Should I trade my SL2 for SL2s video video

[hirohhhh]

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Since I switched almost completely to the M system, I never picked up my SL2 for the photography. Ocassionally I use it to shoot videos, but nothing seriously. But I'd like to get more serious into video and only for that reason, I kept my SL2. The only problem was that my set of SL lenses was pain in the ass for the video, so I bought used R lens to start with.

Question for those who tried both SL2 and SL2s, is there any reason I should trade my SL2 for SL2s, or I'm good? Other than it has higher ISO, what would be the main advantages (or disadvantages)? I'll use this camera solely for video.

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[beewee]

40 minutes ago, hirohhhh said:

Question for those who tried both SL2 and SL2s, is there any reason I should trade my SL2 for SL2s, or I'm good? Other than it has higher ISO, what would be the main advantages (or disadvantages)? I'll use this camera solely for video.

High ISO performance is one reason to lean towards the SL2-S but you also lose 5K recording when you go from SL2 to SL2-S.

Personally, if you’re not using the SL2 for video now, you ought to ask yourself why before dropping money or trading for a SL2-S. The SL2 and SL2-S are nearly identical so if you have issues with the ergonomics, lenses, accessories, and whatever other factors that make you not love the SL2 that you already have, I can’t imagine how an SL2-S will solve those problems. The difference between the SL2 vs SL2-S will be more noticeable in photos than in videos so unless you primarily shoot in low light, I don’t see how the SL2-S would benefit you for video specifically.

[hirohhhh]

No, I want to use SL2/SL2s for video, and I use it occasionally. I want to do video more seriously for a long time, but I was always struggling with my SL lenses, the only ones I had. I would get frustrated about focusing and gave up every time. After numerous attempts, I realized that video is probably not for me. Only recently I bought some M and R lenses, and realized how easy it is to manually focus with these, and I was immediately attracted to video again.

I used SL Typ 601 for 5 years and I loved it. Then I bought SL2 and used it for another year, but for some reason I never liked it. Technically it was better in every aspect than SL, but for me it felt different. Then I purchased M10-R and I LOVE IT. I use it every day, it's with me all the time, literally, and therefore I captured more moments with M in 6 months than with SL/SL2 in 3 years, which I would pick up only if I'm going out to shoot on purpose. Now M10-R is my main camera for the photography, and I don't have a reason to use SL2 ever again. Except for the video.

So, I'd like to keep it, and I thought maybe SL2s would bring some benefits for video. I hear all the time that SL2s is the best Leica video camera, so I thought maybe I should take a look. If there are not any significant advantages for the occasional video shooters, I think I'll be fine with SL2.

[LocalHero1953]

What sort of video do you want to do? Output resolution, format? The SL2 was limited at launch to the standard 30min clip while the SL2-S was limited by battery and storage, but I think the SL2 does not now have that limit. How do you want to record video? Internally? External monitor/recorder?
Subject matter? Feature films or family clips? Talking heads? Artistic performance?

Frankly, unless you have very clear answers to these questions that eliminate the SL2, then you would be far better off using what you've got until you find yourself limited by it. Give the money you would have spent on a SL2-S to a good cause.

[tom0511]

If I were you I woult download video technical function sheet for both cams and see which are the exact differences and if it matters to you.

I own both cams but really dont know which are the video differences, but I believe to remember that the SL2-s should have some slight advantages.

 

[hirohhhh]

32 minutes ago, tom0511 said:

If I were you I woult download video technical function sheet for both cams and see which are the exact differences and if it matters to you.

I own both cams but really dont know which are the video differences, but I believe to remember that the SL2-s should have some slight advantages.

 

Yeah, I did that, and on the paper, the only advantage of SL2s is higher ISO, which means better low light performance and less noise. I don't see anything else that is different or that affects the video.

[Photoworks]

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ISO is on of the factors. been a different censor it is easier to focus manual in high iso on the BSI sensor of the SL2s

SL2 need more power then and occasionally you get 4K error warning with 3rd party lenses. You can just ad battery grip with 2nd battery or a USB-c battery to charge during the shoot and the error goes away.

There are different video format available on SL2.  for example the 5K, it is very clean and does not do pixel binning, it is often use in conjunction with anamorphic lenses

I use 2 SL2 for video all the time with incredible results. C4K LOG capture is amazing and retains lots of color. It delivers high quality imagery.

Both Leica cameras are not great win external audio. 

SL2 recording limit has been removed, but if you are shooting to SD card the camera start to get hot at 45min and needs a break .

You have talked about SL lenses focusing, you should look at the new lens firmware and set the focus to linear 240 rotation. Much easier to M focus. Plus you can use the back Botton focus to get you into focus before you start filming.

M lenses work well too, but often focus rotation of 90 degree a little to short of pulling focus.

In short no reason to get SL2s.

[Slender]

According to CineD, the noise filtering on the SL2s for video sure does look cleaner, but it also substract the magic "touch" they liked so much with SL and SL2. If you want buy an S5 and you will get similar results with additional tools for video compared to both SL2/SL2s.

 

I had many a sleepless night thinking about trading my SL2 for an SL2s for all of the reasons the marketing hype was pushing for: low light, video.... etc. But I grew accustomed to the flexibility of 47MP - that you can downsample to 24mp, like the M11 in sort.

If you use the SL2 at its first base (400ASA) there wont be a difference at all, and the second base (3200ASA) give really beautiful depth in my opinion... You could even be tempted to use it in daylight with lots of ND just to get that great texture, which apparently is a bit "gone" on the Sony sensor the SL2s sports.

If you want the "burden" (financially, eco-systemactical: compatibility with third party brands...etc) to shoot Leica for video, you may as well want to embrace the more characteristic look?

Besides, the full sensor readout of the SL2 works up to 4K60 fps (30 fps only on the SL2s), it has a true 4/3 35mm 5K mode (that looks super sexy up to 6400iso when sampled down to 4K or less - in my humble opinion). I am now at peace with my decision to keep the SL2 for both video and photo. Besides things look mostly flat is there is so little light you need to tune up to ISO 6400 and beyond...

Also the rolling shutter on the SL2s is higher than SL2 (23ms vs 14ms for FF. in s35 the SL2 goes down to a really good sub 10ms)

If I wanted a dedicated L-Mount camera for video (therefore also can accept M/R mount and so much more) I would go for the Lumix S1H or wait for v2 coming maybe end of year, and there you get all the goodies for dedicated video work

- best flip out screen in the marker

- ventilated sensor

- OLPF to avoid alliasing that is nearly impossible to remove from video

- compatibility with more brands: cages, gimballs etc...

- better sound integration with XLR

- 24 bit sound (16 on SL cameras)

- screw location to secure adapters to lens mount

- more monitoring tools: vectorscopes, dual zebras...etc.

- option to shoot raw up to 6K in FF, 4K in s35...