Firmware wish list for the SL3

[JiriS]

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13 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

This has been a perennial irritation for me with Leica: no Leica camera that I have owned has had buttons one could customise with a toggle function: e.g. press once for AF:MF, Spot:Face, S-mode:A-mode etc. I have raised this in the past, but it seems fundamental to Leica firmware architecture: buttons can only be used to jump to the menu setting; they can't be used to actually change a menu setting.

With SL3 I have one of my custom buttons set up to quickly toggle between AF and MF. 

[LocalHero1953]

23 minutes ago, JiriS said:

With SL3 I have one of my custom buttons set up to quickly toggle between AF and MF. 

But can you do it with one press? I have a button that gives me a choice between AF and MF, but I then have to select the one I want with the joystick and then click the joystick: three actions. I’d be glad to hear if there’s an option I’ve missed. 

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[JiriS]

53 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

But can you do it with one press? I have a button that gives me a choice between AF and MF, but I then have to select the one I want with the joystick and then click the joystick: three actions. I’d be glad to hear if there’s an option I’ve missed. 

Yes I can do it with a single press. 

[keeping_a_balance]

Fix the sensitive screen and nose gate... 

[LocalHero1953]

13 hours ago, JiriS said:

Yes I can do it with a single press. 

Can you explain how you set this? I'm puzzled. I have the SL2-S (perhaps it is different on the SL3) and have just checked the custom button settings. I have assigned Toggle AF/MF to a button, but this ISN'T a one-press toggle: it displays a choice of MF and your current AF mode (usually iAF in my case). You have to select the one you want (or press the button again) then the joystick (or the button again) to get back to normal operation. Are you seeing something different?

[JiriS]

6 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Can you explain how you set this? I'm puzzled. I have the SL2-S (perhaps it is different on the SL3) and have just checked the custom button settings. I have assigned Toggle AF/MF to a button, but this ISN'T a one-press toggle: it displays a choice of MF and your current AF mode (usually iAF in my case). You have to select the one you want (or press the button again) then the joystick (or the button again) to get back to normal operation. Are you seeing something different?

I don’t have SL2, but on SL3 the “Toggle AF/MF” is an actual single click toggle. 

 

 

[LocalHero1953]

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10 minutes ago, JiriS said:

I don’t have SL2, but on SL3 the “Toggle AF/MF” is an actual single click toggle.

Thank you - that's good news, though it's probably too much to hope that it will trickle down to a SL2-S firmware upgrade.

[Jonathan Levin]

Aside from my battery idea in post #12, the only other thing I could think of is a way to delete a photo(s) in review mode and have it also delete corresponding photo on SD card simultaneously.

Maybe a prompt like:

Delete image(s) from CFe?

Delete image(s) on CFe and SD?

Cancel

Edited July 1 by Jonathan Levin

[Dr. G]

After spending more time with the SL3 and recently doing a product photoshoot, there are a couple of things I'd like to see.

1.  The option to lock Depth of Field preview so I don't need to engage it after each shutter release.  I do a lot of close up photography (not macro, per se) and being able to see my depth of filed is imperative.  

2.  Focus stacking.  Even if it is only done in the Leica Fotos app to begin with.  In fact, I think using the Fotos app may be easier in order to choose the starting and ending focal point and the number of exposures between them.  

3. Multishot implementation

Edited July 22 by Dr. G

[Jonathan Levin]

It would be kind of nice if the red Leica logo would show on LCD on shutdown even though you are in EVF Extended mode. I use that to confirm camera is shutting down. The way it is now, you need to have your eye to the viewfinder to see the logo on shut down.

[Jonathan Levin]

1 hour ago, Dr. G said:

Focus stacking.  Even if it is only done in the Leica Fotos app to begin with.  In fact, I think using the Fotos app may be easier in order to choose the starting and ending focal point and the number of exposures between them.  

Seems like it could possibly. There is a follow focus setting (Video) that sounds cool, but seems incomprehensible to use. Has anyone played around with that in video?

