The SL (Typ 601) For Wedding Photography

[BernardC]

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12 hours ago, AliensExist said:

If anyone has had experience using this camera in this capacity, any feedback is greatly appreciated.  Thank you. 

I shot the SL for weddings for four years. It's a great camera, and always reliable. I was a second shooter, but that still involves 1000 to 2000 shots in a day, for which I had 3 batteries. I never ran-out of power, or even came close to doing so. If you are worried, you can always pack a charger and top-up the battery that you used for the ceremony when you get to the reception location.

Pro tip: I use a silver marker to identify my batteries; one, two or three dots. It avoids confusion, you just need to grab the next sequence number.

For flash I use the SF40. It's a great little unit, with plenty of power for bounce/fill. I don't use flash as a key light at weddings.

The camera is good for ISO 3200. I knew a local pro who regularly used his at 6400, with some de-saturation to minimize noise. His rationale was that "colours are terrible at those lighting levels anyway, so you may as well take them out." 3200 with a 1.4 lens is dark enough that you can't see very well with your own eyes. Some venues are lit that way, but guests start to feel inconvenienced. Obviously, things are different outdoors at night, and sometimes on the dance floor (although a dab of flash usually helps there).

Some advantages of the SL are an excellent EVF (which is the reason why I switched from Canon), near-universal lens compatibility, ruggedness, quiet, and a vibration-free shutter. Some cameras feel like a mousetrap just went off in your hands, which leads to involuntary flinching, but the SL is almost as smooth as an M. That's worth a few extra clicks on the speed dial.

The SL also has minimal EVF delay, and shutter delay. That's a good thing when you are trying to capture an exact moment in time.

I started-out with my cherished set of Zeiss (Contax and Rollei) primes, which I started accumulating in my teenage years. I added some modern glass for a different look. Some weddings call for a smooth vintage look, and some want a flare-free saturated look, it depends on the client and venue.

I don't use zooms or AF for weddings, so I'll let others comment on those aspects. Let me point-out that AF is not a necessity with the SL, because of the high-quality EVF. Many cameras won't let you know what's going on at the focus plane (you have to blindly trust their AF). The SL is not one of those. You can punch-in at any time to confirm focus, but it's not required once you get familiar with the viewfinder.

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[frame-it]

4 minutes ago, AliensExist said:

Interesting that you are using the SL with a Medium Format Fujifilm.  I love the GFX series and was thinking about getting one, and then my lust for Leica happened again.  Do you feel that the quality put out from both these cameras when shooting weddings is just overwhelming for your clients?  I mean, for those who can see the quality, is it something that they just are in love with?  

the SL & gfx prints were gorgeous, i didnt give files

 

[OR120]

I shoot weddings with my SL2-S  w/Summilux lenses (a mix of M and R) it works very well for the weddings I shoot. I also use my QP. No problems but I've been using Leica cameras for many years. If possible I would try renting an SL body and lens or if you know someone ask to borrow (Leica) and see if you can assist as a second to a wedding photographer using this rented/borrowed Leica gear. It really would be best to try before you buy - IF POSSIBLE. I've used Leica gear with manual lenses for many years - so I'm very comfortable/confident with the results that I'll get. I don't know if it's for everyone -especially if you're doing this for a living - and coming from a Nikon/Sony/Canon system. Good Luck!

Edited October 25, 2022 by OR120
sp

[AliensExist]

1 hour ago, OR120 said:

I shoot weddings with my SL2-S  w/Summilux lenses (a mix of M and R) it works very well for the weddings I shoot. I also use my QP. No problems but I've been using Leica cameras for many years. If possible I would try renting an SL body and lens or if you know someone ask to borrow (Leica) and see if you can assist as a second to a wedding photographer using this rented/borrowed Leica gear. It really would be best to try before you buy - IF POSSIBLE. I've used Leica gear with manual lenses for many years - so I'm very comfortable/confident with the results that I'll get. I don't know if it's for everyone -especially if you're doing this for a living - and coming from a Nikon/Sony/Canon system. Good Luck!

Excellent!! I have contemplated renting one to see, and I most likely will.  But like with my Fuji gear, I want to be confident with the results I get.  Because if I am not happy with it, I would never be comfortable providing my client with the results.   

