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

[win-win]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

2 hours ago, Paul K said:

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.

This firmware update is defiantly not only about “magnification function”. 

Edited December 13, 2024 by win-win

[JeffWright]

5 hours ago, JeffWright said:

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.

Well update, on this as @Carrot learned above, you can just delete the profile and resave it.  Fortunately, I had a copy of my prior profiles so just reloaded. Beats having to reenter all the manual focus settings for each lens.

[Cronilux]

So, on my SL2-S I would definitely say, that AF tracking with AFC and continuous shooting, as well as face detection has improved by a lot. I am surprised. I’ll do a way deeper testing tomorrow and report back, but this looks promising. 

[Chuck Albertson]

I was hoping that with this firmware update Leica would fix the problem with the SL2-S and its battery grip (non-sequential power draw from the grip battery and the camera battery), but apparently it's not to be.

[Geoff C. Bassett]

AF on my SL2 is definitely improved. Shooting an event tomorrow to really put it through it's paces.

[Ken Abrahams]

8 hours ago, gpandehis said:

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!

I was too scared to test this after initially logging the bug with Leica back in may/june. I was worried that they couldn't do it which is really frustrating seeing I shoot wide open in sunny Australia. I had to purchase new set of ND filters for my 28 Summilux to use the camera in my preferred A mode. The Leica tech said they would fix the over exposure part ay 1/8000 which is what they did but to correct the 1/16000 function would take more work. He mentioned fixing one thing might create another problem as well as the time it takes to test the fixes and reset and test again for the release of the update. 

I know my SL2S will shoot at 1/16000 bur that doesn't have the flip screen unfortunately. The 1/16000 should still work in S mode.  

[JiriS]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I have just shot a music gig with the SL3 and the new firmware. Normally I shoot both photos and videos. For photos, the reduced blackout time was noticeable for me so that is a great improvement! I also felt the autofocus worked a bit better, but this event wasn't as dark as some other ones so the jury is still out on this.

Unfortunately with the video, twice (out of three times) during the recording the camera just froze and stopped recording. The live feed was still going, but the timecode stopped and the camera would not respond to any buttons. The only thing that worked was to pull the battery out. I was shooting 4k60 and focusing manually. This is really concerning for me as I have lost some great footage. I will reach out to Leica about this as well. This has never happened with the previous firmware which I have taken over hundred videos with already.

[hansvons]

1 hour ago, JiriS said:

I was shooting 4k60 and focusing manually.

Why were you shooting 60fps? Overcranking for slow motion? 60fps requires much more processing power than 24fps. Regular projection speed in cinema is 24fps and works just fine online. 

[Cronilux]

vor 34 Minuten schrieb hansvons:

Why were you shooting 60fps? Overcranking for slow motion? 60fps requires much more processing power than 24fps. Regular projection speed in cinema is 24fps and works just fine online. 

Why would he not? If the camera has the feature it has to work. No matter what might be industry standard it what not. 

[JiriS]

43 minutes ago, hansvons said:

Why were you shooting 60fps? Overcranking for slow motion? 60fps requires much more processing power than 24fps. Regular projection speed in cinema is 24fps and works just fine online. 

Sometimes I shoot 4k24, other times 4k60, depending on what I'm doing. If I know I will be moving fast or panning quickly, I prefer 60fps for smoother motion (and deliver the whole project at 60fps as well). Also if I need slow-mo, I will shoot 60fps and deliver at 24fps. Regardless of the fps used, I would expect the camera to work fine and not freeze after just 1 minute of recording.

[hansvons]

5 minutes ago, JiriS said:

Regardless of the fps used, I would expect the camera to work fine and not freeze after just 1 minute of recording.

Right.

[jayoco]

On 12/12/2024 at 3:22 PM, PeterBoyadjian said:

About 2 hours of testing.

AF in video and photo is much better. 

Even more if you use a new sigma lens like the 28-45. 

I wish they would have fixed the auto iso lock, so annoying. 

AF better?  Not in mine

[LocalHero1953]

I used the SL2-S last night for a musical performance (chamber orchestra and soloists) - face recognition still jumped around randomly between different figures/faces, far too quickly to control. It was an extreme challenge, but I didn't notice any improvement. This is where I find the biggest weakness of Leica's  AF: stable identification of a figure/face in a group, allowing you to pick the one you want. At present the slightest head movement, perhaps to show the face in profile, and the camera decides there are better faces elsewhere.

