Keeping my SL2, but I think I’m done with autofocus - M glass is my joint

[Fedro]

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On 2/22/2022 at 3:35 PM, bherman01545 said:

Hi All;

 

Not sure what is meant by noisy? but I believe that there have been a few threads and also videos on you Tube about it. There are probably a few, possible of explanations. First, is the camera at the latest firmware? I know that many would dismiss this, but I've seen real strange problems fixed with a firmware update.

Next, I would turn off/disable Lens Pre-Focus. This sometimes can cause the lens to chatter or move in and out (AF motors almost continuously in some cases).

Also, is the issue reported when set to S-AF or C-AF?

-Brad

I had a 50 that was very quiet and the 90 which was noisy (it made a scratchy noise when it hunted in low light)

I read elsewhere in the forum of others having similar problems, and others having none? Possibly copy variation?

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[rtai]

On 2/21/2022 at 8:20 PM, MrFriendly said:

As stated in my post #49, all the photos I've posted here were taken on my SL2-S, latest firmware, using 50mm Summilux-SL, wide open, and the camera set to iAF, Face/Body Detection, and AF Profile to Wildlife.

I sympathise and relate to your experience. The Q2M was my first AF Leica and while I loved the output I had to adjust to how the camera works. I believe the Canon Eos 1n I owned at one time was more competent in the AF department. Rather than chucking it into the ocean I sold it and bought an M10M and learned to zone focus a 21mm Summilux at f1.4 thanks to an inspirational video about Alan Schaller. To use the Q2 one needs to hold the camera either to the eye or smart phone style, push the shutter half way until the little rectangles tell you something is in focus reminiscent of 1992 consumer screwdriver Nikons. But the Q2 is beautiful with the lens at f1.7 if you nailed the shot. Just make sure you set the focus point dead center and place the subject right in the middle of the frame.  I have the SL2 and it’s certainly the best camera I have ever used. The EVF is so good I don’t need AF. I have a few Leica SL lenses and boy are they heavy. I wonder why I didn’t just get an S? 

[trickness]

I’ve been working more with the SL35, and the image quality is spectacular as you can see below. It’s definitely a lot bigger than its M counterparts, but I’m fine if I get into the mindset of using it I can get very good results. It’s like a different type of paintbrush in my box. The pictures I got when I went out with it the other day have made me reconsider selling it.

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[jrichie]

The conclusion I have come to with Leica is :

SL2S - commercial photography [interiors]. Autofocus, weight not a concern [tripod or handheld as nicely balances].  Recent shoots it was a joy to use with a 24-70 Leica lens [need to get a 20mm also for this].  Autofocus single point nailed every time.

M11 Black - personal photography [street]. Manual, take the time, easy to carry all day. 

I also feel that the L lenses balance out the SL2 better than the M lenses, and I prefer shooting the Sl2 with the L lenses far more.  It is more than obvious that when designing the cameras they made specific decisions on how the systems felt with their native lenses.

But ..... manual focus with the M lenses on the SL2 is awesome.  Love the joystick, zoom focus on the EVF etc.  It just feels a little odd to me, having spent time with an M11.

The M lens makes sense for M cameras, as the L lens makes sense for L cameras.  

I hope you understand what I mean, although a very expensive conclusion!

[John Smith]

16 hours ago, jrichie said:

I also feel that the L lenses balance out the SL2 better than the M lenses, and I prefer shooting the Sl2 with the L lenses far more.  It is more than obvious that when designing the cameras they made specific decisions on how the systems felt with their native lenses.

But ..... manual focus with the M lenses on the SL2 is awesome.  Love the joystick, zoom focus on the EVF etc.  It just feels a little odd to me, having spent time with an M11.

The M lens makes sense for M cameras, as the L lens makes sense for L cameras.  

I used to think this too. But I've been traveling with the SL2 with an 50APO-M and it makes for another excellent arrow in the quiver. One thing, too, I've noticed is just how critical sharp focus can be. The magnification with the SL2 is a godsend, even when focusing to infinity. 

[jrichie]

5 hours ago, John Smith said:

I used to think this too. But I've been traveling with the SL2 with an 50APO-M and it makes for another excellent arrow in the quiver. One thing, too, I've noticed is just how critical sharp focus can be. The magnification with the SL2 is a godsend, even when focusing to infinity. 

Yes the 50mm is excellent on the SL2 and agree the focus and magnification is also amazing to get that sharpness.

It just sort of feels like a frankencamera to me that's all and my hands felt more tired holding it with a 50mm M than the 24-70 L weirdly.  

I did test shots with the M11 and SL2S with the same M lenses on the same subjects, and I could focus the M11 as well as the SL2 however not as quick, and painless. The SL2 EVF is truly the best feature of the camera.

I prefer the more 'digital' aspect of the SL2 but got better photographs out the M.  I have decided to now have both.

BTW my M lens 18mm and 28mm [and 35 to a point] all have magenta fringing with the SL2, whereas the M11 shows none of this.

[John Smith]

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2 hours ago, jrichie said:

Yes the 50mm is excellent on the SL2 and agree the focus and magnification is also amazing to get that sharpness.

