New SL-2S shipped with firmware 3.00...

[miatadan]

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I just received my camera ( SL2-S ) which Camtec photo in Montreal had to order. I assumed it would have firmware 5.2 or 6.0. Surprised it has 3.0. Was this older production sent instead of new?

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[Luke_Miller]

My new one from B&H came with version 4.0. I updated to 5.2 having learned from the mistake of going to 6.0 on my SL2.

[hdmesa]

2 hours ago, miatadan said:

I just received my camera ( SL2-S ) which Camtec photo in Montreal had to order. I assumed it would have firmware 5.2 or 6.0. Surprised it has 3.0. Was this older production sent instead of new?

The assembly date is on the sticker on the outer plain paper box. Trust that over the firmware version.

But who cares? It’s new regardless of when it was assembled. There have been no hardware changes to the SL2-S during production.

 

Edited September 10, 2024 by hdmesa
grammar

[LeicaR10]

Miatadan,  The advice you received from Luke and Hdmesa is spot on in all regards.  I can tell you are excited about your SL2-S.  I also wrote a post in another one of your threads when you SL2-S arrived.  I most highly recommend you first read the manual and most certainly follow the instructions exactly in the firmware notes for updating from 3.0.  If you don't follow the instructions exactly, you have a good chance of "bricking" your new SL2-S and it will go on a trip to Germany for a major repair.  Both Luke and myself have recommended you not go past firmware version 5.2 as you will lose some functions going to 6.0.  Supposedly a firmware update is due out from Leica in December that will return the functions.  I and many others have read about photographers in the forum who failed to follow the firmware update procedures exactly for these cameras over the years only to have seriously damaged their cameras.  Hopefully you this doesn't happen to you.  r/ Mark

[frame-it]

1 hour ago, LeicaR10 said:

Supposedly a firmware update is due out from Leica in December that will return the functions.

that's good to hear, i skipped FW6 just because of that joystick issue

[trix4ever]

I just got my new SL2-S with firmware 4.0.

I've decided to leave it like that.

I would never upgrade to 6.0 as I use the joystick for magnification all the time.

I am no computer expert and reading others experience bricking their cameras, it's staying exactly as it is.

Great camera.

[LocalHero1953]

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While I'm sure some people have bricked their cameras by certain actions in firmware updating, I suspect the risk is low. This is based on the number of reports of such bricking compared to the many, many posts on this forum by people who have run into problems updating by doing the wrong thing, but with advice from here have sorted it without difficulty. Follow the instructions because it won't work otherwise, but there's no need to get nervous about it.

And I prefer the latest f/w 6.0 and the new way of magnifying the manual focus view using the dial. Of course Leica should provide the option of the joystick approach for those who want it, but for those who are coming at it afresh, there is nothing wrong with the new approach - it's just different muscle memory to learn.

Edited September 10, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[frame-it]

48 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

And I prefer the latest f/w 6.0 and the new way of magnifying the manual focus view using the dial.

what is the new way exactly?

[LocalHero1953]

Using the thumb wheel for magnifying the EVF when using manual focus instead of the joystick. Firmware 6 added the new method but removed the old rather than leaving either as options.

The reason for my preference is that in a single movement of the thumb I can activate magnification and zoom in and out. The joystick method requires one action to activate zoom on the joystick, and a separate use of a wheel to change the magnification. The joystick magnifies to the previously used amount and place; if I previously used maximum magnification, then I lose track of where in the scene I have actually magnified to. The thumb wheel method starts at minimum magnification, making it easy to see where in the scene I am magnifying.

[Jean-Michel]

16 hours ago, miatadan said:

I just received my camera ( SL2-S ) which Camtec photo in Montreal had to order. I assumed it would have firmware 5.2 or 6.0. Surprised it has 3.0. Was this older production sent instead of new?

Hi,

Just phone Camtec. They know their stuff and can advise you correctly on how to proceed. I purchase my equipment from them and I know that they are quite competent and very helpful if one needs help.

[Carrot]

I didn’t like the way magnification using the joystick took you always to the middle level. Using the wheel (I use the front/top wheel) you start at the minimum level, which I’m also not keen on. If magnification is assigned to a function button it resumes at the level you last used, which I prefer. 

[trix4ever]

The other point is that I use my new SL2-S alongside my SL, I insist on using them the same way, so joystick it has to be. In fact that's how I set up all my cameras, so I can't have the SL2-S as the only oddball. No I won't be upgrading the firm ware to 6.0.

[miatadan]

I was pleasantly surprised that Julien @ Camtec Photo reached out to me about my post here re: firmware.

Camtec also emailed me a link for FW 5.2 as well as pdf for instructions to install using SD card.

Camtec will be my source for photography as they have outstanding customer service

Dan