fredmiranda.com

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

• Fredmiranda.com Mobile Site

• Buy & Sell Watchlist

FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

2 end

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

wolfloid
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · Mirrorless 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?

Edited on Aug 07, 2026 at 02:17 PM · View previous versions

Aug 06, 2026 at 02:48 AM

joakim
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · Mirrorless 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
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · Mirrorless 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
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #4 · Mirrorless 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
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #5 · Mirrorless 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
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · Mirrorless 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
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #7 · Mirrorless 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

RustyBug
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #8 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

You might also consider the Panny S1R II (or S1 / S5, etc.) ... has your flippy screen. It is an articulating flip out to the side, rotating screen, but ALSO, the entire carriage will simply "lift" up, and "pulls out" from the body for a full / clean view (i.e. waist level). Has a nice array of controls that keeps you out of the menu. Not as "clean" looking as the SL body, but it is capable, and I find the grip to be more to my liking than the ZF was when I demo'd the ZF in store.

As part of the L Alliance ... iirc, the Panny cover glass thickness isn't as thin as Leica, but it isn't in Sony territory either. Might be worth a look. It's been a bit since I mounted up my M 24/2.8 ASPH on mine, but iirc it wasn't an issue for me (some test shots only).

How wide are you planning on shooting?

Aug 07, 2026 at 07:24 AM

selahsean
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #9 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

As a M10-M and Zf shooter my vote is for the Zf. I find the SL series to be too heavy for me personally. I tried the SL2-S twice actually and both times it didn't stick. Even with the small size of my M lenses I found that the weight of the body just made me more inclined to grab the M10-M.

I also think part of the reason to get into the SL series in the first place is for the SL lenses (and the hype there is very real). Never considered the SL3-S as it seems more like a slightly upgraded SL2-S. I think if you're going SL series for manual M focus it would be SL2-S or SL3.

Last note is that I think your lens selection should factor in here as well. I adapt the 35mm Summilux pre FLE, the 50mm Summilux v3, the 50 Summicron Rigid, the Voigtlander 75mm F1.5 and soon to be the Voigtlander 90mm f4. All of these lenses play nice on thicker sensor stacks so there wouldn't be much if any gains moving to the SL platform for me. If you're shooting lenes with floating elements etc there may be some noticeable gains from going SL.

Aug 07, 2026 at 07:47 AM

CTMRIGuy
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

I have an SL2 and a Zf. Nikon is to be commended for a very useful and intuitive manual focus assist system. It really is the best one out there. That said, that pretty much is the only advantage that the Zf holds in my opinion.

While the SL2 is a little heavier, the ergonomics of it are unquestionably superior to the Zf, which is unnecessarily bulky and uncomfortable to hold. The Zf also, frankly, feels cheap for its price. The SL2 viewfinder is significantly better and if you do not use the Zf focus aids, punching in to focus is better with the SL2. As others have mentioned, lenses wider that 35mm maintain image quality better on the SL2. I personally do not see much of a difference over 35mm between the two (except for the SL2 having higher resolution). The SL2 has a far better menu system.

This probably sounds a lot like I am dunking on the Zf and I do not mean for that to be the case, as I think it is a neat camera that does have a vintage appeal. If you only pick your camera up briefly to shoot a couple of shots and then put it down, my main complaint about it is mostly irrelevant. I could not imagine using it all day however.

Retrofocus has mentioned the M EV1 already and that is probably the best option but it is very expensive. I did not mention a true rangefinder as it seems you are not going in that direction.

Aug 07, 2026 at 09:37 AM

matoqui
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #11 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

I have the Zf and the Z7ii. I find the Z7ii also works well with m-mount lenses, and is lighter than the zf+grip, have better ergonomics and higher resolution. I think the focusing aids on the Zf are a little bit more reliable, but not by much. I use the m-mount Voigtlanders 90/2, 50/1.5, 50/2.2, 35/1.5 and 21/3.5.

