Seeking Advice: Leica SL2 as a Backup Body and Film Scanner – Worth It in 2024?

[Kubixx]

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Hi everyone,

 

I currently use the Leica M11-P with three lenses (28/35/50) for all my digital work, and I’ve also been using it as a scanner for my film negatives with Easy35.

 

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the need for a backup body, especially for on-set situations. If something were to happen to my M11-P during a shoot, it could cause some major headaches.

 

I’ve come across a really good deal for a factory-sealed Leica SL2 with two extra batteries at €2,500, which seems quite attractive. My main uses for the SL2 would be as a spare body with a 24-70mm, possibly with an adapter for M lenses, a scanner for my film negatives, and maybe occasionally for some short video work if needed.

 

Here’s where I need some advice:

 

• My concern is whether the SL2’s screen and general speed will feel outdated and slow compared to the M11-P.

• Will the output quality be noticeably worse?

• If I were to invest in Leica L lenses, would they focus slowly or inaccurately, considering the SL2 is now five-year-old hardware?

 

I’m wondering if I should stretch my budget to the SL3, or if the SL2 will still be a solid backup body for my needs.

 

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Thanks in advance!

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[Almizilero]

The price for the SL2 is very much in flux now with new price dropping to 2.900 lately and the rising again. So your price seems pretty good for a new body with spare batteries (try to get the new ones with higher cappacity )

I work with M11-P and SL2-S, so it should be comparable. Even though I wouldn't compare them, totally different beasts. Back screen is fine, I don't see any difference. It's a bit slow to boot up, but that you know from the M11-P. Viewfinder is fantastic! Battery live is just ok, surely worse than M11. That's why you should get the newer ones with 2200.

Output shouldn't be worse unless you do a lot of low light shoots. If so, get the SL2-S and use the Lightroom/Photoshop super resolution on the DNGs if you need the MP. That gives you better results than de-noising the SL2 files. Also, for video, the SL2-S is the better choice in any case.

AF is fine. Depending on what you compare it to. I won't compete to any current or even five year old camera from Sony/Canon/Nikon. But it's fine unless you do sports. I regularily shoot dancers with the SL2-S. I have to work a little more as a photographer (i.e. I need to know what I'm doing, whereas with Sony, the camera does all the work and every frame is simply in focus. But even the SL3 won't give you that). But I like that, I produce fewer, better pictures.

And yes, get an adapter for the M lenses. Results from the SL cameras with M lenses are fantastic and the viewfinder is great for manual focus.

[WvE]

I would pick the SL2-s, which can be used for relatively reasonable money. I also use it for film scanning.        

[Photoworks]

I still use SL2 together with SL3 all the time for photos and videos. I think either one give you great quality images, especially with L-glass

I think it is easier to focus on the SL2 over the SL3, an update will properly solve it. the SL3 currently is a little softer image when zooming to 100% view to focus

I find the screen much better than the M11, and the EVF has much more resolution.

AF is good on the SL2, especially face/eyes focus works very well. the challenge is in low light, like many cameras, it will take longer to find the focus point.

 

[Jean-Michel]

To Kubixx

I have the SL2 and also an M-P(240). Both do what they are supposed to do, and, I suppose, can be considered as backups to each other. I am past the time when I needed much more equipment for work!

The SL2 will do what you are looking for. Being factory-sealed, it will come with a full warranty, and it sounds like a rather good deal.

In Canada, the SL2-s is currently sold by itself or in various kits (35, 50, 24-70) together with the M-L adapter, a second battery and a screen protector, all for a rather good price. I imagine that similar deals are available where you live.

If you are looking for megapixels, then the SL2 is 'better', if 24 mpx is good enough, then the SL2-s might be a better option. Nothing wrong with omega-megapixels, but 24 is really plenty enough. 

[Eoin]

M11-M & SL2 here, almost common menu system which is great. M adapter should be mandatory if you already have M lenses.

It is a very big camera and the native Leica APO Summicrons make it larger, the Summilux and Vario Elmarits make it humongous.
But it’s very much a companion / tool to have in the arsenal. Killer deal you’ve found, if you shoot in the 100 to 12500 range SL2 and if you need more latitude then perhaps as others have suggested SL2-S.

[Stuart Richardson]

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Based on the use you describe, I would recommend the SL2 over the S. The resolution is much higher for film scanning, up to 187mp with mutlishot. 47mp will match the 60mp resolution better than the 24mp in the S camera. As a whole, L mount lenses are sharper than M lenses, at least if we are talking about primes.