Leica SL Survey - Your Opinion?

[jaapv]

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If it stays as is i'm afraid not... 

Just new to the SL today, not for me from what I read on this forum, but I can see the attraction of the camera.

[IkarusJohn]

I'm still trying to think through why a photographer would want to hit the magnifier button while pressing the shutter release. 

 

I haven't looked at the SL manual on this point, but typically, I would check the exposure, hit the magnifier (if I needed it) and then touch the shutter release to get rid of the magnifier, check the framing and subject and hit the shutter release. http://au.pcmag.com/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-24-90mm-f28-4-asph/39245/review/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-24-90mm-f28-4-asphIh the way the software works, holding the shutter release won't bring up the magnifier, will it?  And even if it does, I would normally want to check the framing before firing the shit. 

 

I'm not questioning LCT's preference, just saying that his requirement to hold the shutter release and press the magnifier button at the same time is hardly mainstream ...

[edwardkaraa]

I'm still trying to think through why a photographer would want to hit the magnifier button while pressing the shutter release.

 

I haven't looked at the SL manual on this point, but typically, I would check the exposure, hit the magnifier (if I needed it) and then touch the shutter release to get rid of the magnifier, check the framing and subject and hit the shutter release. http://au.pcmag.com/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-24-90mm-f28-4-asph/39245/review/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-24-90mm-f28-4-asphIh the way the software works, holding the shutter release won't bring up the magnifier, will it? And even if it does, I would normally want to check the framing before firing the shit.

 

I'm not questioning LCT's preference, just saying that his requirement to hold the shutter release and press the magnifier button at the same time is hardly mainstream ...

I think the location of the magnify button on the a7 is excellent, right next to the shutter button. The problem is that it's sometimes difficult to find by feel. I am with lct though in that the button should be easily accessible without removing the eye from the finder and the left hand from the focusing ring. My favorite location is near the thumb rest, like AF/MF button on the Sony DSLR. But I keep an open mind about it as long as I don't need to do any acrobatics to push it.

[tobey bilek]

Yawn.  Have two M cameras and lenses.    5 R lenses with Nikon mounts and sold the rest.

 

Now there is a half baked  ugly SLR system for the lenses with less than full function.   One lens, too big, and promises.

 

I did see some nice photos on line from the SL , but  No better than what I CAN DO NOW.

[ramarren]

I'm still trying to think through why a photographer would want to hit the magnifier button while pressing the shutter release. 

 

I haven't looked at the SL manual on this point, but typically, I would check the exposure, hit the magnifier (if I needed it) and then touch the shutter release to get rid of the magnifier, check the framing and subject and hit the shutter release. http://au.pcmag.com/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-24-90mm-f28-4-asph/39245/review/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-24-90mm-f28-4-asphIh the way the software works, holding the shutter release won't bring up the magnifier, will it?  And even if it does, I would normally want to check the framing before firing the shit. 

 

I'm not questioning LCT's preference, just saying that his requirement to hold the shutter release and press the magnifier button at the same time is hardly mainstream ...

 

That's why I asked about it too. It's a little odd in that with most mirrorless cameras, the default operation is that magnification cancels with the half-press on the shutter release to allow for framing and exposure. 

 

I do agree that you should be able to start the magnification or peaking assists without having to change your focusing hand's position, which assigning it to the front button (on the right) achieves.

[pico]

Pico, this is getting to you isn't it?

 

Time to do something outside for a while perhaps?

We just saw the movie Steve Jobs and I am still in an aura of bewilderment, so nothing is better yet. In the several brainstorming meetings I had with Jobs up to 1983 I saw no such person. Call it decades of being in a reality distortion field. I am good with that but still unhappy in this moment.

[earleygallery]

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Again in English please. 

[lct]

[...] I haven't looked at the SL manual on this point, but typically, I would check the exposure, hit the magnifier (if I needed it) and then touch the shutter release to get rid of the magnifier, check the framing and subject and hit the shutter release. http://au.pcmag.com/...mm-f28-4-asphIh the way the software works, holding the shutter release won't bring up the magnifier, will it?  And even if it does, I would normally want to check the framing before firing the shit. [...]

 

Here are my usual ways is manual focus mode FWIW: 

1. click the thumbwheel or half press the shutter release to trigger the magnifier while turning the focus ring

2. half press the shutter release to get rid of the magnifier and AE lock if needed while composing

3. shoot

My index finger can stay all the time on the shutter release and i don't need to press any button with the left hand thanksfully...

[ramarren]

 

Here are my usual ways is manual focus mode FWIW: 

1. click the thumbwheel or half press the shutter release to trigger the magnifier while turning the focus ring

2. half press the shutter release to get rid of the magnifier and AE lock if needed while composing

3. shoot

My index finger can stay all the time on the shutter release and i don't need to press any button with the left hand thanksfully...

 

 

With what camera? M typ 240 or something else? 

[IkarusJohn]

I'm still trying to think through why a photographer would want to hit the magnifier button while pressing the shutter release. 

 

I haven't looked at the SL manual on this point, but typically, I would check the exposure, hit the magnifier (if I needed it) and then touch the shutter release to get rid of the magnifier, check the framing and subject and hit the shutter release. http://au.pcmag.com/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-24-90mm-f28-4-asph/39245/review/leica-vario-elmarit-sl-24-90mm-f28-4-asphIh the way the software works, holding the shutter release won't bring up the magnifier, will it?  And even if it does, I would normally want to check the framing before firing the shit. 

