SL (T601) in 2023

[JeanneB]

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I need a color camera to combine with my Q2 mono, another Q2 would be redundant. SL2-S its to expensive for me ... 

I love raw colors in SL, but pay 1800/1900 usd for a 2015 camera maybe it would be a mistake when for that price you can get a Fuji T5? 

Happy new year!

Edited January 2, 2023 by JeanneB

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[LeicaR10]

JeanneB,  First, welcome to the forum.  Second, there is nothing wrong getting a previously owned SL 601 these days. The camera is very reliable and as you wrote the color is superb.  It even has GPS in the camera.  It gives you a lot of flexibility for lenses too, SL, M, R, S and other third party lenses.  You can find mint, low shutter count SL cameras at many Leica dealers and boutiques.  I suggest if you go that route, get a store warranty or maybe the store will have  Leica refurbished SL 601s that come with a Leica warranty.  You can look at Leica stores such as Camera West, Leica Store Miami etc. You can go the Fuji route, you have choices.  I am partial to Leica products and have been for decades for my past business and personal use.  I am certain other well meaning photographers will add their advice too. It gets down to your decision for what you want or need and bank account.  Happy New Year.  r/ Mark

Edited January 2, 2023 by LeicaR10

[frame-it]

44 minutes ago, JeanneB said:

I need a color camera to combine with my Q2 mono, another Q2 would be redundant. SL2-S its to expensive for me ... 

I love raw colors in SL, but pay 1800/1900 usd for a 2015 camera maybe it would be a mistake when for that price you can get a Fuji T5? 

Happy new year!

its a good camera, but the technology is quite old especially the sensor, an electronic device even if in mint condition sitting on a shelf for a few years is not a good thing

i'd say look for a used SL2S in good condition,and try and get it with a warranty of some kind...once the SL3 comes out hopefully in a few months, the SL2S prices will probably go down more

[LocalHero1953]

.

Edited January 2, 2023 by LocalHero1953

[hansvons]

1 hour ago, frame-it said:

i'd say look for a used SL2S in good condition

Agree.

SL and SL2-S may look similar but very different from the inside. I would want to make sure to take advantage of IBIS. Same counts for the incredibly high sensitivity of the SL-S sensor. In a way, it's the most versatile Leica and still state-of-the-art, besides the poor AF-C.

Waiting for the SL3 to bring down prices on the SL2 camera line will affect the SL2 but not so much the SL2-S, as the SL2-S is already less costly, and the upcoming SL3 is not positioned in the same market as the SL2-S. That will be the case when the SL3-S comes out. But that's for sure another year or so.

Edited January 2, 2023 by hansvons

[frame-it]

6 minutes ago, hansvons said:

But that's for sure another year or so.

really? i thought it might come out along with the Q3 by April

[LocalHero1953]

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The SL was announced in autumn 2015, and the SL2 in autumn 2019 (SL2-S a year later) - Leica's product cycles are typically around 4 years, so my best guess would be autumn this year for the SL3.

Edited January 2, 2023 by LocalHero1953

[hansvons]

15 minutes ago, frame-it said:

really? i thought it might come out along with the Q3 by April

I was thinking about the SL3-S as it came out about one year later than the SL2. Still determining, however, whether this will be the case with future SLs as the SL2-S is quite a different market and won't cannibalise SL3 sales. You may be right, and they ship both at a similar time frame.

[frame-it]

1 minute ago, hansvons said:

I was thinking about the SL3-S as it came out about one year later than the SL2. Still determining, however, whether this will be the case with future SLs as the SL2-S is quite a different market and won't cannibalize SL3 sales. You may be right, and they ship both at a similar time frame.

yes & i think the SL2 is/was a kind of "test" for a mirrorless S4.....totally guessing here but i think the SL3-S will be high MP

[LocalHero1953]

FWIW, the Panasonic S1 was announced Spring 2019, and the S5 a few months before the SL2-S. If Panasonic announces a S5 II on Wednesday, that might be an indication. Otherwise I'll try haruspication.

[John Smith]

28 minutes ago, frame-it said:

really? i thought it might come out along with the Q3 by April

I’d think the Q3 would come with the Maestro III processor. The SL3 would take longer with a new Maestro IV.

[darylgo]

The SL continues to be an excellent camera in 2023, as you say the colors are great, there’s no issues with the camera.  It is the most reliable Leica camera I’ve used, rarely if ever does it require the restarts of the M.  Keep in mind it’s an older sensor, the SL2 has updated features, the SL2-s has an improved sensor.  The use of buttons will be different from the Q, but I prefer that more than the newer style. The SL is so well priced because old tech looks incapable compared to the new shiny one.   Re: Fuji, different system, smaller, I’d be tempted for the size however it’s aps-c vs. full frame on the SL. 

