Leica SL3 problems

[Linas]

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I am professional event photographer with many years experience shooting different Nikon cameras from older DSRLs to the latest mirrorless. I don't remember my cameras ever going to warranty.

Last few years I wanted to explore something different and tried Leica SL2-S for the first time. The first camera I've received had huge ibis rattle inside and was replaced by the dealer. Then in a few months of light use the other SL2-S showed unacceptable wear of the body fabric which was replaced under warranty (I saw this also discussed in the forum). Then Profoto released the remote for Leica and another problem appeared where camera freezes in continuous burst mode when in use with the flash trigger. Camera went to warranty for the second time but returned without even identifying the issue. Then I sent the camera to warranty for the third time, now together with my own Profoto remote and Leica were able to finally identify the issue after one year of back and forth with the customer service. This affected all the Leica SL2-S and I think now is fixed with the new firmware update. Though the camera can still randomly freeze with no reason.

After the dreadful experience with the first Leica I was reluctant to order the SL3, but seeing many wanted improvements and having many amazing SL lenses I gave it a go. Received the camera today, but unfortunately the LCD screen has terrible yellow tint (EVF screen looks amazing), the memory card door gets stuck most of the times when opening and the thumb dial sounds and feels very cheap. The other dials are fine and all are fine on SL2-S. The customer service advised that camera has to be sent back to dealer for an exchange due to the LCD tint issue. But with current out of stock situation I have no idea when this will happen.

Am I just really unlucky with Leica or their quality control is so bad? What is your experience?

[Robert E]

Ever since the SL2-S was released, I've read dozens and dozens of complaints about it and it's glitches. I don't know why anyone would buy one of those models unless they never did their research first. In contrast I purchased the SL2 body years ago and to this date never had any problems with it. Nor have I seen negative reviews like I've seen for the SL2-S model. 

Don't let the problems with that "lemon" mode from Leica deter you from getting an SL3, but wait and read up on it first. Already there have been some negative posts and Leica has already released a FW upgrade for it. If you want a solid work horse in the meantime, pickup one of the used SL2s that are at bargain prices right now.

Cheers.

[Paul2660]

That's most unfortunate.  For sure send it back.  So far my SL2 and S are both very solid, no issues.  Basically same camera body just different sensor. 

Interesting issue on the card door getting stuck.  As the cameras are still not in normal supply, hopefully your dealer can get you a replacement, and test it prior to shipping. 

 

Paul 

 

[BernardC]

54 minutes ago, Robert E said:

Ever since the SL2-S was released, I've read dozens and dozens of complaints about it and it's glitches. I don't know why anyone would buy one of those models unless they never did their research first. In contrast I purchased the SL2 body years ago and to this date never had any problems with it. Nor have I seen negative reviews like I've seen for the SL2-S model. 

There was a thread here asking people to list their reliability issues, and only a handful of people had anything to report. There were a few SL2 shutter problems, two of which happened to the same photographer, but nothing else that was major.

 

I think if there is an SL3 problem, we will hear about it here first. Products with weaknesses tend to fail early, so it shouldn't be a long wait. No news is good news in this case.

1 hour ago, Linas said:

Received the camera today, but unfortunately the LCD screen has terrible yellow tint (EVF screen looks amazing),

Do you see any blue at all? You'd get a yellow screen if the "B" part of "RGB" had a bad connection.

[SrMi]

Zero issues with SL2, SL2-S, or SL3.

[LocalHero1953]

1 hour ago, Robert E said:

Ever since the SL2-S was released, I've read dozens and dozens of complaints about it and it's glitches.

Seriously? Literally? Where? Not on this forum, where people do not hold back when writing about Leica failings. Including the OP, I can think of no more than a handful of such reports.
FWIW, I have had a problem-free SL2S since launch.

Edited March 14, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[chris_tribble]

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2 hours ago, Linas said:

Am I just really unlucky with Leica or their quality control is so bad? What is your experience?

