Leica SL buy or wait?

[Enbee]

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I am in the market for a second camera. I have narrowed down my choice to Leica SL. The need is not immediate but I would like to purchase one in 2017, if possible. I am wondering if and when Leica is planning to release the next version of Leica SL. I have usually seen 2-3 year interval between cameras and sometimes the changes are quite significant between the first and the second version.

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[Big John]

I am in the market for a second camera. I have narrowed down my choice to Leica SL. The need is not immediate but I would like to purchase one in 2017, if possible. I am wondering if and when Leica is planning to release the next version of Leica SL. I have usually seen 2-3 year interval between cameras and sometimes the changes are quite significant between the first and the second version.

I have had the SL nearly a year and aside from still learning more and more about it, it is a great camera. You could follow all the usual rumour websites but in my experience, most of the product upgrades are in the M line. I might be wrong but the S hasn't been upgraded.....Q neither. Don't know if Leica would make an SL-P...as it might dilute the panache attached to M-Ps.

 

My advice is simple, buy when you want it.

[R3D-D0T]

If you absolutely want mirrorless, then get the SL. But that roadmap doesn't look promising

[Enbee]

I have had the SL nearly a year and aside from still learning more and more about it, it is a great camera. You could follow all the usual rumour websites but in my experience, most of the product upgrades are in the M line. I might be wrong but the S hasn't been upgraded.....Q neither. Don't know if Leica would make an SL-P...as it might dilute the panache attached to M-Ps.

 

My advice is simple, buy when you want it.

Thank You for a great suggestion!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Enbee]

If you absolutely want mirrorless, then get the SL. But that roadmap doesn't look promising

What do you suggest otherwise?

[caissa]

Yes I agree completely, you should never buy a SL - neither now nor in a few months. You will not find many recommendations in favour of it - it is simply too expensive, has not enough modern features, is excellent for manual focus, but bad for using flash ...

I never saw a full-hearted  recommendation in favour of it from any "scientific" web-site, since it was announced.

 

So if you have to ask - DON'T. Everybody agrees. Even people who have never used one.

 

By the way I have mine since January 2016 and feel very happy since then - the happier the more native lenses I get.

Edited April 9, 2017 by caissa

[Big John]

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Yes I agree completely, you should never buy a SL - neither now nor in a few months. You will not find many recommendations in favour of it - it is simply too expensive, has not enough modern features, is excellent for manual focus, but bad for using flash ...

I never saw a full-hearted  recommendation in favour of it from any "scientific" web-site, since it was announced.

 

So if you have to ask - DON'T. Everybody agrees. Even people who have never used one.

 

By the way I have mine since January 2016 and feel very happy since then - the happier the more native lenses I get.

You seem happy with it but won't recommend?

[caissa]

 read between the lines.

Why does anybody need recommendations. I would never have bought it, had I followed the recommendations.  

Better try it - and ignore the recommendations. (I am happy with it - do you know a better recommendation ?)

Edited April 9, 2017 by caissa

[Jeff S]

What else do you need for your style of shooting? If that's not compelling, buy it. Worst case, trade it later....that will likely represent a small cost compared to your initial investment, especially if you commit to native lenses.

 

I doubt that MP will increase before any increase in the S line, if that's even being considered.

 

Jeff

[helged]

With the X1D and GHX shipping - in quite some quantities, apparently (and for good reasons) - the S-line has to be upgraded sooner than later. Some have indicated a 50-60 MP sensor in September 2017, time will tell. Thereafter - possibly in 2018 - we could expect rumours/announcement of the upgraded SL. I am very satisfied with the current SL - it's clearly the most versatile system I have ever used. As body #2 I have the M246. A very fine combo for most of the photography I do, particularly since I have some M-glass.

 

[The major exception for the SL/M usability and superiority is, for me, wildlife/birds, since SL lacks long lenses and the M-line is not for speedy/tele photography. For the latter I use Nikon with very fast bodies and long lenses.]

[Cliff S]

With the X1D and GHX shipping - in quite some quantities, apparently (and for good reasons) - the S-line has to be upgraded sooner than later. Some have indicated a 50-60 MP sensor in September 2017, time will tell. Thereafter - possibly in 2018 - we could expect rumours/announcement of the upgraded SL. I am very satisfied with the current SL - it's clearly the most versatile system I have ever used. As body #2 I have the M246. A very fine combo for most of the photography I do, particularly since I have some M-glass.

 

[The major exception for the SL/M usability and superiority is, for me, wildlife/birds, since SL lacks long lenses and the M-line is not for speedy/tele photography. For the latter I use Nikon with very fast bodies and long lenses.]

Increasing the sensor size will render all Leica glass useless if the sensor size increases to MF rather than densifying pixels in FF. unless there will be a magic adapter.

 

This would mean upgrading body AND native glass.

[Jeff S]

Increasing the sensor size will render all Leica glass useless if the sensor size increases to MF rather than densifying pixels in FF. unless there will be a magic adapter.

 

This would mean upgrading body AND native glass.

That's not the thought process; rather it's that the FF SL likely won't see an increase in MP until the S line gets a similar boost in MP. And S competition might be forcing that increase.

 

I do think, however, that one reason the SL lenses are so good is that their large size offers excess coverage, thereby using the 'sweet spot' of the native SL lenses. My theory, anyway.

