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Hello, I’m close to buying a new Leica. Trying hard to make the right decision. All options remain on the table, but I’m leaning towards a SL2-S or SL3. I made the decision to go Leica about a year ago. At the time, I was excited. I thought it’d be easy. Little did I know. The good thing is: it’s been a year. I’ve used that time wisely, I hope, to consider a lot (reading posts, watching videos, and trying out different cameras). I’m almost there. But before I pull the trigger again (more about that in a moment), I’d love to get some input, so if you have any thoughts to share … I’m all ears! A little about me: I’ve got a good amount of life experience and been a photographer for many years. Over the past decades I’ve shot Nikon film cameras & different mirrorless cameras including Fuji, Sony and Ricoh. I enjoy shooting landscapes, city buildings and some street in the endless pursuit of creating photographic art. I have a passion for B&W. So much so that after nearly a year, I made the decision to purchase a “like new” Q2 Monochrom. Unfortunately, it had debris in the viewfinder that I found distracting so I returned it. The experience was a good one because it caused me think even deeper about my commitment level and what I really want. They say the Leica Q’s are the “gateway drug” in the Leica world and I now see why. Yeah, even after a very short time with one. I’m someone that would be very happy with a Monochrom only camera. I shoot 90% B&W (at least), and the ability shoot at night with very high ISO’s with a camera that doesn’t have a bayer filter, and noise that looks more filmic is a very attractive proposition. If I missed color, I could always carry my trust Ricoh GRIII I Ruled Out a Leica Q I’ve ruled out another Q camera for several reasons, with the biggest being that I’ve got some wonderful vintage lenses and want to use them on a Leica (rather than continue using them on my Sony I think). Maybe a M11 or M10 Monochrom? I thought an M11 monochrome … or maybe an M10? … was the answer but I’m not sure a rangefinder’s for me. I mean I LOVE the look. Truly. It’s … beautiful. But I love shooting fast lenses. The rangefinder focusing … nice … but when it comes to focusing some lenses like a f/0.95 or even f/1.2 on a rangefinder … I want an EVF for critical focus. Sure, there’s a great external EVF for the M11 … and I’d be fine with buying that if I needed to, but in my opinion, it kinda messes with the whole rangefinder aesthetic to have to put that on the hot shoe. Also, I’ve heard more than one person talk about their rangefinder’s going out of alignment - and needing to be sent back in for recalibration. I’ve also read about freezing issues some have said they’d experienced with their Leica M11’s on this forum. On top of that, I like to focus CLOSE sometimes (not macro but down to 3/4 or 1/2 a meter) with my vintage lenses … I’ve can do that with an adapter on my Sony A7RIVa with vintage m mount lenses that normally wouldn’t be able to focus that close but would not be able to do that when using them on a Leica M. That frankly is a big deal (for me). Leica SL-2S or SL3? So that’s led me to consider a Leica SL-2s or maybe a SL3? Pros: Ability to convert M lenses and focus close using M to CL adapters. Check Built-in beautiful EVF. Check. More affordable than a Leica M11 Monochrom - check No calibration needed. Cons: No monochrome sensor in sight. Sigh. It’s so … BIG!! The M11 looks so much more inviting. Big Red Dot & Big Leica in big white letters … sheesh! I so prefer the look of the monochrom cameras. Discreet. So tape it up and cover up the dot I guess is the solution there. Perhaps not the best for street? More suited for studio than street? In conclusion: At the end of the day - is a Leica SL2s and/or SL3 worth spending thousands of dollars more - or should I just stick with my 60 megapixel Sony A7R-IVa and call it a day? Has anyone upgraded from the SL2-s to the SL3 .. .and if so, was it worth it? And why? Has anyone owned both a Leica M10/M11 along with a Leica SL series camera and if so, which do you prefer and why? Anyone move from a Leica Monochrome camera to the SL line ? Any regrets? Thoughts and/or Recommendation would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hey , just checking with the q3 and the profiles with the connectivity (Bluetooth) …. and I could not generate a profile that activates / deactivates Bluetooth. is this the correct behavior? I would love if this is changed with the next firmware update? what do you think? cheers Peter

