leica sl2 Jono Slack: Leica SL2 Review

[digitalfx]

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On 11/23/2019 at 2:40 PM, bilbrown said:

The FP *IS* In fact a better video option as I have had one for a couple of weeks now. The S1 comes close, and both of these options don’t have the resolution overkill of a high-MP sensor.

 

As The review states, and I stated, the SL2 replaces like 3 of my cameras (if you include the S, which I am here but I don’t really). But those cameras kind of don’t need replacing. 
 

I do prefer Leica color science and menus over Panasonic, but the Sigma are really close - and it’s actually a pocket cinema camera! Not 5k, but then for that high of a video resolution I want something that has some bulk to it. 

I have both the fp and SL2 as well and I find the SL2 superior for my needs in most ways.

The fp requires an external drive to record 12 bit, otherwise internal is limited to 4:2:0 in 8bit. The SL2 records 5k and full 4k 4:2:2 10 bit internal LOG...but the biggest advantage is IBIS. 

With the fp, it is extremely difficult to obtain usable handheld footage. The SL2 on the other hand delivers flawless handheld footage with IBIS enabled, and the continuous AF is actually usable. The fp's autofocus is a disaster and completely unusable for video...and currently the fp is unable to playback in camera or record LOG.

As a handheld device the SL2 is so much easier to handle in its most basic configuration. The fp is very interesting option though, especially considering the price and its size.  It's is a great solution paired with a small gimbals or drone.

[scott kirkpatrick]

I'd suggest, as a general rule,  use the default button assignments until you know what you don't need and what you are missing, and only then change any of them.  My quick read through the SL2 information leaves me thinking that there is only one I would change.  With an S1R I ended up using only defaults.

Edited November 25, 2019 by scott kirkpatrick

[wlaidlaw]

From past experience, Phase One does not have a good relationship with Leica, so I would not hold your breath waiting for an SL2 profile for Capture One. In the end for the SL, a customer (Scott I think) had to lend Phase One their private camera, to allow them to write a profile. They were a bit quicker with the CL profile but from memory it was six months or so after the CL's release before it arrived. I would be surprised if the SL2 did not appear in the next update of ACR from Adobe. 

Wilson

PS: One issue is that C1 uses ICC profiles and these are a lot more complicated to generate than the DCP profiles that Lightroom uses. You can very easily generate your own DCP profiles with a Datacolor colour swatch card using Lightroom's ColorChecker plug in. This plug in used to be free when you bought a Datacolor profiling colour card but I  don't know if it still is. Charging for software to use a product you have already bought seems to be the current fashion 😠. Making ICC profiles requires expensive software and a lot of experience on how to tweak these from the specific camera settings from the  DNG file. W

Edited November 25, 2019 by wlaidlaw

[scott kirkpatrick]

Of course, Leica seems barely capable of producing mobile software of the quality to match Panasonic, Nikon, Sony, etc basic functions.  I understand (or at least  hope) that it is now done in-house, which is good for the long term.  But it will take time, and Leica product managers do not rise to their positions with much software experience, so this may be a random process.

Edited November 25, 2019 by scott kirkpatrick

[Tailwagger]

10 hours ago, sillbeers15 said:

However the pictorial main menu is easier for the user in SL2 compared to having to scroll through the detail menu helps and I see it as a welcome feature.

I've already begun to suspect that as more and more camera's rely on touch screens, this could actually become quite problematic, unless some level of universality is achieved, at least for those of us with multiple systems. I'm already, from the manuals, a little glazed over by yet another set of icons, having spent the past couple of months with the X1D. 

At an absolute minimum, could the industry please get together to create and agree on a standard? Not every aspect of layout or functionality, but at least the core icons, the basic alphabet of symbols we consumers have to interact with.  Seems like the auto industry, as about competitive a manufacturing environs as exists, has done so for the major idiot lights. Without some basic agreement, it's not all that hard to imagine that on camera A, symbol X means OK, and on camera B, it means Format Memory Card.  Not every possible symbol, just the basic ones so we can avoid total confusion.  For extra credit, create the first order layout... i,e. even Apple and Microsoft agree that the first menu dropdown is named File; even Ford vs Chevy, Audi vs Mercedes, Kia vs Honda vs Toyota vs. Mazda all agree... tach on the left, speedo on the right. 

And they don't even have to fully agree now. It can all be updated later via firmware. Just get started. Or perhaps they should just wait for Apple PhotoPlay 🤣 That way what little profit is still left in this industry can get further syphoned off by outsiders.  OTOH, we could just take matters into our own hands. Worldwide hackathon, anyone?