Aug 07, 2026 at 09:55 AM

selahsean
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #12 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

CTMRIGuy wrote:
While the SL2 is a little heavier, the ergonomics of it are unquestionably superior to the Zf, which is unnecessarily bulky and uncomfortable to hold. The Zf also, frankly, feels cheap for its price. The SL2 viewfinder is significantly better and if you do not use the Zf focus aids, punching in to focus is better with the SL2. As others have mentioned, lenses wider that 35mm maintain image quality better on the SL2. I personally do not see much of a difference over 35mm between the two (except for the SL2 having higher resolution). The SL2 has a far...Show more →

Out of curiosity, do you use a grip with the Zf? I agree that it's not the best ergonomically but I don't have any problems with carrying it all day. It's definitely heavier than it needs to be, but the flip out LCD is a seriously useful feature over the fixed screen of the SL2 from an ergonomics perspective. Also I find having dedicated dials super helpful on a camera with horrible menus

Aug 07, 2026 at 10:01 AM

CTMRIGuy
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

selahsean wrote:
Out of curiosity, do you use a grip with the Zf? I agree that it's not the best ergonomically but I don't have any problems with carrying it all day. It's definitely heavier than it needs to be, but the flip out LCD is a seriously useful feature over the fixed screen of the SL2 from an ergonomics perspective. Also I find having dedicated dials super helpful on a camera with horrible menus

I do - I have the Neewer CA134 grip. It is...fine. I would say the camera is almost painful to hold without it, and with the grip it is much easier to compose with but I still find it uncomfortable to work with for any significant period of time. The grip is also starting to degenerate, which I should not be surprised about I suppose. It boggles my mind that Nikon will not release a decent quality grip outside of Japan for the Zf.

I love dials and that is a plus of the Zf for sure, especially since the menu system is so poor. People always talk about Sony having the worst menus but I think after their revamp that crown now falls to Nikon.

You are right about the LCD. That can be a useful feature. The way I shoot manual focus however I nearly always have the EVF up to my eye so I do not really appreciate it myself. With AF lenses it is another story - but then I still would not be choosing the Zf for that either given that any lens of significant weight makes the ergonomics even worse.

My daughter now uses the Zf primarily. If Nikon ever makes a compact photo-first interchangeable lens camera with proper ergonomics and a higher resolution sensor (i.e. a Nikon version of the A7CR) I would jump on that because of the manual focus aids and thinner sensor stack relative to Sony. But I think there are just too many compromises with Nikon at the moment. I did try a Z8 briefly but I wasn't willing to take the hit in sensor dynamic range and high-ISO performance, and did not need the speed. I love rangefinders and have shot on them for years but my eyes are not what they once were and I dislike shooting with glasses on them (difficult to compose) so I have been on the hunt for other options aside from my older SL2. The M EV1 really is the perfect solution for me but I cannot deny that it is extremely expensive for what it offers.

Aug 07, 2026 at 10:40 AM

selahsean
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #14 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

CTMRIGuy wrote:
I do - I have the Neewer CA134 grip. It is...fine. I would say the camera is almost painful to hold without it, and with the grip it is much easier to compose with but I still find it uncomfortable to work with for any significant period of time. The grip is also starting to degenerate, which I should not be surprised about I suppose. It boggles my mind that Nikon will not release a decent quality grip outside of Japan for the Zf.

I love dials and that is a plus of the Zf for sure, especially since the menu...Show more →

Ahh yeah I have both the Neewer and the grip from Japan which is better imo, but not like night and day. I don't use the EVF unless lighting conditions warrant it. I'd say I'm 75% more or less using the LCD so for me that made a big difference in usability between the SL and the Zf. For the AF I use a very compact set of lenses that balance pretty well Nikon's 26 and 35f1.4, Viltrox 55 evo and TTArtisan's 75mm f2. I can throw it all in a 7L bag and carry it around all day without any issues and supplement with any of the Leica lenses. The Nikon 35 is the heaviest of the lenses and the least likely to go as I've been in love with the pre FLE for a long time.

