Couple of quick questions for new owner

[Big John]

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Hi guys,

 

2 quick questions pls:

 

1. Anyone using the foil/plastic screen protector on the LCD?  I had one thrown in with my purchase. Not read anywhere what the cover of the LCD is made from so trying to figure out if necessary. 

 

2. Anyone figured out what the finish is on the SL? Paint or black chrome?

 

Thanks 

 

John

[LocalHero1953]

1. No.

2. I assume black paint: it's an aluminium alloy body, so not black chrome.

[thighslapper]

I always use LCD protectors ....... although the Leica one gives a rather granular/ground glass screen effect..... mainly as scratches are an issue when it comes to re-sale.....

 

I think the finish is some sort of anodised coating rather than just paint. 

[MEB]

I applied the Leia made screen protector and was very disappointed.  It dulls the image (I suppose they thought it was anti-glare).  I have put screen protectors on nearly every electronic device that I own.  I'm waiting for Giotto to come up with one for the SL.

 

Mark

[steppenw0lf]

I think a screen protector is not necessary. But actually it depends on your nose, because this is the part of the face that mainly touches the screen. Do you wear some sort of metal rings or diamonds in or around your nose ? If not, then I think it is safe. The brochure says somewhere    the screen has anti-fingerprint and anti-scratch coatings ...   For me, this does not encourage the use of protective foils.

 

The finish is not paint, but I do not know the official name. For me it is "black aluminum", like my R4 or R5, or the M246. Correct is maybe black anodized aluminum.

 

Stephan

[ramarren]

1. Have only ever used a sceen protector on two cameras, both of which had notoriously fragile LCD cover. Never scratched one. 

2. The SL body finish ... I have no idea. Anodized or painted I presume. I don't think about it that much. 

[Big John]

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Thanks guys. 

 

Expected a a range of like/no-like re screen protectors, I have always used one (Fujis) and have found GGS to be best.  I asked Leica Mayfair if the screen was gorilla glass - they didn't know for sure but did say that since even mobile phone manufacturers use toughened glass such as GG, you can be sure that Leica have used something very suitable.  I may try the Leica foil for a while. 

 

Camera finish - I don't mind what is it, I like it!  Doesn't seem to leave fingerprints like painted M. 

 

Cheers. 

[LD_50]

Using the Leica screen protector. It does have a matte effect that I don't particularly care for but I don't trust the screen will stay scratch free. This camera should have a sapphire screen like the MP.

 

I've not used screen protectors on my Nikons or my MP but they clearly identify the screen material. That Leica doesn't here tells me it's likely just a cheap glass screen with an anti scratch coating.

[ramarren]

Gosh, you trust Leica so little that you accuse them of putting a "cheap glass screen with an anti-scratch coating" in their high-end cameras? Why do you buy Leicas? 

[Big John]

Just had a lovely half hour unboxing my new SL and 24-90. Very happy new owner who has wanted a Leica for many years - my own camera exudes quality in every respect. Super happy!  Initial test shots in setting light are good and am looking forward to really learning how to use this wonderful piece of kit. 

[pico]

I think Leica's black chrome is electroplated over nickel plated aluminum or brass.

[AlanJW]

I tried the Leica foil and did not like the dulling effect and removed it.  I then tried a Giottos SP8300, which is clear glass and fits just so -- if you place it carefully, nothing on the screen is obscured.    I have had a Giottos sacrifice itself on another camera, saving the screen, so that's the way I go.  The GGS, if you can find the right size, are very similar and less expensive.

[Guest]

Gosh, you trust Leica so little that you accuse them of putting a "cheap glass screen with an anti-scratch coating" in their high-end cameras? Why do you buy Leicas?

And why do you always take even the slightest questioning of Leica products as a personal attack on your dignity? I have never understood this aspect of human psyche.

[ramarren]

And why do you always take even the slightest questioning of Leica products as a personal attack on your dignity? I have never understood this aspect of human psyche.

 

 

It's no sweat to me. I don't understand the kind of human psyche that goes out and buys a $10,000 camera while considering it a bodge with a cheap piece of glass on the LCD.   

[MEB]

For those still seeking a screen protector for the SL, I can recommend the one made by Expert Shield.  I previously tried the one sold by Leica and did not like it...especially I did not like the matte finish.  The Expert Shield is crystal clear.  It is cut 1mm smaller than the screen in both directions which leaves just enough room for (my) human error.  Once installed, one must look very closely to detect that it is on.  I was hoping for the Giottos glass protector but they don't have one yet that is specific to the SL and could not give an expected date.  The company is also very cooperative with its customers.  On a prior occasion, I purchased one for another camera and the product was clearly defective.  I emailed the company and within 1 hour received a reply that they were very sorry and would immediately send a replacement.  I had the replacement 3 days later.  I believe the SL protector cost me $12.95.

