Selling my Fujifilm GFX 100s for Leica SL2-S

[KenLW]

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I currently own the Fujifilm GFX 100s, but I'm considering replacing it with the Leica SL2-S and expanding my collection of APO lenses in the future.

For context, I have a few M lenses, two M film bodies, and a Hasselblad 500C/M with a CFV 100c digital back. My main requirements are weather sealing and a travel-friendly camera, ideally a Leica, for street photography or landscape photography in challenging weather conditions as a backup for my Hasselblad. The GFX 100s is currently my only weather-sealed camera.

While I have no complaints about the image quality of the GFX 100s, I'm not a fan of its look and build. It's fine for hikes when paired with the 35-70mm kit lens, which delivers outstanding image quality and likely surpasses most full-frame setups with prime lenses for landscapes. However, on vacation, I prefer something more aesthetically pleasing and compatible with my M lenses, as I usually bring an M film body along as well.

(By the way, I have also adapted M lenses on the GFX 100s. While the sensor coverage depends on the lens, if you use it in 35mm full-frame mode, the lens has full coverage with about 61mp, and the Fujifilm manual focusing system, which includes focus peaking and digital split-screen, is the closest to a film SLR.)

Initially, I thought I was crazy for wanting to switch from the GFX 100s to the SL2-S or SL2, but after reading some discussions, it seems others have had similar thoughts. Am I crazy for considering this switch?

I've heard many positive things about SL APO lenses, which is a significant reason for my interest in the SL system. However, it's worth noting that a used GFX 100s with the 35-70mm lens costs about the same as a used SL APO lens. If I switch to the SL system, I might end up spending more money for potentially lower image quality, at least in terms of resolution. Additionally, the SL2-S with the 35mm SL APO lens (931g + 750g) actually weighs more than the GFX 100s with the 35-70mm lens (900g + 390g).

Finally, here are my reasons for choosing the SL2-S over the SL2:

1. I don't need the resolution of the SL2 because I have the Hasselblad.
2. While traveling, I like to take photos at night, so low-light performance is more important than resolution.

And my reasons for not buying the SL3:

1. I will not use the SL system for work, so I can't justify a full retail price purchase, especially considering that the SL3 will likely lose value in the next few years, while the price for the SL2/SL2-S is relatively stable now. I can always upgrade later.
2. There have been numerous issues reported with the SL3, most notably the SDcard reformat issue described in https://youtu.be/MSMNFAtkcSo?si=kTkLrsC89M_BDTnL
3. I don't care about fast AF performance.

I've heard that the SL color is actually the best among all SL cameras, but I'm not getting one because it does not have USB-C charging. This might seem like a silly reason, but I'm too used to going on a trip with a single USB-C charger nowadays.

 

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[helged]

Among the SL cameras, SL2-S is liklely my favorite, with pleasant colour palette and very good low-light performance. Since I use cAF/tracking on a regular basis, SL3 is now my main body (working without any problems; but I do shut down the camera before swapping batteries).

One issue you may encounter in some situations, particularly with modern, high-resolving lenses, is moire. For this reason, some users actually prefer M-lenses on SL2-S. Moire is essentially absent on SL3.

I had GFX100S for a short time, but I sold it as I prefer the SL-type of bodies, plus the many vintage and modern FF lenses available for FF sensors.

I would think a Leica store can borrow you a SL2-S with SL35APO to play with. Be prepared, SL35APO is something special… 

Edited July 12, 2024 by helged

[LeicaR10]

KenLW,  The advice Helged offers is very sound indeed.  I use the SL2-S with my M and SL lenses for its low light capability and great color.  IMO, the SL2-S has the best color of the SL cameras.   You might consider buying used SL lenses from perhaps Leica Store San Francisco or Camera West.  You will save at least 25% buying mint condition SL lenses.  Your savings will add up to have enough for a second SL APO prime etc.  Same goes for a previously owned SL2-S.  Just a suggestion since you live in the SF area.  r/ Mark

Edited July 12, 2024 by LeicaR10

[KenLW]

1 hour ago, helged said:

Among the SL cameras, SL2-S is liklely my favorite, with pleasant colour palette and very good low-light performance. Since I use cAF/tracking on a regular basis, SL3 is now my main body (working without any problems; but I do shut down the camera before swapping batteries).

One issue you may encounter in some situations, particularly with modern, high-resolving lenses, is moire. For this reason, some users actually prefer M-lenses on SL2-S. Moire is essentially absent on SL3.

