Wedding photographer here, just fully switched from Canon to Leica!

[hellobrandonscott]

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Welp, after 10 years living in the Canon ecosystem, the new RF lineup forced a crossroads, and after weighing all the pros and cons again and again, decided to leave the Canon world and jump all in with Leica. Picked up two SL2-Ss, a 35, batteries, a couple SF 60 flashes, the remote, etc. Haven't been this stoked about camera gear in ages.

I ended up getting the Sigma adapter to buy some more time out of my other EF lenses for now and then will swap those out for the Leica SL equivalent as new focal lengths get released by Leica.

Any other wedding photographers out there shooting with these? Any major differences I should expect that might not be initially obvious? 

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[Slender]

Congrats! It's gonna be an interesting road (not always easy but never boring!). Have you considered any Leica zoom lenses?

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Don't have an SL2S but have shot hundreds on the original SL and a few on the SL2.

1. Test the adaptor thoroughly with all your lenses. There's some wild variation in performance, especially as the light levels drop.

2. You'll need to adapt your focusing technique a bit for CDAF. Finding a edge, for contrast, makes a massive difference. AFS is great, even in low light. Avoid AFC as it doesn't work as well as other systems. It's not a Sony. Face detect works really well in AFS. It's actually eye detect but without the indicator other system have.

3. Flashes work differently on mirrorless especially in TTL as the exposure is measured off the sensor not separately like a DSLR. Sometimes this can make getting the fill flash compensation a pain. The A mode on the SF60 isn't an *auto* mode like on most other flashes. It's just another TTL mode with FEC turned off. Manual works well though and is simple enough. Again test thoroughly and you'll be fine. The little wireless trigger works well.

4. You will get more attention, shooting a Leica. Hope you're OK with people wanting a quick chat about your gear.

5. If the natural partner to your 35 (epic lens!) is an 85, run (don't walk) out and get the Sigma 85mm 1.4 (the new one). Stunning optic. Just stunning.

6. All the Leica zooms are fabulous. Like, class leading. But they are very expensive. Have a look at the Panasonic 70-200 2.8 and 14-24 2.8. Although, I really like the long end of my 90-280 at weddings.

7. Your skin tones will be very different. Gone are the hyper warm saturated Canon skin tones. Leica's are far more neutral and low key. Initially you'll have the urge bump them up, but you probably won't after a while.

8. Leicas DNG files seem flatter when you first open them in LR or C1 than the Canons. You'll get used to this quickly and probably make an import profile to add a tiny bit of contrast in the dark tones.

9. The Leica shutter is sublime. I have a local priest who actually commented on it to me once.... Silent shutter does work on the SL's and well. but you lose flash. The joystick is the best in the business and it's also how you get back button AF, if you set up that way.

10. If you use AFC or iAF the VF image will appear *fuzzy* compared to AFS. That's the DFD system working. Images will be just as sharp as AFS but it's a bit of a leap of faith. I rarely use anything but AFS.

11. You can top up your batteries on the go with a power bank and USBC cable.

12. Spend some time customising the buttons. It's a really customisable layout and can make things much more intuitive than you're used to.

13. You can program the dials to behave like your Canon one's in the menu. I still prefer exposure comp on the rear wheel.

Gordon

[Tom1234]

hellobrandonscott:

Could you give some of the technical reasons you switched?  Like the SL2-S must have sufficient focus ability (which people as a talking point mention as lessor but apparently it is sufficient for most uses).  You obviously accept  the tradeoffs and must consider losses small and gains big to switch equipment manufactures, to say nothing of the redefinition of self that for many happens with such a change.    

I also wonder about the commercial reality of using Leica instead of Canon.  Forty years ago I knew a 30 year veteran of advertising production who lost a contract because it specified that he use new digital equipment that was significantly lower quality than his high end video equipment that used tape!  It was insane… the unknowing local producer had specified and inferior medium of recording just because it was new.  So are you seeing stupidity rule with producers or will they accept Leica even though Sony, Cannon, Nikon are the traditional big names? 

[RBB]

Congratulations, once addicted tot Leica you never get rid of it. I use next to native Leica glass also Sigma and Panasonic.

