A crossroads - Leica SL2 or a Fujifilm GFX 50SII????

[adelie]

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I think I might be at a cross roads with my landscape photography. Currently I am shooting with a Leica SL (601) with the 16−35mm Panasonic wide angle L mount, the 24−90mm Leica Vario Elmarit, and the Sigma 100−400mm L Mount telephoto lens.

In addition, I have several Leica M and R lenses that I can adapt to the SL family with the appropriate Leica adapters. So I am firmly in the Leica camp.

I am looking for a used Leica SL2 at the moment to replace the SL - mostly for the in body stabilization offered by the SL2.

However recently, I am intrigued by the Fujifilm GFX 50SII with the kit lens 35 − 70mm medium format. Has anyone here on this forum else used "both an SL2 and the GFX50SII / 35 − 70mm combo"?

Of note, I also have a Mamiya 7II film rangefinder with the 43, 80, and 150mm lenses that can be adapted to the GFX body with this adapter thereby making the GFX a little more attractive:

https://fotodioxpro.com/collections/fujifilm-gfx-adapters/products/m7-gfx-fsn

I guess my question is that both of these systems - the SL2 (at 48 Mgb) and the GFX (at 50.1 Mgb) are about the same resolution but the GFX has some distinct advantages for landscape photography being medium format - broader dynamic range, Fuji colour film emulations, etc.

Silly question I know but which direction should I go and why?
 

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[frame-it]

51 minutes ago, adelie said:

I think I might be at a cross roads with my landscape photography. Currently I am shooting with a Leica SL (601) with the 16−35mm Panasonic wide angle L mount, the 24−90mm Leica Vario Elmarit, and the Sigma 100−400mm L Mount telephoto lens.

In addition, I have several Leica M and R lenses that I can adapt to the SL family with the appropriate Leica adapters. So I am firmly in the Leica camp.

I am looking for a used Leica SL2 at the moment to replace the SL - mostly for the in body stabilization offered by the SL2.

However recently, I am intrigued by the Fujifilm GFX 50SII with the kit lens 35 − 70mm medium format. Has anyone here on this forum else used "both an SL2 and the GFX50SII / 35 − 70mm combo"?

Of note, I also have a Mamiya 7II film rangefinder with the 43, 80, and 150mm lenses that can be adapted to the GFX body with this adapter thereby making the GFX a little more attractive:

https://fotodioxpro.com/collections/fujifilm-gfx-adapters/products/m7-gfx-fsn

I guess my question is that both of these systems - the SL2 (at 48 Mgb) and the GFX (at 50.1 Mgb) are about the same resolution but the GFX has some distinct advantages for landscape photography being medium format - broader dynamic range, Fuji colour film emulations, etc.

Silly question I know but which direction should I go and why?
 

go with the GFX

novoflex adapters are better

 

[Harout62]

I took a very in debt look at both I even rented the Fuji for a week, there was no contest Leica SL2 was my choice. It is great with the M lenses and R lenses 

the IQ is nearly indistinguishable. The build quality of the Leica and the ergonomics is miles ahead. The menus system the EVF. I can even say I preferred  it over the GFX 100 

[frame-it]

14 minutes ago, Harout62 said:

I took a very in debt look at both I even rented the Fuji for a week, there was no contest Leica SL2 was my choice. It is great with the M lenses and R lenses 

the IQ is nearly indistinguishable. The build quality of the Leica and the ergonomics is miles ahead. The menus system the EVF. I can even say I preferred  it over the GFX 100 

well, if the OP cares about how the body looks from the outside yes the SL series wins, but if the OP cares about dynamic range, image quality etc the GFX wins.

ergonomics and feeling in the hand for tripod mounted landscape shots? 🤣🤣

[LD_50]

I would choose based upon the lenses and the UI/haptics. 

[Photoworks]

why limit yourself? Buy both!

and report back!

[JohnathanLovm]

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While having medium format digital camera is a nice flex. I still recommend SL2 to you for 2 reasons: your current lens collection and ibis multi-shot to 188MP which more useful to your landscape photography. 

