Member Josh Lehrer

The only increases on M bodies are film M's. Hmmmm.

Thanks for reading! It's always fun to put these together and to see how our bags have changed over time. The mini Eyelead is a game changer! I bet if you asked Josh nicely he'd send you a few business cards.

I just purchased the small, Billingham bag you recommended and I love it. Thanks for the recommendation.

I too strive to travel light, and often take only an M body and Elmarit ASPH 28 because it's light and compact. I go about 3 times a year and while I have taken a Fuji XT2 and big zoom on a couple of trips, to shoot the Mille Miglia, for example, I prefer not to play sherpa while on vacay. Seems I've been able to do just about any shooting I needed to with that 28 Elmarit. Occasionally I'll really push the envelope and include either my Elmarit 90/f2.8 or a fast 50.

Your photos are really nice, and I was struck at the consistency of great exposure. I too cannot believe a photo requires no post, and have to force myself to leave well enough alone and just enjoy it.

I would love to have an SL in my inventory, however, I used to shoot larger DSLRs and have been happy to move away from larger bodies. I have a CL coming tomorrow with handgrip and Leica M adapter to shoot M lens on it. My next step in light travel.

Great photos and story! I really enjoy your travel stories and camera reviews!

Your B&W work is lovely. You deserve a M10M.
Your writing is excellent and much appreciated.
I lived in Minnesota two different times and visited the BWA once with a friend who owned a lakeside cabin from 1907. It was filled with all the National Geographic’s from before 1940.
You refreshed my memories. When I was there, water resistant cameras did not exist as they do today. That would have been nice.
I take it your canoe never swamped or you would have reported such.
Keep up the good work.
Jack

Hi Kim! I actually have the CL + 35mm TL lens and it's a great combo, but like you mentioned, the SL2 is in a class of its own in terms of image and build quality. And, with your existing M & TL lenses, the SL2 probably makes the most sense. With the SL2's full-frame sensor, you won't have to sacrifice focal length with your M lenses. With the Leica CL's APS-C sensor and 1.5x crop factor, a 50mm M lens would become a 75mm, a 35mm would become a 50mm, etc. On an SL2 the same lens would remain a 50mm and at nearly double the resolution. What's more, you can put your APS-C format 35 TL lens on the SL2, switch it to APS-C mode and get nearly the same resolution as you would on its native CL sensor (about 24 MP), so your not losing anything by shooting a TL lens on an SL body. Also, the SL2 is a little more future proof – more resolution and newer technology. And, if you eventually pick up a native, Summicron-SL prime lens, you'll have the option to have a fully weather-sealed setup. Hope that helps!

Thanks for reading Harry! The SL Summicrons were a game-changer for me. Prior to their release, I mostly shot M lenses on the SL as well. Excited to see what Leica has in store for the SL system.

Nice article and photos! I’m originally from northern Wisconsin and lived in Duluth, but have never been to the boundary waters, but have heard from others it’s an amazing place! I have a used SL and 24-90 coming this week and am very excited, and nervous, about it… I’ve been using various digital M’s since late 2010 and using something this hefty is going to be a change!

After reading the DXOMark review for the 35SL, I would say it was rated poorly – it is in their top 10. They said that it was sharper wide-open than every other 35mm, that it had no measurable distortion, the highest correction of CA and that it transmitted more light than most f/1.8 lenses. The one place I wouldn't agree with their assessment was in regards to sharpness and resolving power. The 35 SL is one of the sharpest lenses ever designed by Leica. I've seen the Leica measured (not theoretical) MTF charts for this lens and they're insane, more what you'd expect from the best 90 APO, not a 35. I've personally used the lens on the SL2 and it's stunning. So, either they got a slightly bad copy (which is extremely unlikely due to Leica QA) or their testing methodology is flawed in some way. Basically, their sharpness findings directly contradict my personal observations, as well as those from other photographers/reviewers. If any one aspect of their test stands out, it's that they used a Panasonic S1-R for testing, not a Leica SL2. Considering these cameras have different microlens designs on the the sensor, and that the Leica lens is optimized for the Leica camera, I'd say this could be the biggest factor in the results from their test not quite matching up to others who have used it on the SL2.

