Member Peter Dooling

David,
Thank you. You wrote an extremely thoughtful and detailed explanation of the S lens system. You included some outstanding images too. It was fun to recognize the ones from the S2 autumn trip a few years ago. You brought back excellent memories.

Great article and lovely pictures. I am a semi-retired professional who was able to migrate over from a Contax 645 to a Leica S007, via the Contax adapter, thus “saving” my full inventory of Zeiss lenses. As you said, both autofocus and autoexposure work quite well so this “hybrid” solution has worked for me, and the S007 has been a joy to use.

Terrific primer on the S system lenses. Thanks for all this useful info.

No. The Leica S3 will not have IBIS. Functionally, the S3 is near identical to the S007, but with a dramatically improved sensor, both in terms of resolution and ISO performance.

You are correct. The marked focal length will behave as such on an SL. A 100mm S lens is a 100mm lens on your SL. On the S, it has the field of view of an 80mm, but the look of a 100mm. So, compared to the 90mm, you will be getting a slightly longer 100mm lens, with a bit more compression and a bit narrower field of view.

One more time, just to make sure I understand correctly… the S lenses labeled focal length (100mm, for example) is the equivalent to the 35mm field of view, correct? Meaning, if I were to mount the Summicron-S 100mm f/2 on an SL2 with the adapter, I'd expect to get a 100mm field of view. It is on the S system, with the larger sensor, where the .8x math comes into play, and that 100mm equates to a wider, 80mm field of view. Right?

I ask becuase I am an SL owner and am intrigued by the Summicron-S 100mm lens and want to understand whether I should expect a slightly *longer* or slightly *wider* field of view with that lens than with the Summicron-SL 90mm. (I totally understand there are a ton of other attributes to consider between these lenses, but I want to wrap my head around field of view first.)

One more time for my sanity… I am asking this question as a SL2 owner, not an S owner: If I am interested in the Summicron-S 100mm f/2, should I expect a 100mm field of view on my SL2 (with the adapter, of course), or 80mm?

Based on your explanation, it is my understanding that the 100mm f/2 lens adapted to my SL2 will deliver a 100mm field of view and a maximum aperture (DOF) of f/1.5. (thus, the colloquial reference to that lens being the Noctilux of the S line, I take it?). Is this correct?

I am asking basically to gather whether to expect the Summicron-S 100mm to be a longer or shorter lens, in terms of field of view on the SL2, than the 90mm Summicron-SL.

Great overview but you neglected to mention the Leica T-S Apo-Elmar-S. This is a great lens for product and landscape applications and gets very little press.

Good catch. Article updated with correct value for the 100mm. Math is hard. 🙂

Really incredible images, David. Like many Leica products, it is nice to see how even the original S lenses released (30mm and APO 120mm) in 2008, are still relevant with the S3 in color and resolution. Looking forward to seeing more!

Thank you David, great photos !

Small copy/paste error. Sorry for that. We fixed it.

It's not really a move to 14-bit color. The S (Typ 007) also used 14-bit precision from the D/A stage as well. Both the S3 and the S007 store the resulting 14-bit raw data in a 16-bit DNG container, and both are capable of 15+ stops of dynamic range. For full details, check out the article we published around the launch of the S007, based on a conversation with Dr. Volker Zimmer, the head of R&D for Leica.

Why Leica is staying at 37.5MP for the S (Typ 007)

Could you comment on the AF system using the OVF . It appears the same as the S 007 . Focus point is only the center ..predictive AF is still suspect . It is still a contrast detection auto focus system ?
I understand the AF in LV and it was fine for my use but the OVF AF system needed work ?

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.

I updated the firmware on my CL with no problem. On the CL I use the Panasonic 16-35 lens and that seems to be working as it did before this update: well.
However…
I updated the firmware on my SL601. On my SL I often use the Sigma 45DN lens (as well as the Panasonic 24-105). Upon updating and importing my saved settings, the SL defaulted the sensor to APSC. The only way to restore full frame was to delete the settings, reset the camera completely and reset my settings. A bit of a pain! At least the camera is now functioning properly.

Thanks David,
Excellent as usual.
Your YouTube videos were helpful. When I saw how high you were shooting in ISO I was surprised. Setting Auto ISO was the answer, and a good procedure.
Jack

Is this price increase only for the US Market?