Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R

[JeffWright]

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On 12/5/2019 at 11:14 AM, SrMi said:

If my reading of manuals is correct, Leica's L lenses with OIS can work in conjunction with IBIS only on SL2 (Dual IS). With S1R, one has to choose either OIS or IBIS, unless one is using Panasonic lenses. Is that correct? Does Dual IS work with SL2 and Panasonic lenses?

That is correct for the Leica L lenses, at least for the current version of lens/camera firmwares. I can't comment on Dual IS with the SL2 and panasonic lenses.

[caissa]

On 12/6/2019 at 3:27 PM, Stuart Richardson said:

I saw that S1R deal as well, and it is pretty incredible given what that camera can do. It threw a monkey wrench into my plans, and overall let me reevaluate what I was going to do. I have the S1 as well as the S006. I am still waiting for the S3, which would be the most natural evolution for me, given my 8 years as an S shooter. I had hoped the SL2 would add to the utility, particularly for video, I thought about getting one. Then the S1R comes along for 1800 dollars....I really like the S1, it is a superb camera. But I like the interface and handling of the SL2 better...also the longer long exposure (I do a lot of work at night) and the AF with S lenses. Still, that is a huge gap in price for things which are more "nice to have" than required. Even though the SL2 is quite reasonably priced for a Leica, it is still a huge amount of money. For example, I run a print studio and the new Epson P9500 is the same price...and it will make me money and pay itself off within a few months or less. The SL2 will not. For what I do, the best camera will be the S3 in combination with the S1 for video. The SL2 is a luxury "nice to have" camera. I know it is odd to refer to the SL2 as the luxury camera while talking about the S3, but honestly, the S series cameras have been my workhorses for 8 years....I ran my photo business off of them. The SL2 could replace it, but the S3 is the better replacement, even if that means gathering up every unused scrap of gear and selling it or trading it in to make it happen. The last thing I want to do is buy an expensive SL2 and then wish I had just waited a few months for the S3...in this context the S1R is even more of a outlier...it does not have the video capabilities of the S1, nor the Leica integration of the SL2, so it would just be a neither here nor there camera for me. I would go to the S006 for high resolution and stills, and the S1 for video or high ISO work.

Anyway, I know these choices are extremely personal...in some ways it is easier to hash it out here!

I think the SL2 is the natural substitute while the S3 is not there, yet. You even have AF with the S lenses und full support with the AF adapter, and higher resolution and the only IBIS in a Leica body, really sexy for S users. You can get a swap-in deal when the S3 arrives and you want to get rid of the SL2 again. (no problem if you buy both from the same dealer.)  (It's a no brainer   )    
The SL2 is not expensive compared to MF. Even if the Lumix S cameras are cheaper, so what ?

Edited December 8, 2019 by caissa

[Archiver]

On 12/3/2019 at 11:23 PM, Archiver said:

If the price drop on a secondhand SL2 is anything like the SL, I will (probably) happily pick up a nice SL2 for about AUD $4800 instead of today's $9900.

Six years later, and the SL2 and SL2S can be found secondhand for just over $4800. Prediction came true.

But much has changed since then for me as well. I had a M9, GH4 and 5D Mark II back then - over the years I built my kit to include Panasonic G9, S5, Panasonic 24-105 and 50/1.8. And now I'm contemplating a secondhand Panasonic S1, which can be found for <$1500 AUD, or maybe a SL2S. First world middle class choices, eh.