10 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

5. If the natural partner to your 35 (epic lens!) is an 85, run (don't walk) out and get the Sigma 85mm 1.4 (the new one). Stunning optic. Just stunning.

Agree, very nice rendering, sometimes a clinical look, difficult to describe, most of the times stunning and light and small to carry.

10 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

6. All the Leica zooms are fabulous. Like, class leading. But they are very expensive. Have a look at the Panasonic 70-200 2.8 and 14-24 2.8. Although, I really like the long end of my 90-280 at weddings.

The 70-200 2.8 is verstil, very sharp (even with the 1.4 tele) and fast autofocus. Beware of the battery issue with the Panasonic, that's one of the reasons i end up with the 90-280 and I love so far.

[RBB]

 

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agree, 24-90 is exceptional

Edited March 13, 2021 by RBB
forgot quote

[Slender]

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6 hours ago, Tom1234 said:

 I also wonder about the commercial reality of using Leica instead of Canon.  So are you seeing stupidity rule with producers or will they accept Leica even though Sony, Cannon, Nikon are the traditional big names? 

That is a bit strange sounding to my ears... I mean, sure... If tomorow you show up on set with a Leica R8 and DMR or an M9 (and I did that for a few years), people will be curious, yes, but as long as you show you can deliver I can hardly imagine someone having to fight for a job because his camera of choice is a Leica, especially among wedding photographers. There is a good number of them charging very high amounts of money for high-end luxury weeding prestation.... heck there is even one on Summilux.net community his webpage brags to clients all about how their wedding will have the rare privileger of being shot on Leica + Noctilux gear.... and boy he certainly made an awfull anount of money back with his Leicas S and M240 Le Mans + Silver Noctilux. Heck even Annie Leibovitz uses Leica (S+M for sure, maybe SL), and now Steve McCurry, Greg Williams, Mary McCartney, Ragnar Axelsson, Stephane Lavoue.... Justin Mott shoots TIme and National geographic assigments with a screen-less rangefinder 🤠 and hopefully countless great heroes of the Past who had to switch when Leica missed the digital turn in 2005-2015 but hopefully can now go back to the brand (Sebastiao... I love you).

Surely still, if you are into a pool of hard-news-photographers in a PresPit for chasing celebrities, sportsmen or politicians your colleagues with battleworn out 1D or A9 series will surely eye you with a mix of curiosity, envy and disdain, but the same would be true with anything else standing out from the Pro Series CanNikoSon cameras.

I shot a billboard for a major feature film with my ex 18Megapixel CCD Leica M9... running horses on top of that!
https://www.yellowkorner.com/en/p/la-grande-chevauchee---guillaume-valli/2060.html

I regularly have the pleasure to shoot for major museums like Tate in London or the Louvre in Paris, and other kind of events or reportage... with feu M9 and now SL2. True I was not entirely relaxed when the stakes were high with "just" a M9 and a handful of primes... and reluctantly I brought a 5D or A7 as a backup on some occasions.... now I am 100% confident with the SL2. If I had two of them low light monsters like the OP have 😎 now it is double the feel good feeling. AF has been bitched about on rightly so for VIDEO... but real video buffs shoot manual right? For STILLS it is GOOD. Even VERY GOOD with supra-fast focussing lens like the 24-90 is --- 18 glass elements or so but only one moves for focussing. Neat, deadly accurate.

"fast" AF from the competition sometimes behaved (for me) like the main character of this joke:

"A guy during a job interview brags about how fast he can do maths. The interviewer then randomly asks how much is 4567x37,14?
The man answers back straight away : 47.

The interviewer argues back: that's not even close!

The man then says: but it was fast, right?"

Altough for this to be true I will encourage OP to use Leica glass as much as possible and to find the time to experiment his AF settings well 😄

 

Edited March 13, 2021 by Slender

[budjames]

2 hours ago, RBB said:

 

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agree, 24-90 is exceptional

Ditto!

The Leica 24-90 is a bag of primes. Love it, but it is heavy and bulky. However, if you are coming the Canon L lenses, you will feel right at home.