[davidmknoble]

@adelie, I use the Hasselblad 6x6 film bodies, party as a result of using the S system for about 5 years.  I love the medium format.  Honestly, the SL2 is not the best body for landsacpe, IMHO.  The dynamic range is inferior to the SL2-S.  The M11 (I know, weird) has the best dynamic range and pixel count of all but the S3 right now.  I love my Sl2-S and it really is a universal camera with adapters for all types of lenses (including my hasselblad V lenses coupled to an S-L adapter, and my Nikon AIS lenses).  

If you enjoy landscape, I would consider the Sl2-S and wait for the SL3.  It has to have a sensor closer to the M11 or S3.  Otherwise, I would consider the M11, it just wont fit all your lenses.

Just some thoughts.

[Virob]

7 minutes ago, davidmknoble said:

@adelie, I use the Hasselblad 6x6 film bodies, party as a result of using the S system for about 5 years.  I love the medium format.  Honestly, the SL2 is not the best body for landsacpe, IMHO.  The dynamic range is inferior to the SL2-S.  The M11 (I know, weird) has the best dynamic range and pixel count of all but the S3 right now.  I love my Sl2-S and it really is a universal camera with adapters for all types of lenses (including my hasselblad V lenses coupled to an S-L adapter, and my Nikon AIS lenses).  

If you enjoy landscape, I would consider the Sl2-S and wait for the SL3.  It has to have a sensor closer to the M11 or S3.  Otherwise, I would consider the M11, it just wont fit all your lenses.

Just some thoughts.

On the other hand, it is almost too easy, to the point of being an overused technique, to combine bracketed exposures to increase dynamic range for landscapes.

[Harout62]

The SL2 has 4 stops of shadow recovery and 2 stops of highlight effectively that is approx 13 stops of dynamic range I do not think there will be any issues with landscapes and I doubt there is a printer out there that will render that much detail  

[darylgo]

31 minutes ago, Virob said:

On the other hand, it is almost too easy, to the point of being an overused technique, to combine bracketed exposures to increase dynamic range for landscapes.

And megapixel count can be increased with stitching, of course not without issues on occasion.  Many limitations of specs can be overcome with workarounds, it was very common in the film days to eke out that last bit of quality.  

[hansvons]

Fuji colour film emulations suck on the long run (owned a Fuji). But I‘d follow @frame-it advice as he has both and uses them intensively. 

The Fuji medium format cameras get high praise for a reason. They are relatively cost-effective for a medium-format camera and deliver as expected.

I‘d, for my part, would get a 500CM and a roll of Ektar, if I shot landscapes seriously.

If I were to shoot faces, landscapes, events and MP were important, I‘d choose the SL2. If journalism and general photography in every possible situation would be my thing, I‘d get an SL2-S. For my eyes, Leica colours shine when shooting skin tones. I also like their sky blue very much and prefer Leica‘s take on foliage, grass etc, but most of that can be adjusted in post.

Why not take a Fuji medium format detour? The SL2 is getting long in the tooth but is still expensive and the SL3 is already on the horizon, and it will be considerably better. 

 

 

[SrMi]

I have the GFX100S and SL2. I prefer SL2 for everything.

The secret for me is that I get better images with a system that I enjoy more.

[davidmknoble]

9 hours ago, Virob said:

On the other hand, it is almost too easy, to the point of being an overused technique, to combine bracketed exposures to increase dynamic range for landscapes.

Unfortunately, when photographing the ocean, HDR doesn’t work, unless someone knows a way to stop a wave in mid flight….

[Virob]

3 hours ago, davidmknoble said:

Unfortunately, when photographing the ocean, HDR doesn’t work, unless someone knows a way to stop a wave in mid flight….

Oh, seascapes , I thought you said landscapes 🤣. Have you tried exposure blending instead of HDR? It might work depending on the image.

[LBJ2]

16 hours ago, adelie said:

I think I might be at a cross roads with my landscape photography. Currently I am shooting with a Leica SL (601) with the 16−35mm Panasonic wide angle L mount, the 24−90mm Leica Vario Elmarit, and the Sigma 100−400mm L Mount telephoto lens.

In addition, I have several Leica M and R lenses that I can adapt to the SL family with the appropriate Leica adapters. So I am firmly in the Leica camp.

