I miss manual focus
p.1 #1I miss manual focus
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?
Edited on Sep 07, 2026 at 05:04 PM · View previous versions
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?
Edited on Sep 07, 2026 at 05:04 PM · View previous versions
Sep 07, 2026 at 04:36 PM
p.1 #2I miss manual focus
IQ seems to be a toss-up
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 $$$ of SL3-P), even though the S1R II is more MP and newer tech, etc. Lots of folks will have opinions one way or another, but sometimes the nuance of things makes a difference when it comes to a person's enjoyment of interaction. Meaning, you really need to get your hands on them, to know for sure how you'll like (or not) the experience with them. I know, not much help for ya, just recognize interface of using manual lenses is a personal thing.
I don't have the ZF, but I do have the SL2-S ... and demo'd the ZF, thinking "maybe" about it. I also have the S1R II (and M). Given your point about IQ being relatively close, I think your area of concern will be more about the interface experience. Unfortunately, you can't read a "spec" and know how much you'll like the experience of using it.
That said, I've got my S1R II ... and while it is a well regarded camera, I keep longing for the SL2-S experience with it (and am not quite ready for the $$$ 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.
Sep 07, 2026 at 05:01 PM
p.1 #3I miss manual focus
Is your interest primarily in shooting M lenses? Is that the reason for looking at the SLs?
Sep 07, 2026 at 08:42 PM
p.1 #4I miss manual focus
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.
Sep 08, 2026 at 05:26 AM
p.1 #5I miss manual focus
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.
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.
Sep 08, 2026 at 05:55 AM
p.1 #6I miss manual focus
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.
Edited on Sep 08, 2026 at 06:06 AM · View previous versions
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.
Edited on Sep 08, 2026 at 06:06 AM · View previous versions
Sep 08, 2026 at 06:05 AM
p.1 #7I miss manual focus
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.
Sep 08, 2026 at 06:06 AM
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p.1 #8I miss manual focus
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.
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.
Sep 08, 2026 at 08:04 AM
p.1 #9I miss manual focus
ButteredToast wrote:
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.
I figured. There doesn't seem to be a huge price difference between the two. I haven't used the S, but we had the SL2 at work, and it was great with manual lenses. Don't ignore the R lenses, though. Their adapter's great, especially if you have ROM lenses, and the MF feel is fantastic.
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.
I figured. There doesn't seem to be a huge price difference between the two. I haven't used the S, but we had the SL2 at work, and it was great with manual lenses. Don't ignore the R lenses, though. Their adapter's great, especially if you have ROM lenses, and the MF feel is fantastic.
Sep 09, 2026 at 01:25 AM
p.1 #10I miss manual focus
After using an M10 as my main camera for a while, I wanted the option to use AF lenses fro certain things so I went the opposite direction. I tried the Zf a couple of times and once the novelty of the retro styling wore off, I just didn't love it—with the exception of in-camera profiles from a later update, which Nikon did an incredible job implementing.
I tried the SL2, but I have no need for 47mp files so went to the SL2s as it gave me that big, beautiful EVF, great ergonomics (subjective, I know), and incredibly clean images with enough resolution for anything I'd ever want to do with it. I'm not filling up hard drive space, battling noise cleanup in Lightroom, and I still get those great Leica colors.
I'm using a combination of manual focus and auto focus lenses on it, and have zero complaints with any of them. Focus peaking and a dedicated button to "punch in" for focusing make for a pretty good manual focus experience. It's not quite as fast as my M10 with the patch, but it's quick enough, and if I want faster, I just use AF lenses.
And the SL2s is a good bit cheaper than the SL2 (I think I paid around $1900 for mine with three batteries, original box, etc.) where the SL2 was closer to $2250 without the pair of extra batteries. I sold the SL2 and used the savings to add an extra lens to the bag.
I tried the SL2, but I have no need for 47mp files so went to the SL2s as it gave me that big, beautiful EVF, great ergonomics (subjective, I know), and incredibly clean images with enough resolution for anything I'd ever want to do with it. I'm not filling up hard drive space, battling noise cleanup in Lightroom, and I still get those great Leica colors.
