Leica SL Firmware v.2.0 answers our wishes

[LocalHero1953]

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Ok.. Hopefully we see a 2.1 in the next week or so.

 

Custom function shortcut back buttons. Upper Left. IF you set it to certain things. When using the EVF it won't activate on press-hold. 

 

For instance. I have it set to flash compensation. When you first set it, it works. Then after a few minutes or if you turn off and on the camera. It won't work anymore. You just press the button and nothing happens.

 

All other quick buttons: UR, LL, LR work fine in either EVF viewing mode or LCD viewing mode. And yes it still happens even if you have the menu in EVF setting on or off.

I'm away for a few days without the SL (just the M) so I can't check this. However IIRC this was reported before, and has been stated for certain (?), guessed (?) that this is a design feature to stop you activating the UL button with your nose while using the EVF.

 

This is either an excellent design feature showing Leica's meticulous attention to ergonomic detail, or a PITA. Make your choice.

[ramarren]

I'm away for a few days without the SL (just the M) so I can't check this. However IIRC this was reported before, and has been stated for certain (?), guessed (?) that this is a design feature to stop you activating the UL button with your nose while using the EVF.

 

This is either an excellent design feature showing Leica's meticulous attention to ergonomic detail, or a PITA. Make your choice.

 

 

The Menu Access in EVF has been there in the Customize Controls section of the SETUP menu from the SL first release to enable/disable the UL button lockout. 

[LocalHero1953]

The Menu Access in EVF has been there in the Customize Controls section of the SETUP menu from the SL first release to enable/disable the UL button lockout. 

Menu Access, yes. But maybe it applies to the custom control as well?

Frustrating, as I can't check it myself yet. I know I can set and use a custom function to the UL button (ISO in my case), and it works with the latest f/w. But I think, tho I'm not sure, that I have disabled Menu Access in EVF as well.

I sounds like Adamdewilde's issue is related to that feature.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Ok.. Hopefully we see a 2.1 in the next week or so.

 

Custom function shortcut back buttons. Upper Left. IF you set it to certain things. When using the EVF it won't activate on press-hold. 

 

For instance. I have it set to flash compensation. When you first set it, it works. Then after a few minutes or if you turn off and on the camera. It won't work anymore. You just press the button and nothing happens.

 

All other quick buttons: UR, LL, LR work fine in either EVF viewing mode or LCD viewing mode. And yes it still happens even if you have the menu in EVF setting on or off.

 

I tried to reproduce this behaviour but couldn't. I set the top left long press to FEC and played with the camera for an hour in this configuration. Turned the camera on and off several times. If menu in EVF is set it works on my camera, with or without a flash on the hotshoe. I also tried ISO, EC and white balance on the UL with the same effect although not for the same amount of time. Normally I have WB set to UL.

 

Gordon

 

It does not work if you are touching the shutter button. That's the only time it wouldn't function, which I would expect to be normal behaviour.

[ramarren]

Menu Access, yes. But maybe it applies to the custom control as well?

Frustrating, as I can't check it myself yet. I know I can set and use a custom function to the UL button (ISO in my case), and it works with the latest f/w. But I think, tho I'm not sure, that I have disabled Menu Access in EVF as well.

I sounds like Adamdewilde's issue is related to that feature.

 

Yes, it applies to any operation with the UL button, native or custom.

Essentially, the button is locked out when the EVF is on if "Menu Access in EVF" is set to disabled. 

[adamdewilde]

I tested again at home this evening. No problems with my camera. 

 

Yes, it's likely a configuration setting... save your configuration to user profiles if you haven't already, export them, reset the camera, then import the profiles. That's cleared up glitches for several issues, I found. 

 

 

Strange thing. THE ONLY way I can get it to work is to enable menus in the EVF. Which is fine I guess.. But still sucks that mine is haywire. 

[adamdewilde]

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SF40 and SF58 works for me. I don't have a SF64. What issues are you having?

