New Classic: Leica SL2 Now in Silver

[DadDadDaddyo]

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Oh, but silver is a slimming color!

Finally, a meaningful response to that age-old, critical question.....

"Does this camera make me look fat?

[Jeff S]

8 hours ago, jto555 said:

I can never understand why companies make a big thing about the colour of a camera. The colour of a camera will not improve the taken image. Nobody has ever looked at a photograph and said "That would have been a much better image if it had been taken with a blue/black/white... camera". 

As for Leica:

Build quality - Nailed it

Images quality - Nailed it

Customer service - Nailed it

Price - Err, not so much. To miss-quote somebody else, it is reassuringly expensive .

 

 

Well, Leica has determined that many will spend an extra $1k or so to remove a dot and add script engraving. Have you followed this forum and the Leica marketing approach?  Profits have been known to interest some companies.

Jeff

[Stuart Richardson]

This is absolutely Leica's MO...release a cosmetically different version or special edition at the end of life of a given camera. It kind of sucks, as it would have been nice to have the option over the last four years, but they are not in it for us, they are in it for them. The best news about this from my front is that it is a clear sign that the SL3 is likely at most a year away. That said, I agree with pgh, it is going to have to be a lot better (not just in specs, but actual image character, color etc), otherwise I will be sticking with the SL2 for a while. Of all the Leica cameras I have had, the SL2 has treated me the best (meaning superb results and 0 failures in any way to the camera or any of the lenses throughout the entire time I have had the camera (since 2019 or so). No other Leica has done that for me...

[hdmesa]

I like this so much more than I thought I would. I think this may be one of the best looking non-M cameras Leica has ever made.

[MediaFotografie]

vor 7 Stunden schrieb Ken Abrahams:

It's obviously a very "wide corner" I dont think Leica will have an issue with sales of 1000 silver units. I haven't been influenced by camera looks however paying extra for a SL2S Reporter recently I not only got a great camera but an extremely nice looking camera. For an additional 6% I can say my investment is worth the happiness I get when using this camera.  

Ken, it‘s the same for me, like the SL Reporter so much, can‘t belive 

[fishbrain2000]

Wow... this is a beautiful camera... I love my m11 and my collection of lenses for it.. Question I have: Is the auto focus good with a Leica M-Adapter L?

If so Id buy this thing in a flash even though I shouldn't haha

[Sohail]

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18 hours ago, jto555 said:

I can never understand why companies make a big thing about the colour of a camera. The colour of a camera will not improve the taken image. Nobody has ever looked at a photograph and said "That would have been a much better image if it had been taken with a blue/black/white... camera".

I don't entirely agree. Obviously, it's shrewd cynical marketing by Leica. But that aside, taking pictures is not simply a mechanical matter. It's very much an emotional undertaking too. So it makes sense that you want your tools to be part of that emotional experience. Anybody who thinks that an Aston Martin DB5 is just a box with wheels to get you from A to B is either a Spock-like being or not being entirely straight with you. BTW, I won't be getting a silver SL2 cool though it is.

[microview]

17 hours ago, James1975 said:

Really? The last time I was in the flagship Madrid store buying the new M11M, I wanted the new 50/1.4 with it. They were released same day and in stock. The manager tells me he has both black and silver and prefers the silver. So I ask if he would show me one so I can see how it looks on the body. He immediately said no. Refused even to open the box. Basically said if you buy it you can see it otherwise no chance. 
I am never going to buy from there again. 

Not uncommon in the UK as well. Leica customers are suspicious of an already unsealed box!

[jigesh]

3 hours ago, fishbrain2000 said:

... Question I have: Is the auto focus good with a Leica M-Adapter L?.....

It still would be manual focus, not auto-focus.

 

[Ivar B]

Nice camera. If I was in the market for an SL2, I would prefer this one to the one in black. A final effort to sell some more before SL3 arrives?

Why is it bundled with M Noctilux 1.2/50mm? Is this lens not selling, so Leica needs to clear some stock? 

Edited June 16, 2023 by Ivar B

[jaapv]

19 hours ago, James1975 said:

Really? The last time I was in the flagship Madrid store buying the new M11M, I wanted the new 50/1.4 with it. They were released same day and in stock. The manager tells me he has both black and silver and prefers the silver. So I ask if he would show me one so I can see how it looks on the body. He immediately said no. Refused even to open the box. Basically said if you buy it you can see it otherwise no chance. 
I am never going to buy from there again. 

They have a hard time selling it if the box has been opened -that is the Leica world. You’ll find much the same in other shops. 

[BernardC]

3 hours ago, Sohail said:

Obviously, it's shrewd cynical marketing by Leica.

That's a bit harsh, Leica isn't forcing anyone to buy their cameras.

Run-out special editions have advantages for Leica and for customers. For Leica they keep sales prices up near the end of the product's lifecycle. Most brands discount heavily to get rid of the last few units. For customers they provide a well--proven and yet unique camera that is likely to have higher resale value down the line. It's really a win-win.