Maybe someone who knows more than me can help... or even someone working with an SL and e.g. an Atomos. Leica's list of video resolutions adds information over what's possible on SD or on HDMI... But I'm confused about what the Mbps information means... shouldn't these over HDMI be dictated by the recorder and video codec being used? For example: Leica states the SL2-S can only do Long-GOP 150 Mbps when using UHD and 24fps (while C4K 24fps strangely uses All-I 400 Mbps). That definitely is the internal .mp4, but is that also applicable to HDMI recording? I hope that doesn't mean the SL2-S can only push 150 Mbps through the HDMI when choosing UHD 24fps? (ProRes422 HQ has target data rate of 707 Mbps in UHD 24...) I mean it should be possible theoretically, because the SL2-S can do C4K 24fps ProRes Raw recording over HDMI after all... The SL2-S can do 150 Mbps in UHD 24fps, 400 Mbps in C4K 24fps. The SL3 can do 400 Mbps in UHD 24fps and 600 Mbps in C4K 24fps. That is interesting... nice one SL3, but over HDMI they all should be equal... right? Is it a raw stream over HDMI that then will be recorded as 707 Mbps ProRes422 HQ? To make matters worse, some of the information is split between SD and HDMI in the list of the SL3. (Have mercy on me I never had an SL but consider the SL2-S now) My head spins 😂 I hope someone has the answers! THANKS!

Been waiting for the SL3 and now need to choose the best SL body for me and my needs. I have the original SL and the 24-90 but much prefer shooting with M lenses (I use Zeiss, 28, 35, 50). My photography is mainly street, family, travel. Reasons to upgrade (in no particular order): IBIS (key driver for me), improved grip, rounder design, better user interface (and quick menu), improved EVF. I normally default to buying the latest and greatest (SL3) but I don’t need better AF and virtually never use video. Am undecided about sensor size (24MP has been fine so far, not crying out for 60) and would like improved ISO. So guess that is pointing me towards the SL2 or 2-S. Anyone else in similar situation? Guess used 2 and 2-S prices will drop soon. Likely to be any U.K. deals on new copies? Thanks.

I am considering acquiring a SL2-S to complement my existing Q2M, but a few photographers have cautioned against the 24mg sensor size for larger prints. I shoot mainly landscape, architectural, and some events. What is a realistic upper size limit for prints with the SL2-S? I’d appreciate benefiting from your experiences. Thanks.

SL2-s with Canon EF 50 mm 1.2 And Leica Q3

Hey, can we agree that it would be very helpful if the sl2-s could connect with the usb-c cable to Leica fotos app? remote shooting and transfer would be well received , wouldn’t it? I would love to see this in the next firmware update. I just played around with the q3 and with this camera it works. it would also help so much for video production …. cheers Peter

To Steve and all the rest on Leica Forum: Steve, what do you think? You mentioned that you went the the Cannes film festival with some form of movie if I remember correctly. So could a person adapt the old Leica-M lenses and make a film using the SL2-S? I don't care about super fast & easy professional lens and body use myself, only wondering if with a little extra effort could it be reasonably done? I have to convince my cinematographer friend to do this so any comment you have will interest me. Generally, myself, as someone who went to film school years ago, I am one of Leica's potential SL2-S purchasers. Their approach, to issue new lenses that have something different from their old lenses, is an artist's approach, and I love that. The high lens prices have knocked me out of the new ASPH lenses, which is ok, since as all makers products approach perfect like the ASPH lenses do, they all produce pictures looking more the same and loose their differentiation. Leica seems to be making a viable independent filmmaker camera in the SL2-S since it has so many of the needed features. Some comments on the needed features below: Auto focus is secondary in movie making, since it is usually done by hand, so the discount there is not a problem. Lens focus adjustment, marked on the lens barrel to exact distances, is one of the biggest differences between professional and home-user lenses. Yet with a monitor attached and some tape to mark the lens focus positions, possibly focus can still be done by hand as I did in film school using 16mm equipment. The differences from professional to amateur could also be called a camera support issue: tripod use (professional) verses walk around use (amateur) affects so many features like the movable screen articulation need and remote focus or auto focus adjustments. Of course today more professionals walk with the camera then in the past (SteadiCam was the old way - replaced by today's internal camera stabilization systems), but I would say that the video they make is rather cheesy not as professional looking, and that that poor video work has become acceptable do to the existence of youtube and selfies being so ubiquitous (found everywhere). Amateur is not a bad word. It comes from the Latin "amator" meaning "lover of" something. Those that love an avocation like photography may outdo those doing the same for daily work who are stuck with producing professional standards that may be boring. France produced the "French New Wave" movie makers in the 1960's, who used 16mm equipment and also the new lighter Arri 35mm cameras, leaving behind the enormous Mitchel studio cameras that the USA film companies used. Also, just look at the photos on this site and others where I see many stunning shots that seldom occur in the commercial world which is aimed mostly at selling something or copying someone else's work. Anyway, my professional Los Angles based cinematographer friend, says yes the new mirrorless cameras produce a good enough file for professional filmmaking and he only has qualms (concerns) about the work methods needed to hit focus and generally have a fluid effective efficient working environment. Comments please!