I am looking for a used Leica SL2 at the moment to replace the SL - mostly for the in body stabilization offered by the SL2.

However recently, I am intrigued by the Fujifilm GFX 50SII with the kit lens 35 − 70mm medium format. Has anyone here on this forum else used "both an SL2 and the GFX50SII / 35 − 70mm combo"?

Of note, I also have a Mamiya 7II film rangefinder with the 43, 80, and 150mm lenses that can be adapted to the GFX body with this adapter thereby making the GFX a little more attractive:

https://fotodioxpro.com/collections/fujifilm-gfx-adapters/products/m7-gfx-fsn

I guess my question is that both of these systems - the SL2 (at 48 Mgb) and the GFX (at 50.1 Mgb) are about the same resolution but the GFX has some distinct advantages for landscape photography being medium format - broader dynamic range, Fuji colour film emulations, etc.

Silly question I know but which direction should I go and why?
 

I've yet to come to any compelling reasons to try digital medium format over digital full frame other than I think it would be a fun comparison...maybe one day. 

Perhaps food for thought, as you go about your decision process: 

Canon FF vs GFX MF Landscape:

Intro:  (0:00)

Composition:  (0:59)

Image Comparison (Fuji vs. 5DSR):  (4:47)

Image Comparison (R5 vs. 5DSR):  (6:28)

Image Comparison (Fuji vs. R5):  (7:07)

Dynamic Range Comparison (Fuji vs. 5DSR):  (9:14)

Dynamic Range Comparison (Fuji vs. R5):  (10:36)

High Contrast Comparison:  (11:42)

High Contrast Comparison:  (11:42)

Color Comparison:  (13:11)

Second Color Tone Comparison: (15:40)

Final Thoughts: (17:53)

Final Image:  (18:44)

 

Leica SL2 Pixel Shift for Landscape ( From what I read, I think the SL2 might share same sensor and pixel shift tech as the Panasonic S1R. 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2023 by LBJ2

[davidmknoble]

10 hours ago, Virob said:

Oh, seascapes , I thought you said landscapes 🤣. Have you tried exposure blending instead of HDR? It might work depending on the image.

I do some intentional blurs, but I also do some 1-30 second shots and clouds and other things just move.  I get it, just doesn't work in EVERY situation  LOL

 

[davidmknoble]

It's not always about pixel count.  It's about light and focal length.  The great thing about medium format is that longer focal lengths have the same field of view on the film / sensor.  That provides a very different look for depth of field.  With the same pixel count, a larger sensor draws gradients of light much better.  The same is true in 35mm v 120mm film.  Same size grain, larger negative, better transition of tones.

I get the draw to medium format and it has its place...

 

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[BernardC]

On 3/27/2023 at 5:25 PM, adelie said:

guess my question is that both of these systems - the SL2 (at 48 Mgb) and the GFX (at 50.1 Mgb) are about the same resolution but the GFX has some distinct advantages for landscape photography being medium format - broader dynamic range, Fuji colour film emulations, etc.

Silly question I know but which direction should I go and why?

You won't find much usable difference in dynamic range. DxO measured a fraction of a stop of difference between similar sensors (Panasonic S1r and Hasselblad X1D). DxO isn't a great source of information, but others are worse.

Every serious photographer benefits from trying medium format. You'll learn something even if it isn't a good match.

That being said, I suspect that the GFX kit (GFX 50 + 35-70) exists to get people into the system. It's not a great lens, by most accounts, so you'll quickly want to upgrade to a better lens, and a GFX 100 body. Reviews state that it's soft at wide apertures, low in contrast, and it has a significant distortion at the 35mm end. It seems like the type of equipment that you could pick-up "lightly used" at a fraction of the new price.

Either choice is valid. The SL2 is also a great landscape camera, so you won't go wrong if you go down that route.

[adelie]

Thank you to all that replied to my inquiry about which path to take - GFX or SL2.  I will seek out an "excellent condition" second hand SL2 for now. I still have my Mamiya 7II with the 43mm ultra-wide lens which gives me some great landscape results.

 

Here is an image taken with the Mamiya 7II and 43 mm

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