It just sort of feels like a frankencamera to me that's all and my hands felt more tired holding it with a 50mm M than the 24-70 L weirdly.  

I did test shots with the M11 and SL2S with the same M lenses on the same subjects, and I could focus the M11 as well as the SL2 however not as quick, and painless. The SL2 EVF is truly the best feature of the camera.

I prefer the more 'digital' aspect of the SL2 but got better photographs out the M.  I have decided to now have both.

BTW my M lens 18mm and 28mm [and 35 to a point] all have magenta fringing with the SL2, whereas the M11 shows none of this.

Yes, with the 50APO it looks a little like a frankencamera at first, but I got used to it in a day. I have a silver 50mm Summilux, too, and it looks and balances a bit better. 

It's the opposite with me—I create better photographs with the SL2. The absolute framelines probably has something to do with it. Comparing the SL2 with my M10R, it was evident that the M's focus was usually acceptable, but more hit and miss. This led me to sell off my Ms and go it alone with the SL2.   

The widest lens I use is the 35SL so I haven't experienced any of the fringing that people have talked about. I have wondered whether the 35APO-M shows any fringing with the SL2.

Edited April 6, 2022 by John Smith

[V23]

On 2/14/2022 at 9:57 AM, Stef63 said:

For some type of photography (99% of my work) AF is not an added value.  I totally understand that in these cases MF is much more logical and in most cases faster than AF.  I have one AF lens on my SL2 and 15+ MF M and R lenses.  Guess what lens is seldom used?

So yes I understand your feeling.  The problem now for me is that in a lot of circumstances  my M11 makes more sense than my SL2.  If it wasn’t for ibis the SL2 would not make any sense anymore .. 

So, what you are saying it suggest that like me you would not object to a Leica M mount camera with EVF. This issue has been risen number of times before, like 24 mp would be enough for me personally.

[BernardC]

14 hours ago, V23 said:

So, what you are saying it suggest that like me you would not object to a Leica M mount camera with EVF.

Do you mean an M camera without a rangefinder? You can already use M lenses with an EVF on M or SL bodies (with the M-Adapter-L).

I suspect that the successor to the CL will meet your requirements. I'm only speculating, but it would make sense for Leica to release a smaller L-mount full-frame body that looks vaguely like a CL, a Q, or an "M-without-a-rangefinder." The main problem is that there aren't any small Leica-branded full-frame L-Mount lenses.

[matted]

25 minutes ago, BernardC said:

Do you mean an M camera without a rangefinder? You can already use M lenses with an EVF on M or SL bodies (with the M-Adapter-L).

I suspect that the successor to the CL will meet your requirements. I'm only speculating, but it would make sense for Leica to release a smaller L-mount full-frame body that looks vaguely like a CL, a Q, or an "M-without-a-rangefinder." The main problem is that there aren't any small Leica-branded full-frame L-Mount lenses.

I think this is what we should realistically expect to see in the (hopefully) near future. It is a shame they discontinued the APS-C lenses as I think there would still be a market for them with such a body, especially if the sensor in it was the M11s… an APS-C crop of it would still yield enough MPs for most use cases. 
 

I would certainly buy such an EVF body whether it had L or M mount on it. L mount would be more versatile of course. Maybe call it the Leica LM and include an M adaptor in the box. 

Edited April 7, 2022 by matted

[LocalHero1953]

On 2/22/2022 at 5:36 AM, MrFriendly said:

I had the camera set to Multi-Field metering.

I'm late to the party, but I think this is where one of the problems lies. Try setting it to Face/Body detect instead.

I have just done a quick test with the SL2-S pointing at a framed portrait photo on the wall. With Multifield, it picks the edge of the frame (contrasty, sharp). With Face/Body it picks the face (B&W, low contrast).

I use iAF in single shot mode most of the time - it decides for itself whether to use AFs or AFc. 

FWIW I have it set to Children/Pets. These are just settings that set criteria for speed of movement, change of direction, depth movement. They don't tell the camera how to identify an object. Wildlife should be fine, but I don't think it tells the SL2-S to look for dogs or elephants, for example. 

I have tested this set up in the street - just sat on a wall and photographed pedestrians and cyclists going past. It tracked people moderately well, but usually lost them when they passed behind something else. In crowds it gets a bit confused after it has identified (outlined) 3-5 bodies/faces in the scene and doesn't know which one to focus on (a green or yellow outline - can't remember exactly); you can use the joystick to toggle between outlines to tell it which one you want, but if there's too much activity it will not stick with that one.

I use the SL2-S a lot for stage drama with plenty of activity and I'm pretty happy with its performance. I don't doubt that there are cameras out there with better AF performance, but I like the Leica lenses, build and interface too much to want to ditch them when AF is good enough for my needs.

One other thing: the Summilux-SL 50 was reported to be slow in focusing when it was launched for the SL. I believe it improved with firmware and gain with the SL2, but I don't think many users (I'm not one) claim it is fast. I'm not excusing it - just explaining.