SL3, SL2 & SL2-S: Firmware updates significantly expand the range of functions

[psyclism]

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9 hours ago, Dr. G said:

I know it's not mentioned, but has anyone noticed if the magnified view on the SL3 is clearer, closer to the way it was in the SL2/SL2-S?

I see no improvement.

I'm also seeing a reproducible issue where the SL3 does not shut down on the first try when using adapted M glass on the M to L adapter. After doing a long press and shutting down, the camera immediately restarts. A second shutdown attempt works. I repro'd this 3 times on my camera. It doesn't behave this way when using L lenses.

[CptSlevin]

They made Eye AF more responsive and quicker for SL2S?
Guys can someone check please?

It's amazing news!

[Pelu2010]

It would be nice if we could get background download  access to the images of the camera while shooting. 
It would help so much in studio and street photography. 
 

And if you are working with a client or agency, that other people could monitor the work you are doing would be excellent! 
 

cheers Peter 

[Ken Abrahams]

The update seemed to go alright for me. The SL2S however lost its settings as there wasn’t a choice to retain current settings. After reinstating my preferred settings and turning camera off, it wouldn’t turn off. It’s been a bit weird like that and although turning off, the top info window remained glowing. 
 

After pulling the battery and starting up again, the camera returned to factory settings. I reset everything again 🤪 saved the profile on another SD card and placed that in the second slot for times where rebooting the camera on site requires importing my main settings without sweating it. In the end, I read the instructions and discovered waiting a few moments it eventually turns itself off. All three cameras are linked to Fotos app, maybe I will sync the SL2 as well? 

[JeffWright]

19 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Resave the profile. The 'old' profile settings no longer quite match the new firmware as coded - resaving it makes them match up again. The numbering should then be visible.

This apparently may not work in all cases. On my SL3, I had the same behavior, and my first instinct was to do just this. For whatever reason, it wouldn't resolve. I had to reset the camera (kept numbering and wireless settings) and rebuild profiles from ground up. Forgetting of course, that the lens manual focus settings aren't saved either, which is the worst part of having to reset the camera.

[Photoworks]

6 hours ago, Pelu2010 said:

It would be nice if we could get background download  access to the images of the camera while shooting. 
It would help so much in studio and street photography. 
 

And if you are working with a client or agency, that other people could monitor the work you are doing would be excellent! 
 

cheers Peter 

isn't it called tether to capture one in the studio?
 

[Photoworks]

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Not impressed with the SL3 firmware
I would have hoped most bugs would be fixed. that means we have to wait 6-9 months for another fix

oh well. They may have to consider Panasonic if they compromise on image quality.

[PeterBoyadjian]

59 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

Not impressed with the SL3 firmware
I would have hoped most bugs would be fixed. that means we have to wait 6-9 months for another fix

oh well. They may have to consider Panasonic if they compromise on image quality.

S5ii is the best. Cheap, everything works. 
s5ii and 28-45 is just magic. 
 

 

[Pelu2010]

2 hours ago, Photoworks said:

isn't it called tether to capture one in the studio?
 

I thought tethered is with cable …

[Carrot]

I have updated my SL3 and SL2-S to the new firmware, using the SD card method.  This is what I've found:

• It took considerably longer for the SL2-S to update than the SL3.
• Joystick magnification works on both cameras, but it's not like a function button where you can turn magnification on/off.  Once it's on you have to half press the shutter to turn it off.  This is different to when you assign magnification to a function button (e.g. the thumbwheel), you can turn it on/off with successive presses of the button.
• Magnification via the joystick always comes in at Level 2, so if you want to always go to Level 3 you need to then also turn the top dial.  If you assign magnification to a function button (e.g. the thumbwheel), pressing that button will automatically go to the Level you last used (e.g. Level 3).
• Profile icons look normal on the SL2-S, but on the SL3 I initially could not cannot get rid of the * symbol next to any profile I select.  The * symbol indicates that you had been in a particular profile but had made one or more setting changes.  I could not get rid of the * symbol, no matter how many times I removed the battery, or re-saved or re-select them.  The solution was to delete each profile and then immediately re-save it.
• In review/playback of images, on the SL2-S I can see the file number when I have information selected via the FN Button, but on the SL3 the file number is simply not there even though all the other information is.  I can't recall if it was always like this, or if this is an issue with the new firmware.  Any ideas anyone??

[Photoworks]

9 minutes ago, Pelu2010 said:

I thought tethered is with cable …

Because Leica does not offer it wireless, unlike canon..

But background transfer is not a solution because it only loads JPG and they are not all the correct exposure or WB for client presentation.

in location outdoor shoots, I will often use an iPad Pro with capture one, a 10 m cable, and the client can hold it when I shoot. And the corrections are already like the should look on every image that comes in.

[Photoworks]

12 minutes ago, Carrot said:

FN Button, but on the SL3 the file number is simply not there even though all the other information is.  I can't recall if it was always like this, or if this is an issue with the new firmware.  Any ideas anyone??

there are 3 FN options in PLAY mode. on one it has filename, time, and date in the lower left corner
Alternative zoom out to a grid view and it will be on top

unfortunately, there is never a view without icons, totally unnecessary since you can start an image with the little button on top

Considering you don't see any icon overlay in play mode in the EVF, a change should be made to the LCD view.

Edited December 13, 2024 by Photoworks

[Photoworks]

The biggest improvement is the speed you can switch from shooting to reviewing images.

[Paul K]

Eye AF and tracking are definitely better on the SL2-S. Startup and wake up are both faster, as well. Unrelated but also fun: tethering to Lightroom is so damn easy.

[Carrot]

23 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

there are 3 FN options in PLAY mode. on one it has filename, time, and date in the lower left corner
Alternative zoom out to a grid view and it will be on top

unfortunately, there is never a view without icons, totally unnecessary since you can start an image with the little button on top

I only have 2 FN options in REVIEW mode on the SL3, and I cannot find any way to display the filename ... unlike the SL2-S which does show filename.  Would appreciate some help in working out how to show filename on SL3 in Review mode.

[Photoworks]

10 minutes ago, Carrot said:

I only have 2 FN options in REVIEW mode on the SL3, and I cannot find any way to display the filename ... unlike the SL2-S which does show filename.  Would appreciate some help in working out how to show filename on SL3 in Review mode.

I actually have 4

they are related to the same setting of capture assistants

[Carrot]

3 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

I actually have 4

they are related to the same setting of capture assistants

I know you can have up to 4 Info Profiles in capture assistants, but filename is not an information item that you can select?

[SrMi]

I was annoyed that the rear wheel press could only be used for infrequent exposure mode changes. However, with the new firmware, I can now assign other functionality to it. Exposure mode can be changed via the Control Center.

[Geoff C. Bassett]

Updated my SL2 and no issues so far. I will say image review is MUCH faster. Boot time seems faster as well. Haven't been able to properly test AF yet.

Edited December 13, 2024 by Geoff C. Bassett

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[gpandehis]

When in hybrid mode on SL3 using lenses such as the Noctilux  0.95 mounted with the native M adaptor and with Summilux SL 50  lenses, I am unable to shoot shutter speeds beyond 1/8000 of a second with aperture priority. Even when using full electronic shutter mode also the shutter speed limit is 1/8000, unless 1/16000 of a second is manually selected. 

I noticed this misbehavior  on the day I purchased my SL3,  and  notified Leica support, and they promptly responded that this issue occurs with all SL3 cameras and that it will be fixed via an update in early 2025.  

When I saw news of this update I was hoping that this issue would have been addressed already; sadly no. Hopefully this and other  issues reported here are resolved soon. The good news is that another firmware update should be with us soon!