A second SL2 body?

[Sohail]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

As a prime lens user and someone who works in often dusty situations, I'm thinking of getting a second SL2 body. Couple of things are inhibiting me. One is should I get an SL2-S and the other is should I wait for the SL3 to arrive. A third possibility is to get a Panasonic body. Anyone been there?

[jigesh]

I was in similar situation. I don't do video and had no interest in SL2-S, so I got a second SL2 so that I can have two bodies with two primes (out of 4 primes I currently shoot with), Works very well. ISO 3200, ISO 6400 on SL2 are no problem for my needs. Higher resolution gives me some room to crop foreground or sky if needed (especially with a bit wider prime, 35mm), without losing details.

Edited January 17, 2023 by jigesh

[hepcat]

Being notoriously "thrifty," and not being able to bring myself to spring for an SL2 or SL2-S (although I could afford them,)  I bought a used Panny S1 and I like it so much I recently supplemented it with a new S5 on the "85mm f/1.8 Lumix S" free lens promotion.  The S5 is a significantly smaller body and the two give me all that I could ask for.  I now have $3k invested in two bodies, the 28-105 and the 85mm f/1.8...  and of course all my legacy Leica R glass adapts.  For a second body, this is a great time to buy the S5 on the clearance promotion.

[RBB]

At first I bought a Panasonic S5 next to my SL2, didn't like it, sensor excellent, but the controls drove me crazy (proberly age 😉) , trade it (and payed a lot extra) for a SL2-s. Chose the SL2-s because of the ISO performance and seems like a good addition to the SL2. After a year a still prefer the SL2. I understand that a lot of people prefer the SL2-s above the SL2, for me is the other way around. I have become addicted to the resolution in favour of ISO performance (I think ISO performance of the SL2 is ok enough). 

Another point, when I use two camera's, I always have to think, with camera, with lens. In hindsight I would have preferred two SL2.

[Sohail]

Thanks for these great responses. I'm tending towards another SL2 body. But it would be infuriating if they launched an SL3 the day after! 

[LocalHero1953]

I have a Sigma fp as my alternative L-mount body, because I use both for video.

My current plan is to trade the Sigma in for a SL3 or SL3-S, when it arrives.

The trouble is the SL2-S appeared unexpectedly and it is still unclear what the -S designation is intended for. I mean, we more or less know what the M11M will be (monochrome), and the M11P (mainly cosmetic with a minor functional improvements); we could guess that the M11R would have even higher resolution (but there is doubt that we need it, so there might not be one). But is the -S intended for better video? Better low light performance (that's what I want)? A cheaper low-res model?

So if the SL3 comes first, I don't know if I would hold out for a hypothetical SL3-S or not.

[Photoworks]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

30 minutes ago, Sohail said:

Thanks for these great responses. I'm tending towards another SL2 body. But it would be infuriating if they launched an SL3 the day after! 

keeping on release timing there should not be a new SL before December .

Nobody knows what the new futures will be, but a good prediction is probably the improved AF like in the Panasonic . Sensor resolution is already great on SL2, and all new cameras don't show much improvements with new sensors.

I have been using 2 SL2 for the last few years and they are still going strong!

[robb]

I started with one SL2 and one SL2-s

but I did not ever use them together at the same time.  I’d pick one of them to use for that day’s work and only have the other as a backup, but it never left the case.  
I used to always shoot with two of the same body on my shoulders with two dif lenses.  Today I just work smarter and change lenses more and save the weight.

I added a second SL2 and also a second SL2-s this week getting ready for the busy season to start up for ‘23

but I still plan on only using one camera at a time and keeping one as backup in the case… but off my shoulders.

to me, I’ll always pick the pair of each to go shoot with for that day.  It only matters, do I intend multishot mixed into the images, or do I need super high iso.  
I’d recommend you pick up a second SL2 and not worry about the SL3.

I could not enjoy using the Panasonic because of its feel, button layout, and menus.  So for me, I’d rather spend the money to get the operation consistent.

Robb

[hofo100]

vor 24 Minuten schrieb robb:

I could not enjoy using the Panasonic because of its feel, button layout, and menus.  So for me, I’d rather spend the money to get the operation consistent.

Best option is definitely to use 2 identical cameras - however, I am a happy user of S5 (and hopefully soon of S5 II) as second body to my SL2 and setting up customer profiles on both cameras in a way that they work relatively the same way mitigates the different handling to a large extent (at least for me...). No current or future SL version will most likely make-up for the size and weight benefit the S5 offers. There are pros and cons everywhere and decisions have to be made on a very personal use case basis.

Edited January 17, 2023 by hofo100

[SrMi]

1 hour ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I have a Sigma fp as my alternative L-mount body, because I use both for video.

My current plan is to trade the Sigma in for a SL3 or SL3-S, when it arrives.

