Zoom focal length readout on SL2

[NightPix]

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My apologies if this has been answered before, but I can’t find a way to see the zoom focal length on the SL2 while shooting (ie in the EVF or live view). It’s there in the data when the file hits Lightroom. The numbers on the lens are helpful, but, for example, there’s no mark for 28 on the 24-70. What am I missing?  

Thanks!

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[jaapv]

Has it any relevance? You are composing on the EVF so you can see how your image is framed.

[NightPix]

I want to compare the 24-70 vario-elmarit with a couple of m -primes at 28 mm. There isn’t a marking at 28 on the zoom. The other focal length markings are accurate, but I have to guess for 28. 

Edited February 28, 2023 by NightPix

[Photoworks]

it would not be scientific anyway.

If you look at spects of the lenses they may say 28mm, but are differances in view angles even at leica.

[Paul2660]

It has relevance if you are previewing images from a shoot and want to know what focal length was used. As when using a zoom it’s nice to be able to know the focal length when reviewing a series of shots. The fact Leica does not show this info in the data fields was a surprise for me as every other camera I have used will show the focal length used. 
 

Should be simple to add  in a firmware update 

 

Paul 

 

 

 

 

[Photoworks]

Less is more?  what elese you like on the screen ? something that Pano does, the popup window zoomed in for focusing? Sometime I with not to have the lower info when half pressing to see the composition, wait that is taking away.

 

kidding apart the info can be a valid point, you can do test with capture one on the PC or iPad tethered, and you can see mm count and all images immediately .

[tedd]

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I also miss this feature with the SL series. It irks me when I was to see my 35mm shots in LR and instead have to sort by 32,33,34,35,36,37mm. I don't stand still and zoom in and out until an image looks right, I decide what FL I want to shoot it with, turn the lens to that FL and then compose. I'd honestly be happy if there were big clicks and the in-between ranges were not even there, but failing that (and that would be silly in reality) it would be nice to at least see it in the viewfinder. There are less useful things already there that could easily be removed.. 

[jaapv]

Well, given that the focal length is a rather "soft" number -  a  35 mm lens can be anything between 33 and 37 mm, and there is even variation between lenses of the same series.-  I can understand Leica not wanting to clutter up the viewfinder with this information.  I am sure that 28 mm on your zoom differs from the angle of view of a 28 mm lens.

[NickT]

The focal length is shown is shown on the top left corner of the menu screen. It changes in realtime when zooming the lens. So you can compose as usual press menu to see focal length then half press shutter to go back to compose again.

[dem331]

20 minutes ago, NickT said:

The focal length is shown is shown on the top left corner of the menu screen. It changes in realtime when zooming the lens. So you can compose as usual press menu to see focal length then half press shutter to go back to compose again.

Not on mine, it’s not. 

[dem331]

Oh, I see what you mean. On the menu. Yes it is. But that’s not much use if you are looking through the viewfinder at your scene. 

[jaapv]

On my SL it is shown in the top bar of the viewfinder. However, with my Sigma 28-70 it is fixed at 35 mm. 

[Paul2660]

Yes it’s shown in the menu while shooting. But not in playback mode. Many times I have wanted to know what focal length I took a series of shots with especially with the 90-280. When you review your images the focal length does not display. Only shooting mode. Hard to remember hours after a shoot what the zoom was set to. Fully realize many don’t need this however in my workflow in the field I prefer to have the data available. 
 

Paul 

[jaapv]

True, hard to remember, although I would use that lens as a prime 280 most of the time.

But I am still struggling to understand why one would want to know, surely the only thing of interest is how the framing of the photograph came out, irrespective of focal length.

If it is about the perspective, the focus distance should be recorded, not the focal length. 

[hansvons]

I don’t need to read in the EVF the focal lengths of the zoom lens as I can read that on the lens’ markings.

But I can understand the wish to do that as often the envisaged image needs a particular focal length. That’s why I never look through the EVF and then zoom back and forth until the framing fits but rather select a focal length and then move around until I find the image ok. 
 

That’s the variable-prime approach as opposed to the zoom-and-fit system. The latter is typically used in journalism/news gathering as its faster and yields more usable results. When time is of the essence and a fast pace is needed I do zoom-and-fit as well. But generally I prefer to understand a zoom lens as a variable prime.
 

[dem331]

1 hour ago, hansvons said:

I don’t need to read in the EVF the focal lengths of the zoom lens as I can read that on the lens’ markings.

But I can understand the wish to do that as often the envisaged image needs a particular focal length. That’s why I never look through the EVF and then zoom back and forth until the framing fits but rather select a focal length and then move around until I find the image ok. 
 

That’s the variable-prime approach as opposed to the zoom-and-fit system. The latter is typically used in journalism/news gathering as its faster and yields more usable results. When time is of the essence and a fast pace is needed I do zoom-and-fit as well. But generally I prefer to understand a zoom lens as a variable prime.
 

I agree.
 

The SL 24-90 seems much much lighter when you realise that you are carrying six APO lenses 24-28-35-50-75-90 and that the equivalent in the M system is heavier (ok you would have two more f stops but no IBIS) 

You really appreciate this psychologically when you set the focal length before looking through the viewfinder. 
 

Maybe I fool myself - but I like it. 
 

 

 

[dem331]

I also find that when I zoom around looking through the EVF I tend to end up shooting consistently wider than when I use interchangeable lenses (or the variable-prime approach), which to me suggests that I am not thinking enough about what I want to achieve.

[NightPix]

On 3/2/2023 at 8:26 AM, NickT said:

The focal length is shown is shown on the top left corner of the menu screen. It changes in realtime when zooming the lens. So you can compose as usual press menu to see focal length then half press shutter to go back to compose again.

Sure enough there it is - focal length in the upper left corner. Thanks!

BTW I didn't mean to trigger a major discussion on the virtues of knowing zoom focal length when shooting. My purpose was more mundane - I have a number of 28 mm primes and a couple of zooms that also include 28mm. I just wanted to shoot the same shot (with the SL2 on a tripod), at the same aperture (5.6) and shutter speed, with each lens to find the one I liked the best. The rest I'll probably sell. Anyway, I really enjoyed the comments.

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[NickT]

The SL2 records focal length data. However it is not viewable in "play" mode but it can be seen in the Library mode of Lightroom and is also available in the "Photos" app on a Mac or iPhone/pad. And I would assume in other photo editing software.