My New SL makes me Happy!

[ModernMan]

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Longtime Leica user here, and my new SL makes me happy!

 

A couple of weeks ago, after detailed review of the 25 pages of posts in this forum, I got an SL in the hope that it would:

(1) serve adequately for use of my M-lenses

(2) serve adequately for use of my (few) R-lenses

(3) for my personal taste and use-cases, replace  my M240.

 

And after a brief few days my SL experience has been nothing less than wonderful! SL, where have you been all my life! For me it unequivocally replaces, and obsoletes my M240. Of course, YMMV.

 

Some comments:

 

(1) Size: I almost always used my M240 with a multifunction grip (geotagging), and the “Visoflex” EVF. The SL’s slight increase in size and weight is not material for me.

 

(2) For M lenses, the SL liberates me from the optical range/viewfinder.  Its personal preference, so let’s not re-litigate, but for me the transition to the SL EVF was easy to love. The EVF on the M240 was a step in the right direction, and deserves recognition as a landmark achievement in the mirrorless full-frame category.

 

(3) I welcome and embrace the many other functional enhancements over the M240 (wireless, touchscreen, 11fps, HDR, iPhone app…). A good chuckle can be had reminiscing about the sanctimonious rhetoric posted in the M forums over the years, ridiculing even contemplation of elevating M functionality to the level that is now realized in the SL.

 

(4) Sure, I tried the Sony A7 but corner smearing with beloved lenses in the 50mm and under range was a dealbreaker. IBIS was welcome, however.

 

(5) When the SL was announced it was not obvious to me that the experience could be so positive. One look at that HUGE 24-90 lens led me to think that the SL was not designed by people who appreciate compact, high-speed M lenses. I must be wrong about that because M lenses are obviously very well supported by the SL.

 

(6) Relative to M primes,  my 28-90 R with necessary adapters is in the same size category as the SL 24-90. Accordingly, it was an easy decision to move on to the 24-90.

 

- Very Happy New SL User

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[phongph]

Longtime Leica user here, and my new SL makes me happy!

 

A couple of weeks ago, after detailed review of the 25 pages of posts in this forum, I got an SL in the hope that it would:

(1) serve adequately for use of my M-lenses

(2) serve adequately for use of my (few) R-lenses

(3) for my personal taste and use-cases, replace  my M240.

 

And after a brief few days my SL experience has been nothing less than wonderful! SL, where have you been all my life! For me it unequivocally replaces, and obsoletes my M240. Of course, YMMV.

 

Some comments:

 

(1) Size: I almost always used my M240 with a multifunction grip (geotagging), and the “Visoflex” EVF. The SL’s slight increase in size and weight is not material for me.

 

(2) For M lenses, the SL liberates me from the optical range/viewfinder.  Its personal preference, so let’s not re-litigate, but for me the transition to the SL EVF was easy to love. The EVF on the M240 was a step in the right direction, and deserves recognition as a landmark achievement in the mirrorless full-frame category.

 

(3) I welcome and embrace the many other functional enhancements over the M240 (wireless, touchscreen, 11fps, HDR, iPhone app…). A good chuckle can be had reminiscing about the sanctimonious rhetoric posted in the M forums over the years, ridiculing even contemplation of elevating M functionality to the level that is now realized in the SL.

 

(4) Sure, I tried the Sony A7 but corner smearing with beloved lenses in the 50mm and under range was a dealbreaker. IBIS was welcome, however.

 

(5) When the SL was announced it was not obvious to me that the experience could be so positive. One look at that HUGE 24-90 lens led me to think that the SL was not designed by people who appreciate compact, high-speed M lenses. I must be wrong about that because M lenses are obviously very well supported by the SL.

 

(6) Relative to M primes,  my 28-90 R with necessary adapters is in the same size category as the SL 24-90. Accordingly, it was an easy decision to move on to the 24-90.

 

- Very Happy New SL User

Hi MordernMan!

I am also happy with SL 601 after 5 month use with SL 24-90 ASPH and M Apo 50 f2.

Have a good day!

 

Thanks!

[blacksinner]

I'm very very happy with the result and the feel of SL. its very satisfying, the sound, the metal, everything is perfect. for now my favourite lens is voigtlander 35mm f1.7. i haven't got a chance to bring out the 24-90mm. i will when i traveling later on new year.

