Using the Leica app with the SL3

[thebarnman]

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New to digital and also new to smart phones.  

With the Leica app (and the Leica SL3) when transferring the images from the camera to the smartphone, is it the jpegs that's being transferred or the RAW files or both?  Can you choose one or the other type of files to get transferred? 

Not knowing anything about the software, what else can be done with the images once they've been transferred to the Leica app? 

Does the app do more than work with the images?  Or can it be used to control the camera somehow?  

Thanks! 

 

 

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[helged]

Enjoy! Personally, I use FOTOS as a connected remote controller (exposure and focus); it works up to a distance of 10+ m.

[Photoworks]

The FOTOS app can be used as a remote camera, you can change exposure to tap to focus on the screen.

The downside it that only single-mode shooting is possible, you can try other modes but it always switches to single mode.

You can download selected images, raw or jpg, or both. the will be saved to the phone or iPad and can be opened in any supported image processing app. I use Photomator on the iPhone and Capture one on the iPad

[thebarnman]

Thanks everyone for your answers and help.  The video really helps me understand how to control and use the app.  I didn't think using a remote control would come in handy as I'm so used to holding the camera while taking the shot.  However, while it was being demonstrated I started thinking if I ever get in a tight spot (like a corner) I could place the camera directly against the corner (to get as far back as possible without my body being in the way) and still be able to frame and completely set up the shot.  I think that feature would only be used just every now and then but it does seem very handy if needed.  

About editing with the app.  That's all new to me since I would want to do that on a calibrated monitor.  I see there's full control of how to edit the images but I think it's possible color and brightness would be off a bit.  When it comes to sharing images on some type of social media per the example on the video, I think I'd rather edit the image on a desktop monitor and then upload very selected images I may want to share to something like this Leica forum. 

Is there a way to upload images to this Leica site either with the FOTOS app or any other program on a regular computer?  The only way I'm aware must be old fashion such as selecting an image I want to share and uploading it to any of these Leica threads I happen to be having a conversation on.  

 Also, I'm used to sharing images via regular email.  I guess I could use the app for that with a smartphone AFTER the images have been edited and put back onto the smartphone but at that point it would probably require less steps if I simply select what ever images I want to share and attach them to a email from a desktop computer.  Who knows, maybe that will change someday.   

 

    

[kkcsm]

I have used the fotos app with my SL 601 and M10 and have not been impressed.  However, as a remote trigger I do find it useful.

Connecting via WIFI is awkward and requires me to navigate the camera menu and try/fail several times before succeeding.  I think this is partially a UI issue as it’s not clear to me what to do on the camera and phone in what sequence to connect.  And when I do seem to get things correct it takes 5-10 seconds for it to connect.

I believe the new cameras can connect via USB which would hopefully make connection quick and easy.  I’m old enough to not hate wires, I would love it if I could plug it in and it’s automatically connected just like a dumb remote trigger.

I wanted the app to be something I could use for focusing macro when the camera is on tripod at an awkward position for me to see the lcd.  Or better, if I’m connecting via iPad, I would love for it to be useful as a higher resolution focusing screen.  Unfortunately the quality image when in ‘remote’ mode is very poor and useless for anything other than perhaps framing.

The uploading pictures and editing/sharing seem like unnecessary features to me.  Perhaps I’m too old…  I will never post a picture that I have not transferred to my computer and processed in Lightroom.  And I’m not going to edit a photo on my phone.  If I’m posting my food to InstaSnapBook, I’ll just snap the picture with my phone.

I’m curious if functionality is better with newer SL2, SL3.

 

 

[thebarnman]

1 hour ago, kkcsm said:

 I’m old enough to not hate wires, I would love it if I could plug it in and it’s automatically connected just like a dumb remote trigger.

I’m curious if functionality is better with newer SL2, SL3.

According to the videos I've seen, it's as easy as you mention for the SL3.  Just connect the cable to both and it connects automatically.  And I think (again according to the videos I've seen, it's very easy to connect the app to the camera.  

I'm with you about not wanting to share any images edited from a smartphone.  

 

 

[la1402]

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With the SL3, it is super easy and smooth to connect FOTOS via WiFi.

[helged]

1 hour ago, kkcsm said:

I have used the fotos app with my SL 601 and M10 and have not been impressed.  However, as a remote trigger I do find it useful.

Connecting via WIFI is awkward and requires me to navigate the camera menu and try/fail several times before succeeding.  I think this is partially a UI issue as it’s not clear to me what to do on the camera and phone in what sequence to connect.  And when I do seem to get things correct it takes 5-10 seconds for it to connect.

I believe the new cameras can connect via USB which would hopefully make connection quick and easy.  I’m old enough to not hate wires, I would love it if I could plug it in and it’s automatically connected just like a dumb remote trigger.

I wanted the app to be something I could use for focusing macro when the camera is on tripod at an awkward position for me to see the lcd.  Or better, if I’m connecting via iPad, I would love for it to be useful as a higher resolution focusing screen.  Unfortunately the quality image when in ‘remote’ mode is very poor and useless for anything other than perhaps framing.

The uploading pictures and editing/sharing seem like unnecessary features to me.  Perhaps I’m too old…  I will never post a picture that I have not transferred to my computer and processed in Lightroom.  And I’m not going to edit a photo on my phone.  If I’m posting my food to InstaSnapBook, I’ll just snap the picture with my phone.

I’m curious if functionality is better with newer SL2, SL3.

 

 

FOTOS didn’t work very well in the esrly days. With SL2-S and SL3, and updated firmware, things are fairly stable. I use it mostly as a remite controller, for birds etc. Quite convenient, but it wiuld be goid to have access to more of the camera menus.

