Why I stayed with SL 601 instead of upgrading to SL2

[Ken Abrahams]

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I have remained with the SL 601 but not out of specification choices. I am very happy with the SL camera, it's a good camera, always has been and most likely will remain so until future generations absolutely eclipse its technical operations. I love the skin tones from the SL 601 and do everything to preserve those in post processing. 

I very much wanted the image stabilisation and multi shot functions on the new SL2 and SL2s models when they were released. The new cameras suited both my street work and sporadic Landscape photography. Shooting from the hip sometimes might benefit stabilisation and crowd/people movement captures deserve the sharp background to emphasise the blurs at much lower shutter speeds.

If anything life changes and financial strategies have played a role against upgrading but that has changed now too. I am upgrading to the SL2s, today in fact. The decision for the smaller sensor and purchase prior the SL3 release is tied to the cameras ability and not to mention other personal issues arising.  There are many images I will be able to capture with stabilisation between now and th SL3/s release on the market. There is also a sense of urgency to use the improved functions over the 601 now rather than later. Money is less an issue.

What to do with the SL 601 post upgrade? I don't really need a back up camera but its potential for two different shooting lenses in my train photography work is possible albeit requiring a new tripod and ball head. I will eventually sell the camera to someone wanting to buy their first Leica and who have a multitude of "other" lenses which they will only require adaptors. The SL 601 is built like a tank and one of Leica's game changing moments in their history of making cameras. Brilliant camera indeed. 

   

[pf4eva]

2 hours ago, darylgo said:

@pf4eva

I read with interest your post, my SL continues to perform well for me.  Playing the numbers game 24mp is underwhelming, the images tell a different story and rarely do I see much that makes higher resolution necessary.  I am continually underwhelmed by greater megapixels and overwhelmed with Leica 24mp sensors. 

Rarely mentioned on these forums is the Panasonic S1R, perhaps I shouldn't but as an L alliance member I might not be breaking any rules.  The camera has similar capabilities as the SL2.  That Leica and Panasonic are now promoting further cooperation I can't help but think the sharing happened with the SL2 and S1R.  

I actually had S1R some time ago with hope of having it as a secondary camera for long telephoto. I wasn't impressed by the quality of the body in comparison to SL, it is not as well built, complex menus, joystick is not very good and many other things.

[darylgo]

Panasonic is not going to build to Leica quality standards.  I sent one back when I realized 47mp didn't provide much more than I can squeeze out of 24mp and post processing.  The ibis has the best viewfinder implementation I have seen on a camera, giving immediate feedback on my stability.   

[Robert E]

On 3/6/2023 at 5:27 PM, pf4eva said:

I actually had S1R some time ago with hope of having it as a secondary camera for long telephoto. I wasn't impressed by the quality of the body in comparison to SL, it is not as well built, complex menus, joystick is not very good and many other things.

I totally agree with you, those were some of the reasons I sold my S1r. Made in China just can't compare to Made in Germany.

[Sandokan]

I also did not upgrade from SL to SL2 - I liked the menus and handling of the SL more than SL2. 

I did however buy S1R as an "openbox" item for less than the current second hand price - I could not resist the offer. I do and do not like the S1R. I like that everything that needs changing has a button or knob. I do not like that a menu item can disable some of these and then I have to hunt for that setting. For e.g. the view exposure effect in PASM and changing to PAS took me ages to find - I was doing a studio shoot with flash. 

When the SL4 comes out, I may buy a 2nd hand SL3

[JohnathanLovm]

When come to 601 > SL2, only 2 reasons I can think of is price and design.

1. The 601 is 8 years old this year so you find nice used from rich peoples with the price of mid-range cameras.

2. When come design the 601 is the most German design you can get. Even Hasselblad X1D and X2D borrowed some designs from it. 

[pf4eva]

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On 3/12/2023 at 1:01 AM, JohnathanLovm said:

When come to 601 > SL2, only 2 reasons I can think of is price and design.

1. The 601 is 8 years old this year so you find nice used from rich peoples with the price of mid-range cameras.

2. When come design the 601 is the most German design you can get. Even Hasselblad X1D and X2D borrowed some designs from it. 

I literally just got SL2-S to try and compare to SL 601.

Viewfinder difference is actually significant:

1. If you set 120hz on SL2-S resolution is so low that you can see ladder on diagonal lines. If you set to 60Hz it is nice and high res.

2. On SL 601 viewfinder is less contrasty, however it doesn't drop in resolution, refresh rate is noticeably higher than 60Hz in SL2-S. In comparison on 601 if you pan it is nice and smooth, when with sl2-s it is quite choppy.

I wonder if it is any better in SL3 or not. It is extremely annoying for such an expensive camera.

I totally agree on design, it is iconic, SL3 is even worse in that regard. Funny is that currently you can get 2x601s for the price of used SL2 or SL2-s.

[sebben]

The SL viewfinder is also larger than the later cameras. For me the newer EVFs weren’t an upgrade. 
 

The main issue with the SL for me was the inconsistent shutter lag when pressing the shutter release. Sometimes it would take a photo other times I would need to press the shutter again. It was like that on both my bodies. I don’t know if it was a SD card issue or not. My Ms always take a picture when I press the shutter 🤷

Don’t know if the newer cameras fixed that our not. 

[pf4eva]

4 hours ago, sebben said:

The SL viewfinder is also larger than the later cameras. For me the newer EVFs weren’t an upgrade. 
 

The main issue with the SL for me was the inconsistent shutter lag when pressing the shutter release. Sometimes it would take a photo other times I would need to press the shutter again. It was like that on both my bodies. I don’t know if it was a SD card issue or not. My Ms always take a picture when I press the shutter 🤷

Don’t know if the newer cameras fixed that our not. 

I almost always use Electronic shutter or continues mechanical. I never had issues with those.

[jaapv]

5 hours ago, sebben said:

The SL viewfinder is also larger than the later cameras. For me the newer EVFs weren’t an upgrade. 
 

The main issue with the SL for me was the inconsistent shutter lag when pressing the shutter release. Sometimes it would take a photo other times I would need to press the shutter again. It was like that on both my bodies. I don’t know if it was a SD card issue or not. My Ms always take a picture when I press the shutter 🤷

Don’t know if the newer cameras fixed that our not. 

I must haver struck it lucky. My SL fires consistently. 

[pf4eva]

8 hours ago, jaapv said:

I must haver struck it lucky. My SL fires consistently. 

It does some weird things on slow continues mechanical for sure. I had multiple 601s and they all do this.

[pf4eva]

13 hours ago, sebben said:

The SL viewfinder is also larger than the later cameras. For me the newer EVFs weren’t an upgrade. 
 

The main issue with the SL for me was the inconsistent shutter lag when pressing the shutter release. Sometimes it would take a photo other times I would need to press the shutter again. It was like that on both my bodies. I don’t know if it was a SD card issue or not. My Ms always take a picture when I press the shutter 🤷

Don’t know if the newer cameras fixed that our not. 

EVF in newer cameras is OLED and more contrasty, but I wouldn't call it upgrade for sure due to its limitations.