SL2 firmware update request

[Siran]

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1 hour ago, simonoz said:

Yes does anyone have any information on when the new firmware will be released? 

That’s the million dollar question. I’m waiting too 😀

[simonoz]

It would have to be soon

[The206]

So disappointing that Leica is so far behind in addressing some critical issues like the missing highres mode and the camera battery issues regarding 4k capture, these are things that should not be pushed out with a general firmware update but rather ASAP. It is embarrassing that the sigma fp has addressed more issues quicker than Leica. Their PR person needs to be fired

[scott kirkpatrick]

Shooting the messenger?  

[Photoworks]

16 hours ago, The206 said:

So disappointing that Leica is so far behind in addressing some critical issues like the missing highres mode and the camera battery issues regarding 4k capture, these are things that should not be pushed out with a general firmware update but rather ASAP. It is embarrassing that the sigma fp has addressed more issues quicker than Leica. Their PR person needs to be fired

be grateful when it comes out!

oh wait, you don't even have the camera

we all want something , my list of improvements is long too, but I am sure they will be out when it is ready.

Does anybody care about sigma cameras?

[Jeffry Abt]

I am enjoying the SL 2 as it is. But I am looking forward to the firmware update.

As to Sigma ...why can’t Leica manufacture zoom lenses that have a constant aperture? If Sigma can do it, why not Leica?

Edited May 29, 2020 by Jeffry Abt

[helged]

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7 hours ago, Jeffry Abt said:

I am enjoying the SL 2 as it is. But I am looking forward to the firmware update.

As to Sigma ...why can’t Leica manufacture zoom lenses that have a constant aperture? If Sigma can do it, why not Leica?

Leica can, for sure. But it is against Leica's philosophy to make (too many) optical compromises. We, as users, can disagree, but Leica is Leica... 

[BernardC]

On 5/29/2020 at 8:59 AM, Jeffry Abt said:

As to Sigma ...why can’t Leica manufacture zoom lenses that have a constant aperture? If Sigma can do it, why not Leica?

It's a design choice. Zooms with constant apertures are only really needed in the cinema world, and Leitz-Cine has announced a few for that market.

Would you want the 90-280 to be a constant 2.8? Sigma offers such a lens (not in L-Mount yet): a 120-300/2.8, weighing-in at 3.3 kg. That is almost exactly twice what the 90-280 weighs.

Would you rather have the "constant aperture" be f:4.0? It wouldn't change the size of the lens. You can achieve the same effect by setting the lens to f:4.0 in aperture-priority and manual modes, that way it never gets to 2.8 on the wide end.

[The206]

A lot of people actually care about Sigma, the FP is an amazing little camera and they have made the most progress on creating great affordable lenses. And as soon as they fix the problems in the SL2 I will come back on board because the video files are superb off the SL2. But the battery issue in C4K and the lack of highres shot and issue of manual focus not working make the camera problematic on a professional set. Stop being so butt hurt and instead of defending Leica's poor camera support, hold them accountable

[Jeffry Abt]

Again, I enjoy using the SL2. I don’t worry much about firmware up dates...they will come when they come.

But let’s Forget Sigma for the moment. My contention about lenses works with Nikon as well. When I worked as newspaper journalists, I used their constant aperture f 2.8 zoom everyday. They took first class, tack sharp images and were my bread and butter lenses. My question stands. If Nikon can do it why not  Leica? 

Edited May 31, 2020 by Jeffry Abt

[BernardC]

14 hours ago, Jeffry Abt said:

If Nikon can do it why not  Leica?

Leica could make an 80-200/2.8 instead of a 90-280/2.8-4.0, but then the lens would have less range. It's a compromise that all lens makers must assess. The big losers here are those who shoot slide film with manual exposure... (that was a joke).

Seriously, constant apertures aren't a big deal in a digital-only system. I guess they decided to grab an extra 40% at the long end instead. As I mentioned, they have constant-aperture zoom in their cinema line, almost-zooms in the M line (Tri-Elmar), and historical ones in the R line. They know how to make them, they probably don't feel that it's a requirement for current digital photography.

