Should I stay or go?

[SJB27]

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Hello there,

I'm a headshot photographer and have used the SL system since 2020. Before I landed on the SL, I was going back and forth, thinking if I should go with the H5, but I was talked into the SL. I had many problems with early Tethering, but it has improved with the SL2. My question is, is this the best camera for headshots and tethering? I'm not in the ballpark of the X2D- I have the 24-90 only SL lens. Thoughts suggestions. I guess I'm asking, as one of my clients just picked up the X2d. It's sexy.

[LBJ2]

21 minutes ago, SJB27 said:

Hello there,

I'm a headshot photographer and have used the SL system since 2020. Before I landed on the SL, I was going back and forth, thinking if I should go with the H5, but I was talked into the SL. I had many problems with early Tethering, but it has improved with the SL2. My question is, is this the best camera for headshots and tethering? I'm not in the ballpark of the X2D- I have the 24-90 only SL lens. Thoughts suggestions. I guess I'm asking, as one of my clients just picked up the X2d. It's sexy.

Life is too short. If you have the opportunity to try the X2D in your own studio, I say do it. Only you can truly determine if it meets your needs in your own environment and content. If a camera systems meets your needs AND sexy, I say win-win.

But do check out the XCD lenses thoroughly before you make a financial commitment and not just some guy saying the lenses are Great! In the end 100MP+ Medium Frame or not, it's the glass that makes or break the system IMO. 

 

Edited January 30, 2024 by LBJ2

[SJB27]

Thank you. I will have to wait a while, as I don't have 12 grand or so to get into a new system. However, I would like to play with it. On another note, do we see a MF from Leica in the works anytime soon?

[frame-it]

3 minutes ago, SJB27 said:

On another note, do we see a MF from Leica in the works anytime soon?

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/forum/53-leica-s-system/

[LBJ2]

5 minutes ago, SJB27 said:

Thank you. I will have to wait a while, as I don't have 12 grand or so to get into a new system. However, I would like to play with it. On another note, do we see a MF from Leica in the works anytime soon?

Yes. The Leica S4 Medium Frame mirrorless rumor is floating around out there 😉

Edited January 30, 2024 by LBJ2

[Photoworks]

Sounds like GAS, so many people suffer these symptoms.

SL2 is very stable tethering to Capture one. the Hassy is probably a great camera, I think the zoom selection is limited.

[SJB27]

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Thanks

 

[SJB27]

3 minutes ago, LBJ2 said:

Yes. The Leica S4 Medium Frame mirrorless rumor is floating around out there 😉

Well, that is groovy, but how much is it going to cost?

[LBJ2]

1 minute ago, SJB27 said:

Well, that is groovy, but how much is it going to cost?

If you must to ask 😉.  Preliminarily ? Thousands and thousands ...and of course thousands. 

[LocalHero1953]

Will any of these cameras make your headshots better? Where are the constraints stopping you from getting better headshots? Is it the camera/lens? Or your talent/skill/experience? Your lighting equipment? You need to answer these questions before spending money.

[SJB27]

6 minutes ago, LBJ2 said:

If you must to ask 😉.  Preliminarily ? Thousands and thousands ...and of course thousands. 

yes, yes and yes.

[LBJ2]

31 minutes ago, SJB27 said:

yes, yes and yes.

The new Hasselblad 907X & CFV 100C, or the old made new again modular digital design resinates with me in 2024. But then I start reviewing the XCD lens MTFs and not seeing the magic yet. But still early in my discovery and I need to see for myself, hands-on what these new XCD V lenses are all about other than what looks like a priority for small and compact. 

Edited January 30, 2024 by LBJ2

[frankchn]

I have both the X2D and the SL2. I think it really depends on if you are shooting with flash (advantage X2D for leaf shutters) and if you need a lot of resolution (again, advantage X2D). Low light performance is broadly similar (stronger color filter on the X2D eats more light, which negates the advantages of a newer sensor).

I don't have experience with the SL zooms, but I find that the APO SL primes to be broadly similar in performance to the newest XCD V lenses. Maybe the APO SL primes have better corrected LoCA (APO after all), but I haven't shot them side by side enough to tell.

Edited January 30, 2024 by frankchn

[frankchn]

Also, autofocus wise the SL2 is much better (and I expect the SL3 to be even better). I won't use the X2D's AF on anything that moves since it has no tracking AF (only single shot).

Edited January 30, 2024 by frankchn

[SJB27]

Yes, Since my main purpose is for headshots, I'm using Flash. I love the SL2, but I was just seeing in the long term, the lighter weight of the X2D would come in handy.

 

[PeterBoyadjian]

75 SL APO

[SJB27]

1 hour ago, PeterBoyadjian said:

75 SL APO

Thank you.

 

[SJB27]

1 hour ago, frankchn said:

Also, autofocus wise the SL2 is much better (and I expect the SL3 to be even better). I won't use the X2D's AF on anything that moves since it has no tracking AF (only single shot).

Great point. Thanks for sharing.

[robb]

In studio only I’d go with sl2 with 75 or 90 apo and all other apo summicrons…  used, the apo’s can be had around $3500.  Nothing more fun to shoot portraits to me than sl2 with 75 apo.  Amazing combo.

outside location photography with flash, I’d go hassy x2d.  But the viewfinder is not the easiest to use when you are overpowering the sun.

I love the ibis in sl2 and x2d.  To me dif tools for dif spots.  

Robb

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[helged]

7 hours ago, LBJ2 said:

Yes. The Leica S4 Medium Frame mirrorless rumor is floating around out there 😉

To be expected in 2025 (Leica time, so no one outside the inner circles knows...). S4 is said to be back-compatible with the existing S-lenses (from the inner circles, so a little more punch than rumors, only). And possibly compatible with L-mount lenses in crop mode (rumors only). Sounds interesting to me...