[ymc226]

This is getting me more excited.  I may purchase the SL now instead of a little later as I am still getting used to my Q after using the M's (film and digital for years).  I just sold off my Olympus EM5 Mk II with the 12-40.  I thought it would address my autofocus needs but the quality in detail and color isn't quite equal to Leica.  Looking at the Q, it is different from my CCD M9 and I am still deciding if I prefer one over the other.  The sharpness is there, however.

[phongph]

This is getting me more excited.  I may purchase the SL now instead of a little later as I am still getting used to my Q after using the M's (film and digital for years).  I just sold off my Olympus EM5 Mk II with the 12-40.  I thought it would address my autofocus needs but the quality in detail and color isn't quite equal to Leica.  Looking at the Q, it is different from my CCD M9 and I am still deciding if I prefer one over the other.  The sharpness is there, however.

Hi ymc266!

My friend used Q over 1 year, then got SL 601 with 8 month use until now!

He loves two Camera, but most of time He shoots with SL 601 & M Lux 50 f1.4. He plans to switch M Lux 50 f1.4 for Nocti 50 f 0.95!

Thanks! 

[RoySmith]

My experience mirrors the OPs. I got a SL 1 month ago while my M9 was off getting a sensor replacement. The SL is truly  fantastic with M lenses. As others have said the EVF is amazing. Focusing, even with  a Summilux-M 75mm, is effortless. I like seeing the histogram in the upper left corner of the viewfinder. The M9 was returned last week, I took one picture with it to confirm that the sensor is working, then put it away and picked up the SL again. I was skeptical when it was first announced. I think one has to use it to realize what an achievement it is. Oh, and the shutter sound is sublime.

[ramarren]

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It's great to hear all these new SL users enjoying their cameras! 

 

I was very sure this was The Camera for me when I ordered mine in October of 2015, two days after the announcement. Within a day of it arriving on November 16, 2015, I knew it was what I'd been hoping for since 2001. My enthusiasm for the SL remains undiminished a year later. 

[John Z. Goriup]

It's great to hear all these new SL users enjoying their cameras! 

 

I was very sure this was The Camera for me when I ordered mine in October of 2015, two days after the announcement. Within a day of it arriving on November 16, 2015, I knew it was what I'd been hoping for since 2001. My enthusiasm for the SL remains undiminished a year later. 

 

Well said. All I can add is ................ditto !

 

I delayed my buying decision a bit since I've grown wary of jumping into any significantly new technology and designs in any product field in what I consider prematurely, therefore I waited a little longer, but then opted for both zooms - and as a result only occasionally use my M lenses on the SL - in fact, I'm at the point where I hardly use the M system at all any more, because the SL so completely fills and satisfies all my photographic requirements. It's the perfect total package for me.

 

Now if only there were a 2x APO fully integrated auto-focus extender and perhaps an ultra-wide zoom ( say a 12 - 21 or a 15 - 24 ) as good as the original two Leica already offers to complete the range..............

 

JZG

[steppenw0lf]

The zoom is on the way. In about 12-15 months the SL 16-35 will arrive.

In the meantime you can use the very satisfying EOS 11-24 with the Novoflex AF adapter, though it is a hefty combination (weight and size).

I am not so demanding, for me the manual WATE (16-18-21) is a perfect zoom stand-in.     (On the SL it is a zoom). And it weighs only 335g.

[vanhulsenbeek]

..............................................

I am not so demanding, for me the manual WATE (16-18-21) is a perfect zoom stand-in.     (On the SL it is a zoom). And it weighs only 335g.

 

The WATE is perfect on the SL and makes a great combo

[Leicaiste]

It's great to hear all these new SL users enjoying their cameras! 

 

I was very sure this was The Camera for me when I ordered mine in October of 2015, two days after the announcement. Within a day of it arriving on November 16, 2015, I knew it was what I'd been hoping for since 2001. My enthusiasm for the SL remains undiminished a year later. 

 

 

Mine is higher.

