MARK STEVEN BEEDHAM – The Road To The Leica SL3
23rd January 2026
In: News, Members' Articles
MARK STEVEN BEEDHAM – The Road To The Leica SL3
I was thinking I better write something for the fellowship website, something I haven’t done yet or up to now. So here goes
A couple of weeks ago I bought myself a new Leica SL3 and two APO lenses, namely a 35mm and 50mm. The reason I went down this path for the second time having had a Leica SL 601 with the 24/90 Vario back in the day, is IBIS for one and that I can see much better through the large viewfinder in the SL over what I can see in the M11.
My success rate using the M11 handheld with so many pixels is a challenge plus I wasn’t really getting the full benefit out of the camera’s abilities using my existing M lenses. I love the shape, feel and everything about the M system but deep down I prefer to see in the viewfinder what I’ll be getting in image form.
I’ve kept my M lenses just in case I want to try the MV out and I can also use them on the SL as I’ve the M to SL adapter. Alan Humphries knows all too well my love-hate with the M’s. I have had everything from the M6 onwards, so at least I can say I’ve tried to stay with it.
Anyway, the APO lens have had an early outing and I just wanted to show some images captured recently. The first 3 shots are inside St Mary’s Church, Kirkby Lonsdale with the 35mm and the next two shots taken with the 50mm of a sunken in mud yacht in Morecambe Bay and a very heavy crop from the same view point. The last two shots need no explanation.
I hope you have enjoyed these photographs and my experience with different systems.
Kind regards
Mark
St Mary’s Church - Kirkby Lonsdale
St Mary’s Church - Kirkby Lonsdale
St Mary’s Church - Kirkby Lonsdale
Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay
Eric Morecambe - Memorial
Eric Morecambe - Memorial
I was thinking I better write something for the fellowship website, something I haven’t done yet or up to now. So here goes
A couple of weeks ago I bought myself a new Leica SL3 and two APO lenses, namely a 35mm and 50mm. The reason I went down this path for the second time having had a Leica SL 601 with the 24/90 Vario back in the day, is IBIS for one and that I can see much better through the large viewfinder in the SL over what I can see in the M11.
My success rate using the M11 handheld with so many pixels is a challenge plus I wasn’t really getting the full benefit out of the camera’s abilities using my existing M lenses. I love the shape, feel and everything about the M system but deep down I prefer to see in the viewfinder what I’ll be getting in image form.
I’ve kept my M lenses just in case I want to try the MV out and I can also use them on the SL as I’ve the M to SL adapter. Alan Humphries knows all too well my love-hate with the M’s. I have had everything from the M6 onwards, so at least I can say I’ve tried to stay with it.
Anyway, the APO lens have had an early outing and I just wanted to show some images captured recently. The first 3 shots are inside St Mary’s Church, Kirkby Lonsdale with the 35mm and the next two shots taken with the 50mm of a sunken in mud yacht in Morecambe Bay and a very heavy crop from the same view point. The last two shots need no explanation.
I hope you have enjoyed these photographs and my experience with different systems.
Kind regards
Mark
St Mary’s Church - Kirkby Lonsdale
St Mary’s Church - Kirkby Lonsdale
St Mary’s Church - Kirkby Lonsdale
Morecambe Bay
Morecambe Bay
Eric Morecambe - Memorial
Eric Morecambe - Memorial
Comments
By David Askham: Mark, welcome to the team of Leica Fellowship writers. It is good to hear your experiences with different photographic equipment. You are more likely to take better photographs if you are comfortable with your cameras. The partly submerged sail boat that you showed us looks like a storm victim. Where on Morecambe Bay were these boats located? By Alan Humphries: Well done Mark, how well I remember your frustration with Ms, particularly one day at Great Yarmouth.
Your images certainly demonstrate the capabilities of the SL3.
Hopefully you will submit more articles, perhaps a trip to Glasson Dock or Heysham?
Best Wishes By Ken Davis: It's good to see these photos of the areas we used to live in, thanks Mark. It's interesting reading about your experiences. I had been a dedicated SLR user for 30 years and never thought I'd be interested in any rangefinder. Then, in 1997 I looked through the finder of an M4P and was hooked! I also have R series cameras but pick up the Ms first. I tried an original SL and could get on with the shape at all. What matters is we have cameras that help us to see what we wantand how to take the photograph. By Cled Lewis: Hello Mark, you have chosen well to demonstrate the quality of theSL3 and APO lenses in your selection of images and I’m sure that you have more cracking shots in your new portfolio already.
Cled By Keith Walker: Lovely to read your contribution Mark! There had to be some humour and you found it with Mr.M!
You will be missed by the M community - perhaps try a MEV?