Aug 07, 2026 at 11:08 AM

Fred Miranda
Offline
Admin
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #15 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

My clear choice is the Nikon Zf, especially when adapting M lenses. Its focus confirmation is game-changer. It has changed the way I shoot with a mirrorless and brings the experience remarkably close to using a rangefinder, just through the EVF rather than purely optical and mechanical means.

The only drawback is that the Nikon's sensor stack is thicker than the Leica SL's, so adapted-lens performance is not quite as good. That is one reason I appreciate its 24MP sensor. It does not magnify this issue the way higher-resolution bodies can. In practical terms, expect slightly more field curvature in your scenes.

Aug 07, 2026 at 02:23 PM

wolfloid
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

I think I just want what does not exist.

I want a small camera where I can focus my M lenses using the whole screen. I have had no satisfaction with peaking on any camera, and magnifying in, though great for accuracy, is just too slow for anything moving.

Someone said that the SL2-S screen is clear enough to focus - close to ground glass. Well that is what I want, like my old Pentax LX with the superb S69 screen. I just wonder if it is true. I can't easily try one out. Even so, when having handled an SL2 in a Leica shop some years ago, I immediately went out and bought the Sony A7R4, even though it did not work well with many M lenses. Perhaps that was a mistake, but handling the Leica just felt like an ergonomically challenged DSLR brick. It was a spontaneous reaction.

I am completely happy with the Sony as an AF machine it is just great in my hands - and I seldom need to dive into the menus. I just wish it worked well with M lenses.

Yes, I know the M246 lacks a flip up screen - pity - but otherwise it is an amazing camera, only limited by its weight and banding sometimes when I don't want it at 10,000 ISO. The MEV1 would be so good if it had a a flip up screen (like the X100VI) and a well designed and implemented focusing aid (I tried its peaking - execrable), which if it did I might save up my pennies and let myself suffer the extortion.

Aug 07, 2026 at 02:51 PM

RoamingScott
Online
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #17 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

wolfloid wrote:
I think I just want what does not exist.

I want a small camera where I can focus my M lenses using the whole screen. I have had no satisfaction with peaking on any camera, and magnifying in, though great for accuracy, is just too slow for anything moving.

Have you tried the Zf? Cause that's what you get.

Aug 07, 2026 at 03:02 PM

Rainbow Chaser
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #18 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

Do you care about film grain simulation? I don't know if SL3-S offers it, but I would like to know. I understand a bit more conclusively that SL2-S did not offer it at all. This is why I consider Leica's bodies to be a secondary option behind Lumix.

wolfloid wrote:
Any other thoughts?

Aug 07, 2026 at 03:21 PM

tzhang4284
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #19 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

I have a Leica M11 and had the Nikon ZF and now the SL3-S. The Nikon ZF has the better EVF focusing capabilities and the retro styling but the SL3-S has better ergonomics and color science. The biggest deal breaker for me for the ZF for Leica M lenses is the color science out of camera is very different than Leica’s color science in the M and SL cameras. If you want the “purest” Leica images, go with the SL3-S, if you want the easiest MF experience, go with the ZF if you can get your hands on the TTArtisan 6-bit adapter.

Personally, I would just get a proper Leica M camera - M10, M11 or M EV1. I don’t really use the SL3-S with Leica M lenses at all. It’s a much worse experience compared to a proper rangefinder style camera.

Aug 07, 2026 at 03:47 PM

Rainbow Chaser
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #20 · Mirrorless platform for Leica M lenses. Leica SL3S or Nikon ZF

tzhang4284 wrote:
The biggest deal breaker for me for the ZF for Leica M lenses is the color science out of camera is very different than Leica’s color science in the M and SL cameras.

Interesting observation. Out of the Leica and Nikon cameras, which were you shooting RAW, and which were JPEG?

Aug 07, 2026 at 03:55 PM

1 2 end
FM Forums \| Leica & Alternative Gear \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 end

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

You are not logged in. Login or Register