I had GFX100S for a short time, but I sold it as I prefer the SL-type of bodies, plus the many vintage and modern FF lenses available for FF sensors.

I would think a Leica store can borrow you a SL2-S with SL35APO to play with. Be prepared, SL35APO is something special… 

Thanks for the tip! I will try to borrow a SL2-S with SL35APO next time I visit a Leica store!

For the SL3, I heard you have to shut down the camera before pulling batteries to avoid the SD card reformat issue. Hopefully Leica addresses this in 1-2 years when I may consider a SL3.

Yeah, the lens collection of SL is one of the reasons I want to switch to full-frame. SL should pair well with the older M and R amount lens and the selection from the L amount is growing steadily. The GFX does not have any lightweight lens options with aperture < 3.5F or any telephoto zoom beyond the 100-200. Adapting full frame EF lens is a hit and miss and I have the Canon 40mm EF performing OK with the fringer adapter but it took me a while to figure it out.  

Edited July 12, 2024 by KenLW

[KenLW]

21 minutes ago, LeicaR10 said:

KenLW,  The advice Helged offers is very sound indeed.  I use the SL2-S with my M and SL lenses for its low light capability and great color.  IMO, the SL2-S has the best color of the SL cameras.   You might consider buying used SL lenses from perhaps Leica Store San Francisco or Camera West.  You will save at least 25% buying mint condition SL lenses.  Your savings will add up to have enough for a second SL APO prime etc.  Same goes for a previously owned SL2-S.  Just a suggestion since you live in the SF area.  r/ Mark

Thanks, Mark! It is good to know that the SL-S has the best color of the SL cameras. I typically purchase from Leica Miami or KEH since I believed my local Leica stores had higher prices. However, after checking the Leica Store San Francisco website, I found the SL system pricing reasonable. I might give it a try.

[hansvons]

I now have a brand-new Canon 44" printer because photos want to be taken in hand and nailed to the wall. I don't have a 44" roll yet, but I printed a couple of prints on a 36" Hahnemühle Photo Rag roll. The results are beyond anything I imagined (though it's quite a learning curve). On that journey,  I learned that the SL2-S sensor's resolution is good enough for large prints that require serious space. I only de-noise the colour part of the noise and embrace the high quality of the SL2-S sensor's texture with little sharpening on the pixel level. Ultimately, it's not about the numbers but the quality of the pixels. 

The SL2-S colour is notably good at higher ISOs, from ISO 800 to IOS 3200. That's primarily due to significant juice in the shadows compared to higher-resolving sensors, which is close to what the best film stocks deliver. I also prefer Leica's way of handling skin tones, but that applies to all digital Leica, more or less.

The APO 35mm is a singular occurrence in this focal length and AF lens market. This lens alone is a compelling reason to jump the ship and get the SL2-S. 

 

2 hours ago, KenLW said:

Finally, here are my reasons for choosing the SL2-S over the SL2:

1. I don't need the resolution of the SL2 because I have the Hasselblad.
2. While traveling, I like to take photos at night, so low-light performance is more important than resolution.

Good reasoning!

There must be something about digital medium-format sensors. At some point, I'll figure out what that is besides resolution. But your Hasselblad covers you in this regard anyway, so there is no reason to have two MF cameras. On the other hand, the SL2-S combination of sensitivity, juice, and IBIS, plus the weather sealing, makes it the best option in the Leica universe for any work in rough environments that is not birding and sports. Now add the APO 35mm, and you'll have a unique documentary machine. 

(I stressed my SL2-S on many occasions, never babied it, and threw tons of rain and sand at it; it works and works and works. Please note that I prefer my film M over any digital camera, but the Sl2-S is here to stay for the long haul.)

 

[SrMi]

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8 hours ago, KenLW said:

For the SL3, I heard you have to shut down the camera before pulling batteries to avoid the SD card reformat issue. Hopefully Leica addresses this in 1-2 years when I may consider a SL3.

No, the camera does not reformat the SD card if you remove the battery without shutting the camera down. It is never a good idea to remove the battery without shutting down the camera; most software cannot handle abrupt loss of power. Still, the observed negative behavior (loss of some images) should be mitigated to some extent with an upcoming firmware (Leica is committed to delivering it ASAP).

[SrMi]

8 hours ago, KenLW said:

Thanks, Mark! It is good to know that the SL-S has the best color of the SL cameras

I think that is a subjective opinion.