[prismstorm]

I have the following suggestions after real world usage of the SL3, hopefully this is the correct thread for features wishing to be implemented in the next firmware update: 

 

1) When half-pressing the shutter, the subject in the EVF preview does not simulate sharpness even when the focus point is successfully acquired and lit in green. However, the image preview when half-pressed on the LCD is perfectly sharp whilst the one in the EVF is blurry. After taking the photo, the photo is shown to be perfectly in focus, meaning there is an error only in the simulation / preview regarding focus (exposure simulation is shown correctly) in the EVF. Please fix the focus / depth of field simulation in the EVF when half-pressing the shutter and focus is successfully acquired. 

2) When zooming out to 9-pictures review mode, all thumbnails appear blurry and out of focus. Once single image review is selected, everything is in perfect sharpness again. This is strange behavior given that the CF Express Type B card speeds are much faster than the UHS-II SD Cards used in my previous SL2-S, but the SL2-S displayed all thumbnail image reviews in perfect focus. Please display all thumbnails in image review mode in focus so that an overall review of images is more meaningful. 

3) When SL3 is in sleep / standby mode, there is no indication at all to distinguish it from a state of being completely powered off. Suggest to emit an indication light (white or red) either through the circular ring LED of the Main Switch or the Status LED next to the Joystick to signify the camera is in sleep mode and not completely shut down. 

4) Info Levels that include the item 'Histogram' perpetually display it at the top left corner, please add the option to long press on the histogram to move it anywhere in the frame so it occupies a space of the user's choosing. 

5)  Can the countdown progress of long exposures be shown on the Top Display and not only come on in the first and last 3 seconds of the exposure? When doing a long exposure in a dark environment (e.g 60 seconds) it is impossible to gauge the progress and how much exposure time has taken place since the LCD becomes pitch black after 3 seconds and only comes on again in the final 3 seconds. The screens can be awaken by half-pressing the shutter button but this introduces camera shake to a tripod setup. 

6) The longest shutter speed in Aperture-Priority mode is limited to only 60 seconds, please extend it to 120 seconds and beyond similar to in Manual Mode. 

7) When the 2-seconds self-timer drive mode is enabled, there is a sizable grey bubble with '2' in white lettering no matter which Info Level Profile is turned on. This blocks the view of the scene being captured, it is suggested to add the option to remove it, since it is already displayed in the Info Bars when that is activated. 

8. Please stop the forced image numbering reset upon each firmware update on the SL3,  align the behavior with the M cameras so the shutter count and file numbering remains in continuous, linear progression. Only the SL3 goes back to L00000001 after a firmware update while my M11M continues from say M00001352 for example. 

9) Regarding 'Data Management', please add the option of 'DNG+JPG first on SD', which is currently unavailable for users who favor saving everything on the SD Card first. 

[Smogg]

Please add the ability to turn off Exposure simulation in aperture priority mode. And add the ability to see Exposure simulation (including real DOF) only when half-pressing the shutter button and focusing is completed in AF-S mode (like in M11). This approach greatly facilitates screen readability and framing in bright sunlight.

[hdmesa]

On 6/27/2024 at 3:39 AM, keeping_a_balance said:

Fix the sensitive screen and nose gate... 

Add the option for Touch AF in EVF to be half or quarter screen with the ability to choose which half or which quarter of the LCD is active for moving the focus point while using the EVF. All other brands with this feature have the ability to specify which the area of the screen to use. 

Honestly, there are enough suggestions in this thread already to keep the firmware team busy until 2030.

[Photoworks]

5 hours ago, prismstorm said:

1) When half-pressing the shutter, the subject in the EVF preview does not simulate sharpness even when the focus point is successfully acquired and lit in green. However, the image preview when half-pressed on the LCD is perfectly sharp whilst the one in the EVF is blurry. After taking the photo, the photo is shown to be perfectly in focus, meaning there is an error only in the simulation / preview regarding focus (exposure simulation is shown correctly) in the EVF. Please fix the focus / depth of field simulation in the EVF when half-pressing the shutter and focus is successfully acquired. 

there are probably a few factors to consider when making this observation.
1. the biggest factor is the ISO setting. if you are in High iso the image will be noise and lower res.
2 AFc. The limitation here is not the focus but the way the OLED screen works in refreshing the EVF
this is not much different on the Sony A7r5, and actually it is much worse in the same settings. 

