I SWITCHED to the L-MOUNT hybrid system - LUMIX S1 & S1R - LEICA TL2 M lenses & SL Lenses

2020 has been an exceptional year in many ways.
More personally I made an important change from a material point of view to accompany my desire to progress and excel in portrait and street photography.
driven by this quest for excellence I entered the Leica world by the back door with the TL2, first to lighten up on vacation then finally it took on a considerable scale to the point of replacing my entire Nikon arsenal in favor of L-mount and LEICA optics
Here is my illustrated story and the path that I followed with my own logic.
0:40 Light is right - the Leica TL2 + 18mm
2:50 7artisans 55mm f/1.4 TL mount
4:00 looking for M lenses
4:25 Leica ELMAR M 24mm f/3.8
6:00 Leica SUMMILUX M 35mm f/1.4
8:13 reaching Full Frame L Mount LUMIX S1 series
13:15 METABONES Adapt any lenses you want - example Nikon 14-24 AFS
16:08 Leica SL2 BETTER for WIDE ANGLE M adapted lenses
17:28 Portraits with M35, M50 and M90mm on the S1 + PROFOTO C1 Plus
18:30 the aim is Leica SL lenses
19:55 the Leica APO SUMMICRON SL 90mm
21:15 Not the better AF on L Mount bodies : if you plan on buying Sigma Lenses don’t enter L Mount alliance
22:36 The L Mount - Advantages to summarise
And you? many of you switch from the world of reflex to hybrid, but more often to Canon or Sony. What were your motivations?
Do you share the same passion for Leica optics?
Like me, did you prefer the Lumix range for the cameras but Leica for the lenses?
Feel free to leave your comments.
Music : www.bensound.com
Didier MOULIN
Auteur Photographe
/ di_mo_photo. .
www.flickr.com/people/didierm...
/ didier.moulin.. .

[@cameronkrause4712]

Good video, informative and includes some nice shots. I have subscribed! btw, I just noticed that you said that you filmed this with the S1- well it looks good-damn good!

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Hello and thank you so much for you positive feedback ! Yeah the S1 is very good as the S1H or the S5 for video Even the S1R has great video features even if it’s more photo centered. And I don’t use any video editing software Only iMovie on my Mac ! No color grading or what so ever as it’s not in my skills yet !

[@davidb7968]

I love my S1R and your photos are great

[@ShashankKatiyar0]

Thanks for sharing valuable experience as it has a different prospective.

[@paullefko]

We have followed the same path. I am going to sell my D850 shortly. The Tl2 was great but using external strobes with it was not good experience... got the CL to solve this problem. The TL lenses are fantastic as are the SL lenses. The Tl2 really is an incredible travel camera, especially with 18 so small. I’m pretty invested now in L mount. For lenses, really the 35 1.4 and the 60 are in a different world of phenomenal

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Thanks for your input! Yes TL2 + 18mm is THE travel kit killer!!! I’m completely set now with L mount lenses. Both 24-90 SL en 90-280mm SL APO + 90mm SL APO SUMMICRON found used in Mint condition Impressive 11-23 TL + 35 Summilux TL + 55-135 all found used in mint condition also. I even got a T for free !!! Next will be a CL to shoot the 35mm with my profoto studio flashes = 50mm 1.4 The 24-90 showed me impressive results on the S1R with the profoto sets for a fashion phtography session. I was just blown away !

[@paullefko]

