Disappointed with SL3

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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7 hours ago, algrove said:

I had a friend who bought many Sigma lenses and even though they were just fine AFA sharpness, they were big and heavy compared to either Leica or Panasonic lenses of the same FL. That said no high quality SL lens is light.

This has changed radically, recently. The new 85 Art is a decent size but he new 50 1.2 and 500 f 5.6 are positively little for what they are.

Gordon

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[algrove]

On 3/12/2024 at 4:45 PM, Nedward said:

I've just received my SL3 and tested the 35mm and 50mm ASPH lenses, comparing both to Sony A7R5 and 35mm and 50mm G Masters. The lenses simply don't stand up to the Sony and as the whole reasoning behind buying Leica, for me is to experience the pinnacle of image quality, it looks like I'm gonna have to go down the APO route. Really thinking to myself, can I justify that..!

Also TBH, I'm not that impressed with the camera either, yes it's beautiful in hand and all the rest but first thing I notice is the shutter black out also the live view seems not really live until you depress the shutter half way and first impressions are it's a bit noisy at even quite low IOS (this remains to be really tested although). 

I know these are not going to be popular views here buy honestly Im thinking of returning it and sticking with my Sony and Q3. I love the brand etc but wondering is this just me or should I give it time.

 

 

Yes, return it so I can get a second one sooner. Thanks.

[Jean-Michel]

18 hours ago, algrove said:

Yes, return it so I can get a second one sooner. Thanks.

And I am absolutely disappointed by the SL3 that I do not own or even seen. I’ll have to keep slumming with my lowly SL2.  I do find it amazing that so many posters have managed to find a way to be first in line to purchase a new camera to immediately find it to be so inferior that it needs to be dumped forthwith. I am pretty sure that the SL3 will serve people who actually own one very nicely for a number of years. 

[algrove]

I love my SL3. I never got the SL2, but did get into the SL2S with multiple bodies. The BSI files are so malleable.

Edited April 7, 2024 by algrove

[la1402]

At the risk of being off-topic 😉, I am NOT disappointed with my SL3. Files are great, handling is great. Shortcomings in AF and overall Speed vs Best in Class were expected and are acceptable (for me and what I do). Is it perfect? Not at all. And I would not use it for fast action if my job depended on it. But I nevertheless enjoy using it much, much more than the A7rV which it replaced. 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

5 hours ago, la1402 said:

At the risk of being off-topic 😉, I am NOT disappointed with my SL3. Files are great, handling is great. Shortcomings in AF and overall Speed vs Best in Class were expected and are acceptable (for me and what I do). Is it perfect? Not at all. And I would not use it for fast action if my job depended on it. But I nevertheless enjoy using it much, much more than the A7rV which it replaced. 

Yep. The same for me except I'm keeping my A1 and A7R5 for the VERY rare times the SL3 isn't the right tool. Happy enough I have 2 x SL3 bodies for going forward. I didn't buy it as a sports shooter. I bought them because I'll have the highest available IQ short of a larger sensor with an SL3 and APO Summicron strapped to the front.

That doesn't mean I think the camera is perfect. It's quite flawed with the current firmware and I'll tell it how I see it. I think I can criticise the camera where it's due and praise it where it excels. Some of the release firmware choices are daft (and disappointing). But that's only one side of the story and changes can be made if we push for them. It makes incredible files and handles really well. That's the most important thing for me.

Gordon

[opera207]

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On 3/16/2024 at 8:54 AM, davidmknoble said:

@SoCalLeicanator, I did look at the Luminx S series lenses for the L mount.  And the Pro series says this:

• Dust/splash/freeze-resistant design withstands use under harsh conditions for high mobility

Which fits what I would say is similar to the Leica SL lenses.  The 50mm f/1.4 Pro Luminix S lens, not an APO lens, is $2,299 USD.  That is similar to the non APO Leica SL lenses (35, 50). 

However the basic Panasonic S series lenses are not sealed like this and run much less.  The Luminix S 50mm f/1.8 lens is $449 USD.  That lens is not weather sealed.

So, Panasonic offers a much higher cost lens series that is listed as weather ‘resistent’ and might be much better sealed.

You ultimately get what you pay for and I have shot the Leica SL and S lenses in rainstorms, snow and ice and sand and salt.  I have done this for 5 years with no lens ever failing.

So, my point is, the SL lenses are well sealed - the other brands of L lenses are not as well sealed and they tell you that.

The 50mm f/1.4 Pro Luminix S lens, not an APO lens, is $2,299 USD.  That is similar to the non APO Leica SL lenses (35, 50)  (Which are basically Lumix f1.8 series with metal body)

 The Luminix S 50mm f/1.8 lens is $449 USD.  That lens is not weather sealed.

