What are the best compact prime lenses for Leica SL cameras?

Question

Ive been shooting with the SL2 for a few years now and honestly I love the sensor and the way the glass performs but man its getting heavy to carry around all day. I mostly use the 24-90 zoom and the 35mm APO-Summicron but lately my back is killing me after a long day of shooting. Im heading to Tokyo in about three weeks for a street photography trip and I really want to slim down my kit without giving up the SL body because I just cant get used to the smaller M bodies or the Q series fixed lens thing. I need that EVF.

The problem is most of the Leica native L-mount stuff is just massive. Even the 35/50 primes feel like lead weights when you factor in the barrel size. I was looking at the Sigma I-series lenses like the 45mm or the 35mm f2 because they seem tiny compared to the Leica stuff but I dont know if the autofocus holds up or if the rendering looks weird on the SL sensor. I also saw some talk about the Panasonic 1.8 primes but they look kind of plasticky and cheap compared to the build of the SL?

I have a few contenders on my radar right now but I am torn:

Sigma 45mm f2.8 DG DN (love the size, worried about the speed)

Sigma 35mm f2 Contemporary

Panasonic 35mm f1.8 (is it too big still?)

Leica 40mm f2 Elmarit (maybe?)

Money isnt exactly tight

I could probably drop around 1500 or 2000 if the lens is really worth it - but I really just want something that makes the camera feel more like a walkaround setup instead of a studio rig. I usually shoot wide open so I dont want something that gets super soft at f2. I am mostly worried about losing that special look the native Leica glass has but at this point I prioritize being able to walk 10 miles without needing a chiropractor.

What are you guys using for compact prime setups on the SL? Are there any hidden gems from the L-mount alliance or maybe even some M-mount glass that performs well with an adapter though I'd prefer to keep autofocus for this trip...

GoldenNebula · Accepted Answer

I totally get the struggle with the SL2 weight. Last year I spent a week in Kyoto with just that 24-90 and by day three my neck was basically done. In my experience, the native Leica APO primes are total masterpieces but they turn the camera into a literal dumbbell. If you want that walkaround feeling without losing the premium metal touch, you really gotta look at the Sigma 45mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary. I've tried many compact options over the years and this one surprised me most. People moan about f2.8 being slow, but tbh for street photography in Tokyo, youre rarely shooting wider than that anyway. The rendering has this slightly vintage, soft-falloff character that actually reminds me more of older M glass than the clinical look of the Panasonic stuff. I also gave the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary a solid run recently. Its a bit heavier than the 45mm but the build quality is insane—all metal, including the cool magnetic cap. It feels right on the SL body. I found the autofocus snappy enough for street work, didnt notice any weirdness on the sensor at all. The Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f1.8 is a great performer and very light, but it feels like a toy compared to your SL2. For a trip where you're walking 10 miles, the Sigma I-series is definitely the sweet spot between weight and that tactile feel we're all addicted to... definitely go for the 45mm if you want the smallest footprint possible.

WillowWispwood · Answer

Just saw this thread and figured I would weigh in on the technical side of things. If you are worried about the rendering and special look of Leica glass, you really need to look at the optics of the Sigma I-series. They punch way above their weight.

Sigma 45mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary: This lens is technically fascinating because it has intentional under-corrected spherical aberration at close focus distances to smooth out the bokeh. It is the closest you will get to a vintage M-mount feel while keeping modern autofocus. It basically turns the SL2 into a different camera.

Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN Contemporary: If you can handle a tighter focal length, this is a total technical marvel. The resolution and contrast figures are nearly identical to the Leica APO series. In my experience, the all-metal build of these lenses matches the SL2 body much better than the plastic Panasonic ones. Just remember that while the mounts are sealed, they arent quite as robust as native Leica glass.

hneepkvpew · Answer

TL;DR: Grab the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary. I used it for a street trip and loved it! AF is super fast and it's built like a mini Leica!