Godfrey
Well-known member
Hi Jurgen,
I agree: the SL system is not for those looking for a "smaller or lighter than DSLR" system, not if you're intent on buying into the SL lenses. Used with selected M or R lenses, the kit can be a bit smaller and lighter than a DSLR system, but that supposes that autofocus isn't important to you and you're all right with using mount adapters. IMO, the SL system should always be considered as a modern Leica replacement for their R system SLRs, that's all, not as a replacement or competitor to the M system at all. The fact that the SL body is a good bit smaller than most DSLR bodies of similar grade and quality is the significant gain, but top-notch, pro-grade, fast zoom lenses are always pretty big and heavy. (Note that the Leica SLRs were never known as being particularly compact or light, aside from maybe the R4.) I think, from what I've seen, that the upcoming Summicron-SL prime lenses will be reasonably compact, in line with other SLR system primes of similar focal length.
The M system wins out if you're looking for more compact, lighter weight body and lenses, and presumes that the usual range from 28 to 135 mm with manual focus is what you*are after.
Regards lenses, pretty much any Leica lens is a very fine performer. Elmars are usually f/3.5 to f/4; Elmarits are usually f/2.8; Summarits are usually about f/2.4-2.5; Summicrons are usually f/2; and Summilux are usually f/1.4. Prices scale with lens speed in each of the focal length brackets, as does weight and size. You can't really go wrong with a Summicron 50 and 28. You might want to go faster or slower depending on your budget and other desires. But basically, none of them are disappointing in my experience.
And then there's the Leica lens addicts' fascination with particular series of lenses ... I'm not entirely immune either. :toocool:
Right now, my circa 1972 Summilux 35mm f/1.4 v2 is my all time favorite 35mm lens, and I'm delighted with the current Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4. I had a Summilux-M 75/1.4 some years ago and found it rather heavy and awkward; I understand the APO Summicron-M 75 is superb, but I decided on "light weight comes first." The next lens I get for my M will be a Summicron 50, and likely a current series standard one, because I know that lens very well having had an excellent experience with the previous series. (Current series is different only in very minor ways, including the six bit code.)
Have fun making your decisions!
G
I agree: the SL system is not for those looking for a "smaller or lighter than DSLR" system, not if you're intent on buying into the SL lenses. Used with selected M or R lenses, the kit can be a bit smaller and lighter than a DSLR system, but that supposes that autofocus isn't important to you and you're all right with using mount adapters. IMO, the SL system should always be considered as a modern Leica replacement for their R system SLRs, that's all, not as a replacement or competitor to the M system at all. The fact that the SL body is a good bit smaller than most DSLR bodies of similar grade and quality is the significant gain, but top-notch, pro-grade, fast zoom lenses are always pretty big and heavy. (Note that the Leica SLRs were never known as being particularly compact or light, aside from maybe the R4.) I think, from what I've seen, that the upcoming Summicron-SL prime lenses will be reasonably compact, in line with other SLR system primes of similar focal length.
The M system wins out if you're looking for more compact, lighter weight body and lenses, and presumes that the usual range from 28 to 135 mm with manual focus is what you*are after.
Regards lenses, pretty much any Leica lens is a very fine performer. Elmars are usually f/3.5 to f/4; Elmarits are usually f/2.8; Summarits are usually about f/2.4-2.5; Summicrons are usually f/2; and Summilux are usually f/1.4. Prices scale with lens speed in each of the focal length brackets, as does weight and size. You can't really go wrong with a Summicron 50 and 28. You might want to go faster or slower depending on your budget and other desires. But basically, none of them are disappointing in my experience.
And then there's the Leica lens addicts' fascination with particular series of lenses ... I'm not entirely immune either. :toocool:
Right now, my circa 1972 Summilux 35mm f/1.4 v2 is my all time favorite 35mm lens, and I'm delighted with the current Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4. I had a Summilux-M 75/1.4 some years ago and found it rather heavy and awkward; I understand the APO Summicron-M 75 is superb, but I decided on "light weight comes first." The next lens I get for my M will be a Summicron 50, and likely a current series standard one, because I know that lens very well having had an excellent experience with the previous series. (Current series is different only in very minor ways, including the six bit code.)
Have fun making your decisions!
G