Sorry you’ve had these problems. I was considering going back to Canon for DSLR, but have decided to stay with the SL2 as the glass is so good (and I love the design decision to make the zooms 24-90 and 90-280)!

I hope things work out for you as the QA should have picked up these problems 🫤

[Gateway77]

Had an SL2-S for some time and never had an issue.  Always loved the images straight out of camera.

Currently working through the menus and operations of the SL3.  Overall really pleased, but am noticing a couple of potential issues.

With Indoor shooting I seem to be getting a fairly noticeable yellow cast under low voltage lights - this is on Auto WB.  Never saw this on SL2S (never owned SL2).

So the OP comment has made me wonder if this is a fault.

Outside it seems spot on, so I cannot see it's a screen fault.  And inside it doesn't seem to happen when out of direct overhead light?

On checking the Kelvin setting it seems quite high (after coming out of Auto) and certainly better when knocking it back a little.

A few plus points as I'm not a moaner 

- Big plus point I've noticed in low light shooting.  Using the De-noise in Lightroom is giving me great results.  Super clean.

- Also another big plus is working with M lenses seems really easy - better than SL2S.  Really pleased with that.

- Love the feel of the new body, smaller design seems more than the measurements would credit for.

- Love the change of button layout and the new menu system.  Big improvement.

 

[MakinMemories]

So far just under 2-years on SL2, total of 7 SL lenses and just 3 days on SL3...Zero problems, Zero glitches! 

[NightPix]

46 minutes ago, Gateway77 said:

Also another big plus is working with M lenses seems really easy - better than SL2S.  Really pleased with that.

In what way is it easier to work with m-lenses on the SL3 compared to the SL2 or SL2-S? 

Edited March 14, 2024 by NightPix

[Manicouagan1]

I am sorry to read about Linas problems with his camera.    The broken IBIS suggests physical damage by impact .  Intermittent problems such as described are often due to soldering problems either with surface mounted chips or more typical soldered connections.  Such issues can be initiated either by extreme cold or impact.   I have had the fabric wear issue with my SL2, I just ignored it as it had no operational impact.  

[V23]

7 hours ago, NightPix said:

In what way is it easier to work with m-lenses on the SL3 compared to the SL2 or SL2-S? 

I would like to know as well, I am really interested in what ‘working with M lenses seems  really easy’ as a SL2-S user.

[LeicaR10]

Linas,  I would like to think your SL2-S is a "lemon experience".  It can happen with anything from automobiles of all types and makes to simple things.  My experience with both the SL2 and SL2-S have been my most reliable cameras owned over 40+ years.  I know it is very annoying for anyone to experience issues with a new anything.  The only sage advice that I received was from my Leica dealer years ago concerning buying a new model camera and lenses.  He told me, do not buy ANY new or upgrade product for at LEAST 6 months.  Wait for the tester reviews like Reid Reviews and of course, read the Leica Forum comments.  The one time that I fell short of doing the above was with the M11 and variants.  I should have waited 6 month plus.  The issues were starting to come in during the early days and weeks.  I thought this can't happen to me...wrong.  It was a costly mistake for me.  In my case, reliability of my Leica gear is paramount when I am in the remote mountains, jungles, deserts etc.  I found myself having to return to the reliable M10-R and M variant and have no plans to venture out into the wilds without them.  If you can, I suggest, get your money back or a store credit and wait 6 months to let the early adopters debug the SL3.  r/ Mark

Edited March 15, 2024 by LeicaR10

[Carrot]

On the card door point, on my SL2-S it’s one click and open. On my SL3 it clicks twice, the first click moves it 1-2mm, the second click opens it. Don’t know if this is normal or a sign that I may have problems down the line. 

[Linas]

14 minutes ago, Carrot said:

On the card door point, on my SL2-S it’s one click and open. On my SL3 it clicks twice, the first click moves it 1-2mm, the second click opens it. Don’t know if this is normal or a sign that I may have problems down the line. 