 

Gordon

 

Metering issues. General unreliability of power output through TTL function. Spot and center weighted aren't doing what I'd expect.

[adamdewilde]

Works perfect with SF 40 and SF 64 here.

 

 

Do you find TTL accurate and reliable? Both in spot and center weighted metering modes?

[adamdewilde]

JPG problems I was mentioning earlier are almost all but fixed.. Really makes me happy to see, as it's far less distracting now while weeding files. 

I haven't tested to see if they've adjusted the RAW files like I suggested. But I doubt it based on the colors I'm seeing from todays outing. 

 

Focus speed in single shot seems faster. Focus tracking is now the best I've used in good light (tested on skateboarders on Venice beach facing west). And in backlight scenes it doesn't fumble as much as my Canon and Nikons do. So if I were outdoors shooting close up sports (things I could shoot with a 24-90) I'd take this over a D4/D750 or 1Dx.. Haven't tried the D5 yet, so can't really comment on it yet. 

[cpclee]

Will you say tha with firmware 2.0 the SL's flash system now performs as you'd expect, or are there still residual issues? I remember you had cocerns that were more like design shortcomings than bugs?

 

SF40 and SF58 works for me. I don't have a SF64. What issues are you having?

 

Gordon

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Metering issues. General unreliability of power output through TTL function. Spot and center weighted aren't doing what I'd expect.

 

To be honest I don't think I've ever set metering to centre weighted on the SL. I've used spot a little but I'm almost always in matrix and using the EVF and histogram as exposure guides.

 

I'll make some effort to have a look over the weekend.

 

In matrix metering I'm actually pleasantly surprised by the TTL flash output. It's consistent and reliable, now that Leica have actually made it functional. Like most mirrorless I own, it underexposes about a stop when bouncing. Not ideal although I can live with it as long as it's consistent.

 

I still REALLY dislike the EVF behaviour with TTL flash, especially in manual mode. Disabling exposure preview in manual mode and not having a proper menu based EVF brightness adjustment are MAJOR flaws in an otherwise reasonable on camera flash system.

 

Gordon

[grobovnikov]

Now I wish for only two things to update in the next firmware  

- to have 24fps option in 3840x2160 resolution - to make it possible to record 4k in 24fps with an external recorder such as Shogun Flame

- to have an option to choose standard manual focusing method with the 24-90 lens (when it doesn't increase the focusing speed if you spin the ring faster). That would be so much easier for shooting video!

[adamdewilde]

Still having this problem with the UL button. Isn't really related to the nose protection as I've tried with it on and off. I've now tried all the combinations I could think of and have reset the camera several times. It still does it. 

 

I'm fairly certain it's a glitch as it'll work for the first few tries after I change what the UL button does. And then the camera will go on low power mode, or I turn it off and on, and then it won't work again.

 

This doesn't bother me so much. The workaround is just to have the EVF able to view the menu. That solves the problem. Let's just hope that my nose doesn't hit the button and activate the menu while I'm shooting. IF it does, I guess I'll just have to pull my face away from the EVF before changing the Flash EC. Which isn't a big deal, as I'd rarely need to do it. And since I find flash work on the SL funky still, I probably will have to shoot with manual flash anyway until a few more updates have come out. 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Will you say tha with firmware 2.0 the SL's flash system now performs as you'd expect, or are there still residual issues? I remember you had cocerns that were more like design shortcomings than bugs?

 

The SL flash system for TTL was buggered beyond belief. With 2.0 I think it's 90% of the way there, for on camera TTL flash and my SL, which I seriously would have returned, is now in my working rotation. I have used it on the job with good results and I have purchased the 90-280, which is stellar. My needs are simple. Reliable and consistent firing in TTL modes. We seem to have that now.

 

There is more to do. The SL still needs some wotk on the flash system and consistency of operation in different modes isn't there, which most working photographers demand. We don't need to be thinking about what button to press when we switch betweeb T, A and M modes. Every mode should have the same functionality and in the SL it doesn't. 