I used to shoot weddings 35 years ago when I was a co-owner of a portrait and wedding studio. Back then we shot with Mamiya C330 twin lens reflex 6x6 film cameras for weddings. We use a Mamiya RB67 for studio shoots with it's massive 6x7 negative.

Since then I just shoot for a hobby, mostly travel and landscapes, with my Leica M10 and M10-R. I also own the SL2, the SL 35mm and all three Leica zooms. They are all excellent.

This past summer, we spent two weeks visiting National parks in Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. I shot only with my SL2 and 24-90 lens. It's a beast to carry compared to the M10, but the resulting images where I could not zoom with my feet are awesome. You can check them out in a portfolio on my website, National Parks, here: https://www.budjames.photography/p710685842

Good luck with your shooting.

Regards,
Bud James

Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/budjamesphoto

Edited March 13, 2021 by budjames

[hellobrandonscott]

14 hours ago, Tom1234 said:

hellobrandonscott:

Could you give some of the technical reasons you switched?  Like the SL2-S must have sufficient focus ability (which people as a talking point mention as lessor but apparently it is sufficient for most uses).  You obviously accept  the tradeoffs and must consider losses small and gains big to switch equipment manufactures, to say nothing of the redefinition of self that for many happens with such a change.    

I also wonder about the commercial reality of using Leica instead of Canon.  Forty years ago I knew a 30 year veteran of advertising production who lost a contract because it specified that he use new digital equipment that was significantly lower quality than his high end video equipment that used tape!  It was insane… the unknowing local producer had specified and inferior medium of recording just because it was new.  So are you seeing stupidity rule with producers or will they accept Leica even though Sony, Cannon, Nikon are the traditional big names? 

To be honest, the impetus for the switch was boredom and the feeling of being creatively stagnant. I've been shooting the same 5D platform (5Dmk2, 3, 4) for the last ten years, and then the R5/6 came out... and I thought, awesome, very cool... but because I'd be gearing up with new RF-mount lenses, I'm basically switching systems entirely already... why not look at some other options outside Canon.

Leica had always been on my mind ever since handling the Q a few years ago in the NYC Leica store. The SL2-S couldn't have been released at a better time for this to all work out. The R5 looks amazing, but I don't want a sensor that large because, 1. clients don't care, 2. the storage increase would double for (1.) no reason, and 3. I'm always in low-light situations, shooting often in the woods here in Big Sur, so the "better" low-light of the R6 was more appealing, but the R6 lacked a ton of other features I needed. The SL2-S seemed to check all the boxes. 

Anyway, I feel like a new system will re-light that creativity I had circa 2016 when I feel like I peaked in that context, haha. We'll see. Either way, I know I'll appreciate the feel and aesthetic of something nice and minimal. Also so thankful to be leaving a brand that seems like has become standard-issue for photographers in my corner of the wedding world. I'm one of very, very few in my cohort of wedding photographers who will be using Leicas, so stepping outside the mainstream into something more niche feels good. 

[hellobrandonscott]

20 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

Don't have an SL2S but have shot hundreds on the original SL and a few on the SL2.

1. Test the adaptor thoroughly with all your lenses. There's some wild variation in performance, especially as the light levels drop.

2. You'll need to adapt your focusing technique a bit for CDAF. Finding a edge, for contrast, makes a massive difference. AFS is great, even in low light. Avoid AFC as it doesn't work as well as other systems. It's not a Sony. Face detect works really well in AFS. It's actually eye detect but without the indicator other system have.

3. Flashes work differently on mirrorless especially in TTL as the exposure is measured off the sensor not separately like a DSLR. Sometimes this can make getting the fill flash compensation a pain. The A mode on the SF60 isn't an *auto* mode like on most other flashes. It's just another TTL mode with FEC turned off. Manual works well though and is simple enough. Again test thoroughly and you'll be fine. The little wireless trigger works well.

4. You will get more attention, shooting a Leica. Hope you're OK with people wanting a quick chat about your gear.

5. If the natural partner to your 35 (epic lens!) is an 85, run (don't walk) out and get the Sigma 85mm 1.4 (the new one). Stunning optic. Just stunning.

6. All the Leica zooms are fabulous. Like, class leading. But they are very expensive. Have a look at the Panasonic 70-200 2.8 and 14-24 2.8. Although, I really like the long end of my 90-280 at weddings.