[algrove]

Just received the Panasonic SL S 14-28 which I shot a little bit at various FL. Not bad AFAIC, and it internally zoomed. BH had them on sale last week.

The files looked fine for my use and even cropped and viewed at 100-200%.

Edited April 8, 2024 by algrove

[davidmknoble]

16 hours ago, opera207 said:

The Luminix S 50mm f/1.8 lens is $449 USD.  That lens is not weather sealed.

See the * on panasonic's website:  *Dust and splash resistant does not guarantee that damage will not occur when lens is subjected to direct contact with dust and water.

Sealed is different than resistant.

I guess for $449 if you rinse it off with a hose and ruin it, you can by another.  

 

[laowai_]

4 hours ago, davidmknoble said:

See the * on panasonic's website:  *Dust and splash resistant does not guarantee that damage will not occur when lens is subjected to direct contact with dust and water.

Sealed is different than resistant.

I guess for $449 if you rinse it off with a hose and ruin it, you can by another.  

 

"Sealed" vs. "resistant" without specifying measurement conditions is just marketing speak. 

There are various levels of weather sealing, aka. ingress protection (IP).

AFAIK the Leica SL2 and newer are the only consumer grade cameras that have a IP certification. IP certification is a standardized way to measure weather sealing by independent laboratories. Test procedures are regulated by the European Norm EN 60529. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_code EN 60529 is also the de-facto standard in the US and elsewhere for ingress protection. For example the Leica SL2 is IP54 certified.

The fact that Leica goes through the delay in time-to-market and not insignificant expense to get their SL cameras IP certified should mean something to us.     

[SrMi]

10 minutes ago, laowai_ said:

"Sealed" vs. "resistant" without specifying measurement conditions is just marketing speak. 

There are various levels of weather sealing, aka. ingress protection (IP).

AFAIK the Leica SL2 and newer are the only consumer grade cameras that have a IP certification. IP certification is a standardized way to measure weather sealing by independent laboratories. Test procedures are regulated by the European Norm EN 60529. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_code EN 60529 is also the de-facto standard in the US and elsewhere for ingress protection. For example the Leica SL2 is IP54 certified.

The fact that Leica goes through the delay in time-to-market and not insignificant expense to get their SL cameras IP certified should mean something to us.     

Olympus OM-1 is rated IP53, SL3 has better rating (IP54).

[huwm]

…….. disappointed with life

 

as Dr Johnson would have it

[Pelu2010]

looking forward to that APO images .... 

 

[laowai_]

On 4/9/2024 at 3:48 AM, SrMi said:

Olympus OM-1 is rated IP53, SL3 has better rating (IP54).

I didn't know, same dust ingress rating and better water ingress rating for the SL3.

[SrMi]

3 hours ago, laowai_ said:

I didn't know, same dust ingress rating and better water ingress rating for the SL3.

I knew that OM-1 has excellent dust and water protection, but I did not realize that SL3 is better 😀.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

5 hours ago, SrMi said:

I knew that OM-1 has excellent dust and water protection, but I did not realize that SL3 is better 😀.

SL bodies have always been good. At the SL (601) launch in Sydney they were pouring water over the camera, even then. I've hosed off my SL's and SL2's more than once. Carefully. To remove sand and debris. My SL3 has already been soaked a few times. This and my EM-1's and OM-1's are the only bodies I trust like this.

A much under rated feature. How many people would trust their A7R5 in torrential rain?

Gordon

[Photoworks]

I had a Canon 5D mkIII and Sony a7R3 die in the rain, repair was only a few $$$

[jaapv]

On 4/16/2024 at 1:13 PM, FlashGordonPhotography said:

SL bodies have always been good. At the SL (601) launch in Sydney they were pouring water over the camera, even then. I've hosed off my SL's and SL2's more than once. Carefully. To remove sand and debris. My SL3 has already been soaked a few times. This and my EM-1's and OM-1's are the only bodies I trust like this.

A much under rated feature. How many people would trust their A7R5 in torrential rain?

Gordon

The SL series has double seals and in theory is completely waterproof ( don’t try this at home) Both Leica and Olympus are quite careful with the IP rating. The have a very wide safety margin buitin. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[FlashGordonPhotography]

On 4/17/2024 at 10:28 AM, Photoworks said:

I had a Canon 5D mkIII and Sony a7R3 die in the rain, repair was only a few $$$

Still not ideal in the middle of a four week trip.  Or if you’re shooting someone’s wedding.

Gordon

[FlashGordonPhotography]

6 hours ago, jaapv said:

The SL series has double seals and in theory is completely waterproof ( don’t try this at home) Both Leica and Olympus are quite careful with the IP rating. The have a very wide safety margin buitin. 

Not at the lens mount.

Gordon