 

Not being able to adjust the EVF is daft. Not being able to have exposure preview and TTL flash in M mode (on the camera), is daft. We should be able to allocate which dial is EV comp in S, P and T modes and it shouldn't change between these modes.

 

Im sure there will be a few bugs found in this new release. Adams camera has some real issues that need to be sorted. But short of a few more lenses and some more fine tuning in the operation of the camera, I think we have a winner.

 

Gordon

[meerec]

The SL flash system for TTL was buggered beyond belief. With 2.0 I think it's 90% of the way there, for on camera TTL flash and my SL, which I seriously would have returned, is now in my working rotation. I have used it on the job with good results and I have purchased the 90-280, which is stellar. My needs are simple. Reliable and consistent firing in TTL modes. We seem to have that now.

 

There is more to do. The SL still needs some wotk on the flash system and consistency of operation in different modes isn't there, which most working photographers demand. We don't need to be thinking about what button to press when we switch betweeb T, A and M modes. Every mode should have the same functionality and in the SL it doesn't. 

 

Not being able to adjust the EVF is daft. Not being able to have exposure preview and TTL flash in M mode (on the camera), is daft. We should be able to allocate which dial is EV comp in S, P and T modes and it shouldn't change between these modes.

 

Im sure there will be a few bugs found in this new release. Adams camera has some real issues that need to be sorted. But short of a few more lenses and some more fine tuning in the operation of the camera, I think we have a winner.

 

Gordon

 

 

 

Hi Gordon ... I've realised you live in NSW so I wonder who you have bought the 90-280 from. Leica Australia seem to have yet to ship the lens to my usual suspect in Sydney: Paxtons and Digidirect. 

 

Also, I'm sitting on a fence. Still shoot with Canon 1D4 for tracking and speed of focus with the white telephotos. Would buy 90-280 to replace Canon but I am worried it may not be the same fast and precise tracking as Canon. Any early impressions you may have with the 90-280?

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Hi Gordon ... I've realised you live in NSW so I wonder who you have bought the 90-280 from. Leica Australia seem to have yet to ship the lens to my usual suspect in Sydney: Paxtons and Digidirect. 

 

Also, I'm sitting on a fence. Still shoot with Canon 1D4 for tracking and speed of focus with the white telephotos. Would buy 90-280 to replace Canon but I am worried it may not be the same fast and precise tracking as Canon. Any early impressions you may have with the 90-280?

 

It seems I managed to get one of the few lenses in Oz. Digidirect said it was the first but that could be shop talk. I got mine from Digidirect in king st. Ordered Thursday. Collected Tuesday. We both seems to use the same stores.....

 

Optically the 90-280 is stellar. It's a modern lens in rendering and a good match for the 24-90 although maybe a tad sharper. It's at least as sharp as the Canon 70-200 2.8L II, which my shooting partner uses, coincedentally on his 1D mk4. I love the range. It suits me much better than a 70-200.

 

It's beautiflyy made. They called the original Canon 80-200L "the drain pipe" and that's what I'm calling this. The removable collar is a fab design and the click stops are such a good idea but I hope Leica have replacements for when I lose mine. It's as long as a 100-400 but does balance well, especially as it doesn't extend.

 

I don't really use tracking and I've not had it long enough to push it. My impressions are that it seems nearly identical to the 24-90 so you might be able to use that as a reference.. Single shot is quick and quiet. Focus stays the same in low light as its shorter cousin as well. I need to take it to the beach with the dog andd test the tracking. Mostly though I need fast reliable single shot. It'll be fine for my needs which is a walking bride in a dim church as far as tracking goes. I don't think it's going to match the 1D4 with a 70-200LII though. None of the mirrorless I own can do that yet (sony, fuji, olympus, leica). It's the last domain of the DSLR. So single shot yes. Tracking, maybe depending on what you need it to do.

 

I live on the Central Coast about 1.25hrs from Sydney city or an hour from Wahroongah. If you want to arrange to have a coffee up this way and a play, you can PM me.

