Leica CL: Video in 4K - Firmware bug or stupid user?

[AndiCR]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello from Costa Rica,

purchased a CL last week ago for my old M and R lenses. 

I am very happy with the quality of the pictures.

From time to time we use video in 4K and there's an issue I couldn't understand:

As soon as I adjust video to '4K 30' the camera crops extremely. Not only in EVF and display, also in video.

This happens ONLY in '4K' (1080/60, 1080/30 and 720 ist fine). Attached two pictures, one with 1080p (without cropping), one in 4K (with cropping).

As I have the CL for only a week, maybe I am to unexperienced to adjust it correctly.

Perhaps someone can try his CL whether the problem is also present in his CL?

So, firmware bug or stupid user?

Thanks in advance for help.

Andi

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[SoCalLeicanator]

I'm not a video shooter, but I think a lot of cameras do this, not just the CL.

[ruskkyle]

As @SoCalLeicanator says, this is pretty standard behaviour for cameras that do both stills and video. Rather than downscaling the full 24mpx image, the camera rather takes a crop of the frame to generate its 4K image. This generally results in less artificts such as moire, bit can be annoying as you lose the wide end of your lens.

Edited October 21, 2021 by ruskkyle

[AndiCR]

Thank you SoCalLeicanator & ruskkyle.

Of course, a little bit cropping does my Fujifilm X-T3 too. 1,03x.

I mixed the picture 1080 and the 4K one. The crop is exactly 1,5x which makes my 50mm R lens a 75mm on the CL and finally with this video crop of another 1,5x I reached to have a 112mm lens...

So, Fuji 1,03 and Leica does in 4k  1,5. It have to be a firmware bug. I guess, a huuuge one. 

Can someone confirm that this happens not only on my CL?

 

Attached the mixed layers (1080p and 4K)

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[pop]

The technical data (user manual, page 94) says the still image has 6024 x 4024 pixels and the 4k video image 3840 x 2160 pixels.

[AndiCR]

vor 22 Minuten schrieb pop:

The technical data (user manual, page 94) says the still image has 6024 x 4024 pixels and the 4k video image 3840 x 2160 pixels.

 

pop, you are right. But this is the pixel density and has nothing to do with cropping in the frame.

In 1080/30, 1080/60 and 720 there is (minimal (approx. 1,03x)) cropping, the problem is only evident in 4K.

I contacted Leica Germany yesterday, will see what they say.

[jaapv]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

4K video has a  crop. This is quite normal.  Here you have an explanation for the Canon EOS R which does exactly the same:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmtvejuUo5I&ab_channel=TomBuck

And basically all cameras with exception of a couple of Sony ones.

:https://www.eoshd.com/news/video-crop-factors-current-4k-cameras/h

[AndiCR]

Update: Leica Germany answered that they could reproduce this issue and going to let me know soon what's happen with the 4K crop.

Anyway, the main reason (specially) Canon has a problem with 4k cropping is their sensor scan rates. The speed at which their sensors can process information is 2 or 3 generations behind what Sony or Fujifilm puts out. So, probably the same here.

We'll see.

[ramarren]

I've never noticed because I don't think I've ever made even a 10 second video clip with the CL before, but yes: choosing the 4K video capture mode, the FoV with my 35mm lens nets about the same thing as a 50mm lens would normally acquire in still mode, so about a 1.5x crop. 

Far as I can tell, this is normal behavior for 4K video with this camera. If it's a bug, whether philosophically or implementation wise, it's beyond my understanding.

G

[AndiCR]

Hi G,

yes, I guess most people use the CL only for stills. 

I am using currently a Fuji X-T3 for video, which is perfect for that. But - to be honest - the video quality which put the CL out, is outstanding. CL on a gimbal + external audio recorder = Same video quality as the X-T3. And far less buttons on the CL...

35mm Summilux-M FF = 52mm on APS-C -> plus this 4K crop = 80mm (But fantastic!!! quality).

The best

Andi

[ramarren]

Andi, 

I don't see any point to doing the "35 = 52 = 80" since I only shoot with the CL as my Leica now. The 35mm is normal, 50mm is a portrait tele. 4K video mode crops my 35mm to a 50mm FoV on this camera. That's good enough.. 

Most of the motion work I do I capture with a Rylo 360 camera or the iPhone 11 Pro. They both produce pretty good quality, but I'm no "pro" video shooter... 

G