[kkcsm]

2 minutes ago, la1402 said:

With the SL3, it is super easy and smooth to connect FOTOS via WiFi.

Good to hear, I’m not surprised that the newer cameras work more seamlessly.

Can you connect via Bluetooth?  That seems like it may be more convenient, is there no difference in ease of connectivity via these two wireless methods?

What is the quality of live view on the app with the SL3?  Could a large iPad be used to accurately focus?

[kkcsm]

1 minute ago, helged said:

but it wiuld be goid to have access to more of the camera menus.

Yes, if Fotos could be a complete remote of the camera and it’s menus that would be useful to me in situations where my camera is on a tripod in an awkward place close to the ground or in the dark.  Using a large iPad screen to focus would be very useful!  I have wished for this using the SL to digitize film standing on a ladder to get high enough to look through the viewfinder.

Hopefully they’re working on these things and not working on seamless posting of food pics to social media!

[Photoworks]

to be clear this tech is evolving and the experiences you had with older cameras don't reflect newer cameras .

The big shift came with M11, Q3, and SL3

The usb from the M11 is limited to the included cable in the FOTOS app, and if you have a USB-C cable the MFi cable is required or an adapter. but for M11 I would suggest skipping cables all together and opt for the WIFI 5 GHz for a faster and stable connection.

BT is only used to activate the wifi connection, and to get the GPS location from your phone, this is BT low power and can be on all the time. It does not trasfare any images.

Q3 and SL3 have the faster USB-C 3.2 ports and transfer is FAST!!!!

You still BT to help for Wifi connections and tag locations.

BUT
to anyone that want to use tether of live view  with FOTOS app and not be frustrated from the limitation, I would suggest taking a look at a better solution for USB-C connection PTP with SL2, SL3 M11..
The solution is Capture One for iPad. I know it is money, but I only spend $5 for the needed month and cancel again.

• Live view is good and you can use the camera to change exposure settings and the app , SL3 Live View is much cleaner with faster connections.
• You can use any shooting mode, Single, bracket, or multi-shot
• Images are transferred to the iPad in DNG in few seconds , you can create a client galley instantly for clients to monitor remotely.
• you can set an ajustment to the first image and apply it to all following images, so what you see and upload is already color correct and exposure.
• the best part is that it uses the same color as the desktop app, you can transfer the raw files with adjustments and continue editing on the MAc or PC

Capture one does not do video, the FOTOS app can work, but since it does not preview L-LOG correctly it is useless for me.

[fotonutzz]

One of my pet peeve with the SL3 and the Fotos app is that the image review is relatively low-res and pixelated when I am using my iPad Pro 12.9" or my Samsung Tab S8 Ultra as a remote.  It looks perfectly OK on the smaller iPad Mini or the Samsung Fold 5.  

Do any of you guys use the iPad or Tab as a remote and when the image is displayed back, the resolution is kinda low?  After downloading, the image resolution is great...

[thebarnman]

3 hours ago, fotonutzz said:

One of my pet peeve with the SL3 and the Fotos app is that the image review is relatively low-res and pixelated when I am using my iPad Pro 12.9" or my Samsung Tab S8 Ultra as a remote.  It looks perfectly OK on the smaller iPad Mini or the Samsung Fold 5.  

Do any of you guys use the iPad or Tab as a remote and when the image is displayed back, the resolution is kinda low?  After downloading, the image resolution is great...

I'm glad you brought this up.  I know you're talking about pads (or Tabs) but I was thinking about upgrading my phone from my current flip phone to a Samsung s24 ultra (I've never bought a smartphone before.)  I think it's one of their biggest screens (for a smartphone) but it's probably still small enough for the image to not look too pixelated. 

I was going to ask another question about what would be the best smartphone for using the Fotos app, but I think at this point it doesn't matter.    

[Photoworks]

3 hours ago, fotonutzz said:

One of my pet peeve with the SL3 and the Fotos app is that the image review is relatively low-res and pixelated when I am using my iPad Pro 12.9" or my Samsung Tab S8 Ultra as a remote.  It looks perfectly OK on the smaller iPad Mini or the Samsung Fold 5.  

Do any of you guys use the iPad or Tab as a remote and when the image is displayed back, the resolution is kinda low?  After downloading, the image resolution is great...

for speed, it loads a lower-resolution preview in Fotos until you download it.

Unlike Capture one where that images are already imported.

 

[kkcsm]

Is the live view display low res and pixelated?

[Photoworks]

live view is improved on the SL3, but it is related to your connection and program

[fotonutzz]

19 hours ago, thebarnman said:

I'm glad you brought this up.  I know you're talking about pads (or Tabs) but I was thinking about upgrading my phone from my current flip phone to a Samsung s24 ultra (I've never bought a smartphone before.)  I think it's one of their biggest screens (for a smartphone) but it's probably still small enough for the image to not look too pixelated. 

I was going to ask another question about what would be the best smartphone for using the Fotos app, but I think at this point it doesn't matter.    

While I would prefer to use my Samsung Fold 5 as my daily phone, when it comes to using Leica Fotos, I prefer to use my iPhone. 

The SL3 with the Apple MiFi seems to be faster at downloading photos into the phone and I also like the One-Touch auto edit for the Apple Photos App.

[thebarnman]

4 hours ago, fotonutzz said:

The SL3 with the Apple MiFi seems to be faster at downloading photos into the phone and I also like the One-Touch auto edit for the Apple Photos App.

As far as the speed at downloading photos, are we talking differences in seconds?  Minutes?  For example if you were transferring about 10 images or so. 

 

One-Touch auto edit sounds nice for the Apple Photos App so how many steps would it take to do the same thing on a Samsung smartphone?  I currently don't have a smartphone nor am I familiar with the app. 

Thanks.  

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