 

Gordon

[meerec]

It seems I managed to get one of the few lenses in Oz. Digidirect said it was the first but that could be shop talk. I got mine from Digidirect in king st. Ordered Thursday. Collected Tuesday. We both seems to use the same stores.....

 

Optically the 90-280 is stellar. It's a modern lens in rendering and a good match for the 24-90 although maybe a tad sharper. It's at least as sharp as the Canon 70-200 2.8L II, which my shooting partner uses, coincedentally on his 1D mk4. I love the range. It suits me much better than a 70-200.

 

It's beautiflyy made. They called the original Canon 80-200L "the drain pipe" and that's what I'm calling this. The removable collar is a fab design and the click stops are such a good idea but I hope Leica have replacements for when I lose mine. It's as long as a 100-400 but does balance well, especially as it doesn't extend.

 

I don't really use tracking and I've not had it long enough to push it. My impressions are that it seems nearly identical to the 24-90 so you might be able to use that as a reference.. Single shot is quick and quiet. Focus stays the same in low light as its shorter cousin as well. I need to take it to the beach with the dog andd test the tracking. Mostly though I need fast reliable single shot. It'll be fine for my needs which is a walking bride in a dim church as far as tracking goes. I don't think it's going to match the 1D4 with a 70-200LII though. None of the mirrorless I own can do that yet (sony, fuji, olympus, leica). It's the last domain of the DSLR. So single shot yes. Tracking, maybe depending on what you need it to do.

 

I live on the Central Coast about 1.25hrs from Sydney city or an hour from Wahroongah. If you want to arrange to have a coffee up this way and a play, you can PM me.

 

Gordon

 

 

I have a buyer for my 70-200/2.8L II, which I'm selling to make room for the 90-280. It's a lot of dough, for me at least, to plunk for this replacement. In your case, the lens will pay for itself in a few weddings, I suppose. I don't monetise my passion for photography. So it's a hard decision: sell and buy, or not.  Maybe I'm better off sticking to SL and all the fabulous M lenses only, leaving the reach and wildlife photography to the Canon cousin. 

 

I pre-ordered the 90-280 at Paxtons in George st, although I bought some M lenses and other stuff at Digidirect at King st in the past. Paxtons claim they will only receive two of the zooms from Leica, but who knows really. And they haven't yet. 

 

Thank you you for the offer of dropping by for coffee. The outlook isn't great today, it may even rain ... It is 1.5h drive to Terrigal from Northern Beaches. Doable :-) I'm still on the fence not convinced yet and the decision is hard about this new black 'drain pipe'. 

[Leicaiste]

Ahh I see. Thanks for clarifying.

 

Im still wondering if there is an issue with my camera though. I shot a few thousand images with the SL, m lenses and firmware 1.2. I never noticed the aperture reading jumping around like it is now. I guess its possible it was this inaccurate before, just surprised I didn't notice.

 

 

The reason you never noticed the (estimated) 'aperture reading jumping around like it is now', is because it wasn't there with firmware V1 and 1,2.

 

You could only see F-- .

 

You could only see the estimate aperture reading with R and M lenses when reviewing the picture after taking it.

 

Now, with firmware V2, you can see the estimate aperture for the R and M lenses before taking the picture.

[scott kirkpatrick]

Josh Lehrer at the Red Dot Forum (run by Leica Store Miami) has a nice clear walkthru of what the new firmware features are and where you find them.  I didn't know, for example, what it meant that now you can edit the list of M or R lenses so that only the ones you actually use show up in the list.  Unless you are a career beta tester, that's a help. And what the "steps in AF" mean is also covered.  Check it out at http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2016/04/leica-sl-typ-601-firmware-version-2-0-released/ .

 

scott

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[ski542002]

Firmware update sounds great; will be buying the SL end of May.  I do have an SF 58 that I never used much as is was way too cumbersome and operationally a bit quirky on my M240.  Was going to sell the 58, but am wondering if it's features could be fully utilized on the SL with the latest update?