After the other day’s experiment comparing how Lumix S and Leica SL perform with the SL2’s “spot” focus, I added a Lumix S 20-60mm kit zoom and tested it, again against the Summilux-SL. Same result. The one failing of the zoom was that “spot” didn’t work well at MFD at 60mm, but did just fine at 26mm, which has a much closer working distance.

Odd, but no problem.

Out of curiosity, I compared the zoom with the SVE-TL 11-23mm, where they looked similar across the frame at equivalent focal lengths, taking the difference in format into consideration. The Lumix is not as crisp at its long end, but it is dust and moisture resistant, which the TL lens is not. Having literally baptized the Lumix S 85mm f1.8 in a two-mile walk in a downpour with just a tiny umbrella the other day, I think I trust Panasonic’s “resistance.”

I’ve said many times that the SL2 and SL2-S are the best cameras I’ve ever used for manual focus lenses. But instead of going back and forth between MF and AF as I’ve done a few times over the years, it looks as though I’ll be straddling the fence going forward.

Which has me hoping that a successor to the S1R will hit the market soon. I especially like the idea of variable file sizes, as the SL3 has. But Leica’s long repair times and firmware problems with its recent releases, including the SL3, would stop me dead in my tracks from considering another Leica body.

It’s starting to look as though the “L” in the “L2” alliance stands for “licensing.” But that’s another story…

SL2/180mm f2.8 APO-Elmarit-R/APO-Extender-R 2X . . .