[AliensExist]

1 hour ago, BernardC said:

I shot the SL for weddings for four years. It's a great camera, and always reliable. I was a second shooter, but that still involves 1000 to 2000 shots in a day, for which I had 3 batteries. I never ran-out of power, or even came close to doing so. If you are worried, you can always pack a charger and top-up the battery that you used for the ceremony when you get to the reception location.

Pro tip: I use a silver marker to identify my batteries; one, two or three dots. It avoids confusion, you just need to grab the next sequence number.

For flash I use the SF40. It's a great little unit, with plenty of power for bounce/fill. I don't use flash as a key light at weddings.

The camera is good for ISO 3200. I knew a local pro who regularly used his at 6400, with some de-saturation to minimize noise. His rationale was that "colours are terrible at those lighting levels anyway, so you may as well take them out." 3200 with a 1.4 lens is dark enough that you can't see very well with your own eyes. Some venues are lit that way, but guests start to feel inconvenienced. Obviously, things are different outdoors at night, and sometimes on the dance floor (although a dab of flash usually helps there).

Some advantages of the SL are an excellent EVF (which is the reason why I switched from Canon), near-universal lens compatibility, ruggedness, quiet, and a vibration-free shutter. Some cameras feel like a mousetrap just went off in your hands, which leads to involuntary flinching, but the SL is almost as smooth as an M. That's worth a few extra clicks on the speed dial.

The SL also has minimal EVF delay, and shutter delay. That's a good thing when you are trying to capture an exact moment in time.

I started-out with my cherished set of Zeiss (Contax and Rollei) primes, which I started accumulating in my teenage years. I added some modern glass for a different look. Some weddings call for a smooth vintage look, and some want a flare-free saturated look, it depends on the client and venue.

I don't use zooms or AF for weddings, so I'll let others comment on those aspects. Let me point-out that AF is not a necessity with the SL, because of the high-quality EVF. Many cameras won't let you know what's going on at the focus plane (you have to blindly trust their AF). The SL is not one of those. You can punch-in at any time to confirm focus, but it's not required once you get familiar with the viewfinder.

You have made my day!!  Thank you so much for this valuable input.  I am looking for what you have listed and I'm really excited to start this journey.  

[jaapv]

I must confess that I never wanted to buy an SL - too lumpy, bulky and heavy - and stuck to my M cameras and the CL. But, being a wildlife photographer, I needed a heavier body behind my long lenses. Used a Panasonic S5 and was actually quite happy. But a very reasonably priced SL (601) crossed my path so I snapped it up. I must say using the camera changed my mind - no more the button orgy of the Panasonic (although I must admit that the camera can be set up to use as few. as possible) but a smooth and logical user interface and superb ergonomics. And no more fighting the colours...

I use the camera mostly with Sigma lenses - nothing wrong there either  

[AliensExist]

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31 minutes ago, jaapv said:

I must confess that I never wanted to buy an SL - too lumpy, bulky and heavy - and stuck to my M cameras and the CL. But, being a wildlife photographer, I needed a heavier body behind my long lenses. Used a Panasonic S5 and was actually quite happy. But a very reasonably priced SL (601) crossed my path so I snapped it up. I must say using the camera changed my mind - no more the button orgy of the Panasonic (although I must admit that the camera can be set up to use as few as possible) but a smooth and logical user interface and superb ergonomics. And no more fighting the colours...

I use the camera mostly with Sigma lenses - nothing wrong there either  

Thank you for this insight.  It's funny how we fight something for so long, then when we use it, the story changes.  I have watched a video from Mr. Leica in regards to his purchase of the Panasonic over the SL.  His outcome was pretty much the same as yours.  Just the thought of not having to fight the colors makes me happy beyond belief.  

[Olaf_ZG]

6 hours ago, Photoworks said:

that makes sense, I take 4000-5000 with the SL2 cameras and have 12 batteries and use probably 8-10

You’re the videographer?

 I’ve shot over 300 weddings, but never ever shot so many images on one day. May be it is because I started on film, and there every click counts. But, somehow, I knew I had the shot when I took it.

can’t imagine myself editing down 4-5000 images of a wedding… 

 

[Olaf_ZG]

5 hours ago, AliensExist said:

 I love the GFX series and was thinking about getting one, and then my lust for Leica happened again.