@@DidierMOULINPhotography we have similar lens kits I just got the 50 1.4 summilux Sl a few days ago, I am currently comparing it the lumix 50 1.4. They are more similar than different but each as a feature(s) that make it difficult to want to let one them go. I am using a SL and S1r for full frame. Once I got the 55-135 on the image stabilized camera, then this little lens became a beast. It’s a great small light travel lens but slow. Stabilized and it had much better utility. The 11-23 is fantastic bit of kit, love this lens. I dont have the 90-280... I have considered getting but I feel it’s more of a speciality piece. That for a cost per use it’a hard to justify. I’m honestly more of a prime than zoom person. I do have the 24-90 which I use for all types of photography, it’s main use is for outdoors or when lens changing is just not practical. Otherwise I tend to use the 18, 35, 60 TL lenses on the CL or S1r. For when I need a long zoom, I may just repurchase a d500 and 80-400 latest lens (used) and then resell. I was doing some wildlife work in Botswana and Namibia where this combo was great. The TL2 was used everywhere else. For now the 90 range, I will use the TL 60 on the S1r. Congratulations on the summicron 90! That is a magnificent piece of glass as is the 35 (reported to be best in class) and the 50. You may yourself find post processing skin to decrease the details that these will resolve lol. I went with the 50 1.4 as I found a once in a lifetime deal from a film producer who was just cleaning out gear he wasn’t using.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@paullefko I had the Lumix 50 1.4 with the S1R for 1€... but I sold it back after two issues with the Manual Focus ring that didn't work. It didn't inspire me any confidence in terms of durability in the contrary of a Leica Lens. I'm also very interested in the 50 Summilux SL but Chromatic aberration is an issue for this price level. I decided to go with the 35mm SUMMILUX TL which gives me a 50mm equivalent. there is also chromatic aberration but price wise, I made a bargain again and I accept it. I recently purchased the 35 and the 55-135 and the person sold them with a Leica T... let's say for free, when I seen the price of the 3... Believe me or not, this old and pioneer camera is genius. the pop up flash for instance is missing on the TL2. Regarding mounting TL lenses on the Lumix S1R, I would like to allow full frame usage but I can't activate it; the menu doesn't allow us to select it. it's APSC automatically. Is there a way to trick it and use the 11-23 as a real 11mm (with vignetting for sure)?

[@paullefko]

@@DidierMOULINPhotography HI so I have the Summilux SL, Chormatic Aberration is nil, its not a factor that I have found its and incredible piece of glass, focus is not rapid but its not awful either. The 35mm summilux is amazing one of my favorites for sure and the one I used to photograph San people in Botswana. The 55-135 really needs a stabilized body and its great light weight zoom, the color you get from it ... well its worth the price. I have not found a way to manually override APSC to full frame on the S1R. Sorry I can't help on that one. I have an SL but I have not tried to force it back to full sensor, actually I just don't but these lenses on the SL as I have a native CL. The T was one of my favorite leica cameras, yes the original one because its colors are very special. This a great camera with the little 18 on it. I really like the 18 BTW.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@paullefko well, maybe the summilux 50 SL will be part of the collection one day... thanks again for all your comments. This video has this positive fact is that it created this discussion. Leica T + 18mm = Kind of Leica Q + flash in a pocketable package!!! Have a good day.

[@alexbrown9731]

Great video and pics. I found the color rendering of TL2 fantastic.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Thank you so much for your comment. Yeah the TL2 is a true Leica with incredible color rendering. And I just have worked again this night on some Images and I made them render even better.

[@ebouwens]

Excellent educational video and wonderful work.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Thanks a lot for this message. I'm glad you took the time to watch this video and see part of my personnal work. I'm working on a New serie... Not a lot of time for my chanel unfortunately.

[@michelcolaci8348]

I enjoyed how you incorporated your own journey into the system and created a very different approach to a system change video and putting the lenses at the forefront. I also transitioned from Nikon to the S1 (actually I am still in a transition period to be honest) 😂 I love your photography!!! Awesome!! Liked, subscribed etc.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Thanks a lot my friend ! Yea I try to have a different approach but I don’t have lots of time unfortunately ! Since I went back to Nikon but I keep my S1R + 35mm f/1.2 and 85mm f/1.8 It’s complementary gear One is reliable in AF and everything (Nikon D6) and the other is discret in some occasion ( church) but I prefer OVF compared to EVF

[@VizionZine]

I think this video will be helpful to many who want to shoot Leica lenses on a Lumix body. I have a Sigma FP and I shoot Sigma lenses on it for my portrait work. The eye AF works great for me and is fast enough. Not as fast as my Fujifilm bodies or the Sony I used to have but I prefer the color science of the Sigma and the newer Sigma lenses are fantastic and work well with the FP body. I am considering buying a used Lumix S1 to use flashes and for the wonderful EVF. If anyone would like to see my work with FP and Fujifilm cameras I can direct you to my Flickr account.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

I tried once the FP but I didn’t like the handling that much not the lack of EVF. But it’s a real small package that can be interesting for that for sure. The S1 is really good and heavy compared to the FP, be aware about this. But yes the EVF IS FANTASTIC. The flipping screen is powerful, and the customisations of all the buttons is a MUST in this category. The S5 delivers as good images but has a slower definition EVF in a smaller package. It can be a real good step ahead

[@fabrizio-6172]

Tomorrow it will be delivered my S1R!!!