[LocalHero1953]

9 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

IMO, the SL2-S has the best color of the SL cameras.   

 

8 hours ago, hansvons said:

The SL2-S colour is notably good at higher ISOs, from ISO 800 to IOS 3200. That's primarily due to significant juice in the shadows compared to higher-resolving sensors, which is close to what the best film stocks deliver. I also prefer Leica's way of handling skin tones, but that applies to all digital Leica, more or less.

 

31 minutes ago, SrMi said:

I think that is a subjective opinion.

I agree with all three of these comments (as a SL2-S owner, and former SL and SL2 owner).

🙂

[Geoff C. Bassett]

Want to chime in, the SL APO lenses are absolutely insane in terms of sharpness and color.

Buying used is always an option. I purchased a 35mm and 75mm for less than $3200 each on the used market. Tested them for issues and they have been rock solid.

[robb]

I will also agree sl2-s has best color of Leica cameras.

hasselblad x2d has best color (of anything) when using strobes.  

I liken the Fuji cameras to appliances kind of like a Toyota Camry.  They get the job done but without much else fanfare.  Leicas are like a master tool set that you use because you love what you do, it’s not like just a job “with an appliance”.

SL2 and sl2-s punch way above their weight with apo lenses.  I have 8’ prints where you can count eyelashes… landscapes would be more of that.  
leica just needs some more apo lenses.

Robb

[KenLW]

 

19 hours ago, hansvons said:

I now have a brand-new Canon 44" printer because photos want to be taken in hand and nailed to the wall. I don't have a 44" roll yet, but I printed a couple of prints on a 36" Hahnemühle Photo Rag roll. The results are beyond anything I imagined (though it's quite a learning curve). On that journey,  I learned that the SL2-S sensor's resolution is good enough for large prints that require serious space. I only de-noise the colour part of the noise and embrace the high quality of the SL2-S sensor's texture with little sharpening on the pixel level. Ultimately, it's not about the numbers but the quality of the pixels. 

The SL2-S colour is notably good at higher ISOs, from ISO 800 to IOS 3200. That's primarily due to significant juice in the shadows compared to higher-resolving sensors, which is close to what the best film stocks deliver. I also prefer Leica's way of handling skin tones, but that applies to all digital Leica, more or less.

The APO 35mm is a singular occurrence in this focal length and AF lens market. This lens alone is a compelling reason to jump the ship and get the SL2-S. 

 

Good reasoning!

There must be something about digital medium-format sensors. At some point, I'll figure out what that is besides resolution. But your Hasselblad covers you in this regard anyway, so there is no reason to have two MF cameras. On the other hand, the SL2-S combination of sensitivity, juice, and IBIS, plus the weather sealing, makes it the best option in the Leica universe for any work in rough environments that is not birding and sports. Now add the APO 35mm, and you'll have a unique documentary machine. 

(I stressed my SL2-S on many occasions, never babied it, and threw tons of rain and sand at it; it works and works and works. Please note that I prefer my film M over any digital camera, but the Sl2-S is here to stay for the long haul.)

 

This is very good to know. I am pretty confident about the SL2-S sensor because my partner's M10 + Voigtlander APO print pretty large prints and SL2-S + SL APO is even better!

Yes! I feel like I just need one good SL APO lens and the rests can be adapted M lens.

I feel like I don't need two MF camera for sure and one MF + one full frame should better! 

 

[KenLW]

12 hours ago, SrMi said:

No, the camera does not reformat the SD card if you remove the battery without shutting the camera down. It is never a good idea to remove the battery without shutting down the camera; most software cannot handle abrupt loss of power. Still, the observed negative behavior (loss of some images) should be mitigated to some extent with an upcoming firmware (Leica is committed to delivering it ASAP).

Yeah! I heard Leica is fixing it now. The main issue some folks mentioned was the camera could freeze sometimes and the only way to turn it off is to pull the battery which may inadvertently may reformat the sd card. I don't have SL-3 but Leica camera freeze seems to be somewhat common nowadays.

 

[KenLW]

11 hours ago, Geoff C. Bassett said:

Want to chime in, the SL APO lenses are absolutely insane in terms of sharpness and color.

Buying used is always an option. I purchased a 35mm and 75mm for less than $3200 each on the used market. Tested them for issues and they have been rock solid.

Yeah, their used pricing is one of the reasons why I wanted to jump in now. For the price of one SL3, I could buy one used SL2-S + one used SL apo lens. I can always upgrade to SL3 later on.  

