NEW Leica SL coming in 2018??

[stump4545]

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Want to jump into a new Leica SL but would hate it if a new SL body is announced in 2018.

 

Anyone have any thoughts or good guesses?

 

thank you

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[Guest VVJ]

Always possible but unlikely IMO.  Leica has product cycles of 3-4 years and a S008 or a Q2 is probably more likely than a SL2.  2019 seems a better bet.  

[Jeff S]

Always possible but unlikely IMO. Leica has product cycles of 3-4 years and a S008 or a Q2 is probably more likely than a SL2. 2019 seems a better bet.

Agreed. Dr. Kaufmann said in his recent LuLa interview with Kevin Raber that something would be announced in June. And when a new SL arrives (no indication of timing), it would incorporate a less ‘brutal’, more ‘elegant’ design.

 

Jeff

[bherman01545]

Get what you need when you need it. The current SL is already a great camera. Does the SL not meet your needs? Whenever the new SL/SL2 comes out, it will likely be more camera than most people need,

and will undoubtedly cost way more than the current SL.

 

Based on past experience, when a new Leica SL replacement is announced it might very well be in the $7000-$8000 range (or more) for the body only and might take 6-8 mos or longer to reach dealer's shelves.

Factoring in the normal Leica waitlist, it could take almost a year from announcement to get your hands on one.

 

If you already have a good camera system that you can use and can wait a year ++ to get your hands on one, and have the extra $$ to burn then wait, but don't look at these cameras as an investment

 

The SL has dropped in price, so it is already a pretty good deal. With that said, if the new SL replacement follows the design of the Leica "S" system, the new camera should be a beauty!

Edited May 7, 2018 by bherman01545

[lx1713]

Possibly a minor variant of the SL might be offered but I doubt it. 

Increased internal RAM, dual UHS II slots, 10 bit 422 ProRes recording, etc. Internal changes that might attract a small group of users who has the need.

Doubt it because I think those has not been big complains from current users. It's already a very competent camera.

[Chuck Albertson]

Agreed. Dr. Kaufmann said in his recent LuLa interview with Kevin Raber that something would be announced in June. And when a new SL arrives (no indication of timing), it would incorporate a less ‘brutal’, more ‘elegant’ design.

 

Jeff

Actually, he said that something regarding the L mount would be announced in June.

[jaapv]

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Get what you need when you need it. The current SL is already a great camera. Does the SL not meet your needs? Whenever the new SL/SL2 comes out, it will likely be more camera than most people need,

and will undoubtedly cost way more than the current SL.

 

Based on past experience, when a new Leica SL replacement is announced it might very well be in the $7000-$8000 range (or more) for the body only and might take 6-8 mos or longer to reach dealer's shelves.

Factoring in the normal Leica waitlist, it could take almost a year from announcement to get your hands on one.

 

If you already have a good camera system that you can use and can wait a year ++ to get your hands on one, and have the extra $$ to burn then wait, but don't look at these cameras as an investment

 

The SL has dropped in price, so it is already a pretty good deal. With that said, if the new SL replacement follows the design of the Leica "S" system, the new camera should be a beauty!

The CL was in the shops almost immediately, the M10 was not delayed for long either. The last camera with a bit longer wait was the M240. I don't think that the logistics of introducing a new camera differ much from other brands anymore.  Speculating on the price - an uncertain case at best.

[jaapv]

If the present camera offers what you want, what is the point of waiting for whatever new?

[thighslapper]

The CL was in the shops almost immediately, the M10 was not delayed for long either. The last camera with a bit longer wait was the M240. I don't think that the logistics of introducing a new camera differ much from other brands anymore.  Speculating on the price - an uncertain case at best.

 

.... yes Leica appear to have finally learnt lessons from the past and no longer announce camera bodies until they are close to production and distribution.

 

The same can't be said for lenses ...... particularly the SL models where they were presumably forced to produce a lens road map with speculative times ......... which have unsurprisingly gone the way of most things Leica ....... late .....

[relms]

If you are convinced the SL is the right camera for you, by all means get your hands on the current model, and don't wait; perhaps get a second-hand one.  The current SL is an awesome camera with terrific lenses that will serve you well while learning the system and waiting for the newer model.  

[Mr.Q]

If the present camera offers what you want, what is the point of waiting for whatever new?

In my case, my eye sight (right eye) has deteriorated late last year to the point where focusing fast lenses wide open (ie 35/1.4, 50/0.95) has become difficult with my M10's rangefinder. The Visoflex 020 has helped a ton but it's undoubtedly fiddly and cumbersome. I'm still practicing to RF focus with my left eye, but I'm also contemplating moving on from the M to the SL.