Based on this, I would say you are not making a solid business decision. 
 

For weddings, I would use gfx only for the formals and portraits, as they have better possibilities to crop.

 

but lust isn’t a wise decision driver for weddings.

[Photoworks]

1 hour ago, Olaf_ZG said:

You’re the videographer?

 I’ve shot over 300 weddings, but never ever shot so many images on one day. May be it is because I started on film, and there every click counts. But, somehow, I knew I had the shot when I took it.

can’t imagine myself editing down 4-5000 images of a wedding… 

 

I just have a rule: if I take a picture of 3 people I will take quickly 3 photos. The is always somebody that looks funny or closes their eyes.

I will deliver 1000-1500 on a long day.

I go true all the photos in less then one hour, make my selection and then bring them in Capture one. 3-4 hours for the final edit.

[Olaf_ZG]

@Photoworksthanks. I aimed to deliver a book with 120-150 images.

Different approaches, different needs. Mine not being worse or better.

But would not be able to imagine to shoot that much. Wonder how many shots has your cameras… sincerely question, as I don’t have a slightest idea how long a leica will last.

[Photoworks]

1 hour ago, Olaf_ZG said:

@Photoworksthanks. I aimed to deliver a book with 120-150 images.

Different approaches, different needs. Mine not being worse or better.

But would not be able to imagine to shoot that much. Wonder how many shots has your cameras… sincerely question, as I don’t have a slightest idea how long a leica will last.

I have not found a way to check the camera.

There are days where I do more and other lot less. But if you doing fashion 3000-4000 can be normal for most photographers, they work you hard more than 8h.

[AliensExist]

3 hours ago, Olaf_ZG said:

Based on this, I would say you are not making a solid business decision. 
 

For weddings, I would use gfx only for the formals and portraits, as they have better possibilities to crop.

 

but lust isn’t a wise decision driver for weddings.

Not really looking for business advice, thank you. I’ve done very well in that area for many years. I know the GFX well and it’s not a fast shooter, but it produces wonderful pictures. As for my lust comment; I’ve had the opportunity to pull the trigger on Leica before, but it wasn’t the right time. Now that time has come. If you don’t have passion or a love for something, it’s really not worth pursuing. 

[jaapv]

1 hour ago, Olaf_ZG said:

@Photoworksthanks. I aimed to deliver a book with 120-150 images.

Different approaches, different needs. Mine not being worse or better.

But would not be able to imagine to shoot that much. Wonder how many shots has your cameras… sincerely question, as I don’t have a slightest idea how long a leica will last.

Long… back in the M8 days we had a report of a user on 350.000 actuations and still going strong. As the shutter is made by Copal/Seiko like nearly all other brands, you won’t find a difference 

[frame-it]

3 hours ago, Olaf_ZG said:

lust isn’t a wise decision driver for weddings

sometimes lust is a wise decision driver for weddings.

 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

20 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

No 3 daughter's wedding was photographed by a pro with a fuji APSC and I found his images disappointing in IQ, although competent in other respects. My own M240 shots, taken in between duties as father of the bride, were technically much better.

As the father of three daughters, I have good experience of wedding photography from the paymaster's perspective.

Almost certainly the photographer, not the gear. I've shot M's and XPro's sided by side at weddings and no one could tell the difference.

Gordon

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I have shot hundreds of weddings with a pair of SL (601's). No issues at all. But 6 years later it's not the camera I would choose. The SL2/SL2S bodies are so much better and easier to shoot with. And if not a pair of Panasonic S5's or S1R's with SL glass for the win. The IBIS alone is worth the price difference.

Gordon

[FlashGordonPhotography]

14 hours ago, frame-it said:

nice, of course i had 2 cameras, the SL with 50 summilux-M and fuji GFX50R with GF63, the GFX had around 1000 shots

The last wedding I shot was on a GFX100S and a XT4. Don't know why I bothered with the XT4. I was quite happy shooting with the GFX and I didn't have to process the files.

Mind you I shoot less frames than most and always with a team of two photographers. The ultimate backup.

Gordon

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Hallo,

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[jaapv]

11 hours ago, frame-it said:

sometimes lust is a wise decision driver for weddings.

 

Maybe mostly 😂