SL EVF dimness in Bright Sunlight

[3meter]

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Thanks for all the input guys.  Today I shot in bright sunlight with a baseball type hat.  The brim shading of that hat alone significantly improved the EVF such that it is no longer a problem.  I had a great day shooting and the SL is truly a remarkable camera.  For fun I also brought my M262; the experiences are so different but both so enjoyable.

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[haydenc]

Hi guys,

i have long complained about the EVF brightness. 

I took my camera back as I though it was faulty. I reluctantly took it back as I was told they would enable the EVF to be brightened in firmware.

The X2, M240 and the T all did not have the ability to brighten the EVF at launch, but were all added in later on via firmware.

Just before my camera went out of warranty, I took it to be tested. My camera’s EVF brightness was comparable with the test camera they had, and within Leica’s specifications.

I have tested the EVF brightness to the best of my ability, and it is 2 stops under exposed in bright sun light. (Test using manual mode apps on an iPhone measuring the light directly from the EVF and comparing that to the exposure of the actual image taken by the camera)

A hat or an eye cup helps, but it is not the fix. 

To me this has been the biggest disappointment with what has mostly been a fantastic camera. I regret not insisting on them take it back when I first bought the camera. Especially as 4 years later it still bugs me every time I use it.

Edited June 22, 2019 by haydenc

[ron777]

I was in the same boat, in re the EVF brightness issue. I'd tried all of the workarounds, including an after market eyecup and bizarre looking hats,. but nothing worked to my satisfaction and I eventually sold the SL, kept my Leica SL lenses, and replaced it with the Panasonic S1R.  The S1R's EVF is a breath of fresh air, not to mention the camera's fantastic resolution and myriad other features.  In summary, I couldn't be happier with the Panasonic and have no misgivings about my disposal of the SL, nor will I have any interest in an SL2.

Edited June 22, 2019 by ron777

[haydenc]

Interesting to note that the CL now has the ability to adjust the EVF brightness as of firmware 3.1.

”You can now adjust the brightness of the electronic viewfinder in 10 steps”

Leica have added this ability in firmware to the M240 and T way after initial release. (could be others too, I own both of these)

Why not for the SL?

(which is the only one that really needs it)

[Donzo98]

On 7/25/2019 at 10:57 PM, haydenc said:

Interesting to note that the CL now has the ability to adjust the EVF brightness as of firmware 3.1.

”You can now adjust the brightness of the electronic viewfinder in 10 steps”

Leica have added this ability in firmware to the M240 and T way after initial release. (could be others too, I own both of these)

Why not for the SL?

(which is the only one that really needs it)

I remember your posts about this when I first got my SL. It really bothered me as well.

I just got a S1R... NIGHT and DAY diff. Unreal...