SL3 Rumors

[Simone_DF]

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16 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

using a SL handheld in one hand and operating a smartphone with my other two hands.

So you have 3 hands?

[LocalHero1953]

4 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

So you have 3 hands?

Four - I'm not strong enough to hold the SL single handed. But I don't want to stop others from trying.

[LBJ2]

25 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

And if you need precise focusing?

I am very happy with the results. When using a rangefinder I'll often use zone focus for action, sports and event photography and almost always with the Summilux 24. Between RF and ZF I am able to cover just about every type of scenario with a RF camera.

But also, as this is a SL3 rumors thread, I'll bring my comment back around to the Fotos app can be used effectively as a remote screen with the SL2 as well. Maybe not for all circumstances. IMO photography is about making sure to get the shot which sometimes involves work-arounds. 

Looking at the Q3 as a hint, I am sure the SL3 will come with a flip screen too. I'm ready for it as I would use it often just as I do with my Sony cameras. IMO just another tool, there when I need it to get the shot. If not, and the SL3 does not include a flip screen, I'll use the Fotos app if needed.

Edited January 28, 2024 by LBJ2

[CptSlevin]

Got a call from Leica Store (not gonna name a specific one), special event will be held on 7th of March and it's about SL3
tss-tss

[LBJ2]

5 minutes ago, CptSlevin said:

Got a call from Leica Store (not gonna name a specific one), special event will be held on 7th of March and it's about SL3
tss-tss

I do hope I don't see a continuation of the large white Leica logo on the new SL3 on March 7th. 🤞🏼 

Edited January 28, 2024 by LBJ2

[helged]

With S3 lurking around the corner and S1Rii not too far away (apparently), both sharing key components but with the latter having a price tag half (?) of the former, I wonder how many will aim for the Panasonic body. Personally, I have had two S1R's, and I have been quite happy with this body. Not at the SL2-standard when it comes to EVF, 'minimalistic' body and easy/intuitive menu system, but quite fine regarding colour rendering and once a few menu preferences are set. Just wondering...

[Planetwide]

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50 minutes ago, helged said:

With S3 lurking around the corner and S1Rii not too far away (apparently), both sharing key components but with the latter having a price tag half (?) of the former, I wonder how many will aim for the Panasonic body. Personally, I have had two S1R's, and I have been quite happy with this body. Not at the SL2-standard when it comes to EVF, 'minimalistic' body and easy/intuitive menu system, but quite fine regarding colour rendering and once a few menu preferences are set. Just wondering...

I had both the SL2 and the S1r as back up, and I found myself using the S1r more often. I just found the buttons faster to use than accessing the menu system (personal preference). That said, I do prefer the colours from the SL2, and I may keep it as my M camera going forward. The SL3 and a S1r replacements are a possibility at some point... I will wait for the initial rush/beta testing to finish before I buy. I want to see if they have solved the magenta cast issue that is evident on the M11.

Edited January 28, 2024 by Planetwide

[Simone_DF]

51 minutes ago, helged said:

With S3 lurking around the corner and S1Rii not too far away (apparently), both sharing key components but with the latter having a price tag half (?) of the former, I wonder how many will aim for the Panasonic body. 

I’m leaning more toward the S5II. I don’t need 60mp, in fact I find that sensor a serious downgrade in terms of iso performance and readout speed compared to my SL2-S, so the S5 line better suits my needs. 
I’m waiting to see if the 33mp sensor will be used in any of the upcoming bodies. That would be the sweet spot for me. 

[Stuart Richardson]

58 minutes ago, helged said:

With S3 lurking around the corner and S1Rii not too far away (apparently), both sharing key components but with the latter having a price tag half (?) of the former, I wonder how many will aim for the Panasonic body. Personally, I have had two S1R's, and I have been quite happy with this body. Not at the SL2-standard when it comes to EVF, 'minimalistic' body and easy/intuitive menu system, but quite fine regarding colour rendering and once a few menu preferences are set. Just wondering...

Well, I think that has been the same dynamic that has been at play for the entire duration of the SL2's existence...so if it did not affect people before, my guess is that it will not in the future. I have the S1 and SL2, and I would gladly trade the S1 for an SL2S if I could justify it, but it has not been so important to me since I use the SL2 for nearly all the work, and just keep the S1 around for video, particularly in low light, and as a backup. In this case, however, I will be interested to see if Panasonic and Leica share the same sensor. Because if they do not, then that might set up more of an interesting difference. I suspect that I would look at the S1Rii if they continued to use a sensor like the one in the S1R, rather than adopting the older Sony 60mp sensor.

[Simone_DF]

8 minutes ago, Stuart Richardson said:

Well, I think that has been the same dynamic that has been at play for the entire duration of the SL2's existence...so if it did not affect people before, my guess is that it will not in the future.

Yes, but the SL2 was 6500, while allegedly the SL3 will hit the 8000€ ballpark. That is a substantial increase for many.

[Boojay]

Whatever L mount body comes next, I just hope it takes another couple of steps forward with autofocus.  For me, an SL3 with same PDAF performance as the S5II won't be a temptation at all.  I can forgive the S5II given its price point, but a red dot won't suffice, because like now, I will keep comparing it to my Canon bodies performance.  

