are due for an update. I'd love a new smaller/lighter 24-90.
1bwana1 wrote:
Make it reasonable size, weight, keep the image quality, and weather rating and I am a buyer for such a lens. It is the main gap in my SL3 kit.
Same. I need 24 on the wide end and at least 90 on the long end. The Panasonic 24-105 and Leica 24-90 are the only ones that fit that for L-mount right now. I may just go for the Panasonic in the meantime.
highdesertmesa wrote:
All the original SL lenses are due for an update. I'd love a new smaller/lighter 24-90.
For me to reconsider the SL, the SL with APO Summicron-SL 35mm combo would need to come in at no more than 1,200g.
i.e. compared to the current 1,600g Leica would need to shave off 25% of the weight.
In my opinion Leica also needs a lighter body in addition to the currently existing bodies. Up till now and with what I know now I personally see very little need for the SL3-P.
Applying 25% to the 1,065g of the Summilux-SL 50mm would result in around 800g.
Panasonic is just a business partner. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a SL if the specs met my needs and wants. It might replace my Sony gear in a few years. For now, I will just keep to the M for my Leica fix. And continue to use Sony alongside when I need it.
