p.1 #1 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
Hi just trying to engage with anyone who uses SL3 with M lenses - Leica or any other company solely so that there is a wide reach. I already have Leica Q3 43.
p.1 #2 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
Well, I use my SL2-S ... MOSTLY with M lenses. I do have some AF glass for some things (e.g. 500/5.6).
And I recently acquired an S1R II (same L mount), and will also be using it a lot with my M glass. And, if I do pick up the SL3-P down the road, it will also be using my M glass.
Did you have a question specific to the SL3 ... or, more broadly the use of M on L mount?
p.1 #3 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
Before the M EV-1 was released, the SL system was the only alternative within the Leica environment to use M lenses with in-camera EVF. If the M EV-1 would be more reasonably priced and in line with the cost for a SL camera, M-centric users would likely jump more into the M EV-1 instead of adapting M lenses to the SL (or MLCs from other brands).
p.1 #4 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
retrofocus wrote:
Before the M EV-1 was released, the SL system was the only alternative within the Leica environment to use M lenses with in-camera EVF. If the M EV-1 would be more reasonably priced and in line with the cost for a SL camera, M-centric users would likely jump more into the M EV-1 instead of adapting M lenses to the SL (or MLCs from other brands).
Agreed. Considering it does not even have RF mechanics, no AF, just a built in EV it should actually be priced below Q3 since the Q3 already has a built in lens. I think Leica overestimated the interest in the EV1 and now that people are actually coming out and saying it's really nothing special other the the red dot and ability to shoot me lenses it is definitely way over priced. To be fair, this should have been marketed at 5k.
Now to the OP question. When I had my SL2-S , I had the 35, 50 and 75 apo L mount lenses. In the end, I ended up shooting the 75 and the 35. If I had not had the 75, it would have been the 50. but the 75 APO is glorious on the L system. Now and then I woulkd put the 21 1.4 M on the SL camera but I rarely shot with M lenses. I may rethink that if I ever got another SL camera. Since all my glass now is M.
check these out. Cut the link and paste it into a new browser. FM urlencodes the links in a way it does not work for me,
p.1 #5 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
Is your question related to difficulties you are having with using an SL3 you already own with m glass, or are you still researching for eventual purchase and have come across threads in Leica forums about the resolution drop in the SL3 (and SL3s as well I think, but am not 100% certain) EVF when using the magnification focus aid for manual focus lenses?
Like others who have replied I do not own the SL3, but use my SL2 and SL2s extensively with my m glass and it works very well. Mind you, it is by no means equivalent to the rangefinder focusing experience (which I find at this point faster, more immersive, and with a more even rhythm to the focusing task) but it is the best mirrorless manual focusing experience I’ve yet encountered. With other mirrorless systems I’ve owned, it was zone focus or nothing typically. But this is very much a me, with my terrible eyesight thing; The EVF on the second gen SLs is amazing-bright, clear, immersive, and presenting a highly detailed image. None of my previous EVF cameras came close to this.
p.1 #6 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
Sorry friends - did not mean to abandon post - just got pulled into work.
While I am very satisfied with my q3-43 I am really now interested in branching out - especially experience the manual focusing with rather reasonably priced LLL lenses etc. Also wanted to keep the option of using autofocus lenses - but probably not as I don't want to carry heavy equipment.
In my extremely limited experience with the Leica brand - I thought owning a SL3 -p might be a reasonable sacrifice from a weight standpoint while keeping options open (using autofocus in future) and being able to experiment with M lenses. Am I thinking wrong ?
p.1 #7 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
An SL body is the best mirrorless to adapt m lenses, but if you really do not plan to use anything else but m lenses it’s overkill. If you are concerned about weight then getting an m body whether with rangefinder or the ev1 is near half the weight and much smaller physically. The difference is significant as I tried use the sl2 with only m lenses previously and in the end it seems to miss the purpose of the m concept mainly due to weight and size. For occasional use it’s fine though
p.1 #9 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
lens_payoff_0l wrote:
While I am very satisfied with my q3-43 I am really now interested in branching out - especially experience the manual focusing with rather reasonably priced LLL lenses etc. Also wanted to keep the option of using autofocus lenses - but probably not as I don't want to carry heavy equipment.
I picked up a used SL (Typ 601) and the 24-90 zoom to see if the SL system worked for me. I used it with my M lenses since I did not have any L-mount primes. The M lenses worked very well. I was worried about corner performance of my 21 and 24 Elmarit-M lenses. I can see some softening in the extreme corners, but not emough to worry about. Eventually I added an SL2 and SL2-S which also work fine with M lenses and have a better EVF and IBIS. I would expect the same performance with an SL3.
That said, once I got some of the APO Summicron-SL primes, the M glass went back to my M bodies. The Summicron-SL lenses are amazing and work beautifully in both AF or MF.
p.1 #10 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
Luke_Miller wrote:
I picked up a used SL (Typ 601) and the 24-90 zoom to see if the SL system worked for me. I used it with my M lenses since I did not have any L-mount primes. The M lenses worked very well. I was worried about corner performance of my 21 and 24 Elmarit-M lenses. I can see some softening in the extreme corners, but not emough to worry about. Eventually I added an SL2 and SL2-S which also work fine with M lenses and have a better EVF and IBIS. I would expect the same performance with an SL3.
