Leica SL2-S Survey

[Tom1234]

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The SL2-S is an absolutely beautiful professional camera, but since I have many lenses and accessories from old world Leica, I need a smaller lighter camera with all the same features.  I am forced by the form factor to wait on the Panasonic S5 downsized version of this body that has the Leica magic wand passed over it. 

Modern Mirrorless cameras MUST HAVE's for the Leica version of the Panasonic S5 are:

1- The ability to stabilize shots, i.e. electronic stabilization.

2- Features for fast & easy manual lens focusing - a viewfinder so sharp you do not need to zoom in &/or possibly a rangefinder type bar in the middle of the viewfinder (Nikon had this on their EL2 and probably F3).    

3- With the Techart adapter's ability to AUTO-Focus manual lenses locked/positioned at infinity Leica must "come up to bat" (an American Baseball Game term)  with an adapter affordably priced like 2x or 3x the cost of the Techart. To do any less is just behind the latest technology.   The autofocus of manual lenses locked at infinity is obviously not that hard to do since a 3rd party has done it. 

4- An ability to mount other manual focus lenses such as Canon and Nikon AND a PL adapter.

5- "Real" video features like 4k 4:2:2 at 30 frames and at 60 frames for slow motion.   Digital flow out of the camera with a heavy duty connector to an external recorder - small camera does not mean that small undependable connectors are acceptable.  Twin recording memory's. 

So will I buy a Leica or Nikon Mirrorless?  

Given Nikon's Z body series' smaller body's game changing excellence and ability to mount Leica-M lenses and Nikon Manual focus lenses, I am steered/forced in that direction since I have no plans to throw out my collection of 60 years of lenses.  

If Leica can hit the ergonomic elements correctly then the re-imagined Panasonic S5 will be right for me at $3,500 firm price point which is about 1.75x the pice of a Nikon Zii series body.   

Add a full time capable repair department and then there is total happiness.

[lx1713]

Yes. I will get it. The time savings from 47 to 24mp alone is worth it. I will want photo and video. So this combination + the great lenses is what I would consider game changing in many ways. Damn exciting camera. 47 mp is very necessary but 24 mp is critical to delivery for me. Neither I can do without.

[rjhringmer]

No interest in video. No interest in resolution more than 24MP. No interest in heavy cameras and lenses. Keanly interested in top quality equipment and imagery  both digital and film. My M240 and M246 together with M lenses, are as large and heavy as I want to carry.  But an M camera with only an EVF built in or combined with a rangefinder would be very tempting. 

[BernardC]

6 minutes ago, Tom1234 said:

- With the Techart adapter's ability to AUTO-Focus manual lenses locked/positioned at infinity Leica must "come up to bat" (an American Baseball Game term)  with an adapter affordably priced like 2x or 3x the cost of the Techart. To do any less is just behind the latest technology.   The autofocus of manual lenses locked at infinity is obviously not that hard to do since a 3rd party has done it. 

That adapter provides AF performance reminiscent of a 1980s Minolta Maxxum 5000, plus you need to pre-focus any lens that has moving elements. I can see the appeal of the concept, but I can almost guarantee that Leica will never release such a gadget. Howver, we will probably eventually see an L-Mount version of the Techart (or some other brand name).

Everything else on your wish list is already on the SL cameras (Nikon and Canon adapters are available through Novoflex, Sigma, and other third parties), so it seems that you are almost there. The SL2-S isn't the "full-frame CL" that many want, but I'm sure that Leica will release such a camera eventually. The one hiccup is that a mini-SL probably won't have a full-size HDMI connector, or any HDMI connector at all.

[Nmatvrider]

Since I just got my SL2 two months ago and do not have any older lenses, I am not interested.  Also I don’t do video.  I would definitely be interested in a smaller, lighter body with the features of the SL2.  IBIS, weather resistance,  joy stick, wonderful EVF and simplicity.  24mp would be fine.

[robgo2]

Put me on the “definitely no” list. I owned an SL for several years and gave it up because of it’s size and weight. I used it exclusively with manual focus lenses and loved the images it produced, but in the end I found that the physical burden of carrying the camera for long stretches of time was too much for my aging hands. So I switched to a CL and have not looked back. 

With that said, I think that the SL-S looks like a nice upgrade from the original SL, assuming that the new sensor is clearly better than the old one (which was already quite good).  I will be interested in reading user reviews. 

[fiatlux]

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34 minutes ago, Tom1234 said:

Modern Mirrorless cameras MUST HAVE's for the Leica version of the Panasonic S5 are:

1- The ability to stabilize shots, i.e. electronic stabilization.

2- Features for fast & easy manual lens focusing - a viewfinder so sharp you do not need to zoom in &/or possibly a rangefinder type bar in the middle of the viewfinder (Nikon had this on their EL2 and probably F3).    

3- With the Techart adapter's ability to AUTO-Focus manual lenses locked/positioned at infinity Leica must "come up to bat" (an American Baseball Game term)  with an adapter affordably priced like 2x or 3x the cost of the Techart. To do any less is just behind the latest technology.   The autofocus of manual lenses locked at infinity is obviously not that hard to do since a 3rd party has done it. 