[jonoslack]

On 11/24/2019 at 11:57 AM, wlaidlaw said:

I would be very interested to hear if any SL2 owners (not folks who have just read about it), who have also owned an SL1, find the simplified 3 button  user interface on the back of the SL2, a limitation compared with the hugely flexible SL1 programmable 4 button interface. This is the biggest thing putting me off buying an SL2. I have been using my SL1 this morning and it just reminded me what a great interface it is, with 12 available functions immediately available via the back 4 buttons (single press, double press and long press x 4). I will either get an SL2 or wait for the M11. I cannot afford both. As my M240 is now getting a bit long in the tooth and my two most recent acquisitions have been autofocus L mount (SL and CL), maybe the time is approaching for a better manual focus rangefinder, hopefully with a 47MP sensor and maybe even at least 2 axis IBIS. I don't believe the argument about the lack of room for IBIS in an M body, given that Olympus managed to fit a MFT sensor and excellent 5 axis IBIS into the very slim and small EP-5. 

Wilson

Hi There Wilson

I hope you're flourishing. 

I've got both the SL2 and SL, and I must confess that whilst I could see why they moved to the 3 button, I wasn't happy about it, especially the status screen which comes up when you press the menu button. BUT gradually, as I've become more accustomed, I'm really pleased with the SL2 - it works considerably better than the CL, and the status screen which irritated me to start with I now REALLY like - it has pretty much everything you need and nothing you don't (it has format / user profile etc. etc.).

So what I would say is that you'll probably be irritated to start with, but like it better than the SL in the end.

Best

Jon

[scott kirkpatrick]

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The SL2 has almost too many buttons.  The CL has one button too few, and that is a recipe for disaster.

[sillbeers15]

1 hour ago, scott kirkpatrick said:

The SL2 has almost too many buttons.  The CL has one button too few, and that is a recipe for disaster.

SL3 will get better,....part of evolution.

[jonoslack]

On 11/25/2019 at 3:44 PM, sillbeers15 said:

SL3 will get better,....part of evolution.

Of course it will . . . But More buttons or Less buttons?

[sillbeers15]

1 minute ago, jonoslack said:

Of course it will . . . But More buttons or Less buttons?

I prefer the minimalist & ease of use concept.

[farnz]

16 minutes ago, jonoslack said:

Of course it will . . . But More buttons or Less buttons?

Perhaps there'll be no buttons, just hand gestures based on the Wi technology. 😄

Pete.

[wlaidlaw]

As long as they don't go to voice control. Typical result on my car. Me: "Change to DAB BBC Radio 4" Car replies: "Which street in Barnsley do you want to go to?"

Wilson

[scroy]

I vote for true minimalism => thought-based control.

😎

[Yellow_78]

On 11/26/2019 at 12:50 AM, jonoslack said:

Hi There Wilson

I hope you're flourishing. 

I've got both the SL2 and SL, and I must confess that whilst I could see why they moved to the 3 button, I wasn't happy about it, especially the status screen which comes up when you press the menu button. BUT gradually, as I've become more accustomed, I'm really pleased with the SL2 - it works considerably better than the CL, and the status screen which irritated me to start with I now REALLY like - it has pretty much everything you need and nothing you don't (it has format / user profile etc. etc.).

So what I would say is that you'll probably be irritated to start with, but like it better than the SL in the end.

Best

Jon

This is how I travelled with my first experience of the SL2. Did not like the status screen either.  But with time,  I have come to enjoy it and now prefer the current layout. 

[anickpick]

The AI of the SL3 will be much more intelligent than we humans.

We will be commanded what to think and which buttons to press.

So do not worry whether there might be too many buttons. It will manage just fine.

[Exodies]

I only want two things from the SL3 - anti gravity and a circular sensor.

[mmradman]

2 minutes ago, Exodies said:

I only want two things from the SL3 - anti gravity and a circular sensor.

Anti-gravity makes sense as it eliminates use of tripod for shorter exposures.  Why stop at flat circular sensor, make it spherical.

[2M6TTLs]

I don't want an SL3. Just an SL2 and a long happy life for both me and the camera! 

(Leica cameras and lenses are already as marvelous as they need to be, I wouldn't say no to a double capacity battery though.😀)

[NRKstudio]

My “problem” with the current concept is that the status screen can not be customized.  I still don’t like that.  Also, the two top plate customizable buttons are not ergonomically accommodating.  that is, they are very difficult to reach with the forefinger and awkward to press with the thumb.  
 

the concept (from the SL1) of long pressing and/or double tapping the custom buttons for an alternative use/function seems like a great idea.  Currently, a long press of the button will bring up the custom menu to change its function. 
 

one nice development from the m10p is the use of touch gestures.  Swiping up from the bottom of the screen changes play/shoot mode, swiping and holding during playback allows continuous scrolling, etc.  

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[hillavoider]

On 11/19/2019 at 10:59 AM, hillavoider said:

Thanks for the review, do you know if Leica will address the focus point not being sharp with a half press on the shutter? did this affect your opinion of the camera at all? thanks 

oh well may be too hard a question to answer as this was not really a review was it

Edited December 3, 2019 by hillavoider