[@hodim-edem_ru]

Good day! Tell me, is the vignetting of the leica elmarit-tl 18mm f2.8 on the S1R in full-frame mode strong? Is it possible to use this lens in this mode? If so, then this lens will be the lightest and most compact among all full-frame l-mount lenses.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Good day, thanks ! What a great question ! Unfortunately I sold my 18mm. The good thing with the S1R is that you can mount an APSC lens but keep on using the full frame of the camera, what you can’t do with the Leica SL2. Yes you will necessary have vignetting but you have 45MPx which allow you to crop.

[@hodim-edem_ru]

@@DidierMOULINPhotography Thank you for the answer! I myself use the Panasonic S5, despite the different matrix, I think that the filling is the same as in the S1R. Therefore, to reduce the weight and dimensions on tourist trips, I thought to use the Leica TL 18mm f2.8. I just asked about the vignette, there are cases when it's just a slight darkening in the corners, and you can fix it in lightroom, for example, and there is when a sharp circle with an image in the center and a black frame around that can only be corrected by cropping. Do not consider this an advertisement, this is not my channel, and I am not familiar with the author, he conducts interesting experiments installing optics from different systems on different cameras, perhaps this information will be useful for you, it seemed fascinating to me kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWLGnId4bthlac0 .

[@ryanstark2350]

The S1 seems like a ridiculously cheap bargain now with good video capability. I have a lot of old vintage lenses and these S1s are perfect for adapting them since autofocus is not such a priority and the EVF on these cameras is very good as well. IBIS is also very good. The main issue is the large size.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

You perfectly nailed it. A S1 is easy to find at one third of the price of a SL2S which is the same camera !!!

[@francoisaudet7958]

Merci pour cette vidéo et les superbes photos qui l'accompagnent ! Votre anglais est excellent ! J'hésite entre le Lumix S5 et le S1 à cause de la résolution des viseurs d'une part, et les poids et tailles de l'autre. Comment se compare le viseur du S1 avec celui du Visoflex (équivalent en résolution à celui du Lumix S5) ?

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Bonsoir François. Merci pour ton message encourageant. Oui j'ai eu le même questionnement au sujet du S5 mais son viseur m'a refroidi. Il faut comprendre que j'ai basculé du reflex nikon D3S et D850 tous les deux aux viseurs exceptionnels vers la monture L à la fois pour la monture L et pour le viseur du SL2 ou du S1R (celui du SL2 est encore meilleur)... Par conséquent c'est rédhibitoire pour moi de prendre un S5. C'est parfait pour ceux qui viennent du 4/3 lumix et qui veulent un full frame à la taille d'un GH5... La question reste entière pour un usage purement vidéo. C'est différent. Mais dans ce petit gabarit, en photo, j'irais carrément vers un leica CL...

[@francoisaudet7958]

Merci Didier! Le SL2 est bien tentant avec son approche minimaliste, sa légèreté (200g de moins que le S1r) et sa meilleure comptabilité avec les grands-angles de la série M !

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@francoisaudet7958 c’est exactement ça. J’ai pris le S1R croyant que ce serait la même chose mais quand je vois les couleurs que me donne le TL2 par rapport au S1R je me dis que le SL2 serait mieux mais il faut voir la différence de prix quand même. En ce moment le S1R avec le 24-105 est à 2500€... je vais attendre la bonne occasion car j’achète tout en occasion maintenant. Surtout du Leica... jamais de souci en occasion

[@Stone1108]

Hello Didier, I would be interested to know how if the recent S Series firmware update (Nov 2020) has made a difference for you with AF? You shoot some wonderful images by the way. Thanks for making the video.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Hello Andrew. I don't have enought FEEDBACK nor before and after the update to make an honest answer. Coming from Nikon Pro DSLR I only can say that for miving subject it seems less powerful but I still need to investigate into the parameters to see the effect . Anyhow the adding of face detection to one area AF is a good point and it works. For my activity it's perfect at least. Moreover I went on a race track with the S1R and the summilux 90 and it gave me better results compared to my D3S and Tamron 150-600... And the precise point AF with magnification and peaking is powerful for really precise focusing in the eye for portrait. Thanks for your appreciation. Happy New Year with new videos

