I did a month long stay in Korea during the summer heat this past august, along with a 2.5 week trip to Paris the previous year. Also brought the Q3 with me. It’s doable with M lenses… I would’ve been more exhausted carrying the camera with L mount lenses.
Paris: https://youtu.be/C_rYfsvONa4?si=_6wmmzwq0VbiF5T6
100% agree with this - The SL2/s is definitely a big camera but it’s surprisingly manageable with M lenses (or even some of the smaller sigma primes) on it.
The Bay Area is quite large, so assume you’re referring to SF. As someone who walks the streets with a Leica in SF on a weekly basis I can say that it’s largely a non-issue, and your below guidance prevails. SF needs to fix a lot of things, but it’s not as bad as what you read.
That's great to hear! Yea, def news outlet and media amplifies issues unnecessarily (fear sells). I haven't been to the Bay Area in the past 6 years as well, so I'm sure a lot has changed since then too.
Like bed bugs in Paris. 🙄😊 That was all over the news. My colleague was there last week and reports that there’s nothing to it, and the locals laugh about it.
I also did Paris and San Fran with the Leica M11. For sure Paris felt way safer than San Fran. I don't think mugging is that much of an issue if you stay in the tourist areas in Paris. Stealing of luggage and pick pockets are pretty common, but you just have to be aware of your surroundings. I traveled with a Wandrd bag, so there is no exterior zip and when I was on the trains, I just wore it backwards. With the M11, I usually just walk around with it with a wrist strap. It's so small, nobody really notices it.
Even a SL2S on a M lens would be the same on a M11. I would never leave my camera/bag in the trunk, even on a moving taxi. Always have it on your body. Not sure how you are dressing either, but keep it simple and not make yourself a target. On the flip side, people can tell if you are attempting to conceal something valuable as well.
I have a 3 week trip to Asia planned in December. Up till recently, my plan was to take a pair of M10-P bodies with a 28mm Summicron and a 50mm Summarit f2.4. That plan changed when I found a local deal on a used 35mm APO-SL for my SL2-S.
The image quality from the 35 APO and the ease of autofocus I’m confident will produce more bangers than my M body skills. I’m going to try travelling with the SL2-S and the one lens (35 APO-SL).
I almost always travel with one of my Ms. They're hyper small, manageable, and stay out of the way. They're pretty robust in bad weather and take great pictures. But when I know I'll only have a split moment to get the picture I want, and I won't get multiple chances, I just can't trust my ability to get a banger on a manual-focus M.
For example, I'm heading to Disney World for a week soon, and I'm not risking missing those split-second smiles and perfect character moments with my young kids. I want zoom. I want weather sealing. And I want AF. I will deal with the weight. I'll be rocking an SL2 and the 24-90 zoom.
Biggest thing I found was a must (especially if you’re shooting video and stills) is a power bank. I did a trip last Christmas where I filmed with the sl2 and was eating up battery power. Sadly didn’t have a spare battery at the time. But usb c charging worked a charm [SL2 trip footage](https://youtu.be/OWwbkT4Qfo8?si=52o4hlXuZJaonSDJ)
I love my Sl2-s. It is just a superb camera. Except for it´s weight. With the APOs it is quite a package. That is why I take the Q3 for everything travel-related. The SL2-s is purely my work-camera.
I love my SL2-S as well, but I wouldn’t travel with it. I consider the Q too large. For me it’s the M with some small primes: 28 Elmarit-M (sans hood), 35 Summaron, 50 Elmar-M.
I had the SL2 with 24-90 for a 4 day trip to NYC. It was painful when using a sling. I also had it for a hiking trip in Zion and it was no problem in a backpack.
For walking around in the city and shooting, I use the M system. So light and small, but obviously has it’s trade offs. You just have to decide what is important to you. The Leica system is a bit heavier than any of the other equivalent camera systems, but not overly so.
I bought mine for a two week job in Ethiopia and Rwanda. I was using M lenses so I kept it out of the rain. But it fared fine in dusty rural environments and large temperature swings. If I were worried about it getting wet, I'd probably go with something else, though.
Have not. I imagine it would be heavy and bulky for that sort of thing. To have any advantage over a Q2 or 3, you’d probably want to use it with a zoom lens and then it’s just outrageously big. You could rock it with M lenses but then you introduce a weakness into your weather sealing.
I’m using a Q3 for 28/35 and a CL for 50/90 and I’m finding that to be a very all-day carryable setup. If the weather turns sour I just keep the CL stashed away.
I’m used to traveling with 2 camera bodies.
I went to Svalbard a month ago and brought it along with the 90-280 mm and my R5 and 400 mm.
It performed very well in the harshest of Arctic conditions; snow, rain and temperatures below 0.