 

Mark

[LD_50]

Gosh, you trust Leica so little that you accuse them of putting a "cheap glass screen with an anti-scratch coating" in their high-end cameras? Why do you buy Leicas? 

 

I buy Leicas for a number of reasons. My other Leica is a typ 240 MP. I chose this over the regular typ 240 for the sapphire screen. Leica doesn't offer this option for the SL so I had no choice. 

 

Why would I "trust" Leica to put a different type of glass than they are advertising on the camera? Why would this be a "trust" item and not simply me reading the specificaiton sheet and Leica choosing not to include what they have clearly identified as an advantage on other cameras. 

 

Leica M9-P. Leica typ 240 MP. Leica S2-P, etc all included sapphire screens and were advertised this way. 

 

Leica M typ 240, Leica M typ 262, Leica S typ 007, etc all include Gorilla Glass screen (for me preferable to anti-scratch coating alone, but not preferable to sapphire) and were advertised this way.

 

Leica SL says absolutely nothing I've found about the type of glass (other than "real glass," "scratch resistant," "anti-reflex" and "anti-fingerprint"). Do you "trust" Leica just chose not to make mention of the material this time? I've seen a few articles mentioning Gorilla Glass, and speculation about it, but nothing from Leica. I would feel better if they came out and put the material on the specification sheet.

 

 

It's no sweat to me. I don't understand the kind of human psyche that goes out and buys a $10,000 camera while considering it a bodge with a cheap piece of glass on the LCD.   

 

 

Sensationalism ("I don't understand the kind of human psyche...") here is not something I care for. Please leave me out of your questioning of my psyche or your attempt to discern what value I place on a good ("$10,000 camera..." "...cheap piece of glass").

 

I firmly believe at the price point of the SL it should have included a sapphire screen. That it doesn't and that they don't explain what was used, when they've done so for other currently available cameras, tells me they went a cheaper route. Perhaps they are using a screen with the same durability as a sapphire or Gorilla Glass screen and for unknown reason (trade secret, non-disclosure with supplier, poor marketing, poor oversight of their specificaiton sheets, etc) they chose not to publish this.

[Big John]

For those still seeking a screen protector for the SL, I can recommend the one made by Expert Shield.  I previously tried the one sold by Leica and did not like it...especially I did not like the matte finish.  The Expert Shield is crystal clear.  It is cut 1mm smaller than the screen in both directions which leaves just enough room for (my) human error.  Once installed, one must look very closely to detect that it is on.  I was hoping for the Giottos glass protector but they don't have one yet that is specific to the SL and could not give an expected date.  The company is also very cooperative with its customers.  On a prior occasion, I purchased one for another camera and the product was clearly defective.  I emailed the company and within 1 hour received a reply that they were very sorry and would immediately send a replacement.  I had the replacement 3 days later.  I believe the SL protector cost me $12.95.

 

Mark

 

Thanks Mark.  Have used Expert Shield before on Fujis and concur - put it on correctly and it's great. Which model are you using pls?

[MEB]

John,

 

The type I'm using is what they call "Crystal Clear-Original"  and the cut is for the Leica SL (note: the camera photo on their web site is incorrect...it doesn't show an SL...but the cut is correct).  If you are in doubt, email them and Anne will respond almost immediately and she is very helpful.

 

Mark

[ramarren]

I buy Leicas for a number of reasons. My other Leica is a typ 240 MP. I chose this over the regular typ 240 for the sapphire screen. Leica doesn't offer this option for the SL so I had no choice. 

 

Why would I "trust" Leica to put a different type of glass than they are advertising on the camera? Why would this be a "trust" item and not simply me reading the specificaiton sheet and Leica choosing not to include what they have clearly identified as an advantage on other cameras. 

 

Leica M9-P. Leica typ 240 MP. Leica S2-P, etc all included sapphire screens and were advertised this way. 

 

Leica M typ 240, Leica M typ 262, Leica S typ 007, etc all include Gorilla Glass screen (for me preferable to anti-scratch coating alone, but not preferable to sapphire) and were advertised this way.

 

Leica SL says absolutely nothing I've found about the type of glass (other than "real glass," "scratch resistant," "anti-reflex" and "anti-fingerprint"). Do you "trust" Leica just chose not to make mention of the material this time? I've seen a few articles mentioning Gorilla Glass, and speculation about it, but nothing from Leica. I would feel better if they came out and put the material on the specification sheet.

