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.
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 and mostly low-stakes image making, like photographing family and experimenting with different lenses. The GFX cameras are great, but they’re limited here and shooting 102mpx files on the daily is impractical. I’m thinking of getting a 24mpx camera for this, and deciding between an SL2-S and a Nikon ZF. I’ve always wanted a Leica, but the ZF is a newer model for the same price.
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 a toss-up between the SL2-S and the ZF, with a slight edge for the Leica when adapting lenses. So which would you buy? Do any of you have both and can speak to which is your preference?
PS: If it helps, the first lenses I am considering buying along with the camera I end up purchasing are either the LLL 35mm 1.4 AA, the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 IV, or the Thypoch 35mm 1.4. Thanks for your thoughts!
Sep 07, 2026 at 05:36 PM
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