DSLR platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

wolfloid
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p.1 #1 · DSLR platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

I am considering another platform for my small Leica M lenses.

I have read here that the ZF plays quite well with M lenses and has excellent manual focus confirmation. I have seen that high ISO files are also pretty good. I like the retro look and the dials, and that it is weather sealed and seems robust. I�ve also heard that the viewfinder is clear and bright with good resolution.

What I don�t like is the size and the fact that the screen flips out sideways (a complete stupidity as far as I can see on a retro stills camera) I would have preferred a simple flip up screen.

I am also considering the Leica SL3S, since this obviously works somewhat better with M Lenses. Again, good screen, great weather sealing. It also has a simple flip-up screen, and yes, I like the simple, minimal interface.

What I don�t like is, again, size. Just too big! It is also unclear whether it can manual focus as well as the Nikon - I don�t feel that peaking is ever accurate enough, and magnification is too slow (the same goes for the MEV1). I am also not sure whether it competes with the Nikon at high ISO or not.

The big difference is of course price. if money were no object, I�d get them both and play around with them.

I am tending towards the ZF, but how noticeable are the �faults� I�ve mentioned? (I hate those flip-out sideways screens).

I use Sony which I really like, but they do not play well with M lenses (nice, small cameras, though) and an M246, which I love, but I�m intrigued by another focusing system (if only the MEV1 had got that right).

Any other thoughts?

Aug 06, 2026 at 02:48 AM

joakim
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p.1 #2 · DSLR platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

I am the first one here so I might as well do the nitpicking, you don�t mean DSLR platform but mirrorless platform.

I don�t know how important a flip-screen is for you but a used SL2 (or SL2-S) is an excellent camera for m lenses and a lot cheaper than the SL3-S.

Aug 06, 2026 at 05:52 AM

wolfloid
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p.1 #3 · DSLR platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

Yes, I meant mirrorless platform.

But how is it to focus on the SL2-S? I find the absence of a flip screen annoying.

Aug 06, 2026 at 06:19 AM

Oldwino
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p.1 #4 · DSLR platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

The SL2 has a higher resolution EVF compared to the Nikon ZF. It is easy to focus, very clear.
The Nikon has more �focusing aids� to make up for the lower quality viewfinder.

Aug 06, 2026 at 06:48 AM

RustyBug
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p.1 #5 · DSLR platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

wolfloid wrote:

I find the absence of a flip screen annoying.

If the lack of a flip screen is a deal breaker, then you'll look past the SL2-S.

Otherwise, I find it is a good experience. Still no flip, and it's a bigger body than the SL3-S (SL3 series) but I've been using my M glass on my SL2-S for the duration of owning it. No complaints to speak of, but everyone's preference / opinion is a YMMV kind of thing.

Viewfinder experience is good, imo. Personally, I just "punch in" for critical focus (vs. peaking), then zone focus around that knowledge of distance when trying to focus quickly. Otherwise, It is contrast only technology, but it is about as close as using a ground glass as I've used in digital ... the clarity is quite good imo.

I do find it helpful (when I use the peaking) to focus from the same direction, so peaking kicks in the same relative to aperture / dof impact on peaking response. "First peak" then becomes a bit of a Pavlovian response thing. Kinda depends if you are trying to manual focus for speed, or for critical focal plane thing, which approach you might employ. But, those are just general manual focusing matters, anyway. The salient point is that the view in the VF is a nice one.

Back to the flip screen ... M246 ... no flip there ... is a flip a want or a need, in order to "see" well when you focus manually. Or, is it to have access to shooting at "odd angles" where the EVF is not comfortable? If the requirement for a flip is in response to using crappy EVF's, then the SL2-S may give you a renewed perspective on what manual focus on an EVF can be like. Certainly, one of those things you have to experience for yourself to know how well you get along with it ... I get that.

Aug 06, 2026 at 06:52 AM

retrofocus
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p.1 #6 · DSLR platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

You already considered and dismissed due to the high price and old-fashioned focus system: M EV-1. Only this camera solved the dilemma you also mentioned regarding body size, simplicity, and perfect for M-lenses. Unfortunately way too overpriced. Personally, I am less concerned about the focus system - but not for the current price.

Aug 06, 2026 at 07:03 PM

Sam_W
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p.1 #7 · DSLR platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

Really important thing to keep in mind: while both camera bodies have weather sealing, M lenses (and any manual focus lens, really) does NOT. If you want the have functional weather sealing, you need to use the respective system's AF lenses that explicitly state they have weather sealing.

Now that that's out of the way, I've been using my ZF for several years now with just manual focus lenses, about half in M mount. (Helicoid-swapped G16/21/28, C/Y glass, OM glass, etc.)

I used some electrical tape to cover the Nikon logo and the ZF bit, so it basically looks like an old film camera, and doesn't draw attention, especially when you flip the LCD over. It also makes me focus even more on the taking photos part. Whereas the SL series does draw attention, not just from camera people but more people in general, as it's large.

I did get a large aftermarket eyecup, and am about to get a more medium-sized one, as that part is a bit annoying. The EVF is fine, but I'm also used to less. Half the time I zone focus, and shoot in slow burst mode with some focus raking to get the shot.

You'll want to go through a good guide for all the plethora of menu functions on the ZF, and one that explains well, because Nikon's wording choices for some options actually mean the opposite of what I thought they did, to detrimental results. I've also customized a lot of the controls and have good muscle memory now. There's some really good options in there, like shooting RAW but in B&W mode, so the EVF/screen switches to B&W, but the focus peaking is still in colour, which makes it ridiculously easy to hit focus.

I haven't shot with an SL body, so I can't comment much. However, I did, for a while, use a kind of baby version in the Leica T, and the reason I mention it is that I really like the Leica menu and interface simplicity. I find it... relaxing, calming, and really conducive to focusing on making photos. Everything I want or need is right there, very simple and intuitive, and I hear it's gotten better and better over the years.

The ZF has at least a couple hundred individual options. It's tedious. If I can't deal with something from my custom menu, it "breaks" my flow, and feels like work.

YMMV!

Aug 06, 2026 at 09:30 PM


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