 

 

[Stuart Richardson]

3 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

Yes, but the SL2 was 6500, while allegedly the SL3 will hit the 8000€ ballpark. That is a substantial increase for many.

Fair enough. We have to see what the S1Rii launch price will be. It was not a cheap camera before, at 3700 USD, so a little more than half the price of the SL2. That was 2019 and there has been a lot of inflation recently so it is feasible that it will be 4000 plus now (unless Panasonic decides to price it more aggressively, considering the slower sales...probably a decent bet). Still, I think it will still wind up being around half the cost of the Leica, which is the same ballpark it was before.

[LocalHero1953]

8 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

Yes, but the SL2 was 6500, while allegedly the SL3 will hit the 8000€ ballpark. That is a substantial increase for many.

Euro area inflation since SL launch is around 25%, so that's a price drop in real terms. I doubt that will make anyone happy though.

[Olaf_ZG]

7 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Euro area inflation since SL launch is around 25%, so that's a price drop in real terms. I doubt that will make anyone happy though.

And due to that, eurozone might drop into a recession, Germany first, making many people delay certain purchases. Cameras are most probably such purchases. For (semi-) professionals the purchase might be justified. For many amateurs (nothing bad meant here), the choice would be either the SL or a medium format if money allows. The latter sounds so much better.

I personally would not spend 8k on a SL, but a HB new I would consider. As well as a M monochrom, but not the SL.

[LBJ2]

26 minutes ago, Boojay said:

Whatever L mount body comes next, I just hope it takes another couple of steps forward with autofocus.  For me, an SL3 with same PDAF performance as the S5II won't be a temptation at all.  I can forgive the S5II given its price point, but a red dot won't suffice, because like now, I will keep comparing it to my Canon bodies performance.  

 

 

Given it will be Panasonic Hybrid PDAF technology, I don't expect much of a difference. This is all brand new AF tech for Panasonic, so just like the other mirrorless cameras to include Sony it took time and iterations to develop. 

Edited January 28, 2024 by LBJ2

[Planetwide]

37 minutes ago, Boojay said:

Whatever L mount body comes next, I just hope it takes another couple of steps forward with autofocus.  For me, an SL3 with same PDAF performance as the S5II won't be a temptation at all.  I can forgive the S5II given its price point, but a red dot won't suffice, because like now, I will keep comparing it to my Canon bodies performance.  

 

 

I am kinda in the same boat. My R3 tracks amazingly well. The R1 will be another (reportedly) large jump in tracking performance, especially with AI predicted tracking. I also wonder if the SL lenses AF motors can keep up...

[LBJ2]

1 minute ago, Planetwide said:

I am kinda in the same boat. My R3 tracks amazingly well. The R1 will be another (reportedly) large jump in tracking performance, especially with AI predicted tracking. I also wonder if the SL lenses AF motors can keep up...

I've read a few comments the SL APSH primes feel a bit faster AF than the SL primes on the current SL2/SL2S bodies. Maybe less glass/weight to move around? But I also remember some forum discussion the SL APO prime stepper motors should be fine with PDAF on par with what we experience currently. Either way, seems like we should know very soon. 

[Planetwide]

4 minutes ago, LBJ2 said:

I've read a few comments the SL APSH primes feel a bit faster AF than the SL primes on the current SL2/SL2S bodies. Maybe less glass/weight to move around? But I also remember some forum discussion the SL APO prime stepper motors should be fine with PDAF on par with what we experience currently. Either way, seems like we should know very soon. 

Just to be clear, I do not expect a Leica AF system to track like an R3. However, it should be able to match a Canon R5 in general use, for things like eye tracking AF, and basic animal or vehicle tracking. Good eye AF and a 50mm SL Summilux will be a killer combo!

Edited January 28, 2024 by Planetwide

[LBJ2]

Just now, Planetwide said:

Just to be clear, I do not expect a Leica AF system to track like an R3. However, it should be able to match a Canon R5 in general use for things like eye tracking AF and basic animal or vehicle tracking.

Yes. I think I know what you mean. Panasonic's recent AI announcement might be part of the solution to get there sooner than later.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[helged]

14 minutes ago, Planetwide said:

I am kinda in the same boat. My R3 tracks amazingly well. The R1 will be another (reportedly) large jump in tracking performance, especially with AI predicted tracking. I also wonder if the SL lenses AF motors can keep up...

Good point. Based on S5ii, it looks like one has to go to Sigma or Panasonic lenses to get the fastest, possible af in L-mount. Or we could se a 'new' line of fast Leica af-lenses (I don't think so, by Sigma rebranding exists and will likely continue). Currently I have Canon R5 for fast focussing and tracking; and the focus/tracking is quite impressive (for my use).

Another issue with fast af and tracking is the readout time when using the electronic shutter. SL2-S has too slow readout time for eg birds in flight, so here I am forced to use the mechanical shutter. If not, wings tend to be stretched and deformed, which I (highly) dislike. R5 is better, but still on the slow side. To the extent SL3 shares the sensor with M11/Q3, the readout time is likely on the slow side, putting limitations to the usefulness of SL3 for fast movements (using the electronic shutter). Speculations; time will tell...

Edited January 28, 2024 by helged