S1H to SL2, smart move?

[hirohhhh]

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Leica SL was my main camera for the photography for the last 5 years. I absolutely used it, I shot over 100K photos, I'd say and I'm still satisfied with it and have no real need to upgrade, but...

I became interested in video less than a year ago and I purchased S1H after reading so much nice stuff about this camera. I started exploring and testing and shooting and then the pandemic started,  everything locked up and I did very little about video since then. I shoot nature and kids from time to time, but that's pretty much about it. Now I'm taking photos with my SL almost every day and my S1H is sitting here, not much used.

So I came to the though that it might be good if I upgrade my SL to SL2 and sell the S1H. After reading and watching few reviews, I noticed that SL2 is quite the upgrade in terms of video. Two things that bothers me most on S1H are 1) not that good auto-focus, 2) no IBIS with non-Panasonic lenses. And SL2 has them both.

Anyone here owns or owned both of these cameras, or is enough knowledgeable to discuss advantages and disadvantages of my decision? I also own Atomos Ninja V, which is not able to record raw video with S1H, which I absolutely don't need.

Also, might be worth mentioning that I don't shoot or record videos for clients, just for the personal projects. I can't say it's my hobby because it's definitely more than that, but it's mostly personal stuff and the big factor is that I really like using Leica SL over any other camera, just because of the feel (people here will probably know what I'm talking about :). So the point is, S1H might be better in some terms, but still I enjoy more using Leica even by compromising something else. This might be the answer to my initial questions, but I'd still like to hear other opinions and experiences.

Edited September 2, 2020 by hirohhhh

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[Leicaiste]

« Two things that bothers me most on S1H are 1) not that good auto-focus, 2) no IBIS with non-Panasonic lenses. And SL2 has them both. »

As far as I know, the autofocus is the same than on the SL2, and you can use any lens on the Pana and have IBIS as long as you inform the camera of the focal length of the adapted lens. Which is easier to do on the Pana. 
 

IBIS is also automatically available with any lens with a L mount from Leica or Sigma. Or any Canon EF lens with the Sigma adapter. 

Edited September 2, 2020 by Leicaiste

[hirohhhh]

10 minutes ago, Leicaiste said:

« Two things that bothers me most on S1H are 1) not that good auto-focus, 2) no IBIS with non-Panasonic lenses. And SL2 has them both. »

As far as I know, the autofocus is the same than on the SL2, and you can use any lens on the Pana and have IBIS as long as you inform the camera of the focal length of the adapted lens. Which is easier to do on the Pana. 

I really don't know the autofocus on SL2 because I never tried, but this guy says it's fantastic  On the contrary, almost every reviewer's complaint of S1H is poor autofocus (including me, so I had to practice for the first time in my life, the manual focus

Hmm, I use SL lenses on S1H, as far as I know, there is only OIS, but not OIS+IBIS. You have both only with Panasonic lenses. I don't know this as a fact, because the camera doesn't tell you that, but I read somewhere that you need Panasonic lens in order to have both. I cannot tell if this is true, because I never tried Panasonic lenses, so I cannot compare, but I'd not complain to have a bit smoother video if SL2 can provide that.

Edited September 2, 2020 by hirohhhh

[caissa]

The AFs on the SL2 is very good. AFc is not perfect, but good enough for me (I use mostly AFs.) So the settings are important.

I guess the S1H has the same AF, maybe you need to check the settings. Same for IBIS, both cameras can use IBIS with all lenses, as long as they know the focal length (must be entered manually for foreign lenses).

IBIS and OIS work together only on lenses with the “right” brand: Leica lenses on SL2, Panasonic lenses on S1H. So for me having mainly Leica lenses, the SL2 is the better choice.

Edited September 2, 2020 by caissa

[tom.w.bn]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb caissa:

.....Same for IBIS, both cameras can use IBIS with all lenses, as long as they know the focal length (must be entered manually for foreign lenses).

Foreign lens is not 100% correct. When the camera can't detect the focal length, then the camera asks for the focal length to optimize the stabilizer. When you adapt a "foreign lens" like a Canon EF lens with the Sigma adpater, then the camera get's information about the focal length automatically via the adapter.

[tom.w.bn]

Why do you think the SL2 would be better for video than the best DSLM video camera on the market? The SL2 is more comparable to the S1R regarding specs. The S1H is clearly more video oriented. Video wise you take a step back. If you don't need alle S1H video settings, then the SL2 might be good enough.

You need the latest camera firmware update to record Raw in the Atomos with the S1H.

S1H also supports IBIS with other lenses than Panasonic lenses. Only the IBIS + OIS works well in combination with Panasonic lenses. Just the same as with the SL2. If you have Leica lenses with OIS this might be a plus for the SL2. With all the other lenses the S1H is just the same.

The SL2 has the Panasonic AF inside. Just saying....   Can't imagine that the Leica SL lenses are faster than the new Panasonic lenses.