 

[ramarren]

The WATE is perfect on the SL and makes a great combo

I switch back and forth between the WATE and the Super-Elmer-R 15mm. They are both excellent perfomers on the SL, with rather different rendering signatures and physical feel. The WATE is small and light, but I find its controls a little fussy on the SL body; the SER15 is large and heavy, but its controls are perfectly placed for excellent use—and it balances superbly on the SL body. The WATE is sharper all the way out into the corners and edges even wide open but its focusing doesn't quite 'snap in' the same way the SER15 does, which is just as strong on center but has a bit of corner/edge softness. The fact that I usually use either at the 15-16mm settings but with the format set to square mitigates some of the SER15's corner/edge softness; the fact that with either just stopping down to f/5.6 nets HUGE DoF mitigates the need for absolute precision focusing a good bit of the time.

 

But I look forward to the native SL16-35 zoom when it appears! I don't know whether I'll buy one, but I love this range for so much of my photography.

[Flu]

For me, the SL is my favorite Leica body to date! Even after more than a year of using it, I still felt I was missing something. So.... I went out and bought a second SL so I can dual sling lol.

24-90 on one body and 90-280 on the other, at the tracks. I can attest to the SL's good autofocus tracking capabilities.

 

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[FlashGordonPhotography]

pre-fw 2.0.. Hated it.

post-fw 2.0. Love it.

 

Due to the way I shoot and bugs in the original shipping firmware had me almost return my SL. Banding at mid ISO's. Terrible TTL flash problems. I had actually informed Leica that I saw the SL as not fit for purpose. The excellent XPro2 had just been released and I started shooting with a pair of those. The SL hardware was stunning but ultimately it was going back.

 

Then two things happened. FW 2.0 and the Novoflex EF adaptor. The firmware fixed most of the bugs, although the way the EVF works is still stupid and auto ISO isn't right and it dealt with the banding issue. The EF adaptor allowed me to use my TS lenses on the SL. I use those lenses almost every day. The TTL flash system isn't state of the art but I've got it dialled in so it's consistent. Mostly I use manual flash anyway.

 

The SL has gone from a camera that frustrated me to the camera I would replace immediately if it were lost or stolen. I think I have the flagship from all the mirrorless players (except the EM1mk2) and the SL is in a different place to all of them. While capable they feel like toys compared to the SL.

 

I look forward to the expanding lens range. My only real wish is for a high resolution version of the SL. I have a need for higher resolutions occasionally and have to keep an A7R2 around for that. I'd immediately replace it with a 40MP+ SL.

 

Gordon

[Andrew Gough]

Longtime Leica user here, and my new SL makes me happy!

 

A couple of weeks ago, after detailed review of the 25 pages of posts in this forum, I got an SL in the hope that it would:

(1) serve adequately for use of my M-lenses

(2) serve adequately for use of my (few) R-lenses

(3) for my personal taste and use-cases, replace  my M240.

 

And after a brief few days my SL experience has been nothing less than wonderful! SL, where have you been all my life! For me it unequivocally replaces, and obsoletes my M240. Of course, YMMV.

 

Some comments:

 

(1) Size: I almost always used my M240 with a multifunction grip (geotagging), and the “Visoflex” EVF. The SL’s slight increase in size and weight is not material for me.

 

(2) For M lenses, the SL liberates me from the optical range/viewfinder.  Its personal preference, so let’s not re-litigate, but for me the transition to the SL EVF was easy to love. The EVF on the M240 was a step in the right direction, and deserves recognition as a landmark achievement in the mirrorless full-frame category.

 

(3) I welcome and embrace the many other functional enhancements over the M240 (wireless, touchscreen, 11fps, HDR, iPhone app…). A good chuckle can be had reminiscing about the sanctimonious rhetoric posted in the M forums over the years, ridiculing even contemplation of elevating M functionality to the level that is now realized in the SL.

 

(4) Sure, I tried the Sony A7 but corner smearing with beloved lenses in the 50mm and under range was a dealbreaker. IBIS was welcome, however.

 

(5) When the SL was announced it was not obvious to me that the experience could be so positive. One look at that HUGE 24-90 lens led me to think that the SL was not designed by people who appreciate compact, high-speed M lenses. I must be wrong about that because M lenses are obviously very well supported by the SL.

 

(6) Relative to M primes,  my 28-90 R with necessary adapters is in the same size category as the SL 24-90. Accordingly, it was an easy decision to move on to the 24-90.

 

- Very Happy New SL User

 

+1, I feel the same way.

 

Andrew