[wizard]

vor 51 Minuten schrieb Ivar B:

Why is it bundled with M Noctilux 1.2/50mm? Is this lens not selling, so Leica needs to clear some stock?

Exactly my thoughts, too. Pretty unusual to bundle an M lens with an L mount camera ...

[hamey]

I  don't think I will bother with the silver SL2, though I must admit it has that classic look, I still have an R7, R8 and an M7 in silver.

But already having two SL2-S models a Reportage and the standard Black version it's enough for me.

However It will be interesting with the SL3, I would like to see one in anthracite, but for now I will have to wait to what Leica comes up with, just love the SL System so anything could happen.

Cheers.

 

Edited June 16, 2023 by hamey

[BernardC]

31 minutes ago, wizard said:

Exactly my thoughts, too. Pretty unusual to bundle an M lens with an L mount camera ...

Maybe M users have a harder time focusing this lens with a rangefinder?

It's not the first time they've bundled the M-adapter-L with a camera. It makes perfect sense to try to sell an SL to every M user.

[wizard]

vor 10 Minuten schrieb BernardC:

It's not the first time they've bundled the M-adapter-L with a camera.

That may well be true, but I think it is the first time they bundled an L mount camera with the M-adapter and an M-mount lens. And not just any M-mount lens, but the new retro Noctilux-M 1.2/50 asph. This seems to indicate that they have not sold the expected number of retro Noctiluxes yet, why else would they discount that lens by offering it in a bundle?

[Ivar B]

9 minutes ago, wizard said:

That may well be true, but I think it is the first time they bundled an L mount camera with the M-adapter and an M-mount lens. And not just any M-mount lens, but the new retro Noctilux-M 1.2/50 asph. This seems to indicate that they have not sold the expected number of retro Noctiluxes yet, why else would they discount that lens by offering it in a bundle?

Exactly. This is not a general purpose lens, is it, and it would come far down on my list as to which lens I should buy, if I was a new SL user. If I already owned an M? Still no. Unless heavily discounted. 

[BernardC]

31 minutes ago, wizard said:

That may well be true, but I think it is the first time they bundled an L mount camera with the M-adapter and an M-mount lens. And not just any M-mount lens, but the new retro Noctilux-M 1.2/50 asph. This seems to indicate that they have not sold the expected number of retro Noctiluxes yet, why else would they discount that lens by offering it in a bundle?

They wouldn't bundle it if they didn't have any to sell. Let's put that in perspective; it's a very limited-interest lens. They don't have warehouses full of them, maybe just enough to fill your hallway closet.

I can see some more strategies at play.

First, a high-price bundle like this makes everything else seem more reasonable. Now that they have your attention, how about a more sensible zoom bundle? It really isn't that much more than an a1 or R3 bundle!

Second, many of the M customers who want an expensive fast retro lens aren't sure that they can focus such a lens. Solution: sell them an SL2 at the same time!

 

[Sohail]

2 hours ago, BernardC said:

That's a bit harsh, Leica isn't forcing anyone to buy their cameras.

Never said they were. It's marketing. Leica is a business.

Edited June 16, 2023 by Sohail

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[LBJ2]

18 hours ago, goodbokeh said:

Well, you can call me crazy Geoff. I pre-ordered a Silver SL2 from B&H this morning. For a crazy man I have plenty of good reasons for doing so. This includes knowledge of the 47MP sensor's performance; the SL2 is proven platform that will not be chock full of bugs like the new models are; a limited 1000 production run with the silver aesthetics that reminds me of my old film cameras of the seventies; and finally, I have a nice collection of M lenses that will have a nice stabilized home for the balance of this year and early next for my trips here and abroad.

Jealous! It's too late for me now, but I do wish the silver edition was available from the start as that is my preference. 

FWIW, my SL2 has been technically 100% trouble free right out of the box 🤞🏼

Second to my M rangefinders, the SL2 quickly became a favorite. Coming from mirrorless and rangefinder, took me about two weeks to adjust to the size/weight of the SL system and now I can't remember why I thought it was a larger/heavier camera to begin with. The size/weight of camera and SL lenses just works for me. A very good balance. *Not that I would select the SL2 system to hike up a mountain 😉 But long distance traveling with the SL2 + SL APOs 35/50 is a breeze- even throwing in a few tiny Ms is next to nothing. 

The SL2 with adapted M lenses is also a joy to use with excellent results ( at least with my made for digital M lenses), adapting the Ms converts the SL2 system to a nice compact Leica premium kit with all the bells and whistles of modern mirrorless. Very nicely done IMO.

While not the low light king the SL2-S is, the SL2's 47MP is no less gorgeous in colors and overall IQ. BTW, the included SL2 OEM camera strap is so comfortable and lightweight with no metal bits to worry about, it's the only OEM camera strap I have ever bothered to use. With this barely-there strap, I can tuck camera and strap easily into a PeakDesign sling with no worries about bulk or camera/lens scratch. 

I do hope your new SL2 silver edition works out for you the way it has for me. I think its a perfect Leica mirrorless companion to your rangefinders.