A few months ago, I sold my FF camera and M-mount Voigtlander and Thypoch lenses to buy a GFX100RF for docu and editorial work. The RF is great, but I miss my FF camera and manual focus experience. I’m considering buying a replacement 35mm camera, but I need advice.
Edit - Changed my mind after writing this, so the ZF as an option is out. Going Leica and thus changed my questions:
I want a camera for manual focus lenses. Right off the bat I'll say that I’d love an M, but my eyesight and the high cost of entry make it impractical. I want a camera for personal, low-stakes image making, photographing family, and experimenting with different lenses. The GFX cameras I have are great, but they’re limited here and shooting 102mpx files on the daily is impractical. I’m thinking of getting a camera in the 24 to 47mpx range and have decided to go with either a SL2 or the SL2-S.
I plan to shoot almost exclusively in the 28mm to 50mm range and want to buy a 35mm f/1.4 or f 1.2 lens first. IQ seems to be on par, and I plan to print these photos, but I wonder if a bit more resolution is worth it against better low-light now that Ai noise reduction has gotten so good? So which would you buy? Do any of you have both and can speak to which is your preference? Does noise reduction tip the scales for the SL2 now?
I don't have the ZF, but I do have the SL2-S ... and demo'd the ZF, thinking "maybe" about it. I also have the S1R II (and M). Given your point about IQ being relatively close, I think your area of concern will be more about the interface experience. Unfortunately, you can't read a "spec" and know how much you'll like the experience of using it.
That said, I've got my S1R II ... and while it is a well regarded camera, I keep longing for the SL2-S experience with it (and am not quite ready for the $$$ of SL3-P), even though the S1R II is more MP and newer tech, etc. Lots of folks will have opinions one way or another, but sometimes the nuance of things makes a difference when it comes to a person's enjoyment of interaction. Meaning, you really need to get your hands on them, to know for sure how you'll like (or not) the experience with them. I know, not much help for ya, just recognize interface of using manual lenses is a personal thing.
yep, I like the feel and the process of manual focus with M lenses. I had a Sony A7rIV and never bought a single autofocus lens for that system, only ever adapting older lenses.
If you need MP then the M10R at 40MP is a terrific camera. If you can use gigapixel for additional resolution for printing where extreme crops have been necessary then the M262/M240 are great at 24MP. If video not a requirement then go with the M262 with simpler menu structure and welcomed shutter improvements.
The VM 35/1.2 is a terrific piece of glass, but 1.4 is probably enough in most situations and then the choices get even better for less cost unless you go with the APO 35/2.0. The 35/1.4 CF is a great choice, but CF requires another add-on or the EV1.
Oh, I just reread your #1 and sorry, but I see you want an SL of some sort for manual focus M lenses. Many who have bought into the SL system realized after some time that it is better suited to AF lenses than M lenses even though many who get into the SL system imagine using all types of M glass and AF lenses.
Once I got the EV1 I sold all my SL cameras (3) and SL Leica glass (7) in order to concentrate on using M lenses on M bodies. Still held onto my Panasonic lenses as they were MUCH cheaper and performed just as well for me on SL cameras as the expensive SL primes. The best Leica zoom was the 24-90, but it costs about the same as a used M10R.
OP
Just remembered that the Nikon 5ZII with Techart 02 adapter will AF any M glass under 500grams. The bodies were $1600 and the adapter about $350 so for less than USD2k you can have AF or MF for M glass, take your pick.
The 35/2.0 Mandler lens for $348 is terrific on the Nikon setup.
With the SL series, you would pay for its AF and video capabilities for nothing since you would dedicate this camera with MF only. Better choice IMO is the EV-1 M-camera here instead. Only con I see here is its price tag much above the price for a SL camera.
I went through with the exact decision process - was almost about to purchase SL3-P and then at the last minute - with eh advice I got here - went with SL2-S. I was too impatient to wait for my 35mm F2 APO from LLL to be delivered to went with Voightlander 28mm F.20 APO lens - the combination of this lens with SL2-S has been magical. We had a Birthday party yesterday and while I had my q3 handy - I was drawn toward SL2-S and ended up using it more.
If you decide to sell it after using it for a couple of months - you would not loose any value or the loss will be minimal.
