Finally got my hands on a SL2-S after saving up for ages and honestly I am loving the body but this zoom lens I have is just way too bulky for how I like to shoot. I live in Chicago and I spend almost every weekend just walking around the Loop or Wicker Park trying to capture candid street stuff but I feel like such a creep holding a massive brick of glass. I want something smaller, more discreet, and obviously sharper for those street portraits.
I have been obsessively reading forums and I think I am torn between the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary and the Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2. I know the Leica glass is the dream but man, the price difference is massive. My budget is probably around 1500 max, so the Sigma fits easily, but if the Leica is actually worth that premium for the character and the build then maybe I should just wait a few more months to save up? I also keep looking at the Panasonic 35mm f/1.8 but I hear mixed things about the rendering compared to the others.
- Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN (seems like a great value and super compact)
- Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 (legendary, but is it worth double the price?)
- Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 (cheaper and light, but is it too clinical?)
Im trying to get something sorted before a trip to Montreal next month so I dont have a ton of time to wait for a crazy sale or anything. I just want that nice pop and subject separation without feeling like a tourist with a giant setup. Has anyone used the Sigma and the Leica back to back? Does the Sigma hold up for street work or am I gonna regret not going native Leica glass?
Tbh skip the native stuff if you want size. I had issues with the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.2 Aspherical SE focus feel. Try the Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/2 Aspherical Type II instead.
Congrats on the SL2-S! That camera is an absolute beast for low light. I totally get the bulk struggle, though. Walking around Chicago with a massive zoom is like carrying a telescope, makes you stick out like a sore thumb. I went through the exact same dilemma last year before a trip to Tokyo and honestly, skip the native Leica glass for now. The Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is seriously incredible. The build quality feels like a tank in the best way possible, and it balances perfectly on the SL2-S body.
- The aperture ring on the Sigma is a game changer for street shooting, super tactile.
- Youre getting way more bang for your buck compared to the Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH, which is definitely sharper in a clinical way but costs a fortune.
- The size difference makes you look way less intimidating to strangers. I honestly find the Sigma rendering to have this beautiful, slightly classic character that works perfect for candid stuff. It doesnt feel clinical at all like the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8. If you have 1500 to spend, grab the Sigma, save that extra cash for a nice meal in Montreal, and thank me later! You wont regret it, trust me. It handles street portraits with such nice separation and the contrast is just spot on. Go for it, you're gonna love the new setup.
👆 this
Regarding what #3 said about "👆 this"
- I am in the exact same boat as you and it is incredibly frustrating. I have been agonizing over these same 35mm options for months now because my current setup is just too heavy for candid work, and I still have not pulled the trigger on anything.
- I keep cycling through the same reviews but the reliability factor keeps me stuck.
- Every time I think I have made a decision, I find a new reason to hesitate. It feels like there is no perfect middle ground between the cost and the size constraints. I have been dealing with this indecision for way too long and honestly, it is starting to ruin my planning for upcoming trips. I feel your pain completely.