The trouble is the SL2-S appeared unexpectedly and it is still unclear what the -S designation is intended for. I mean, we more or less know what the M11M will be (monochrome), and the M11P (mainly cosmetic with a minor functional improvements); we could guess that the M11R would have even higher resolution (but there is doubt that we need it, so there might not be one). But is the -S intended for better video? Better low light performance (that's what I want)? A cheaper low-res model?

So if the SL3 comes first, I don't know if I would hold out for a hypothetical SL3-S or not.

SL2-S has better low-light performance than SL2. However, up to ISO 800 and with NR in the post, I do not see any difference between SL2 and SL2-S.

[SrMi]

I prefer Leica to Panasonic bodies (ergonomics, UI), even though the low weight of S5 is tempting. I would really miss Leica's Perspective Control on a Panasonic body.

[jigesh]

1 hour ago, Sohail said:

Thanks for these great responses. I'm tending towards another SL2 body. But it would be infuriating if they launched an SL3 the day after! 

You may want to get a used body as back-up. Minimal loss upon reselling should you decide to go to future SL3, which may be late 2023 or 2024, hard to say.

[hepcat]

49 minutes ago, SrMi said:

I prefer Leica to Panasonic bodies (ergonomics, UI), even though the low weight of S5 is tempting. I would really miss Leica's Perspective Control on a Panasonic body.

Without being snarky, I prefer the $10k in my pocket that I saved on buying two Panny bodies over buying two SL2 bodies.  While I too prefer the Leica SL2 ergonomics and control set, the price for them is just too steep in comparison.  There's nothing I need to do that the Panny bodies can't do that the Leica bodies can.  I can do perspective control either in PP or with my Hartblei 45mm Super-Rotator on adapters.  I am reasonably brand-agnostic, even though I shot Leica Ms for forty years, and currently have a stable of R mount bodies and glass, and one of the leading reasons for switching to L mount was adapting the R lenses.    The S5 is a remarkable camera and nothing else in its physical size class can touch it.  The S5 mkII with its new focus system will likely be the class leader for the foreseeable future.  The original S5 and S1 are both superb for my needs. 

Lest you think I'm just being cheap, I owned and worked with Phase One XF and DF bodies with a Leaf Aptus and Credo backs and an array of Phase One and Mamiya lenses for nearly ten years.  The upgrade path from the Credo to the newer Phase One backs was financially steep and in this current market, without financial payback.   

The Panny bodies I bought replaced the XF and DF.   I looked at the SL2 and SL2-s as well while I was deciding where to go next.  The primary feature I was looking for was IBIS,  and the next question was whether to go with a 24mp sensor or a 40mp sensor.  I decided that the 24mp sensor was adequate for all my needs.  In any event, the value just wasn't there for me to justify the significant additional cost of the Leica bodies over the Panny bodies.  Yes, I realize I'm in the minority here, and I'm posting on a Leica forum.  That said, I'm not looking for an argument... just stating MY particular position and explaining my advocacy for the S5 and recently introduced S5II over the SL series, especially as a second body.  

[SrMi]

9 minutes ago, hepcat said:

Without being snarky, I prefer the $10k in my pocket that I saved on buying two Panny bodies over buying two SL2 bodies.  While I too prefer the Leica SL2 ergonomics and control set, the price for them is just too steep in comparison.  There's nothing I need to do that the Panny bodies can't do that the Leica bodies can.  I can do perspective control either in PP or with my Hartblei 45mm Super-Rotator on adapters.  I am reasonably brand-agnostic, even though I shot Leica Ms for forty years, and currently have a stable of R mount bodies and glass, and one of the leading reasons for switching to L mount was adapting the R lenses.    The S5 is a remarkable camera and nothing else in its physical size class can touch it.  The S5 mkII with its new focus system will likely be the class leader for the foreseeable future.  The original S5 and S1 are both superb for my needs. 

Lest you think I'm just being cheap, I owned and worked with Phase One XF and DF bodies with a Leaf Aptus and Credo backs and an array of Phase One and Mamiya lenses for nearly ten years.  The upgrade path from the Credo to the newer Phase One backs was financially steep and in this current market, without financial payback.   

The Panny bodies I bought replaced the XF and DF.   I looked at the SL2 and SL2-s as well while I was deciding where to go next.  The primary feature I was looking for was IBIS,  and the next question was whether to go with a 24mp sensor or a 40mp sensor.  I decided that the 24mp sensor was adequate for all my needs.  In any event, the value just wasn't there for me to justify the significant additional cost of the Leica bodies over the Panny bodies.  Yes, I realize I'm in the minority here, and I'm posting on a Leica forum.  That said, I'm not looking for an argument... just stating MY particular position and explaining my advocacy for the S5 and recently introduced S5II over the SL series, especially as a second body.  

I assumed that the cost was not an issue. However, S5 certainly has a considerable cost advantage, and S5II will have a significant AF upgrade. 

Perspective control in post sometimes works when you have clear lines, but often it is just guesswork. Seeing the perspective control crop in the viewfinder is very helpful. Tilt/shift lenses do not work well when shooting handheld. I did not think much of Leica's perspective control until I started using it. Now I may pick SL2 or M11 because they have perspective control. Since no other cameras but Leica's have it, you have to use it to appreciate it.

