Firmware 3.0 - SL2 vs SL2-S

[Tp2000]

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Hi

I've dabbled a little with the SL2 in the past and whilst the imagery from it is stunning, I've always been mixed on the AF capabilities. Since firmware 3.0 came along I haven't seen much comment on here about AF changes vs previous firmware.

I'm not looking to start a "is the SL2 AF good enough vs [insert camera here]" debate. I know what I would want from the SL2, just would really value hearing real world experiences of people before and after the Firmware upgrade as to how they've found the AF in use. 

 

Thanks in advance,

 

 

[LocalHero1953]

I didn't have the SL2 long enough, or use it with particularly active subjects, to compare it with the SL2-S which I've had since launch. The AF capabilities of the latter improved noticeably with the last firmware upgrade though. It picked out figures and faces at a greater distance, identified more figures in a scene, made it easier to select between multiple figures and followed them slightly more reliably. It is still not good at following figures when they cross with another, or with, say, another moving object (e.g. a pedestrian when a car goes in front of them, or actors on a stage).

[Tp2000]

Paul - that is really helpful, thank you. 

 

 

[Photoworks]

SL2 AF is good as long you have enough light. In low light situation it really works hard and misses to focus often, hunting endless.

I every day use it works well for me

[Speeding]

FW 3.0 on the SL2 brought noticeable improvements in detection and tracking of people/faces.  I use it professionally for medical/public health journalism and AF is well suited for these endeavors.  Video has less hunting and face tracking and switching between faces is very good.

That said, it does not work like a PDAF camera.  While probably good enough for most uses, it stands to benefit from a good PDAF implementation.  

One other point - the AF experience is very much dependent on lenses used.  Using native Leica SL lenses is a wonderful experience.  Panasonic, pretty good (although power draw seems more of an issue).  Sigma can be hit and miss.  Some are pretty good, some are poor.  

[SrMi]

3 hours ago, Photoworks said:

SL2 AF is good as long you have enough light. In low light situation it really works hard and misses to focus often, hunting endless.

I every day use it works well for me

With which lens? The more light a lens passes to the sensor, the better the AF in low light.

[Photoworks]

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1 hour ago, SrMi said:

With which lens? The more light a lens passes to the sensor, the better the AF in low light.

Summicron-SL35 and 75 and 24-90 Sl