 

5 hours ago, prismstorm said:

2) When zooming out to 9-pictures review mode, all thumbnails appear blurry and out of focus. Once single image review is selected, everything is in perfect sharpness again. This is strange behavior given that the CF Express Type B card speeds are much faster than the UHS-II SD Cards used in my previous SL2-S, but the SL2-S displayed all thumbnail image reviews in perfect focus. Please display all thumbnails in image review mode in focus so that an overall review of images is more meaningful. 

I have similar results on both cameras, the only difference is that SL3 can show a grid of 9 images, and the SL2 does 12.
I shoot in DNG+JPG, maybe that is what makes the difference, I don't know how many preview files can be embedded in the DNG spec.

 

5 hours ago, prismstorm said:

4) Info Levels that include the item 'Histogram' perpetually display it at the top left corner, please add the option to long press on the histogram to move it anywhere in the frame so it occupies a space of the user's choosing. 

a double tab move it to the other corner

in the video the waveform can be resized and moved, maybe that can be added to the histogram

5 hours ago, prismstorm said:

6) The longest shutter speed in Aperture-Priority mode is limited to only 60 seconds, please extend it to 120 seconds and beyond similar to in Manual Mode. 

 

The longer exposure time for this camera is 60 min. it is longer than any other Leica before. the M, SL, Q lines and different generations have different options. It is dependent on how much heat the sensor produces and how much noise is acceptable.

If you don't see 1h exposure try setting lower iso, like 100.

 

5 hours ago, prismstorm said:

7) When the 2-seconds self-timer drive mode is enabled, there is a sizable grey bubble with '2' in white lettering no matter which Info Level Profile is turned on. This blocks the view of the scene being captured, it is suggested to add the option to remove it, since it is already displayed in the Info Bars when that is activated. 

 

the number is just reminding you that selftime is active, if you change the info view, you would have no way of knowing otherwise.

 

5 hours ago, prismstorm said:

8. Please stop the forced image numbering reset upon each firmware update on the SL3,  align the behavior with the M cameras so the shutter count and file numbering remains in continuous, linear progression. Only the SL3 goes back to L00000001 after a firmware update while my M11M continues from say M00001352 for example. 

 

This only reflects a card that is formatted. it is never the actual actuation count. you will find different cards to have totally different numbers, this is just database references.

 

Hope that helps find new ways to improve the experience.

[SrMi]

11 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

a double tab move it to the other corner

Thanks for that!

15 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

The longer exposure time for this camera is 60 min. it is longer than any other Leica before. the M, SL, Q lines and different generations have different options. It is dependent on how much heat the sensor produces and how much noise is acceptable.

If you don't see 1h exposure try setting lower iso, like 100.

Unlike M11, SL3 does not seem to be able to use shutter speeds longer than 60 seconds in A mode, even at ISO 100. Shutter speeds of 60 min are possible in S and M modes. 

[hdmesa]

56 minutes ago, SrMi said:

Thanks for that! [Histogram double-tap]

I've also noticed a lot of the touch icons in the info bars allow a deeper dive if the pop-up options themselves are given a long-press – same as if using the Quick Menu. For example, long-press to WB in the info bars brings up a list. If you change WB to K, you can long-press on K to change the actual Kelvin temp. Quite thoughtful they did this, IMO.

[prismstorm]

11 hours ago, Photoworks said:

there are probably a few factors to consider when making this observation.
1. the biggest factor is the ISO setting. if you are in High iso the image will be noise and lower res.
2 AFc. The limitation here is not the focus but the way the OLED screen works in refreshing the EVF
this is not much different on the Sony A7r5, and actually it is much worse in the same settings. 

A: I never use AFc and was shooting in a tripod landscape setting with ISO at 100, there's no noise whatsoever or need for low-light enhanced live view. As the LCD display shows perfect simulated sharpness when half-pressed, I deduce that the problem strictly lies with the EVF only. 