[hepcat]

13 minutes ago, SrMi said:

I assumed that the cost was not an issue. However, S5 certainly has a considerable cost advantage, and S5II will have a significant AF upgrade. 

It's not so much a matter of cost as it is a matter of perceived value.

Regarding the perspective control and it's role in determining value...  I have a '16 Jeep JKU Rubicon.  It's a pretty basic accessories package with a 6 speed manual transmission.  Last week I decided to look at Gladiators, the Jeep with a heavier frame, more towing capacity, and a short pickup bed.  As I'm not as young as I once was, and my aging hips are getting "tired," I was also looking at a Gladiator with an automatic transmission.  The new Jeeps have a leather interior, and lots of bells and whistles, but as I live in Iowa, it's winter, and it was cold the day I was shopping, the single new feature that appealed to me was the heated steering wheel.  I'd always thought of it as a gimmick, until I drove a Gladiator with it on a cold day.  My arthritic hands LOVED it.    Here I was, driving this $61,000 Jeep with a LOT of bells, whistles, and performance upgrades my 7 year old JKU lacked, and THE standout feature was the heated steering wheel.  I was impressed.  Every time I think about the Gladiator, as silly as it sounds, my thoughts go back to that heated wheel.   So, anyway we got down to brass tacks, so to speak, and got the numbers together.   I liked the Gladiator.  There were some other things I REALLY liked about it...  but in the final analysis, the features it offered didn't give me enough value to fork out an additional $30k of my hard-earned cash even WITH the heated steering wheel, so I'm keeping my seven-year old JKU that still does the job for me.

And that is the same kind of story for me with the SL2 series.  They're gorgeous, the upholstery and controls are "just right" but they don't offer enough difference to make them a good value.  I may change my mind if I'd used in-camera perspective control (and I'm a stickler for horizontal horizontals and vertical verticals...)  but on the other hand, I have tried and true ways of getting them, so I'm not sure how much value that would add for me, personally.   Quite frankly, after nearly 30 years with it now, I still see autofocus primarily as a sales gimmick.  Focus peaking and critical focus magnification, OTOH are impressive and I wouldn't buy a body that didn't have those.  So it's ultimately all about different strokes I guess.

[michali]

I have an SL2 & SL2-S, both cameras are set up identically. On my safaris I use them interchangeably & intuitively without even thinking about it.

I tend to use each camera for its particular strengths, the SL2  when closer cropping is required e.g. birding & the SL2-S for low light conditions. I've worked this way for the past 2 years and despite the challenging conditions at times, it's been a seamless experience. Same interface, same menus, IMO it makes the most sense to have & use the 2 SL cameras side by side.

FWIW I had a Lumix S1R for about 3 months, the number of buttons, menu options & superfluous features drove me totally nuts. The simplicity of the Leica interface is unbeatable IMO.

[Photoworks]

 in-camera perspective control is not a professorial feature, I use it sometime, but ofter over correct and you get more crops then you would do it yourself.
Plus you really have to like that slow editing of Lightroom to use prospective. Aldo I use it sometime because some client want a DNG with setting delivered, I prefer C1P any day of the week.

I like the SL2 cameras, and must say there are 2 big differences for me.

1. the Leica sensor has a different front glass that performs much better than many other cameras. Same lenses are better on Leica bodies. Panasonic camera can get the same performance with Leica lenses, SL, M lenses and even adapted lenses from canon line. 

2. The S5 is quite a lees expensive camera to the SL2-s. With that components in the camera are less attractive to me. the EVF is one of the reason the Leica SL is so nice to use. S5 has reduced resolution finder to save cost. Then there is the processor in video, many of the video formats are reduced to a crop sensor.

[hellobrandonscott]

Wedding photographer here. I don't have time to switch lenses, so actually have three SL2-S bodies (two on a holdfast setup and one in a small cross body bag) each with a some combination of a 28, 35, 75 or 90. The bodies being identical make editing way more efficient since you can copy/paste a setting between focal lengths. 

On the consideration of waiting for a potential SL3 - nobody knows when they'll be released. If the 21 and 24 APO lenses are any indicator, it might be a longer wait than everyone expects. PLUS, if you're thinking the cycle is 4 years or so, and you're contemplating the SL2-S, the SL2-S was only released at the end of 2020, so that might be a 2024 or 2025 situation. Point is, unless there's a predictable upgrade cycle (iPhone) or a confirmed rumor (there isn't), just buy for today. 

Edited January 17, 2023 by hellobrandonscott

[6bit]

I got a second SL2. I have zero interest in the SL2-S. 
 

I usually have an SL lens on one and a M lens on  the other. 

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Genoweffa]

On 1/17/2023 at 10:08 AM, Sohail said:

..it would be infuriating if they launched an SL3 the day after! 

go for it!...if you think you have such a bad luck...and it will prompt SL3 release....there is a bunch of users on this forum waiting for such an upgrade

😉