 

Jeff

Edited April 9, 2017 by Jeff S

[AlexP]

If you can afford a minimum $10k start up, $850 battery grip, $850 flash, $250 battey etc...why not.

 

I have it and love it. I also have all system from canon/nikon/sony so I know exactly what the SL can/can't do. So, go for it.

[R3D-D0T]

If you can afford a minimum $10k start up, $850 battery grip, $850 flash, $250 battey etc...why not.

 

I have it and love it. I also have all system from canon/nikon/sony so I know exactly what the SL can/can't do. So, go for it.

 

 

That's what bothers me... why not use that money for a CaNikon, Leica M or some other mirrorless option? I'm not sure what the SL offers other than disappointing zoom lens and that EVF :/

[AlexP]

The magic of the red dot? Lol

[LocalHero1953]

That's what bothers me... why not use that money for a CaNikon, Leica M or some other mirrorless option? I'm not sure what the SL offers other than disappointing zoom lens and that EVF :/

I take it you have both zoom lenses. What has disappointed you about them?

 

 

I am in the market for a second camera. I have narrowed down my choice to Leica SL. The need is not immediate but I would like to purchase one in 2017, if possible. I am wondering if and when Leica is planning to release the next version of Leica SL. I have usually seen 2-3 year interval between cameras and sometimes the changes are quite significant between the first and the second version.

You don't say what you would use a second camera for? If it is mainly walkabout, street, travel, then I would pick something smaller and lighter. I would be disappointed with it myself, because of its weight and bulk (even for use with M lenses, IMO). If it is events, portraits etc, then the SL and its native lenses make a good choice.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

That's what bothers me... why not use that money for a CaNikon, Leica M or some other mirrorless option? I'm not sure what the SL offers other than disappointing zoom lens and that EVF :/

Interesting.... What exactly is disappointing about the SL zoom lenses? Optically they are very highly regarded. People gush over the 90-280. They have very fast and accurate AF and their range is better than any of their competitors.

 

Are you talking about the size/weight? Yes they are big. But no bigger/heavier than any of their 35mm competitors. The Sony is just as large. The Canikons are slightly smaller but on bigger bodies and with less range.

 

The SL has plenty of weaknesses. I'm surprised that the zoom lenses would be listed among them.

 

Don't buy the SL if.....

 

* you shoot sports at a professional level.

* you want a dive housing for it.

* you need very long telephoto lenses with AF for it.

* you think the expense in purchasing will give you immediately better image quality.

* you need off camera TTL flash or HSS flash.

* you want something small and light.

* you need more than 24MP.

* you think Leica will have a 20 lens system by next year.

* you get headaches and dizzy using EVF cameras (some people do).

 

for the above there is a better solution for you.

 

Do buy the SL if

 

* you can afford it and you just want one.

* you want a great EVF.

* you want the best built mirrorless camera currently available.

* you want a versitile camera that can use a wide variety of "alt" lenses.

* you want to use your AF Nikon lenses on an EVF body.

* you want to use Canon and Sigma AF lenses.

* you shoot architecture with Canons TS lenses.

* you like the simpler button and menu layout compared to alternatives.

* you need a camera to strap your new SL 50mm Summilux on.

* you want to use Leica S, TL, R or M lenses on an EVF camera.

 

If my all my gear were stolen the first cameras I would replace would be my SLs. By far the most flexible "professional" system I've ever used and it suits perfectly they way I like to work/play. YMMV.

 

Certainly, eventually Leica will upgrade the SL. However the current hardware is very good indeed. Most people who have issues really seem to cite firmware issues/wishes. Except for the usual upgrades to sensors/video codecs/processors that happen naturally there's not a huge deal wrong with the SL hardware wise.

 

You might look into lightly used and loved bodies. I recently picked up a second body from a lovely guy who wanted an M10. Mint condition and at a significant reduction in price.

 

Gordon

[Cliff S]

" you want the best built mirrorless camera currently available."

 

Onlyi If we're talking FF with AF.

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[FlashGordonPhotography]

" you want the best built mirrorless camera currently available."

 

Onlyi If we're talking FF with AF.

 

There's a better built mirrorless camera than the SL?

 

The M isn't usually considered mirrorless (plus the RF has them anyway). Not the X1D or GFX. I've seen those and they're nice but not the same as the SL in build quality although the 'blad is close. The lenses didn't feel that tough in the hand though. Same for the EM1.2, XT2 and A7R2 all of which, I own.

 

I'd be interested what mirrorless camera is put together better than the SL.

 

Gordon

[ramarren]

I am in the market for a second camera. I have narrowed down my choice to Leica SL. The need is not immediate but I would like to purchase one in 2017, if possible. I am wondering if and when Leica is planning to release the next version of Leica SL. I have usually seen 2-3 year interval between cameras and sometimes the changes are quite significant between the first and the second version.

 

 

As you can see, there are a lot of opinions. 

 

I bought mine the first day they were available for sale and have not regretted it for one instant. I have no intent to buy another even if a new model with some different features comes available—no need at all. There's a point where the notion that quantum leaps with every new model stop happening. The SL is that point for me: I don't need anything more. 

 

What do you intend to do with your second camera? Can the SL do it? If yes, buy one. It's really that simple.

 

If it doesn't, well, no one will know what the next SL model does until Leica announces it. I personally can't think of anything else I need that can't be addressed in firmware development, if there's enough reason for Leica to do it.