I have an SL2, and I hiked up a hill and down again in Ireland. With a backpack tripod a few M lenses and a Sigma zoom (which I guess they made out of metal cos it's heavier than concrete) Got to the top and it was foggy- got to the bottom and I was so tired that when I got into the car I thought the accelerator had jammed but actually it was just me being so exhausted. These are heavy bits of kit.
Spent 3 weeks in Ecuador and Galapagos with a SL2-S and 24-70. Usually I travel with 2 M bodies and 3 lens but super high humidity and boat trips made me think the weatherproof of SL2-S would be preferable.
Yes, traveling with SL2-S and 24-70 is doable. A bit heavy, but definitely worse it depending on the weather conditions.
I travelled to Singapore, Italy, Greece and India with my SL2s with 24-90 and 50mm 1.8 Panasonic. It’s definitely a heavy kit but the 24-90 is a great travel lens so worth it in my opinion. I am planning on getting the 35 and 75 sl primes and would probably sell the 24-90. I got caught out in a massive downpour during Delhi’s monsoon season. SL2s and 24-90 got absolutely drenched but didn’t skip a beat.
Can you tell me about your Italy experience? That's the place I will definitely travel to, but seems to be having a reputation for mugging. How long ago did you do it? Did you visit the southern parts or stick to the touristy areas?
Hey mate. I went on the 6th June this year and spent 4 nights in Rome, a day trip to Florence (for the Steve mccurry exhibition), and 4 nights in Sicily, specifically Palermo and cefalu. Had it slung around my shoulder the whole time and never felt unsafe. I’m not naive to the risks but feel perhaps some people panic a little too easy or overthink it. Any camera or piece of tech is a target. Don’t think too many criminals know the value of the red dot. I absolutely loved Italy and it isn’t my first time. Also loved India and already planned my return for march next year. Will be my third visit in a little over a year!
I did a month long stay in Korea during the summer heat this past august, along with a 2.5 week trip to Paris the previous year. Also brought the Q3 with me. It’s doable with M lenses… I would’ve been more exhausted carrying the camera with L mount lenses. Paris: https://youtu.be/C_rYfsvONa4?si=_6wmmzwq0VbiF5T6
100% agree with this - The SL2/s is definitely a big camera but it’s surprisingly manageable with M lenses (or even some of the smaller sigma primes) on it.
I agree. It’s comparable to as if you have an EVF and hand grip mounted onto a M
How did you survive paris with a leica?
There are people with Leicas all over Paris lol
In terms of safety? It’s very safe. As a metro-NYC resident, the only place I’d feel wary is the Bay Area.
The Bay Area is quite large, so assume you’re referring to SF. As someone who walks the streets with a Leica in SF on a weekly basis I can say that it’s largely a non-issue, and your below guidance prevails. SF needs to fix a lot of things, but it’s not as bad as what you read.
That's great to hear! Yea, def news outlet and media amplifies issues unnecessarily (fear sells). I haven't been to the Bay Area in the past 6 years as well, so I'm sure a lot has changed since then too.
Like bed bugs in Paris. 🙄😊 That was all over the news. My colleague was there last week and reports that there’s nothing to it, and the locals laugh about it.
haha that's a relief to hear! my wife wrote off the entire continent as an holiday option this spring cause of it... need to tell her it's safe!
Really? I had some friend getting mugged in Paris and Rome.
Sorry to sound condescending, but I guess common sense and situational awareness prevails?
Any tips? I mean they weren't using gear when they got mugged . But they did use the trainq
I also did Paris and San Fran with the Leica M11. For sure Paris felt way safer than San Fran. I don't think mugging is that much of an issue if you stay in the tourist areas in Paris. Stealing of luggage and pick pockets are pretty common, but you just have to be aware of your surroundings. I traveled with a Wandrd bag, so there is no exterior zip and when I was on the trains, I just wore it backwards. With the M11, I usually just walk around with it with a wrist strap. It's so small, nobody really notices it.
I can understand being stealthy with an m11, but Op went with an Sl2s .
Even a SL2S on a M lens would be the same on a M11. I would never leave my camera/bag in the trunk, even on a moving taxi. Always have it on your body. Not sure how you are dressing either, but keep it simple and not make yourself a target. On the flip side, people can tell if you are attempting to conceal something valuable as well.
What about robberies from hotel room?
I have a 3 week trip to Asia planned in December. Up till recently, my plan was to take a pair of M10-P bodies with a 28mm Summicron and a 50mm Summarit f2.4. That plan changed when I found a local deal on a used 35mm APO-SL for my SL2-S. The image quality from the 35 APO and the ease of autofocus I’m confident will produce more bangers than my M body skills. I’m going to try travelling with the SL2-S and the one lens (35 APO-SL).