 

I'm not questioning LCT's preference, just saying that his requirement to hold the shutter release and press the magnifier button at the same time is hardly mainstream ...

 

Apologies for not spellchecking this - spellchecking and Autocorrect seem to have gone wild.

 

Thanks for elaborating, LCT.  I don't think the SL works the way you describe.  While reviewing your image, you can trigger magnification pressing the BL button (or whichever one you ascribe to this function).  Your right index finger doesn't need to be on or near the shutter release to do this, however I agree that your left hand will then need to adjust focus.  At no time does your right hand need to stray, and the camera doesn't need to come down from your face.

 

As you press the shutter release, the magnification stops and you return to full frame.

 

You won't need focus lock because this applies to manual lenses, doesn't it?  I haven't looked to see how fine manual adjustment works with AF lenses (yet).

 

But, the way the default is set up, with the camera at your face, you're holding the grip with your right hand, finger at the shutter release, you move your left hand, press BL button, move your left hand back to the focus ring, adjust the focus and fire the shot.

 

I understand the bit where you don't like moving your left had, but I don't get what your right hand has to do with it.  If the  button is moved in reach of your right hand, you won't need your index finger on the shutter release when you press the focus magnification button ...

 

Sorry, I really don't need to understand this.  It's the way you work, and that's fine.  I don't work this way (at least, I don't think I do).  I will try it out when I get my hands on the camera at the release event.

 

Cheers

John

[lct]

With what camera? M typ 240 or something else? 

 

Fuji X-E2, Pana LX100. Same for  M240 save that magnification triggers automatically when turining the focus ring there. 

[lct]

[...]I understand the bit where you don't like moving your left had, but I don't get what your right hand has to do with it.  If the  button is moved in reach of your right hand, you won't need your index finger on the shutter release when you press the focus magnification button ... [...]

  I just need my index finger on the shutter release to take the next shot. 

[wildlightphoto]

I'm still trying to think through why a photographer would want to hit the magnifier button while pressing the shutter release. 

 

often with small birds I'll need to do some cropping and in this situation the magnify function is handy for precise focus.  Framing is loose anyway (I assume some cropping) so I don't need to go back to full view before making an exposure.

[ramarren]

Fuji X-E2, Pana LX100. Same for  M240 save that magnification triggers automatically when turining the focus ring there. 

 

I'm unfamiliar with the X-E2 and LX100, but with the M240 yes: magnification and/or focus peaking trigger when you turn the focus ring if you have those options set. The same is true for all the Olympus bodies (you have to have the option set) and the Sony A7 (you have to have the option set) with dedicated lenses...

 

But with other cameras and with adapted lenses this is not the case. You have to configure a button to manually activate focus peaking and/or magnification. Usually you use a function button that you can reach either with your thumb or index finger, depending on the cameras. On the Nikon D750 with Live View, the only way to activate magnification is to press the magnification button on the left rear edge of the camera while looking at the LCD, for instance. For the others with EVFs, I configured the C3 button on the Sony (thumb activation) and the upper front button on the Olympus E-M1 (index finger activation). I believe the E-PL7 I have the magnify button set up for it (thumb) but I rarely use manual lenses on it. 

 

I don't have to have my index finger permanently on the shutter release in order to take the next shot ... the buttons are not that far apart and my index finger can move into position pretty darn fast. :-)

[ramarren]

often with small birds I'll need to do some cropping and in this situation the magnify function is handy for precise focus.  Framing is loose anyway (I assume some cropping) so I don't need to go back to full view before making an exposure.

 

Any of the solutions would work for that too. On the E-M1, I'd defeat the "auto return to full view on half press" configuration, for instance.

I'm sure the same is true for the SL. :-)

 

I find the 'auto start magnification or peaking' actually rather jarring and distracting with native lenses on Micro-FourThirds or Leica M240 ... I disable it and activate focus aids manually instead. Personal preference. 

[lct]

[...] I don't think the SL works the way you describe [...]

 

It could if focus magnification could be activated by the joystick or the thumbwheel, which is impossible so far if i understand well.

[ramarren]

I think you'll have to be happy to use your middle finger on the FN button if you will not change how you want to operate the camera. 

[lct]

[...] I find the 'auto start magnification or peaking' actually rather jarring and distracting with native lenses on Micro-FourThirds or Leica M240 ... I disable it and activate focus aids manually instead. 

 

+1 but all µ4/3 don't do that. I have to half press the shutter release while turning the focus ring on the LX100 wich is much better. Leica would be well advised to learn from Panasonic from this viewpoint...

[lct]

I think you'll have to be happy to use your middle finger on the FN button if you will not change how you want to operate the camera. 

 

Yes i don't see another way so far but what a mess to do simple things like that... Reminds me of the M240's auto iso feature which was unable to work properly more than one year after the camera launch... Painful this feeling to be paying beta testers for camera brands...

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[ramarren]

Yes i don't see another way so far but what a mess to do simple things like that... Reminds me of the M240's auto iso feature which was unable to work properly more than one year after the camera launch... Painful this feeling to be paying beta testers for camera brands...

Hmm. I like the way it is, and my M-P 240 AutoISO has always worked properly. Difference of opinion.