So I just got this camera, it is a Leica SL something (SL2-S I think the guy said?) and honestly I am so lost. I spent a lot of my savings on the body because I heard Leica is the best but now I realized I need a lens to actually take pictures lol. I want to do street photography like those cool videos on tiktok where they walk around cities and snap people without them noticing but I have no idea what L-mount really means or which one to buy. Like I see some that are huge and some that are small and the prices are all over the place and it is super confusing to me.
I am living in Chicago right now and I want to spend my weekends just walking around the Loop or Wicker Park taking photos of buildings and people. I have about $1500 left for a lens which I hope is enough? I could maybe go up to $2000 if it is really worth it but my wife might kill me if I spend more than that right now haha. I am also going to New York in about three weeks so I really want to get this figured out before I hop on the plane.
Here is what I think I need but let me know if I am totally wrong about this stuff:
- something that isnt too heavy because I am gonna be walking for hours
- it needs to work in the dark maybe? Like for night street shots
- I dont want to have to stand super far away from people but I also dont want to be right in their face
- it has to be L-mount right? Can I use other brands like Panasonic or Sigma?
I keep seeing people talk about 35mm or 50mm and f1.4 and I just dont get the difference. Is a zoom lens better so I can stay far away or should I get a small one that doesnt move? Sorry if these are really basic questions I just feel a bit overwhelmed looking at the BH website and seeing a hundred different options that all look the same to me. Is there one specific lens that everyone uses for this stuff...
I was quite overwhelmed when I first got my SL too... Since you want to stay safe with your budget and keep things simple, I really recommend the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary. I have been very happy with this lens for my own street photography. It is a very reliable piece of gear and the build quality is excellent, so you dont have to worry about it failing on you. My main tip is to go with a 35mm prime lens rather than a bulky zoom. It is much lighter for those long walks in the Loop and works well for night shots in the city. This Sigma lens fits your SL2-S perfectly and I have no complaints at all. It is a very methodical, safe choice to get you ready for that New York trip in a few weeks.
@Reply #2 - good point! Sadly, native Leica glass is overpriced and bulky. Try these instead:
- Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art for night shots
- Sigma 50mm f2 DG DN Contemporary for weight
Basically, you have three main brands to pick from because of the L-Mount Alliance. I remember dragging a massive zoom through New York a few years back and I regretted it by noon... my shoulder was wrecked. For street, I usually look at the weight-to-performance ratio.
- Panasonic LUMIX S 35mm F1.8: Technically, this is a very balanced choice. It is weather-sealed and weighs almost nothing (under 300g). The f1.8 aperture is solid for low light street work, especially with the SL2-S sensor which handles noise like a pro.
- Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art: This one is for the spec-heads. It uses 15 glass elements to get that super sharp f1.4 look. It is way heavier tho, almost double the weight of the Panasonic. It gathers more light, which helps if you are shooting late night in Wicker Park. Both are way cheaper than Leica glass but the autofocus is snappy. 35mm is the classic street focal length because it captures the environment too.
This ^
Can confirm this works. Did the same thing on mine and its been solid ever since.
I just found this thread today and honestly I am in the exact same boat as you. I picked up my SL series body recently and I have been totally paralyzed by all the different options available. It is a huge investment and I am constantly worried about picking something that isnt actually reliable for long days out in the city. One thing I would really watch out for is getting distracted by the most expensive specs. I have been very happy taking my time to research because I have seen so many people buy massive lenses that they end up hating because of the weight. You really have to be careful about the balance on the SL bodies. Also, definitely be cautious with used markets especially before a big trip like New York... you dont want to find a mechanical issue when you are halfway across the country. I am still trying to figure out my own setup but I am definitely prioritizing build quality and safety over everything else right now.
Building on the earlier suggestion, you should totally check out the native options that fit your budget! Since you have the SL2-S, its low-light performance is seriously legendary, so even an f2 lens is gonna be fantastic for night shots in the Loop. I have been using the Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f2 ASPH for a long time and honestly the way it renders colors is just wow. It is priced right around $1900 which is exactly in your sweet spot. The difference between 35mm and 50mm is basically how much of the scene you see. 35mm is wider, so it is great for buildings and crowds, while 50mm is more like what your eye sees normally. If you want to go the Sigma route to save money for your New York trip, the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary is an amazing choice. It is tiny, all metal, and looks so good on the SL body. Its basically a stealth setup! Dont worry about the zoom lenses right now... a small prime lens will make you a much better photographer because you have to actually move around to get the shot. You are gonna have a blast in NYC!
My buddy told me the exact same thing last week. Guess he was right lol.