 

Like many others, the weight and size penalty of the SL is what's holding me back. Dr. Kaufmann's comment about making the SL2 more eloquent has me wondering if I should wait.

[lx1713]

What may come is possibly a ff consumer version of the SL. Lighter and less robust: less costly. That way Leica can go full hog on satisfying pros if necessary , if there is even a big enough pro market. I think there is.

Edited May 7, 2018 by lx1713

[lx1713]

Frankly, I would need the weight of the SL to counter the 24-90. Personally, I don't see any point getting into the SL system without the 24-90 but M glass are still a pretty much first class optics on the SL for me personally.

[Mr.Q]

You could always counter the weight of the 24-90 with an optional grip. A lighter SL2 (~600g) would be ideal with M glass and the new Crons as well.

[earleygallery]

Agreed. Dr. Kaufmann said in his recent LuLa interview with Kevin Raber that something would be announced in June. And when a new SL arrives (no indication of timing), it would incorporate a less ‘brutal’, more ‘elegant’ design.

 

Jeff

 

I wonder why they feel the need to change the fundamental body design? I criticised it when the SL was released and suggested that Leica only needed to take the S design and scale it down, but I was criticised for that too.

[helged]

You could always counter the weight of the 24-90 with an optional grip. A lighter SL2 (~600g) would be ideal with M glass and the new Crons as well.

 

 

Also dependent on the size of your hand. I feel the Ms are on the small size for all but the smallest lenses, whereas the size of the SL is fine with me. And if the size is fine, some additional weight doesn't harm too much. For the same reason I find the S-body quite comfortable to hold, despite it's weight (and I prefer the holding of Nikon D5 over D500, despite the quite substantial wight difference).

 

Yes, a handgrip and/or thumbs up/thumbie can be added to the M, but I still prefer the size/holding of the SL over the M. This is me - I fully understand the orthogonal view.

[Jeff S]

I wonder why they feel the need to change the fundamental body design? I criticised it when the SL was released and suggested that Leica only needed to take the S design and scale it down, but I was criticised for that too.

I read and noted here at the time that Leica did in fact test that design approach, but ultimately took a different direction. Seems they think they went too far, although ‘more elegant’ can mean other refinements without mimicking the S. For me, the X1D nailed it.

 

Jeff

Edited May 7, 2018 by Jeff S

[Mr.Q]

Also dependent on the size of your hand. I feel the Ms are on the small size for all but the smallest lenses, whereas the size of the SL is fine with me. And if the size is fine, some additional weight doesn't harm too much. For the same reason I find the S-body quite comfortable to hold, despite it's weight (and I prefer the holding of Nikon D5 over D500, despite the quite substantial wight difference).

 

Yes, a handgrip and/or thumbs up/thumbie can be added to the M, but I still prefer the size/holding of the SL over the M. This is me - I fully understand the orthogonal view.

I agree that it's impossible to satisfy everyone, but I'm simply pointing out that you could always make the camera bigger and heavier with accessories to suit your preference. The problem is, you can't make it smaller or lighter.

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[thighslapper]

Want to jump into a new Leica SL but would hate it if a new SL body is announced in 2018.

 

Anyone have any thoughts or good guesses?

 

thank you

 

If you already have some investment in Leica ..... particularly M or R lenses then sitting waiting for 12-18 months is just wasting good photography time. 

 

You have to consider what you are waiting for ..... 36+mpx and a slightly better sensor is quite likely .... a more rounded shape which may look smaller but in reality be very similar in size and weight .... possibly better and faster AF, an outside chance of OIS.

 

Any changes will be incremental and not a quantum leap in performance, so it's like passing on all the current and previous Canon 5D's because the Mark V will be better .... it will ..... but all will take excellent photos .... and familiarity and mastery of your camera and lenses is far more important than changing for a few more pixels or functions you can easily live without. In fact I'd go as far to say that changing your gear usually causes more trouble than it is worth, certainly in the short term.

 

If you want an SL and have good reasons for getting one, buy now...... and if you have any doubts get a good used one. They are robust and reliable. You won't lose that much if you sell on or trade up a second hand one in 12-18 months .... and in the meantime you will gain familiarity and practice.  When the SL2 appears you can then decide at your leisure whether upgrading is going to be worth it .....

Edited May 7, 2018 by thighslapper

[bherman01545]

Well said. You can get a 'like-new' mint SL for $4500 or so now, so go for the SL now and with the savings, you can pick up a couple of "R" lenses and an adapter or put 3/4 down for an SL lens.