I just pulled the trigger on a used SL2 and honestly my bank account is screaming at me right now. Ive wanted this camera for years because of the sensor and that build quality but man i think i totally underestimated how much the L-mount glass was gonna cost me. I live in Chicago and I'm supposed to be shooting my cousins engagement party in about six weeks and then some street stuff downtown but right now all i have is a body and no lens to put on it which is just great lol. My budget is pretty much capped at like $800 maybe $1000 if i really stretch it which feels like nothing in the Leica world.
I spent some time looking at the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art because everyone says the optics are incredible for the price but then i saw some threads saying the autofocus on the SL2 can be a bit hunt-y with Sigma compared to the native Summicrons which scares me because I cant be missing shots at a party. Then i looked at the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm 1.8 because it's so cheap but some guys on a different forum were saying it looks too clinical and doesnt have that microcontrast or whatever that makes a Leica a Leica. Is it even worth getting the SL2 if I'm just gonna put a $400 Panasonic lens on it? Im just really worried I'm gonna spend my last bit of savings on a lens that doesnt do the sensor justice or is too heavy to carry around the city all day.
Are there any hidden gems i should be looking at instead of the obvious Sigma and Panasonic stuff or should i just suck it up and get one of those? Is there maybe some older M-mount stuff i should adapt instead even if i lose autofocus? I'm just totally lost and feeling like i made a mistake buying the body first. What are the best actual budget options that wont make me regret the camera purchase?
^ This. Also, those Sigma I-series lenses are a total game changer for the SL2! If youre worried about that engagement party, you should definitely check out the Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN Contemporary. It is amazing!
- Build is all metal and feels super premium
- Tack sharp but has beautiful bokeh for portraits
- Autofocus is snappy and way more reliable than the bulky Art lenses Youll love how it balances on the SL2. Total hidden gem!
I've tried many, and honestly, the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary is perfect. its way lighter than the Art glass and the AF is snappy enough for a party.
Saw your post earlier and it reminded me of when I first picked up my SL series. I was in the same boat... spent my last dime on the body and then realized the native glass prices were absolutely insane. Picking up a Sigma 45mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary was my first move because it was cheap and tiny. People call these lenses clinical, and yeah, they are very perfect in a way that can feel a bit boring compared to a Summilux, but the autofocus is reliable for events. Modern L-mount glass can feel a bit sterile compared to the old stuff, so I think the real secret to the SL2 is manual glass. For my sisters wedding, I was terrified of missing focus so I practiced with a Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f1.2 Aspherical VM for two weeks straight. The focus peaking on the SL2 is literally the best in the business. Sigma Art lenses were just too massive for a full day of shooting in my experience. The Voigtlander gave me that rendering youre looking for... that depth and pop... without the $5000 price tag. It takes some guts to shoot an engagement party manual, but the sensor really shines when you put something with a bit more character on it. TL;DR: Grab a cheap Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f1.8 if you absolutely need AF for the party, but look into adapting M-mount Voigtlander glass if you want that specific Leica soul without going bankrupt.
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