 

Edited September 2, 2020 by tom.w.bn

[hirohhhh]

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Quote

Why do you think the SL2 would be better for video than the best DSLM video camera on the market? The SL2 is more comparable to the S1R regarding specs. The S1H is clearly more video oriented. Video wise you take a step back. If you don't need alle S1H video settings, then the SL2 might be good enough.

I don't think it would be better, just better for me since I already own bunch of SL lenses and I generally like Leica cameras more than Panasonic, and I'm not a pro video shooter. So, I think it would be just a better fit for me.

Quote

You need the latest camera firmware update to record Raw in the Atomos with the S1H.

Yeah, I updated, but the raw is not really something I'd use often for my personal stuff due to the insignificant (IMO) differences in IQ and huge difference in file size.

Quote

S1H also supports IBIS with other lenses than Panasonic lenses. Only the IBIS + OIS works well in combination with Panasonic lenses. Just the same as with the SL2. If you have Leica lenses with OIS this might be a plus for the SL2. With all the other lenses the S1H is just the same.

That's what I said too

Quote

The SL2 has the Panasonic AF inside. Just saying....   Can't imagine that the Leica SL lenses are faster than the new Panasonic lenses.

Maybe, I don't know until I test both cameras. So far, I only used S1H and I'm not impressed with the AF capabilities, so I though SL2 couldn't be worse than that

[BernardC]

40 minutes ago, hirohhhh said:

I don't think it would be better, just better for me

I fully agree with your logic. We can compare specifications all day, but in the end what matters is "do I get along with it?" If you prefer Leica's interface, you may as well get an SL2. No point wasting your money on a camera that you don't enjoy using.

45 minutes ago, hirohhhh said:

So far, I only used S1H and I'm not impressed with the AF capabilities

Part of today's S5 announcement mentions improved AF for all S1 variants. You may as well download the new firmware and try it out.

8 hours ago, hirohhhh said:

I also own Atomos Ninja V, which is not able to record raw video with S1H, which I absolutely don't need.

Did you mean "now able"? You are correct, almost nobody really needs raw video, as opposed to 10-bit Log. Even big-budget motion pictures are mostly shot in non-RAW formats (usually ProRes 4:2:2).

That may change in the future, not because 4:2:2 isn't good enough, but because newer compressed RAW formats don't have as much of a file-size penalty. Also, Avid and Premiere finally read ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW, so it's supported in two of the most popular professional workflows. Unfortunately, ProRes RAW doesn't work with Resolve yet, which is an issue.

[hirohhhh]

Quote

Part of today's S5 announcement mentions improved AF for all S1 variants. You may as well download the new firmware and try it out.

My YouTube home page is flooded with S5 announcement videos today, but I somehow didn't click to any as I though this is not the camera of interest to me. Good to know about the firmware update.

Quote

Did you mean "now able"?

Yeah, "now able", my mistake.  I tried, but immediately realized I won't need it. The most I'd probably ever need is 10-bit 4:2:2 up to 30fps, which as I understand SL2 can record internally, and if I need more than that, I'll use external recorder, which I already have.

[Stuart Richardson]

I have the SL2 and the S1. In my admittedly limited tests, the S1 video looked substantially better. The SL2 takes substantially better stills. I have not noticed the SL2 focus being any better or worse, but I only ever really need AFs. AFc worked well for me in some limited uses on the S1 for video, but I have not tested extensively.

[hirohhhh]

I made a decision and went to buy SL2 today. I'm happy about it and I regret I hesitated for so long and decided to go with S1H instead. On the brighter side, at least I learned what's not a good fit for me

Love it so far, my only disappointment is the lack of GPS. I didn't know that earlier, but I can live with that.

Edited September 4, 2020 by hirohhhh

[hirohhhh]

On 10/22/2020 at 11:28 AM, Steven said:

How has it been after a few weeks of use ? Any regrets ? I suppose the photos are much better. 
what about the video ? Looking good in 10 bit 422 ? 
and the autofocus ! Usable ? Thanks for your contribution 

No regrets at all. I loved my SL so much that I though I'll never have a need to replace it, but after purchasing SL2, I pack my SL and didn't touch it since. I also preferred the design of the original SL, but I get used to SL2 and now SL looks a bit obsolete in comparison. Like when you buy a new phone, and the old one looks.... old, even in a mint condition.

The video is finally usable. I also got rid of my Panasonic S1H, which is amazing for video, but for what I do, SL2 is more than enough. L-LOG and 10-bit 422 looks amazing.

The only thing I've noticed, SL2 is a bit slower than SL, but it might be the case just for me. I use the faster SD cards, but the preview is noticeable slower.

Another thing I still hate is the lack of GPS in SL2, so I have to spend extra time geo-tagging my photos.

[hirohhhh]

2 minutes ago, Steven said:

This is great to hear. What about the autofocus in video ? Is it usable ? 

It's ok, not perfect, but it's better than S1H in my experience. We hope it will be improved with the firmware updates.

[LocalHero1953]

Also interested in AF for video; I'm new to video in the last 6 months as well, and I'm puzzled about how best to get continuous AF (tracking or static) during video, with either the SL2 or Sigma fp. I don't discount my ignorance and incompetence.