I'm using a combination of manual focus and auto focus lenses on it, and have zero complaints with any of them. Focus peaking and a dedicated button to "punch in" for focusing make for a pretty good manual focus experience. It's not quite as fast as my M10 with the patch, but it's quick enough, and if I want faster, I just use AF lenses.
And the SL2s is a good bit cheaper than the SL2 (I think I paid around $1900 for mine with three batteries, original box, etc.) where the SL2 was closer to $2250 without the pair of extra batteries. I sold the SL2 and used the savings to add an extra lens to the bag.
Sep 09, 2026 at 08:13 AM
p.1 #11I miss manual focus
As I realized that Leica M cameras more recent than my M10-series had become absolutely unappealing, plus, just too expensive, I pondered which SL-series camera I would try, as a way to continue using my Leica M lenses, if my eyesight were to decline enough to complicate rangefinder usage. Plus, I was starting to become more interested in using a camera more video-capable than my DSLRs. A pre-owned SL-2s was starting to look like the wisest choice.
What actually happened, in my personal case, was that I bought the Nikon ZR, sooner, rather than the SL, later, but, my wife and I have been using Nikon DSLRs and F-mount lenses for a number of years, and we had bought her a Z6 in 2018. Nikon Z made more sense, for our combined budget.
I still think that Leica SL makes sense. I simply had to contend with a pre-existing Z factor, and, Speedlights compatible with the Nikon system.
What actually happened, in my personal case, was that I bought the Nikon ZR, sooner, rather than the SL, later, but, my wife and I have been using Nikon DSLRs and F-mount lenses for a number of years, and we had bought her a Z6 in 2018. Nikon Z made more sense, for our combined budget.
I still think that Leica SL makes sense. I simply had to contend with a pre-existing Z factor, and, Speedlights compatible with the Nikon system.
Sep 09, 2026 at 10:04 AM
p.1 #12I miss manual focus
ButteredToast wrote:
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...Show more →
If you are not going to be buying Leica M lenses, there is no reason to limit yourself to the M-mount or SL-mount. Cosina makes Voigtlander lenses for several systems. I pay zero attention to Thypoch, or other Chinese glass, but my you-tuber feed is bombarding me enough to know that the Chinese makers are producing their glass for mounts other than M.
The Carl Zeiss Otus SL lenses now being made for Z-mount was a BIG factor*, in my decision to finally buy into the Z-mount, rather than the SL mount, only last month. The Otus 85mm ZF.2 remains my high-water-mark among F-mount lenses. The Otus 35mm SL for Z-mount has become my grail-quest Z lens. And, I would like to complement it with the CV Nokton 35/1.4 Z-mount lens. Both 35/1.4, but differing sizes, and differing renderings, for different tasks and different environments.
As for the ZF, neither it, nor its APS-C predecessor, the ZFc, did anything for me, when I handled them. I tried, multiple times, each. I found them to be about as misguided as the Df, which I have only kept around, because it can accept pre-AI lenses. My Leica M10 has relegated my Df to being a mere shelf decoration, since 2018. When I finally found a 20mm pre-AI lens I desired, it had already been “AI’ed,” so, my Df has been, well, unemployed. Based upon my love for the Nikon D5 and D850, I had thought that I would enter the Z system by way of the Z9, or perhaps the Z8, but, no, rather than replace/upgrade my DSLRs, I decided to complement them, with the ZR. Who needs an EVF, anyway?
I realize that focusing with an articulating-screen LCD is not everyone’s cup of tea, but, the ZR has a much larger LCD than all except maybe one other cine camera, and more of the ZR’s LCD is said to be usable, and, I have used the LCD to manually focus, under the bright August sun, in southern Texas. Indeed, one now-forgotten reviewer remarked how he loves using the ZR for still images, outdoors, in the streets, because his vision, and wearing eyeglasses, has made it difficult to use EVFs. Facing worsening vision, that really resonated, with me.
I o’er-leaped the EVF! ( Borrowing a term from W. Shakespeare, there. )
By the way, the nicely large OVF of the D5, with its electronic focusing aids, is wonderful for manually-focusing lenses. That same might 2016 AF system works well for manually-focusing, too.