Hİ,
I am a landscape photographer coming from gfx medium format system to SL2. As you can know i am very pickey for edge to edge sharpness. GFX system has that but without dimention and lifelike warmness of leica glass. My lens setup depends ın the prime lens i choose. If i go with 35mm apo then the set will be Sigma 14-24mm , 35mm apo ,75mm apo. If i choose 50mm apo then 16-35mm,50mm apo and 90mm apo.. Sould i listen Karbe and buy he best one which is 35mm apo or 50mm apo is also as good? Which one is more medium format like sharp but has the 3d drawing of leica more?
Thanks
Ahmed

Great pics. Great adventure. I'm very envious.

I have an SL myself and I'm still a little confused as what should be my “favourites menu” (The one that comes up by the upper left button). What do you have? A pic or listing would be welcome.

Alex

New to the forum.
Great adventure story and pics Kirsten. BWCA now on my “bucket list”
Thanks

Thanks for a great article and beautiful images! I've loved the SL Summicrons for a while, currently just using M lenses on my SL2 and SL2-S. I will likely pick up a SL prime soon though!

I read this story five years ago. Good writing. Now five years later I've skimmed this story again and still enjoy most of your shots. I had the SL601 then and now my SL2. Not a fan of heavy lenses tipping my camera forward. On each SL I've used almost exclusively the 23 TL lens. Less pixels but also much less weight. A 35mm is such a good choice for all–purpose shooting. Thanks for this story.

Is this price increase only for the US Market?

Really excellent review/s, Kirsten–thank you! Especially appreciate your relevant comparisons & product-line history. You're definitely now my go-to for Leica product reviews.

Please keep up the great work!

Kirsten,
I so enjoy is post. It also easily let me order some gear I learned that I needed.
Thanks and do it every year please.
Jack

This was excellent. Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your insights.

Kirsten,
Thanks for an excellent set of explanations.
I did not realize the differences of a Noctivid before.
Head up on your caption you state the Noctivid was on the left, and it is in the left hand, but not the viewer's left. I think you need to recaption it.

I enjoyed reading of your adventures in India. I had a similar out-of-comfort-zone experience. In 2004-2005 while my father was still alive, I traveled with him on his work in Ho Chi Minh City Viet Nam. Over 15 months we made four trips there, each 3-4 weeks in duration. We'd take weekend trips to China (Shanghai and Beijing), Cambodia (Angkor Wat) and Thailand (Bangkok) as well as exploring south and north Viet Nam. It was a terrific adventure and priceless time with my father towards the end of his life. I'm sure you father appreciated your company.

Unfortunately all I had to shoot was the then-new Canon Digital Rebel. But that camera was way better than no camera at all.

I recently bought a CL and sold my Q. In retrospect I should have kept the Q. The pair would be a great travel set. For now I am pairing my CL (with the 23 Summicron and 18-56 zoom) with my M10 and 50 APO Summicron. A little heavy for travel but it covers most of my visual bases.

I'll look forward to more adventure reports from you.

What a fun posting. And it motivated me to order some new stuff.

Thanks.

A nice useful report.
I had previously wondered at the flash placement worried that so close to the lens it would flash back on any suspended particles in the water. But you explained the plus of the flash not being shadowed by the lens itself.

I had not realized this was the only UW camera without a case that shoots RAW. I have a friend John who loves Leica, diving and fishing and this will do it for him.

Jack

Excellent article. Just one small correction to the opening para: first digital RF was Epson RD1, not the M8

I haven't done underwater yet since someone else is going to do that with my camera – soon they say. But I have done quite a lot of shooting on land, and the X-U reminds me very much of the X1 that I had, with many improvements, not the least of which is the f1.7 lens.

Excellent post, I very much enjoyed reading this article! I have a Q and love it. I agree with you about it being an great travel camera. I read that you were using some filters with it. I've not tried to use any filters with mine yet, which ones did you have a chance to try out on the trip?

Thanks Angie! Can't wait til our next trip!

Also, if anyone wants to read more about our trip, check out Angie's blog:
http://www.littlebirdaroundtheworld.com/blog/page/4/

A bit late to the party, but I’ve recently ordered a Q and am now trawling through old posts to see what others think of it and see some beautiful images. This is a Great post with some beautiful photos. Can’t wait to get out there with mine.
Cheers,
Jon.