Setting up my SL2: First Impressions

[6bit]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Wonderful

I received my SL2 today and have been familiarizing myself with the camera. I am stunned, literally stunned, at the intuitive and simple (yet deep) interface Leica has come up with. To program a FN button you just need to hold the button for a long press and then choose the what item you want it to activate. Simple! Setting up the Favorite menu is super easy and fast. Love it! To review a photo, just keep the shutter depressed and the photo can be viewed until the shutter is released. I’ve never seen that before and it is amazing! I have configured a profile for Manual Focusing (M mount lenses), and exported the profile to my SD card. Again, super easy and straight forward. There are many more pluses but we don’t have time to go over them.

Neutral

The camera uses more power than my SL and I can feel the camera warm up. Not a deal breaker as I didn’t have an issue with the SL, but something to note. I did have it on continuously to configure the camera so I won’t pass complete judgement until I go out shooting with it.

Complaint

My only complaint is the Image Stabilization for M mount lenses. Why can’t they have the Leica lenses in one menu and a simple focal length in another menu? This way, I am not forced to choose which Leica lens to use for my Voigtlander 1.4/35mm II (and other CV lenses). I assume some amount of lens calibration is happening because of my selection. Am I wrong?

Future Intentions

I may or may not create an Auto Focus profile for my lone SL lens, the 2/75mm. Until then, I hope to return with a few photos from various lenses. I’ll be dusting off the Nocti for this bad boy...

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Photoworks]

3 hours ago, 6bit said:

My only complaint is the Image Stabilization for M mount lenses. Why can’t they have the Leica lenses in one menu and a simple focal length in another menu? This way, I am not forced to choose which Leica lens to use for my Voigtlander 1.4/35mm II (and other CV lenses). I assume some amount of lens calibration is happening because of my selection. Am I wrong?

sure the menu of the lens selection can be improved.

with current firmware when you use the Leica M-L adapter and a 6bit coded lens few things apply to improve image quality. vignetting, distortion, CA, plus sensor stabilization.

When you mount a non coded lens you can only IBIS when you select the focal length from the menu, pick from R or M lenses with same focal length. no correction will be applied. 

[6bit]

Thank you. I am using the Leica adapter, I just haven’t used a Leica coded lens yet. Thank you for that confirmation! This makes life easier knowing I’m not altering the image.