Yes, exactly. On my SL2-S you just push and open. On SL3 it moves few mm until a click and then opens, but yesterday it got stuck and won't go past those few mm. I basically tried to open it for half an hour. Can't imagine having this when on assigment.

[Jon Warwick]

I’ve now handled the SL3 at various stores, the first example had such a stiff door for the SD card that I was concerned I was going to break something or what I was doing wasn’t using the right method for opening it, such was the force needed. Second demo model I tried was fine. 

[Linas]

2 minutes ago, Jon Warwick said:

I’ve now handled the SL3 at various stores, the first example had such a stiff door for the SD card that I was concerned I was going to break something or what I was doing wasn’t using the right method for opening it, such was the force needed. Second demo model I tried was fine. 

Yes, totally my feeling, it opens now, but I still need to use more force than on SL2-S to go past that first click. Yesterday it would have probably broken if I used more force when it was stuck.

[albireo_double]

1 hour ago, LeicaR10 said:

  He told me, do not buy ANY new or upgrade product for at LEAST 6 months.  Wait for the tester reviews like Reid Reviews and of course, read the Leica Forum comments.  The one time that I fell short of doing the above was with the M11 and variants.  I should have waited 6 month plus.  The issues were starting to come in during the early days and weeks.  

Well...I have been one of the very first adopters of some of the new Leica cameras over the years. The first to receive the S3 in my country, among the first for the SL2 and M11M. I've had zero QC issues with these cameras. There have been some glitches like tethering with the SL2 (need to remove SD cards), etc. but nothing critical. My QC issues with Leica equipment have been limited to (a) faulty AF motors with S lenses - all repaired for free, even after the 5-year warranty expired, (b) faulty shutter with M240 - repair took about 4 months (not great), (c) sensor and  top display issues with original S2 - vertical one-pixel stripes/weak readability - repaired in about 10 days. So, just like with virtually any complex product, you can take your suggested approach of "wait and let them fix problems in the first 6 months", or you can enthusiastically adopt new products, take advantage of all the innovation, while relying on your dealer and the manufacturer to make things right without fuss when there are faults. Having spare equipment (perhaps a second-hand SL601 or SL2 body) is always a good precaution for critical jobs or those "once in a lifetime" trips. The SL3 is waiting for me in the shop for pick-up tomorrow. If the display has a yellow tint or the card door gets stuck, I am sure Leica will fix it. Somehow, these would be the smallest concerns in the broader context of my life.

[Gateway77]

To NightPix and V23

I should have said that is is of course 'subjective' - I find the small differences in the size and weight of the SL3 seem to make the balance of the camera in my hand feel really good with M  lenses attached.  The change of button position makes this (for me) a very natural hand hold with left hand for focusing and right for shutter, joy-stick and menu.

All easy to find while viewing via the EVF.

It just feels better - hope that explains. 

With regard to image quality - it's too early to say.  I like the colours coming out of the M11 so I'm hoping the SL3 will be the same or similar.

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[1Haufen]

Something else that might be worth mentioning is the potential repair costs if the warranty has expired or Leica does not recognize the problem as a warranty case, which can be bizarrely high. In my case (SL2-s), one of the tiny threads in which the rubber ring of the viewfinder is attached with small screws is damaged and the screw can no longer hold tight. Unfortunately, I only noticed it late when the rubber suddenly slipped out of the ring holder (on the EVF viewfinder) because the ring was no longer firmly attached at the point of the broken thread. I sent it to Leica, they said I had "overtightened" the screw (until then I didn't even know there were screws there), so no warranty case; and since the threads belong to the shoulder part of the camera, where the EVF also sits, it all has to be replaced and would have cost 814€. When you consider that the damage is only a very small thread, barely a millimeter in size, and you have to pay over 800€ for it, the practical benefit outweighs the costs for me. I decided against the repair and am currently pushing the rubber ring back into place every time it slips out.

Incidentally, this is the second time I've had it serviced, the first time the joystick had to be replaced because it wasn't responding correctly.