Dear all 9 months after my SL2-s developed an EVF problem (that was replaced by the factory within warranty in 2/12) it has now developed a jammed shutter. This makes me wonder about quality control. Has anyone had similar issues with their SL601 / SL2 / SL2-s? Any input is being appreciated.

FIRMWARE VERSION 5.2.0 Ihre Leica Kamera wird kontinuierlich verbessert und wir freuen uns, Ihnen jetzt Firmware Version 5.2.0 zur Verfügung zu stellen. Ich habe eben die Info bekommen das für die SL2 und SL2s eine neue Firmware raus ist. SL2: https://leica-camera.com/de-DE/fotografie/kameras/sl/sl2-schwarz/technische-daten?utm_source=CRM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20230831_HQ_SL2_SL2-S_FWU_5.2.0&utm_term=https%3A//leica-camera.com/sl2-technical-specs%23sl2-firmware.# SL2s: https://leica-camera.com/de-DE/fotografie/kameras/sl/sl2-s-schwarz/technische-daten?utm_source=CRM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20230831_HQ_SL2_SL2-S_FWU_5.2.0&utm_term=https%3A//sl2-s.leica-camera.com/%3Fsubpage%3Dtech-insights%23sl2-s-firmware.#sl2-s-firmware de_sl2-fw5.2-release-notes.pdf

I currently have an SL2-S with a 24-90 Vario-Elmarit, a 16-28 Sigma, a 100-300 Lumix and a 105mm macro from Sigma. I am pretty pleased with this collection, which is reasonably comprehensive. I do, however, find myself hankering for a simpler setup, and I wonder if the Q3 may have at last provided that solution. The dilemma is, I cannot buy a Q3 without divesting myself of the SL2-S and all its lenses. I would be interested in the opinions of the group on this, and in particular one issue: With the much larger sensor -- current body has 24 Mpx, Q3 has 60 -- is it reasonable to hope to get away with cropping full-frame images to emulate longer lens coverage? And how far do you think one could go with that? An alternative, of course, would be to get a lesser mirrorless body and a long lens -- a Sony alpha of some kind perhaps. But in recent years I have become content with the IQ of my Leicas (serially, an M10, an SL and the current body) and am not eager to compromise. On the other hand, long-lens photography is a minor -- but significant -- part of my shooting regime. Undoubtedly others have thought about this, and with any luck will be willing to share their insight. If I were wealthy enough I'd simply buy a Q3 and break out my photography into two genres; alas, that is not an option. Thank you!

Hallo, Ich versuche, wie auf den Seiten 72 - 74 des Handbuches pm-73861-Leica-SL2-S_Instructions_de.pdf beschrieben, die Einstellung für Daumen- und Vorderes Einstellrad bei Verwendung von MF-Objektiven wie folgt zu ändern:Daumenrad: Vergrößerung -> VerschlusszeitVorderes Einstellrad: ISO -> VergrößerungDie Einstellungsänderung kann ich wie beschrieben vornehmen und wird mir auch entsprechend in der Konfiguration angezeigt. Allerdings ist die Einstellung der Räder effektiv:Daumenrad: VergrößerungVorderes Einstellrad: VerschlusszeitDiese Einstellung lässt sich auch nicht mehr verändern, egal, was ich im Menü einstelle oder welches Benutzerprofil ich wähle.Im Handbuch ist nichts von einer Einschränkung dieser Belegung bei Verwendung eines Nicht-Leica-Adapters oder der Wahl einer anderen Konfigurationsoption zu finden. Ich bin mit einer SL2-S, Novoflex M-Adapter und Voigtländer-Objektiven unterwegs. Die Antwort vom Support ist: Hat hier jemand das gleiche Problem oder ist hier jemand, bei dem das funktioniert? Danke und Grüße, Jörg

