Yes, the Leica M10 is a fabulous camera, but last week I bought a brand new Leica SL. I’ll tell you why. First of all, while I know many M-users asked for a camera without video, I actually use video on my cameras. Not on the M240 (because it looks crappy), but I hoped for SL-like video features on the M10.
I notice that, apart from my wedding work, clients are interested not only in stills, but more and more in video as well. Also, I noticed that I got more interested in video on our five months canoeing and hiking trip. Video adds a lot to the possibilities to tell a story, which is what I do with photography and writing.
We’ve done a couple of video projects together, all with the Sony A7S and Leica lenses. A second camera makes things a lot easier on a set and while a Sony A7SII is less than half the price of the SL, I never liked the ergonomics of the A7.
The SL may be the best accessory for your Noctilux. Period.
But the SL is also a great stills camera. Not better or worse than the M, just different. Fact is, the darker it gets, the bigger the advantage of the SL with its huge and bright EVF. And for big and heavy lenses like the Noctilux, the SL just works better for me. The total combination of camera and lens may be a bit heavier, but it feels lighter and much more in balance. The SL may be the best accessory for your Noctilux. Period.
For anything shorter than 35mm, I’d say the M works quicker focusing wise.
I’m, as we speak, getting used to focusing M-lenses on the SL. It works surprisingly well. The longer the lens, the bigger the advantage. For anything shorter than 35mm, I’d say the M works quicker focusing wise. I don’t have any SL lenses yet. I’m interested in the 50/1.4, but I think I’ll wait for the Summicron series.
Also, I’m checking out the Leica R-lenses series, because these lenses balance well on the SL and might be an interesting addition to my kit.