OIS lenses for Leica CL

[Peter-E]

I have a Leica CL which I love and use daily. Recently I’ve started taking rehearsal and production photos for a theatre group. Lighting is frequently very poor and I’m looking a lens with OIS to help as the CL doesn’t have IBIS. Ideally a prime in in 35 - 70 mm range.
Any suggestions?

 

[pdk42]

Primes in that range don’t normally have OIS. I’d suggest the 24-60 f2.8. It’s a decent fast zoom. Not too big and it has OIS.

 

[pdk42]

Oops - sorry, it’s not stabilised. Let me think some more …

 

[pdk42]

It seems that the only stabilised lenses in this range are the Panasonic 24-105 f4 or the Leica 24-90 f2.8-f4. The Leica is very big, heavy and expensive and it’s only rated to 3.5 stops for OIS. The 24-105 is a bit smaller and lighter, but still quite big. Its stabilisation is rated to 6 stops (which sounds too good to be true). I have the 24-105 and it delivers great IQ.

 

[pdk42]

But I’d recommend getting a used Panasonic S5 and one of the Panasonic or Sigma f1.8 or f2 primes. It’ll probably not be much more expensive and you’ll get fantastic high ISO performance, IBIS, and a top quality lens! If you looking for something in the 50mm equiv range, there are lots of choices:

- Panasonic 50/1.8
- Sigma 45/2.8
- Sigma 50/2
- Sigma 65/2

 

[pdk42]

Or if you want something smaller and can live without an EVF, the S9 might interest you. If you in the UK (I’m guessing you might be given the time you posted and the way you spelt “theatre”), the S9 is available right now for £999 direct from Panasonic.

 

[Peter-E]

But I’d recommend getting a used Panasonic S5 and one of the Panasonic or Sigma f1.8 or f2 primes. It’ll probably not be much more expensive and you’ll get fantastic high ISO performance, IBIS, and a top quality lens! If you looking for something in the 50mm equiv range, there are lots of choices:

- Panasonic 50/1.8
- Sigma 45/2.8
- Sigma 50/2
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But I’d recommend getting a used Panasonic S5 and one of the Panasonic or Sigma f1.8 or f2 primes. It’ll probably not be much more expensive and you’ll get fantastic high ISO performance, IBIS, and a top quality lens! If you looking for something in the 50mm equiv range, there are lots of choices:

- Panasonic 50/1.8
- Sigma 45/2.8
- Sigma 50/2
- Sigma 65/2

Thanks! I like the idea of adding an S5 body.

I have Leica 18mm f2.8 TL, Leica 23mm f2 TL and Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN lenses for my CL. Presumably I’d be able to use these on the S5 and get benefit of IBIS?

 

[Babylonia]

I have Leica 18mm f2.8 TL, Leica 23mm f2 TL and Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN lenses for my CL.
Presumably I’d be able to use these on the S5 and get benefit of IBIS?

Yes, that is the advantage of an in camera IBIS system.
Even old fashioned manual lenses of 10-20 years ago, used with an adapter to fit the L-mount, do have advantage of it.

Although the best result is by combination of IBIS in camera + the options of a suitable lens itself.
(Like e.g. Panasonic 24-105mm/F4.0 zoom). So "double" functions.
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