I honestly have no idea what I'm doing and I'm starting to regret buying this thing. I got the Leica SL2 because everyone said it was the best but I'm so frustrated right now. I'm going to New York next Thursday for a big vacation and I wanted to take pictures of the skyscrapers and architecture but the lens that came with it makes everything look like it's right in my face. I can't even fit the whole building in the shot unless I walk like three blocks away and then there's cars in the way. I looked online and people talk about 24mm or 16-35 and I have literally no clue what any of that means or if it even fits my camera. I dont want to buy the wrong thing because everything for this brand is like thousands of dollars and my budget is already stretched thin after the camera purchase, maybe I can do another $1800 or $2000 max if it's really worth it. Is there a lens that just makes the view wider? Like way wider? I just want to see more of the street and the tops of the buildings without it being all blurry or weird looking. Sorry if this is a really stupid question but I'm totally drowning here and the manual is just confusing. What wide lens should I actually buy for this camera before my trip?
I totally get that frustration because the SL2 is a beast and the menu system can feel like a puzzle sometimes. When I first took mine to Chicago, I had the same issue where I couldnt get the Sears Tower in frame without backing up forever. Since youre on a budget and need it by next Thursday, you basically have two solid routes that wont break the bank as much as the Leica glass. First one is the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for L-Mount. Its incredibly sharp and that 14mm focal length is exactly what you want for those tight NYC streets. I used it for a week in Manhattan and it makes skyscrapers look epic, though its kinda heavy to lug around all day. The distortion is handled well so buildings dont look too weird at the edges. Only thing is you cant really put standard screw-on filters on the front because the glass bulges out. If you want something lighter for walking miles, check out the Panasonic Lumix S Pro 16-35mm f/4. Its more of a typical walk-around lens. 16mm is still plenty wide for architecture, and its built like a tank but easier on the neck. The main downside is it doesnt let in quite as much light as the Sigma, but for daytime city shots, it hardly matters. Tbh, both these lenses talk to your Leica perfectly because they share the L-mount. Either way, youll definitely get the whole building in the shot with these.