4- An ability to mount other manual focus lenses such as Canon and Nikon AND a PL adapter.

5- "Real" video features like 4k 4:2:2 at 30 frames and at 60 frames for slow motion.   Digital flow out of the camera with a heavy duty connector to an external recorder - small camera does not mean that small undependable connectors are acceptable.  Twin recording memory's. 

By electronic stabilisation I guess you really mean sensor-based stabilisation? Otherwise I think 1, 4 and 5 are almost a given for any modern mirrorless camera.

2 should be feasible given high res enough viewfinder, and phase-detection cells on sensor - Fuji, if I remember well, has a similar "electronic rangefinder" in their X100.

3 is more challenging: the L mount has a longer flange focal distance than both the Sony E and Nikon Z mounts, which would make it harder to make AF adapters for Leica M lenses that would provide a useful focusing range.

Edited December 15, 2020 by fiatlux

[RBB]

I bought the SL2 after a test and compare it with the fuji GFX 50s. If the SL2s had been smaller and lighter it would have been the ideal second camera for me. I don't do video and let this one pass.

[LocalHero1953]

Yes; I've just traded my SL2 (3 months old) to Leica UK for the SL2-S.

I don't need 47mp, since I don't print much bigger than A3, and I'd don't want the greater storage needs or processing overhead.

OTOH, I do want a camera to back up my Sigma fp for video and I like the sound of the better colours and low light performance. The SL2-S EVF will be more practical for video than the fp with just its rear screen (which is not a drawback on a tripod).

Ref video: I do not make feature films, but I record drama, church services for youtube, talking heads and interviews, technical/academic demos for online teaching etc - so mostly FHD, not (yet) 4k or raw. All of these demand a longer recording time than 30 mins (perhaps the SL2 might get that in future).

I wish Leica would adopt Sigma's direct recording to SSD via USB-C (no need for bulky external monitor/recorder). Combined with a Samsung T5 SSD and a Rode Wireless Go mic it makes a great highly portable package for static video. I'd like to do that with the SL2-S, but I guess I'll just have to work round it.

All in all, the SL2-S seems more in tune with what I want than the SL2, so I'm glad to have made the change.

[ellegant]

I am not a pro, so have no interest. Also size and weight seem too bulky. And price tag...? WOW! Besides I am original owner of my M4 (have not used it for years but try to remember to exercise the shutter) and an M8.2. And lenses purchased in the 60s and 70s. So I am good, thank you. My pocket Canon A710is and iPhone are very good for non-pro video. I would have bought either the Panasonic LX100 or Leica d-lux 109 if they had optical viewfinder and rangefinder. I'm an old fashioned analog guy! Form factor and controls on them seem ideal for street photography and travel.

[Kenb]

Panasonic S1 is working well for me

Ken

[Patrickfoley@mac.com]

I own an SL2, but am intrigued by (1) what looks like much better high ISO performance and (2) possibly even better performance with M lenses than my SL2. Not interested in video.

[oculus_ny]

I bought the original SL-2 more than 40 years ago.  Was a great workhorse, but now long gone. Have had several Ms in the interim, but I have moved on to Olympus, which, now seems ready to abandon me (M&A again).  This computerization has not only speeded up photography, but obsolescence, and I can't afford to keep up.

[Laidley]

I'd like to see the rest of the 40mp M line fleshed out.  Show me a black paint 40mp M10-D or M10-P and I'll buy it immediately.

Currently using an MP for my Leica lenses and and a Sony A7rIV for digital work.

Edited December 15, 2020 by Laidley

[jcatral14]

I have an SL and will probably get the SL2-S next year sometime. I want it mainly for the IBIS and higher sensitivity.

[robola]

Would like clarification of the suggested better performance vs SL2 and perhaps SL with M lenses, but if so I would seriously consider it. 

[Arrow]

Nothing to replace my SL and SL2, for I already own booth. However, I could see it replacing booth, for it has got all that I would need and want in one sole body.

[farnz]

I'm a long-time SL(601) owner who happily upgraded to the SL2-S yesterday, so the answer is "Yes".

IBIS, the ability to turn off LNER, the Back-Illuminated Sensor and resulting low-light improvement, and an even better EVF were enough to swing the deal for me.

Pete.

[mike3996]

I've always been interested in Leica SL series but it's always the same: too big, too heavy. My primary use case would be to adapt lenses from various manufacturers. Between SL, SL2, SL2-S they're all wonderful cameras but SL2-S is currently the most interesting of them all. And I fear that Panasonic S5 is still going to be a better idea for my meagre needs (I actually like the panasonic firmware too). Tough times, having so many super options at hand.

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Hallo,

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[Slender]

1 hour ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Yes; I've just traded my SL2 (3 months old) to Leica UK for the SL2-S.

 

How did it go if I may ask? did you get any trade-up/down value back at all?