[KenLW]

10 hours ago, robb said:

I will also agree sl2-s has best color of Leica cameras.

hasselblad x2d has best color (of anything) when using strobes.  

I liken the Fuji cameras to appliances kind of like a Toyota Camry.  They get the job done but without much else fanfare.  Leicas are like a master tool set that you use because you love what you do, it’s not like just a job “with an appliance”.

SL2 and sl2-s punch way above their weight with apo lenses.  I have 8’ prints where you can count eyelashes… landscapes would be more of that.  
leica just needs some more apo lenses.

Robb

I am looking forward to using SL2-S + APO for landscapes! I like your Toyota analogy. And the GFX100s is a very good Lexus but it's not a Porsche. 

[Archiver]

I haven't used the GFX system, but definitely try a SL2S with APO 35 when you can! I have a Panasonic S5, which supposedly has the same sensor as the SL2S, and a M9, and trying the SL2S with APO 35 was an eye opening experience. The sense of clarity and smoothness in the image was like nothing I'd seen before. With some simple Lightroom adjustments of the DNG's, the colours were rich and vibrant, it was like looking into a hyper real world, if that makes sense. The look is very different from the M9 + Zeiss Distagon 35, which is my favourite setup, but I would gladly use the SL2S + APO 35 if I had the budget. I hope I'm not overhyping the image quality, but I was really surprised.

[robb]

Don’t forget to take advantage of the multishot feature on the sl2 and sl2-s.  Outstanding results.  Very good use for landscape when a tripod is with you for even more detail.

sl2 and sl2-s prices are very good currently.  I would recommend one of each in your toolbox depending on your work.

Robb

[SrMi]

38 minutes ago, KenLW said:

Yeah! I heard Leica is fixing it now. The main issue some folks mentioned was the camera could freeze sometimes and the only way to turn it off is to pull the battery which may inadvertently may reformat the sd card. I don't have SL-3 but Leica camera freeze seems to be somewhat common nowadays.

No freezing is reported for SL3, AFAIK, not has been data loss due to freezing reported.

I never had a freeze with SL3.

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[chrismuc]

I use the S1R and GFX100, all with primes. The S1R (sensor aka SL2) is very good, but the GFX100 is another level. The GF primes 23, 45, 63, 80, 110, 250 are IMO on Otus/ SL Apo level, together with the resolution of the sensor multiplied with its extreme latitude (DR), it creates so clean files that can be adjusted in ACR within larger limits than any camera I used and prints up to several meters wide are possible with crazy detail sharpness. 
I use the S1R with Sigma iC and Art lenses, when I still want high resolution but don’t want to carry so heavy. 
I personally would not work with a camera like the SL2s or S1 which are still on the heavy and large side if the output is only 24 MP.

If that resolution is sufficient, I go really light & small using a  X-E4 with light lenses, perfect for traveling.

 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

1 hour ago, KenLW said:

Yeah! I heard Leica is fixing it now. The main issue some folks mentioned was the camera could freeze sometimes and the only way to turn it off is to pull the battery which may inadvertently may reformat the sd card. I don't have SL-3 but Leica camera freeze seems to be somewhat common nowadays.

 

No. That's not the issue with the SL3. Not even close. The camera NEVER reformats the card by itself. Ever. The SL3 does not have freeze issues.

The issue is:

If you don't turn the camera off before removing the battery the camera *may* *sometimes* overwrite *some* files on restart with new images that use the old file numbers. The *issue* happens on restarting the camera and taking new shots. So even if the camera did freeze (which HAS NOT happened in this case) you can use common sense and not lose files.

Things you can do to not have this issue:

1. Turn the camera off before removing the battery. No problems. Continue as normal.

2. If you didn't do no.1 then you can;

a. Remove the cards and the cycle the power on/off. Use a different card and continue as normal.

Do either of these and you will not lose files. The camera won't explode. Carnage will not ensue. 

People. Please avoid as best as possible, making stuff up or having a guess. The issue is known and there's a workaround. The above just freaks people out even more and is unnecessary. And some muppet looking for views will make a video about it, and it'll become *fact*. If in doubt read the official Leica press release on the problem. Also noting it's a serious bug and a few people have lost clients images. This is bad. But most people have not had a problem because they just don't use the camera in a way to make the problem occur. I tried for weeks to make it happen before it finally did. Once.

Gordon