SL3 with 24 megapixels for low-light

[Stuart Richardson]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I think the behavior of the files at base ISO is most useful for me. If I am working at night, where shadow recovery is important, it is almost always on a tripod with long exposure. The S006 was really good with this, but the ability for the SL2 to do a 30 minute exposure is really appealing. If it has a good dynamic range and shadow recovery at base iso combined with 30 minutes of exposure, it should be superb for long exposure night work...not having to wait double the time for the dark frame is nice too, though personally I have always found dark frame noise reduction to be useful.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Mr.Q]

12 minutes ago, Stuart Richardson said:

I think the behavior of the files at base ISO is most useful for me. If I am working at night, where shadow recovery is important, it is almost always on a tripod with long exposure. The S006 was really good with this, but the ability for the SL2 to do a 30 minute exposure is really appealing. If it has a good dynamic range and shadow recovery at base iso combined with 30 minutes of exposure, it should be superb for long exposure night work...not having to wait double the time for the dark frame is nice too, though personally I have always found dark frame noise reduction to be useful.

I'd temper your expectations if you shoot a lot of long exposures. Small format sensors with high resolution are prone to Chroma/Luma noise and hot pixels. Medium format is still the way to go if you want cleaner images.

[Chaemono]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb Stuart Richardson:

I think the behavior of the files at base ISO is most useful for me. If I am working at night, where shadow recovery is important, it is almost always on a tripod with long exposure. The S006 was really good with this, but the ability for the SL2 to do a 30 minute exposure is really appealing. If it has a good dynamic range and shadow recovery at base iso combined with 30 minutes of exposure, it should be superb for long exposure night work...not having to wait double the time for the dark frame is nice too, though personally I have always found dark frame noise reduction to be useful.

From what I've observed so far at base ISO and the malleability of SL2 files, in high contrast scenes with some light or sufficient light in a scene, one can expose to protect the highlights as the sensor seems pretty much ISO-less and base ISO files can be pushed to the limit.  In low light situation high contrast scenes, like at night, however, it may be better to expose a bit more for the shadows and to go as far to the right of the histogram as possible, just before the point of permanent highlight clipping.  And the reason is that highlights can be brought back nicely, too, with the SL2, but in extreme low light the camera struggles a bit with shadow details, even at base ISO.  This needs further testing. 

[Stuart Richardson]

2 hours ago, Mr.Q said:

I'd temper your expectations if you shoot a lot of long exposures. Small format sensors with high resolution are prone to Chroma/Luma noise and hot pixels. Medium format is still the way to go if you want cleaner images.

Thanks. I will check it anyway. I tend to get very good performance out of night photography with digital anyway. When it is dark in Iceland, it is also generally quite cold, so the sensor gets actively cooled...nothing like being below freezing with a windchill to keep the sensor from getting too warm...

[jaapv]

2 hours ago, Mr.Q said:

I'd temper your expectations if you shoot a lot of long exposures. Small format sensors with high resolution are prone to Chroma/Luma noise and hot pixels. Medium format is still the way to go if you want cleaner images.

That is exactly where LENR comes in - Leica is not that daft

[Aldophoto]

On 11/20/2019 at 4:58 AM, Chaemono said:

I think Leica should make a low-light version with 24 MPx.  These high res FF cameras are no good for low-light.  The α7R III/IV do better than the SL2 there but have other drawbacks when it comes to DR and ‘push-ability’ of files in high contrast scenes (see thread on the SL2’s DR https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/303396-leica-sl2-dynamic-range/#comments.  The SL2 does better in low light than the S1R but can’t match the performance of the 24 MPx cameras like the α7 III, the S1, and the Sigma fp.  The good news is, SL2 users can revert to the S1 for low-light situations but it’s not as much fun to shoot.

 

I tried few days ago the SL2 (also with my Summicron M 90mm/f 2.0 APO) and actually you do not need to go to high ISO settings: you can shot hand held at 1/15 without blur. I mean with the M lens, manual focus and without stabilizer (just with the one in the camera body). Why do you need high ISO, then? 

Edited November 21, 2019 by Aldophoto

[Chaemono]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

vor einer Stunde schrieb Aldophoto:

I tried few days ago the SL2 (also with my Summicron M 90mm/f 2.0 APO) and actually you do not need to go to high ISO settings: you can shot hand held at 1/15 without blur. I mean with the M lens, manual focus and without stabilizer (just with the one in the camera body). Why do you need high ISO, then? 

Got it.  You don't need high ISO, I sometimes do.  Live and let live.

[Chaemono]

Am 20.11.2019 um 05:08 schrieb ropo54:

But, a question (from ignorance!):  Is the low light limitation not offset by IBIS, so that lower ISOs may be used in light challenging situations? Rob

Rob, see #62 and #63 here: https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/303396-leica-sl2-dynamic-range/page/4/?tab=comments#comment-3859077.  This is a better approach unless there's movement in the scene. 

 

[Kiwihenk]

The Panasonic S1 is no match for the Leica SL (1) in real life to me. So if you need high ISO (like I very often do need for my job), you better stay with or buy a SL1 next to you SL2

[Chaemono]

vor 39 Minuten schrieb Kiwihenk:

The Panasonic S1 is no match for the Leica SL (1) in real life to me. So if you need high ISO (like I very often do need for my job), you better stay with or buy a SL1 next to you SL2

Could be.  I had compared the two briefly and I must say that up to ISO 1600 on the SL1 which is ISO 3200 on the S1 (same lens, same shutter speed for equal exposure), the highlights looked better controlled on the SL1.  I then sold the SL1 but eventually tried to get access to one to compare further and couldn’t.