7. Your skin tones will be very different. Gone are the hyper warm saturated Canon skin tones. Leica's are far more neutral and low key. Initially you'll have the urge bump them up, but you probably won't after a while.

8. Leicas DNG files seem flatter when you first open them in LR or C1 than the Canons. You'll get used to this quickly and probably make an import profile to add a tiny bit of contrast in the dark tones.

9. The Leica shutter is sublime. I have a local priest who actually commented on it to me once.... Silent shutter does work on the SL's and well. but you lose flash. The joystick is the best in the business and it's also how you get back button AF, if you set up that way.

10. If you use AFC or iAF the VF image will appear *fuzzy* compared to AFS. That's the DFD system working. Images will be just as sharp as AFS but it's a bit of a leap of faith. I rarely use anything but AFS.

11. You can top up your batteries on the go with a power bank and USBC cable.

12. Spend some time customising the buttons. It's a really customisable layout and can make things much more intuitive than you're used to.

13. You can program the dials to behave like your Canon one's in the menu. I still prefer exposure comp on the rear wheel.

Gordon

Amazing. Follow-ups...

2. Thankfully, I've always been a single-point AF, back-button shooter, so pretty used to this anyway. Thanks for the heads up.

3. Same as #2, I've never used TTL. Always have adjusted flash manually. Hoping there's not much difference with the way the two 60s and the remote behave compared to the Canon system. They look way smaller, in a good way. 

5. My default set up is always a 35mm on the right-hand cam and an 85 on the left. I was sort of bummed to see Leica doesn't make an 85 for the SL, so was thinking about giving the 90 a shot instead. Compared to that being an option, would you still recommend the Sigma 85? 

9. I often shoot elopements in the woods, so moving into mirrorless this year was a must-do for shutter sound alone. Often, it's only me, the couple and the officiant, so having even the "silent" shutter mode on the 5D4 sounds soooo obnoxious to me. This will be a super welcome improvement.

10. What is all this you just said in new-to-Leica words? haha. Sounds important.

11. Amazing, I was wondering if this was possible. I always carry around a little satchel, so I'll just keep a little power thing in there always. 

12. OK, so I was wondering about back-button AF. You mentioned in #9 that it's possible using the joystick?

[hansvons]

I’m not in the wedding photography business. But I suspect that like documentary filmmaking (which I’m doing here and then for a living), a fast pace and reliable and quick workflows on the location are mandatory for great storytelling. Hence for me, the zoom is the best alternative when covering irretrievable action. I got myself the 24-90 and can say only good things about it. It allows for pictures that look like being shot on excellent primes at T2.8 - T4.0. In my case, the lens’ relatively slow speed is a non-issue because in my line of work, showing where the action takes place is an essential factor. I’m all in for great bokeh but don’t care about blurry backgrounds that don’t say anything. The SL2-S’ outstanding sensitivity is more than enough to compensate for the F4, IMO.

[Slender]

Time to show the heavy Vario Elmarit 24-90 2.8-4 Asph. some love!

@24mm

 

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@28mm

 

 

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[Dennis]

1 hour ago, hellobrandonscott said:

To be honest, the impetus for the switch was boredom and the feeling of being creatively stagnant.

 

1 hour ago, hellobrandonscott said:

Anyway, I feel like a new system will re-light that creativity I had circa 2016 when I feel like I peaked in that context, haha.

You need a stimulus, inspiration, purpose, and/or makes changes. But a different gear doesn't help you on this part of the journey. It could be a honeymoon at the beginning, but the one who tells the camera what to do is, and it will always be you.
IMHO, the change is your mind. I did a significant rebranding almost three years ago. But it took effort, balls, and a long-term plan. I really wanted a change, and I didn't make any commitment to my art. Now I'm free. 🙂 
For my storytelling, I'm using every day more my Leica M10. I just need more gear. Meanwhile, I'm still happily using as primary system my Nikon D5 ... This year, I'll probably make my choice for its successor. I want to wait until Z9 is out and see what they prepared. Then decide for SL2-S or Z9 ... or entirely switch to M. Time will tell.