[@Stone1108]

​@@DidierMOULINPhotography Thank you Didier for your reply, I too had no joy with the Tamron 150-600 but with a Canon EOS D5 M iv, I understand the Tamron M11 is much improved though. I have only recently begun my photography with more ambition after many years of enthusiasm as I work doing other things, I have now built my own studio and fitted it out also. I tell you this because I shoot portraiture also and landscape photography mainly and with the S1R, the Panasonic 70-200 f2.8 and the Sigma 85 Art f1.4 and occassionally the Sigma 50 Art f1.4 (Both DN) both with and without strobe. For me this is a extremely good arrangement for both Genres and as you say the body, face and eye detect is impressive with a very high focus success rate with all of these lenses. I think that after watching your video on Leica L Mount lenses on the S1R I will save money to purchase a used lens also, I may hire one to begin because of price. I really do appreciate your advice, thank you Didier. Happy New year.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@Stone1108 gongrats for you having started your studio and more professionnal activity. With this équipement you can't miss any shot ! I have the same range but Leica SL lenses which are much heavier except for the 90mm which is an f/2.0. Try one one day... You'll tell me what you think. Check my video eventualy where I compare the 90mm... 😉 Cheers and have fun and be creative

[@garybrown9719]

Selling my fuji if i was loaded i would drop 5k on the leica 90mm f/2 $$$$$ Now all your photos are going to be out of focus Ha ha just joking just tryed the s5 what a great camera All shots in focus and the easy to set up.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

The SL LENSES are so rare on the used market ! I'm so Happy to have caught some ;) Be patient... With my firmware update the AF is working fine.

[@lp8140]

Très bien cette vidéo. Dommage que vous ne les fassiez pas en français.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Je vais peut être m'y mettre en effet si la demande est là, vous n'êtes pas le premier

[@lp8140]

@@DidierMOULINPhotography En tout cas c'est bien de traiter de la monture L. Comme beaucoup je suis preneur d'un comparatif Leica SL 24-90 vs Panasonic S 24-105...

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@lp8140 j’ai les deux en ce moment en attendant de vendre le Lumix donc je suis allé confronter les eux aujourd’hui... je vais sûrement faire une vidéo ...

[@paullefko]

@@lp8140 Excusez mon français RÉPONSE: il n'y a pas d'objectif photographique sur la planète qui rivalise 24-90. Sérieusement, c'est un morceau de verre très spécial dont vous ne voulez pas vous passer. Je l'ai vendu une fois, 2 semaines plus tard je l'ai acheté

[@Mowikan]

L mount aliens 👽 love the French 😎

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Excellent !!! My French accent, sorry about it!

[@Mowikan]

@@DidierMOULINPhotography no problem! It’s funny

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@Mowikan yes I know and it’s part of the game!!! And I’m so happy if I make one lough !

[@Mowikan]

@@DidierMOULINPhotography and now I switched also to the s1r 🤣

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@Mowikan You will love it and don't put ugly lenses on this powerful sensor... ;)

[@polochon7]

Very strange.......

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

I’m back to Nikon don’t worry!!!😊 sometimes you need to make experience to realise it was a wrong choice

[@ShashankKatiyar0]

No no no....noooo

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

What?

[@ShashankKatiyar0]

@@DidierMOULINPhotography didn't expect you after that thumbnail... thought she was the photographer 🤣 Mind if I ask? Between S2 and S5, S5 has much lower resolution EVF. How much difference do you think it makes to have lowe tres EVF?

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@ShashankKatiyar0 teaser!!!! Consider that I come from an optical viewfinder of a Nikon D3S of D850... one of the reason I never switched to hybrid was because of poor EVF. I will not take a S5 with an as poor EVF as those hybrid that never made me switch... I keep my S1

[@ShashankKatiyar0]

@@DidierMOULINPhotography interesting. Thanks for your opinion. Awesome and beautiful pictures BTE, loved those.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@ShashankKatiyar0 thanks I try to integrate as much photographs as possible in my videos. The main subject if photographs. Of course we need material to do so but what is the result is my main focus.