Sigma 135mm F1.4 on the Leica SL3-P
A few months ago, I tested the Sigma 135mm F1.4 DG Art here on the blog, at that time on the Leica SL3. My conclusion was mixed: I was amazed by the image quality but appalled by the autofocus.
I bought the lens anyway for portraits because the rendering just captivated me. However, I had written it off for street photography.
A Rainy Day in Palma
Then I had to go to Palma, and it rained. This time I had the SL3-P with me and spontaneously also the 135mm. An hour in the old alleys of the old town, wet pavement, little light: not easy terrain for a bright telephoto lens.
135mm on the Street? Unconventional, but Not Absurd
Sure, 135mm is not a classic focal length for street. But it's not absurd either. It is really fun to see how cleanly people can be isolated from the bustle of the city. Add to that the strong compression and the pronounced 3D pop that such a long focal length with high light intensity makes possible. Images emerge that are distinctly different from what you snap with 28 or 35mm from the hip.
The Core Question: Does the SL3-P Tame This Beast?
The result on the SL3 was disappointing, especially in direct comparison with the Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM on the A1 II. The autofocus was sluggish and unreliable, exactly what you don't need in street photography.
The Answer: Yes. And Clearly.
The difference is huge. The focus was spot-on in every picture, not just in the shots you see here. Even in the discarded frames, I didn’t have a single focus error, despite the rain and low light.
Is the combo as fast as the Sony with the 135mm GM on the A1 II? Maybe just a touch slower. But it is absolutely capable, even for street photography.
Conclusion
The Sigma 135mm F1.4 was given a second chance on the SL3-P and it seized the opportunity. What used to be solely my portrait lens has become a serious tool for the street. On the SL3-P, it’s a whole new world.
Take a look at the sample images, and preferably also in full resolution in my Flickr album for the Sigma 135mm f/1.4.
