So Ive been shooting L-mount for about four years now, mostly on the Panasonic side of things with an S1R and an S5II, but I finally bit the bullet and picked up a Leica SL2-S last month. I wanted that Leica look and the color science is definitely different but man, the native glass prices are just eye-watering. I have about 1500 pounds saved up for a new prime and Im looking squarely at the Sigma Art lineup since theyre basically the backbone of the L-Mount Alliance anyway. My logic was that the newer DG DN stuff should be flawless on the SL2-S but Im getting some conflicting reports on different forums about how well the autofocus actually communicates with the Leica contrast and phase hybrid system.
Im mostly doing environmental portraits and some street stuff around London, so Im debating between the 35mm f1.4 Art and the 85mm f1.4 Art. Ive heard the 85mm is basically a masterpiece but Im worried it might be a bit front-heavy on the SL body without a grip. Also, does anyone know if the aperture ring on the newer Sigma Art lenses actually maps correctly to the Leica dials? I had a weird issue with an older 50mm where the clicks were inconsistent when I was trying to shoot video on my old Panasonic body and I dont want that happening here.
Another thing thats bugging me is the firmware updates. Leica is usually pretty good but Ive noticed some Sigma lenses seem to pulse more when trying to lock focus in low light compared to others. Like, is the 24-70mm Art really the gold standard for a walkaround or should I just stick to the primes for the better motors? Im trying to get this sorted before a trip to Scotland in three weeks so I need something that wont hunt every time a cloud moves. Anyone here actually using the 50mm f1.2 DG DN on a Leica? Ive seen some people say its the best performing Art lens yet in terms of AF speed but its a chunky boy. Just trying to figure out which specific Art lens feels the most native in terms of response time and overall handling...
Hey! Welcome to the Leica family! Honestly, picking up an SL2-S was the best gear move I ever made, the colors are just incredible. If you want the absolute best performance that feels native, you 100% need to look at the Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN Art L-Mount. I've been using it for a few months now and the AF speed is just insane, easily the fastest in their lineup. It totally cures that pulsing issue you see on some older glass because those dual HLA motors are just fantastic! Since you're heading to Scotland, my biggest tip is to grab the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art L-Mount for those environmental portraits. It balances way better on the SL2-S than the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art L-Mount does without a grip, and the aperture ring clicks perfectly every time. I've never had a mapping issue with the DG DN series on my Leica bodies at all. Quick tip for the AF: set your focus mode to AF-S for the street stuff if you're worried about hunting in the Scottish mist. The contrast detection on the SL2-S is super accurate but it can get indecisive in AF-C if the light gets really flat. Also, always make sure you're on the latest firmware for both the body and the lens! But seriously, the 50mm f1.2 is a dream. It is a bit of a chunky boy like you said, but the rendering is just love at first sight! You wont regret it at all. Let me know if you need any more help getting set up!