That said, once I got some of the APO Summicron-SL primes, the M glass went back to my M bodies. The Summicron-SL lenses are amazing and work beautifully in both AF or MF. ...Show more →
Thank you - may I ask - would it make sense for me to get SL3-P or stick with SL2 ?
I prefer M because I am worried about weight - though I confess I have never handled any of these camera or lenses in my hand and am planning to go to local dealer on Sat but wanted to get input from people with experience
p.1 #11 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
SL2 with M lenses (and a few L lenses) here and it's fantastic on all fronts. The EVF is easy to focus and is fun to use with M glass. I've got the Panasonic 50 and 85 plus a Sigma 150-600 which are great too, but something about focusing with M glass on that is easy and fun to use. Not sure what upgrades you're looking for in the SL3-P beyond the SL2 though.
p.1 #12 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
The weight difference between the sl2 and sl3 series is negligible and won't turn it into a camera you'd hang off a wrist strap for any period of time. If you are primarily going to use m glass I'd get a clean sl2 for approximately 2.5k or less and use the rest of the money to buy a lens or two. Or go on a trip. If you're getting into the sl series with the intention of primarily using l mount autofocus lenses then it would make sense to pay for the 3 series. But even then it's not a do or die situation; I use my Sl2-s and Sl2 for event work all the time and I have no problem getting the shots I need to.
p.1 #13 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
lens_payoff_0l wrote:
Thank you - may I ask - would it make sense for me to get SL3-P or stick with SL2 ?
I prefer M because I am worried about weight - though I confess I have never handled any of these camera or lenses in my hand and am planning to go to local dealer on Sat but wanted to get input from people with experience
On the Leica forum some SL3 users are complaining about the quality of EVF image when zoomed in for manual focus. You might want to check that out. The view in the SL2 & SL2-S EVF is very crisp.
p.1 #14 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
So if I am using manual lenses - it is right to assume the only gain I have is that SL3-p/SL3 is little lighter but there will be not difference in image quality ? And the experience of taking manual pictures won't be that different between the 2 cameras?
p.1 #15 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
You'll get more megapixels with the SL3 vs the Sl2, along with perhaps a stop better high iso performance and a bit more dynamic range that you're probably not going to realize under most circumstances. The difference between the SL2s and SL3s will be very negligible with manual focus lenses. The big thing that seems to be an issue with going with the SL3 series is apparently when you zoom in to confirm critical focus the image is less clear than with the SL2 series. I have read on the Leica forums that the most recent firmware updates have improved this issue but the SL2 series still presents a noticeably superior magnified image. I'm not sure if the new SL3-p suffers from the same issue.
At this point I'd argue that the SL2 series presents the best all round alternative to an EV-1 at approximately 1/3 the cost. You get the added benefit of being able to put on any of over 100 l mount lenses and get autofocus capability. Plus you get ibis. Both the SL2 and SL2s produce lovely, very robust files that can be pushed and pulled to your heart's content.
You can even get them used from a Leica shop and still get a twelve month warranty.
Weight difference is about 100 grams. I will say that the SL3 series bodies are a bit more compact and the balance is slightly different in the hand. You won't be hanging either series off your hand or on a wrist strap for any appreciable time without discomfort.
p.1 #16 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
I'll also add that if money isn't an issue, you're just going to use m-mount lenses, and aren't put off by not having IBIS, then I suggest you take a look at the EV-1. You get more substantial weight savings of something like 200 grams, and a more compact camera.
While I suspect that the SL series is eventually moving towards generally lighter bodies and lenses (quite a bit greater than 100 gram differences I'd reckon eventually, and we're already seeing this with the new Leica 50mm f1.4 sl) we ain't there yet, and likely won't be for a while yet. If weight is as much of an issue for you as I'm thinking it may be, any of the SL series will be HEAVY without some adjustments to how you move about with them (longer strap, cross body carry vs wrist strap).
p.1 #17 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
MEV1 would be ideal if you want Evf and solely use m lenses and no need to use autofocus, only really losing ibis. The size difference to an M body is significant but the weight difference is stark. The EV1 being actually lightest compared the the rangefinder models. The SL bodies are really pushing 1kg since you have th add the adapter as well. The MEV1 would be near half the weight. Cost would of course be an issue compared to an sl2 but not much difference if you buy an SL3 generation. Adapting works, but I find the physically focusing and handling of the small m lenses kind of awkward in such a large body
Aug 14, 2026 at 09:41 PM
juxwox Offline • [X]
p.1 #18 · Is anyone using SL3 solely with M lenses ?
I’ve seen quite a few people using M lenses on the SL3 and they seem pretty happy with the results. Since you already have the Q3 43, I’d be interested to hear how you find the M lenses compare in terms of rendering and handling on the SL3.