1 hour ago, hellobrandonscott said:

but the R6 lacked a ton of other features I needed.

what is missing in the R6?

1 hour ago, hellobrandonscott said:

I'm one of very, very few in my cohort of wedding photographers who will be using Leicas, so stepping outside the mainstream into something more niche feels good.

 

Maybe it makes you feel good, but again, you should step outside of the mainstream, as you say, with your signature style instead then gear.
Be brave, embrace it and enjoy. It's gonna be an incredible journey anyway. 

 

[Slender]

90mm... ok I stop.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Photoworks]

3. Same as #2, I've never used TTL. Always have adjusted flash manually. Hoping there's not much difference with the way the two 60s and the remote behave compared to the Canon system. They look way smaller, in a good way. 

that is good, TTL has a problem in backlight situation by not firing to tautly under by many stops. waiting for camera firmware fix.
I have used the SF-60 with external battery pack on events. It seams that sometime there is freezing and turning on or off fixes it. probably overheating.

 

12. OK, so I was wondering about back-button AF. You mentioned in #9 that it's possible using the joystick?

If you set the camera to M focusing mode you can use the joystick by center pushing it to backfocus.

I did a shoot of many headshots yesterday and Face detection worked very well. Most of the time I use point focus in AFs with good success .

 

the 85mm from sigma is a superb lens, I have it on my sony. On the Leica I use the 75mm summicron-Sl over the 90mm. It is more intimate shooting with subject  and it can focus much closer so that you can use it for details too.
 

Keep in mind that most sigma lenses native to L work well, the AF performance in not as tuned as Leica lenses.

this is an 75mm sample at f2

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[BernardC]

2 hours ago, hellobrandonscott said:

. My default set up is always a 35mm on the right-hand cam and an 85 on the left. I was sort of bummed to see Leica doesn't make an 85 for the SL, so was thinking about giving the 90 a shot instead. Compared to that being an option, would you still recommend the Sigma 85? 

Your shots will match better if you stick to Leica glass. There isn't much real-world difference between 85 and 90, maybe a half step farther back. 

I would  go 75 myself, just because I worry about cropping too much at weddings! The two mothers want to see their expensive shoes. 

One cheap/light lens you might consider is the Sigma 45. It is designed to be pleasingly soft up-close, which is great for flowers/details/food/etc.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Gavin Cato]

Wedding shooter here as well. I switched from Sony to Leica about 9 months ago. I've put about 60-70 weddings on a pair of SL2's (The SL2-S did not exist when I switched) and the Leica 35/2, 50/1.4, 90/2 and a Sigma 14-24/2.8 and a Leica Q2 which is my quick grab 28 and macro lens.

I don't use flash. I do typically setup video lights on tripods late at night for dancing but thats about all I do lighting wise.

I really do like the 35/2 but wish it was a real 1.4 (despite this constant talk that it looks like a 1.4 but it doesn't). The 50 1.4 is the best 50 i've ever used and is great for weddings. But don't use it where you need fast af.

The 90 is extremely good. It's the best short range tele I've ever used. I guess it's the equivalent of my old 85/1.4 on Sony but to my eyes it looks way better.

As for actual use at weddings, you'll find face detect works very well close to medium distances, for shots of just the couple or group photos where people look at you. But don't use it for candids as it'll often grab the wrong face/body. Use afs - the afc is rubbish. I use AF points with joystick vast majority of the day.

I do miss the fancy full time tracking from the Sony's but I wanted to do something different and love the Leica lenses.

The silent elec shutter works perfectly outdoors, but turn it back to mechanical shutter at most indoor venues as you'll get banding with lights. 

Apparently there's a firmware update getting cooked which will improve the af side a bit.

Good luck with it! 

 

[earleygallery]

I'm not a wedding photographer (I did it as a sideline for some years using 120 film) but I do shoot weddings/events if asked and have one coming up in the summer.

I now use Canon DSLR's because they're great tools for the job. Creativity is my job, the camera doesn't (shouldn't) affect that, although I will concede that you need to enjoy the feel of the camera as a woodworker needs to enjoy the feel of his/her chisels etc.

When you're shooting for pay it's all about what is best for the client after all.