[frame-it]

Just now, John Smith said:

I’d think the Q3 would come with the Maestro III processor. The SL3 would take longer with a new Maestro IV.

and if that's the case, its exactly what i mentioned in the other thread, about leica under=powering their cameras

[Chaemono]

The S5 II will likely use the new Venus processor that is featured in the GH6 and that Panasonic claims is twice as fast as the one used in the S1/S1R/S5. My guess is Leica will switch to the new Venus processor with the SL3.

[hansvons]

16 hours ago, frame-it said:

totally guessing here but i think the SL3-S will be high MP

That would not be a brilliant idea, as the SL2-S is Leica’s hybrid camera that somewhat introduced video in the Leica world which can be taken seriously the first time. 
I‘ve read somewhere that Panasonic will be introducing a S5IIx that will sport ProRes recording at 6K FF. You cannot do that with a high MP sensor without line skipping - good video requires sensor resolution at target resolution which is today 4K @ S35mm and 6K at FF.

[dpitt]

19 hours ago, JeanneB said:

I need a color camera to combine with my Q2 mono, another Q2 would be redundant. SL2-S its to expensive for me ... 

I love raw colors in SL, but pay 1800/1900 usd for a 2015 camera maybe it would be a mistake when for that price you can get a Fuji T5? 

Happy new year!

Waiting for the SL2 to drop in price can take a long time. Depends on how much you need it to drop.
Comparing a modern an APS-C body with all bells and whistles with a ‘basic’ Leica FF is hard, but if you can make a good shot with the SL it will be in  different class. Up to you to decide if you really need IBIS and other perks of the T5.

I would go for the SL. It will cost you as much as a Fuji T5 now, but the resale value of the T5 will be much lower after a few years. Just compare any model from 2015 that Fuji had in this price range and see what they fetch now compared to the SL.

So in the long run, the SL will save you some money, if you keep it in good shape. And it will give you better keepers. Buying it with warranty seems to be a good idea.

[JuveFC]

I just picked up a used SL. Thing looks new but I know it was used by a commercial photographer and well taken care of. I paid less than I did for my used 90mm Summarit-m. 

Ever since I got my M10-P i've been using my Q2 less and less so i thought I might as well sell the Q2, buy the SL and bank a good chunk of change. I get the feeling the SL3 will come out in the next year and prices of the SL2 will drop then i will make the switch to the SL2. I also use the fuji system for video (not heavy usage) so now I can sell that off as well and just use the SL instead. Either way, i plan to use my M mount lenses 80% of the time on the SL. 

[darylgo]

23 hours ago, JuveFC said:

I just picked up a used SL. Thing looks new but I know it was used by a commercial photographer and well taken care of. I paid less than I did for my used 90mm Summarit-m. 

Ever since I got my M10-P i've been using my Q2 less and less so i thought I might as well sell the Q2, buy the SL and bank a good chunk of change. I get the feeling the SL3 will come out in the next year and prices of the SL2 will drop then i will make the switch to the SL2. I also use the fuji system for video (not heavy usage) so now I can sell that off as well and just use the SL instead. Either way, i plan to use my M mount lenses 80% of the time on the SL. 

Despite their age (ancient in digital camera years, worst than dog years) the SL and M10-P continue to be great cameras for me also.  With the slower incremental changes with each new release these models will continue to be relevant for many more years.  

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[JuveFC]

Just to update the thread for the OP. 

I've been using the SL for a few days and I can confirm that it is still a tremendous camera even in 2023 but it really depends how you plan to use it. I would highly recommend it though. Depending on the price you buy in at, there is a very good chance you can resell it at the same price in a year or two then upgrade to a newer SL model. I'm just using it as a stopgap until prices come down on the SL2(S) and to see if I really want to go the bigger camera route. 

All i know is that after using it over the last few days, it makes my M10 feel light as a feather which also makes me appreciate it more. The SL also just feels great in the hand. I've only used M lenses up to now but focusing has been an absolute breeze. Brought the ISO up to 3200 without issue yet didnt need to go beyond that seeing as I typically use fast glass. 

I'll continue to bring the M10-P with me everywhere but I'm excited to try the SL for my paid work (portraits + editorial). One down side for me is battery life + cost of a new batteries. A charge just doesn't last very long. 

 

[northernlights]

Leica has never been about the latest, fast AF etc. 

I had the M240 from 2017-2020 and switched to an SL, Then in Sep 2022 went back to M240 and realised I missed the 1/16000 shutter, the ability to shoot wide angles like 21mm and telephotos (my Nikon AFS 300mm f4 IF-ED that I successfully shot birds in flight at 1 out of 10 shots), without a need for an external Visoflex. By Dec 2022, I was back to buying another SL.

I use mainly manual focus on M lenses and the 7 Artisans 35mm f5.6 pancake and recently in Jan 2023 acquired the Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN so I have one AF lens.

I don’t need the IBIS. Leica is about being able to manual focus as fast through zone focusing and the camera has one of the most intuitive development into manual focusing. The SL colours will blow you away