Long time lurker, first time poster. I am looking to purchase a new Leica SL camera in the next couple weeks to take advantage of their sale and I am left with a few options. For starters, ill break down my usage and future usage plans. 70% - Product photography. These are all done in studio in controlled lighting and always on a tripod. 25% - Architectural/Landscape/City Photography. Some of this may be done at night, but I'd expect most of it to be done with a tripod. Cityscapes, perhaps some street photography. 5% - Family photos. I have a newborn and I'd love to use this to capture their moments. Next I'll break down the advantages/disadvantages from my perspective and if I am missing something or something else is wrong, please feel free to correct me. SL2 Advantages over the SL2-S 47.3 MP - Allows me for more crop and with higher resolution for photos with travel/studio that I will want to print and use for home framed photos on the wall. Allows for futureproofing in that regard somewhat. Disadvantages Price - It is almost $2000 more here to move from the SL2-S Low light performance - outside of handheld, I'm not sure if this would affect me as I'd most likely be using a tripod Older - released almost 2 years prior to the SL2-S? The SL3 is on the horizon, however I think that will be out of my price range. SL2-S Advantages over the SL2 BSI sensor - I'm not sure if this will matter a lot to me Better low light performance Smaller file size for most photos(if I want to shoot something that will be used for online social media) Cheaper Released more recently - 2021 it was available if I remember correctly Disadvantages 24 MP - While this is a non issue for online photos, I feel it will show it could show its issues to the SL2 if I want to shoot landscape/cityscape and crop. Reading this all back, the two main concerns for me are the SL2 age and cost. Will that larger sensor really benefit me as much as I'm hoping? I wont be printing any 4ft x 6ft photos or anything of that nature, but I do want my photos to have has much clarity and detail as possible(outside of an S3). I welcome all comments and questions as I want to make sure the right decision is made. I am looking to pair it with the 35mm lens.

Hey All - I was trying to use my Sl2-S with my macbook. I was trying to help my nephew record reaction videos and also use the camera as external on Zoom calls. I connected HDMI to USB-C but it doesn't recognize anything when I connect it. I'm not sure if I'm missing a simple mistake during the process. I put the camera in video mode and i've tried putting in USB storage and PTP and still nothing. Am I missing a utility firmware to download ? I even tried my nephew's PC (hdmi to hdmi) and nothing; so I feel i'm just missing a step. Any help appreciated thank you!!

Ich ärgere mich jedes mal darüber, dass ich beim Hineinzoomen in ein gerade geschossenes Foto immer irgendwo im Bild lande und nicht an der Stelle wo der Fokus zuvor beim Fotografieren festgelegt wurde. Was soll diese Sucherei? Wenn ich bei einem Porträt auf die Augen fokussiere, will ich bei der Bildkontrolle nicht irgendwo am Hals etc. landen, sondern genau auf den Augen. Bei anderen Marken wie z.B. Nikon klappt das immer! Ich habe vor Monaten schon einmal einen Verbesserungsvorschlag an Leica gesendet, der aber bisher nicht erhört wurde. Stört das niemanden von euch? Oder habe ich eine Funktion an meiner SL2 übersehen?

Dear all, I've noticed recently that when I set EVF-LCD on Auto the EVF doesn't work when I lift the camera to my eye. When I lower it, the LCD works fine, so the proximity sensor isn't an issue. Selecting EVF only mode I can see my subject. Then when I select EVF extended mode EVF is black again. In LCD mode the LCD screen works fine. If my memory doesn't err this appeared after upgrading to FW v2, however it's still there after upgrading to FW v2.1... I could not find similar topic in the forum, so should I take her to the doctor? She's only 11 months old... Thank you in advance

Hi, which accessories from previous SL cameras are compatible with the new SL2-s? In particular I am looking for a thumbs-up and an L-bracket, do you have recommendations? The L-bracket should be simple, small and easy to attach/detach. Thank you