[Jeffry Abt]

What do you mean by less range? Is it your contention that constant aperture lenses are 2nd class as as far as image quality in comparison to variable aperture zoom lenses?  Constant aperture zoom lenses were always the flagship lenses in the Nikon line. ...at least that is how I remember it. I used Nikon beginning with the D1 to D4 when I retired from Newspaper work.  I’ve sold all of my Nikon stuff and am all in when it comes to Leica. I just do not understand the Leica philosophy when it comes to constant aperture zooms. 

[laowai_]

Numerical aperture is focal length divided by diameter of the lens.

When you zoom out, the focal length becomes shorter but the diameter of course stays the same. Constant aperture have a built-in mechanism to reduce the diameter of the lens at the short focal length range.

Variable aperture zooms give you the full range of possible apertures without the limitations of constant aperture lenses. Think of the Leica lens as a f/4.0 lens with a bonus f/2.8 at the short end. Essentially you get more value for more money.

So much for the theory, realty is a bit more complicated. 

[BernardC]

On 6/1/2020 at 8:58 AM, Jeffry Abt said:

What do you mean by less range?

I mean that it's a compromise. An 80-200/2.8 would probably end-up at the same size/cost as a 90-280/2.8-4.0.

Constant aperture was a bigger deal back in the day, when more people used slide film, manual exposure, manual flash, etc. They were the flagship lenses because they cost more to make, and those features only appealed to professionals. That's not to say that constant aperture zooms offer better sharpness, contrast, etc. They are just more convenient for some types of work. These days cinematographers are the only big market that wants constant aperture, so that they don't have to ramp the aperture while zooming, or balance the exposure between two cameras that are at different zoom settings.

[prismstorm]

Some observations after using SL2 and things that should be addressed in the next firmware:

1) Even after the joystick is set to engage AF-L, pushing in the joystick does not activate and confirm focus in face detection mode, making Back-button-focusing impossible in face detection mode, what gives? (Pushing in the joystick in the original SL in Auto (Face Detect) mode does engage and confirm face AF)

2) Can setting the joystick to AF-L in AF mode deactivate half press focus from the shutter button (like how Nikon handles Back-button-focus)? I know everyone switches to MF and sets the joystick to AF-L for a pseudo-back-button-focus, but doing it this way risks changing the focus if the MF focus ring is accidentally turned, which will not happen in AF mode.

3) How to turn off LENS stabilization in the menu? There is no such option in the menu, only the option to turn off IBIS in the body. Where is the equivalent option to "Optical Image Stabilization" in the original SL, which enables or disables the LENS OIS in the 24-90 and 90-280?

4) 'Sensor Format' and 'Long Exposure Noise Reduction' items should be able to be set to customization buttons or added to the Favorites Menu given that they are likely choices that might be changed often.

5) Add the option to expand and minimize AF point size in EVF Extended Mode.

6) Add an option to light up the square monochromatic display on the top plate. It is impossible to see how many seconds remain in a long exposure at night given that the back lighting of the panel switches off after several seconds unless you fiddle with the buttons and risk camera shake, this makes it impossible to anticipate how many seconds are remaining for an ongoing long exposure during scenarios such as astro-photography. 

Of course, if anyone knows the solution to these issues, feel free to share / discuss!

Edited June 4, 2020 by prismstorm

[MarkinVan]

Not sure if previously mentioned but I would like the Distance Display in the top display user activated by another method that could left on rather than current method by just half press on Shutter.

[simonoz]

On 6/6/2020 at 7:12 AM, MarkinVan said:

Not sure if previously mentioned but I would like the Distance Display in the top display user activated by another method that could left on rather than current method by just half press on Shutter.

I second this. Would be nice if this distance could be read in the EVF as an option.

[The206]

LEICAAAAAAAAAA IT'S MID-JUNEEEEEEEEEEE UPDATE THE SL2 AND GIVE US THE DAMM HIGHRES SHOT FEATUREEEEEEEEEEEE

[Lucio]

The manager of Leica-Italy has informed us that on Friday 19 June at 15:00 you can download the new firmware

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Photoworks]

8 hours ago, The206 said:

LEICAAAAAAAAAA IT'S MID-JUNEEEEEEEEEEE UPDATE THE SL2 AND GIVE US THE DAMM HIGHRES SHOT FEATUREEEEEEEEEEEE

Looks like you want it BAD!