I am not any kind of expert, and, am probably artless. I was trained for the important task of forensic/evidentiary/crime scene photography, which is technical, not creative.
*The other factor was that my wife, a dedicated Nikon shooter, and the more senior photographer in the house, was already using a Z6, and a Z30.I hope that a 35mm Otus will be too heavy for her taste, so that she will not “claim” it. 😉 Not joking. I will probably have to buy TWO 35/1.4 Noktons, for that reason.
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...Show more →
If you are not going to be buying Leica M lenses, there is no reason to limit yourself to the M-mount or SL-mount. Cosina makes Voigtlander lenses for several systems. I pay zero attention to Thypoch, or other Chinese glass, but my you-tuber feed is bombarding me enough to know that the Chinese makers are producing their glass for mounts other than M.
The Carl Zeiss Otus SL lenses now being made for Z-mount was a BIG factor*, in my decision to finally buy into the Z-mount, rather than the SL mount, only last month. The Otus 85mm ZF.2 remains my high-water-mark among F-mount lenses. The Otus 35mm SL for Z-mount has become my grail-quest Z lens. And, I would like to complement it with the CV Nokton 35/1.4 Z-mount lens. Both 35/1.4, but differing sizes, and differing renderings, for different tasks and different environments.
As for the ZF, neither it, nor its APS-C predecessor, the ZFc, did anything for me, when I handled them. I tried, multiple times, each. I found them to be about as misguided as the Df, which I have only kept around, because it can accept pre-AI lenses. My Leica M10 has relegated my Df to being a mere shelf decoration, since 2018. When I finally found a 20mm pre-AI lens I desired, it had already been “AI’ed,” so, my Df has been, well, unemployed. Based upon my love for the Nikon D5 and D850, I had thought that I would enter the Z system by way of the Z9, or perhaps the Z8, but, no, rather than replace/upgrade my DSLRs, I decided to complement them, with the ZR. Who needs an EVF, anyway?
I realize that focusing with an articulating-screen LCD is not everyone’s cup of tea, but, the ZR has a much larger LCD than all except maybe one other cine camera, and more of the ZR’s LCD is said to be usable, and, I have used the LCD to manually focus, under the bright August sun, in southern Texas. Indeed, one now-forgotten reviewer remarked how he loves using the ZR for still images, outdoors, in the streets, because his vision, and wearing eyeglasses, has made it difficult to use EVFs. Facing worsening vision, that really resonated, with me.
I o’er-leaped the EVF!
( Borrowing a term from W. Shakespeare, there. )By the way, the nicely large OVF of the D5, with its electronic focusing aids, is wonderful for manually-focusing lenses. That same might 2016 AF system works well for manually-focusing, too.
I am not any kind of expert, and, am probably artless. I was trained for the important task of forensic/evidentiary/crime scene photography, which is technical, not creative.
*The other factor was that my wife, a dedicated Nikon shooter, and the more senior photographer in the house, was already using a Z6, and a Z30.I hope that a 35mm Otus will be too heavy for her taste, so that she will not “claim” it. 😉 Not joking. I will probably have to buy TWO 35/1.4 Noktons, for that reason.
Sep 09, 2026 at 10:48 AM
p.1 #13I miss manual focus
RustyBug wrote:
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 $$$ of SL3-P),...Show more →
I haven't shot the S1R II but the original S1R is an amazing brick. Great sensor, top notch EVF and sublime raw files. AF is not fantastic but if you are looking for a manual focus platform it's a hell of a camera for the around 1k USD it costs these days. Downside is size and weight but if you don't mind a chunky brick it's hard to beat.
Earlier quote
IQ seems to be a toss-upThat said, I've got my S1R II ... and while it is a well regarded camera, I keep longing for the SL2-S experience with it (and am not quite ready for the $$$ of SL3-P),...Show more →
I haven't shot the S1R II but the original S1R is an amazing brick. Great sensor, top notch EVF and sublime raw files. AF is not fantastic but if you are looking for a manual focus platform it's a hell of a camera for the around 1k USD it costs these days. Downside is size and weight but if you don't mind a chunky brick it's hard to beat.
Sep 09, 2026 at 12:08 PM