The Leica SL2s is a camera that I bought back in 2020, and I absolutely haven’t regretted it even though the SL3 has come out. We’ve updated our review many times, and it only seems to have improved with time — which has become more commonplace with cameras. However, you then remember that this is a Leica, and that you’re most likely going to get some sort of support with it even after it has been discontinued. That’s why the latest offering from Leica seems even better — they’re bunding in an additional battery, the M to L mount adapter, and a premium hybrid glass display protector.
Just to help you folks understand this more, you can get the Leica SL2s with one of three lenses. Choose from the 24-70mm f2.8, 35mm f2 ASPH, the 50mm f2 ASPH or the body alone. Then, you get the new additional battery on top of the standard battery, the M to L mount adapter, and the glass display protector.
That’s quite a nice amount of extras. If you’ve already got a Leica M-mount lens, you can easily adapt it onto the camera with Leica’s own adapter, which is genuinely the best one that I’ve tested. Others tend to wiggle, have issues with locking, etc.
The retail price of the new Leica SL2-S Kit with the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH. is $7,495, with the Summicron-SL 35 f/2 ASPH. is $6,195, with the Summicron-SL 50 f/2 ASPH. is $5,895 and without a lens is $5,195. All kits include the M-Adapter L, the BP- SCL 6 battery, and a premium hybrid glass display protector. Mind you, the display on the camera is already really well protected as the camera boasts an IP durability rating. Check them out if you’re interested.
Truth be told, though, the Leica SL2s really shines most with the APO lenses like the 28mm f2. However, it’s still not at all bad with any of these other lenses. Leica’s APO chromatic lenses are the only ones that I’ve shot with where people have literally told me that it looks like something was Photoshopped into the image — and yet they were looking at the back of the camera screen.
Leica’s 24-70mm f2.8 is, optically speaking, the same as Sigma’s older 24-70mm f2.8 for mirrorless cameras — but it’s much better built. We haven’t tested Leica’s more affordable 50mm lens, but the 35mm is pretty darn nice and it was the reason why I didn’t buy the Leica Q3.
You might be looking at this article and wondering why you’d spend that much money on a Leica instead of something from Canon, Sony, or Nikon. Well, that’s a great thing to wonder. However, if you’re photographing mostly people, then the answer is a bit more obvious. Leica’s people detection in lower-light situations is really great and sometimes even better than the offerings from other companies. Plus, there’s the great battery life that outlasts the others in various situations. I’ve shot so much of my paid work with the Leica SL2s on the side — and it required less editing than what other brands have with the exception being Canon.
If I were to do it all over again, I’d go for either the body only or the 35mm f2. I’d also then consider the 28mm f2 APO again as the APO lenses are essentially like Canon’s L lenses and Sony’s G-Master lenses.
