Manual focus on the SL2 a bit hyped

[Leicaboy Norway]

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Is the SL2 really that great for manual focusing?

 

I do like the lens profiles for R and M lenses. And sensor physics is good for m lenses.

But the focusing in itself was better using Canon R5 in my opinion.

Why is there an automatic focus enlargement option when you still have to press a button?

 

I also struggle seeing the focus peaking even though it's turned on high. 

 

Conclusion for me so far is it was much easier to focus with manual lenses on my R5 even though it didnt have focus peaking when you zoomed in.

 

But I'm hoping there's something i'm missing. The sheer size of the L2 is also not helping.

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[LocalHero1953]

On my SL2-S there is no automatic focus enlargement with M lenses, and you don't have to press a button to get enlargement - I just turn the rear wheel. M lenses cannot trigger automatic enlargement on any camera except the M: there is no electronic communication between the lens and body - just a mechanical one on the M body. L-mount lenses can trigger automatic enlargement.

If you don't like focus peaking, turn it off. It will be just like the R5.

You may want to read the manual - I don't see why the SL2 would be different from the SL2-S in this respect.

Edited April 23, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[spydrxx]

Everything is hyped these days

[SrMi]

6 hours ago, Leicaboy Norway said:

I do like the lens profiles for R and M lenses. And sensor physics is good for m lenses.

But the focusing in itself was better using Canon R5 in my opinion.

Why is there an automatic focus enlargement option when you still have to press a button?

A camera cannot automatically magnify if it does not have electronic contacts (e.g., M lenses). So you need both methods for lenses with and without electronic contacts.

6 hours ago, Leicaboy Norway said:

I also struggle seeing the focus peaking even though it's turned on high. 

I have turned the focus peaking off because it is too intrusive (too visible). If you do not see it, your setting may be wrong. With which lens are you not seeing focus peaking help?

[albireo_double]

Ease of manual focusing on the SL2 depends on the lens, also. I had no problem focusing a Noctilux 0.95 wide open but struggled to focus with a Summicron-M 28. Obviously, wide lenses better focused with a rangefinder (or AF). 

 

[costa43]

Black and white viewfinder feed with red focus peaking stands out well in my limited experience with the sl2s. I find it helpful when I want the most depth of field in an image in the shortest possible time. Otherwise I use the wheel at the back to zoom in a little for critical focus on eyes. Never used a Canon r5 so cannot comment there but Nikon is receiving a lot of praise with it's implementation of manual eye focus confirmation. I would love Leica to introduce this if poss. Be a game changer for me who is constantly chasing my daughter around.

[Leicaboy Norway]

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I think some, not everyone, are comparing against othe cameras from the same company.

It was the same in the Canon camp. A lot of people were praising the new RF lenses and saying they were like nothing else. But a huge part of these people were coming from Canon DSLR, and not other companies who had mirrorless cameras for almost 10 years already.

Maybe it's the same here. Nikon, Sony and Canon all three, maybe fuji too has a great manual focus experience with their mirrorless cameras. 

 

IMO both fuji and Canon beat Leica on the ease of focusing manual lenses. But I know the sensor thickness on the SL2 is best for M glass, together with the in body correction of specific and r lenses. But the focusing experience is better on those other two IMO.

[LocalHero1953]

2 hours ago, Leicaboy Norway said:

I think some, not everyone, are comparing against othe cameras from the same company.

?? I've just looked back through this (very short) thread. I don't see anyone making such comparisons.

[Leicaboy Norway]

23 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

?? I've just looked back through this (very short) thread. I don't see anyone making such comparisons.

I was making a general assumption. A tendency. But maybe I'm way off. Either way, not here to argue with anyone 😀