 

Sensationalism ("I don't understand the kind of human psyche...") here is not something I care for. Please leave me out of your questioning of my psyche or your attempt to discern what value I place on a good ("$10,000 camera..." "...cheap piece of glass").

 

I firmly believe at the price point of the SL it should have included a sapphire screen. That it doesn't and that they don't explain what was used, when they've done so for other currently available cameras, tells me they went a cheaper route. Perhaps they are using a screen with the same durability as a sapphire or Gorilla Glass screen and for unknown reason (trade secret, non-disclosure with supplier, poor marketing, poor oversight of their specificaiton sheets, etc) they chose not to publish this.

 

 

Talk to maziatr about that "sensationalism" line that offends you. I just copied it from his post; my reply was to him, not to you. 

 

I was curious so I spent some time digging into the LCD glass material on the SL along with a Leica tech rep, the folks at the US distributor, and a friend on the inside who does contracting work for the company. The material is not sapphire, it's a 'gorilla glass' variant (meaning: I was unable to determine whether it is made by Corning or some other glass manufacturer, but it is of similar chemical makeup) with special treatments to minimize finger prints and scratches. Good enough for me. Probably nearly the same price as sapphire; possibly a little less. Leica prefer not to call it by some made up name, they call it as it is: real glass, with scratch resistant and other protective coatings. 

 

I buy Leica cameras because they work the way I want cameras to work and are the best platform with which to use Leica lenses. I couldn't give a hoot as to whether they advertise and specify every little piece they're made of—that's completely inconsequential to me. I trust Leica to engineer them well, and manufacture them of premium materials with top notch build quality, and I've never been disappointed. At the price point, the SL should be a premium quality camera, and it is.

 

I have an M-P too ... I bought it because it was the best deal at the time I was buying and because its additional internal buffer space gives it a slight edge in responsiveness over the M typ 240 model. The M-P is a premium quality camera too. That it has a sapphire glass LCD cover is a nice detail to know, but eh? who really cares if it works and lasts. 

 

After seven months of carrying and using the SL nearly constantly with no protective stuff on the LCD, there's not a mark on it, or a fingerprint, or anything. I wouldn't bother with a screen protector on it—it's unnecessary and can't do anything but degrade the view and feel of the LCD, which is a touch control surface. 

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[LD_50]

Talk to maziatr about that "sensationalism" line that offends you. I just copied it from his post; my reply was to him, not to you. 

 

I was curious so I spent some time digging into the LCD glass material on the SL along with a Leica tech rep, the folks at the US distributor, and a friend on the inside who does contracting work for the company. The material is not sapphire, it's a 'gorilla glass' variant (meaning: I was unable to determine whether it is made by Corning or some other glass manufacturer, but it is of similar chemical makeup) with special treatments to minimize finger prints and scratches. Good enough for me. Probably nearly the same price as sapphire; possibly a little less. Leica prefer not to call it by some made up name, they call it as it is: real glass, with scratch resistant and other protective coatings. 

 

I buy Leica cameras because they work the way I want cameras to work and are the best platform with which to use Leica lenses. I couldn't give a hoot as to whether they advertise and specify every little piece they're made of—that's completely inconsequential to me. I trust Leica to engineer them well, and manufacture them of premium materials with top notch build quality, and I've never been disappointed. At the price point, the SL should be a premium quality camera, and it is.

 

I have an M-P too ... I bought it because it was the best deal at the time I was buying and because its additional internal buffer space gives it a slight edge in responsiveness over the M typ 240 model. The M-P is a premium quality camera too. That it has a sapphire glass LCD cover is a nice detail to know, but eh? who really cares if it works and lasts. 

 

After seven months of carrying and using the SL nearly constantly with no protective stuff on the LCD, there's not a mark on it, or a fingerprint, or anything. I wouldn't bother with a screen protector on it—it's unnecessary and can't do anything but degrade the view and feel of the LCD, which is a touch control surface. 

 

I hadn't noticed the human psyche term came from someone else, so my apology to you on that. 

 

The he material of every little piece typically isn't specified unless that little piece is one that is perceived to increase the value of the camera. Magnesium, sapphire, gorilla glass, tend to make the list with Leica. It matters to me because I've a lot of experience with sapphire (watches and the M-P) as well as gorilla glass (cameras and mobile phones) and therefore trust I can leave the screen unprotected. Leica's description sounds generic and therefore left me to decide whether to take a risk with no protection. Your additional information and firsthand experience helps.