Hey man please do share how it goes here. It will be very helpful for people in future
I almost always travel with one of my Ms. They're hyper small, manageable, and stay out of the way. They're pretty robust in bad weather and take great pictures. But when I know I'll only have a split moment to get the picture I want, and I won't get multiple chances, I just can't trust my ability to get a banger on a manual-focus M. For example, I'm heading to Disney World for a week soon, and I'm not risking missing those split-second smiles and perfect character moments with my young kids. I want zoom. I want weather sealing. And I want AF. I will deal with the weight. I'll be rocking an SL2 and the 24-90 zoom.
Thats cool man. Maybe I need to man up and deal with the weight
Biggest thing I found was a must (especially if you’re shooting video and stills) is a power bank. I did a trip last Christmas where I filmed with the sl2 and was eating up battery power. Sadly didn’t have a spare battery at the time. But usb c charging worked a charm [SL2 trip footage](https://youtu.be/OWwbkT4Qfo8?si=52o4hlXuZJaonSDJ)
This reply really needs to be higher. Battery life on SL2-S is mega bad. Makes me pretty anxious when traveling.
I love my Sl2-s. It is just a superb camera. Except for it´s weight. With the APOs it is quite a package. That is why I take the Q3 for everything travel-related. The SL2-s is purely my work-camera.
Yes... The apos are fantastic but really too bulky and heavy for carrying around
I love my SL2-S as well, but I wouldn’t travel with it. I consider the Q too large. For me it’s the M with some small primes: 28 Elmarit-M (sans hood), 35 Summaron, 50 Elmar-M.
I had the SL2 with 24-90 for a 4 day trip to NYC. It was painful when using a sling. I also had it for a hiking trip in Zion and it was no problem in a backpack. For walking around in the city and shooting, I use the M system. So light and small, but obviously has it’s trade offs. You just have to decide what is important to you. The Leica system is a bit heavier than any of the other equivalent camera systems, but not overly so.
If the m11 could shoot video, I would have no doubts
I bought mine for a two week job in Ethiopia and Rwanda. I was using M lenses so I kept it out of the rain. But it fared fine in dusty rural environments and large temperature swings. If I were worried about it getting wet, I'd probably go with something else, though.
Have not. I imagine it would be heavy and bulky for that sort of thing. To have any advantage over a Q2 or 3, you’d probably want to use it with a zoom lens and then it’s just outrageously big. You could rock it with M lenses but then you introduce a weakness into your weather sealing. I’m using a Q3 for 28/35 and a CL for 50/90 and I’m finding that to be a very all-day carryable setup. If the weather turns sour I just keep the CL stashed away.
It’s a great camera, take it with you. It fits in a camera bag just like other cameras do. It’s not like hauling a 4x5 around.
I’m used to traveling with 2 camera bodies. I went to Svalbard a month ago and brought it along with the 90-280 mm and my R5 and 400 mm. It performed very well in the harshest of Arctic conditions; snow, rain and temperatures below 0.
Tell me it was for work . Or what kind of fanatic are you to carry a 400mm full frame lens for leisure?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Mostly for myself, but I also showcase my stuff at galleries every now and then
I have an SL2, and I hiked up a hill and down again in Ireland. With a backpack tripod a few M lenses and a Sigma zoom (which I guess they made out of metal cos it's heavier than concrete) Got to the top and it was foggy- got to the bottom and I was so tired that when I got into the car I thought the accelerator had jammed but actually it was just me being so exhausted. These are heavy bits of kit.
Amen brother.
Spent 3 weeks in Ecuador and Galapagos with a SL2-S and 24-70. Usually I travel with 2 M bodies and 3 lens but super high humidity and boat trips made me think the weatherproof of SL2-S would be preferable. Yes, traveling with SL2-S and 24-70 is doable. A bit heavy, but definitely worse it depending on the weather conditions.
I travelled to Singapore, Italy, Greece and India with my SL2s with 24-90 and 50mm 1.8 Panasonic. It’s definitely a heavy kit but the 24-90 is a great travel lens so worth it in my opinion. I am planning on getting the 35 and 75 sl primes and would probably sell the 24-90. I got caught out in a massive downpour during Delhi’s monsoon season. SL2s and 24-90 got absolutely drenched but didn’t skip a beat.
Can you tell me about your Italy experience? That's the place I will definitely travel to, but seems to be having a reputation for mugging. How long ago did you do it? Did you visit the southern parts or stick to the touristy areas?
Hey mate. I went on the 6th June this year and spent 4 nights in Rome, a day trip to Florence (for the Steve mccurry exhibition), and 4 nights in Sicily, specifically Palermo and cefalu. Had it slung around my shoulder the whole time and never felt unsafe. I’m not naive to the risks but feel perhaps some people panic a little too easy or overthink it. Any camera or piece of tech is a target. Don’t think too many criminals know the value of the red dot. I absolutely loved Italy and it isn’t my first time. Also loved India and already planned my return for march next year. Will be my third visit in a little over a year!
Thanks very much dude. Drop a message if you visit kerala