I have similar results on both cameras, the only difference is that SL3 can show a grid of 9 images, and the SL2 does 12.
I shoot in DNG+JPG, maybe that is what makes the difference, I don't know how many preview files can be embedded in the DNG spec.

A: I shoot portraits and have a need to quickly zoom out to the overview playback function displaying 9 or 16 thumbnails for the purpose of selecting an optimal facial expression or pose, all the thumbnails being blurry hamstrings this operation. I only shoot in L-DNG. 

a double tab move it to the other corner

A: Thanks for that, I will try double tapping it, but I was hoping a long press to move the Histogram anywhere, such as to the bottom. 

11 hours ago, Photoworks said:

 

in the video the waveform can be resized and moved, maybe that can be added to the histogram

The longer exposure time for this camera is 60 min. it is longer than any other Leica before. the M, SL, Q lines and different generations have different options. It is dependent on how much heat the sensor produces and how much noise is acceptable.

A: I was only referring to the longest exposure time calculated by the camera in Aperture-Priority Mode (60 seconds), I get that you could manually set it to much slower in M mode, buy why is A mode restricted to 1 minute? 

If you don't see 1h exposure try setting lower iso, like 100.

A: ISO was on 100, as it was a landscape long exposure on tripod. 

the number is just reminding you that selftime is active, if you change the info view, you would have no way of knowing otherwise.

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A: The Info Bars already contain an icon indicating Self-Timer, the addition of another huge bubble that can't be disabled blocks the image and is redundant. 

This only reflects a card that is formatted. it is never the actual actuation count. you will find different cards to have totally different numbers, this is just database references.

A: I am saying I wonder why all SL cameras reset the image number to L00000001, so I can never have an accurate shutter count, as it is not accumulative and continuous, like on M cameras. 

Hope that helps find new ways to improve the experience.

 

[Photoworks]

On 8/19/2024 at 10:24 PM, prismstorm said:

A: I was only referring to the longest exposure time calculated by the camera in Aperture-Priority Mode (60 seconds), I get that you could manually set it to much slower in M mode, buy why is A mode restricted to 1 minute? 

yes you are right, and that is stange...

On 8/19/2024 at 10:24 PM, prismstorm said:

the number is just reminding you that selftime is active, if you change the info view, you would have no way of knowing otherwise.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

A: The Info Bars already contain an icon indicating Self-Timer, the addition of another huge bubble that can't be disabled blocks the image and is redundant. 

You don't flip between views?  I check level and histogram and then all my side info are gone by flipping FN buttons. I don't keep does up all the time.
When you half press to shoot everything goes away anyway.

 

On 8/19/2024 at 10:24 PM, prismstorm said:

This only reflects a card that is formatted. it is never the actual actuation count. you will find different cards to have totally different numbers, this is just database references.

A: I am saying I wonder why all SL cameras reset the image number to L00000001, so I can never have an accurate shutter count, as it is not accumulative and continuous, like on M cameras. 

I don't think the M camera shoes have actual actuation count, My M11 shoes 1002634, and I already had 80K+  taken on them it probably reset a few times already

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[prismstorm]

7 hours ago, Photoworks said:

You don't flip between views?  I check level and histogram and then all my side info are gone by flipping FN buttons. I don't keep does up all the time.
When you half press to shoot everything goes away anyway.

A: I turned 3 of the 4 Info Levels on and switch between views all the time. It's just that that self-timer circular bubble is perpetually on regardless of how minimal your Info Level is. 

I don't think the M camera shoes have actual actuation count, My M11 shoes 1002634, and I already had 80K+  taken on them it probably reset a few times already

A: No current production Leica bodies have an actual actuation count. However I was referring to the file numbering not being forced reset after a firmware update on my M11 generation body, meaning I can vaguely estimate the rough accumulative shutter count from the file numbering (M11003213 = 3,213 shots taken). The problem is with the SL3, my file numbering could be (L000549 - 549 shots taken) before, and after the firmware update it would be back to L000001, making it substantially harder to keep track of the overall usage.