Edited December 14, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[Luke_Miller]

I think what you experienced is typical with face-detect.  My Z8 does the same thing when multiple faces are in thge scene.  I use face detect only with single subjects or with multiple subjects when the background tends to capture focus.

[LocalHero1953]

18 minutes ago, Luke_Miller said:

I think what you experienced is typical with face-detect.  My Z8 does the same thing when multiple faces are in thge scene.  I use face detect only with single subjects or with multiple subjects when the background tends to capture focus.

I don't have relevant experience with other brands - I was just comparing before and after the update. But your comments save me from having to check the grass on the other side of the fence.

Since in my case people were moving on the spot, not moving around, I simply switched to AF-L and Tracking which worked just fine.

Edit. Thinking about it, I would like the system to identify all the figures/faces it can, but leave me to decide which one I want. At present it tries to find one preferred face: it is its choice of a preferred face that appears unstable, not the identification of the faces itself.

Edited December 14, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[Luke_Miller]

In my case I am further handicapped by being a back-button (Joystick) autofocus user, since the Joystick is used to change the face selected.  That function is lost when used for autofocus.  Tracking is my most-used mode.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I’m just stoked I can customise the rear dial. Thanks, Leica!

Can I have EFCS now please?

Gordon

[Markey]

Interesting and its helped me crystalise my thoughts .

All this firmware upgrade stuff is a bit beyond my pay grade for my modest requirements .

I`ve never felt the need to customise buttons indeed I rarely use half the buttons /functionality that`s currently provided.

I can appreciate the utility though.

Informative never the less.

[hdmesa]

37 minutes ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

I’m just stoked I can customise the rear dial. Thanks, Leica!

Can I have EFCS now please?

Gordon

EFCS is so overdue, it's almost comical. It's as if Leica is just waiting until all their cameras have fast stacked sensors so they can forget EFCS ever existed.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[V23]

On 12/13/2024 at 12:01 AM, Leon_B. said:

Today Leica has announced firmware updates for the Leica SL3, SL2 & SL2-S.

The firmware is already available on the official Leica website, slight availability delays via the FOTOS app can be possible. 

Downloads:

• Leica SL3 mit v.2.0.1
• Leica SL2 mit v.6.1.0
• Leica SL2-S mit v.6.1.0

Leica SL3 Update Information for v.2.0.1

New

• White Balance/Video ISO Lock 
  Added lock function for white balance settings Auto ISO and Auto WB. This function ensures a constant ISO value and automatic white balance during video recording until recording is stopped, or settings are changed via menu settings.
• Joystick
  • Additional assignment options:
    Factory setting: AFs
    Magnification is now also available for MF lenses and Leica M lenses.
  • Additional function Click and Hold for AF-L, AE-L, and AF-L + AE-L:
    In the Click setting, the joystick will no longer need pressing and holding, and will be simply activated and deactivated with a single click instead.
  • Additional function for the joystick assignment:
    When AF-ON is selected for the joystick, AF metering via the shutter button is deactivated. The metering function is instead activated by pressing the joystick.

Improvement

• User profile:
  Preparation for future firmware updates. Updates for Version 2.0.0 and later will automatically apply existing settings for User profiles, Language, Time and Date.
• Thumbwheel:
  New functionality as function button
• Perspective Control:
  The perspective control function is now also available in continuous shooting mode for 2 fps, 4 fps, and 5 fps.
• Continuous Shooting:
  The start delay for the setting 15 fps was reduced by 700 ms.
• Control Center:
  Optimization of the connectivity icons and their positioning in the Control Center. Bluetooth ( / ), Wi-Fi ( / ), cable ( / )
• Storage options:
  The storage option DNG+JPG on CFe=SD (Backup) was optimized. A warning message will be displayed that no backup option is available if one of the two memory cards is unavailable for functional or capacity reasons.
• User profile:
  The setting for AF field size will now be taken into consideration when creating a backup of the user profile.
• Camera menu:
  • Improved menu guidance with the introduction of the new button "Back" at the top left corner of the camera menu.
  • The WLAN menu item has become part of Camera Settings.
  • A new flash icon was integrated
• Capture mode:
  Blackout time for single shots was improved from approx. 310 ms to around 250 ms.
• Review mode:
  Improved user interaction for the deletion of multiple shots.
• Connecting to Leica FOTOS App
  The problem of Leica FOTOS being unable to connect if another smartphone was already connected to the camera via Wi-Fi was remedied.
• Exif 3.0:
  Support for Exif 3.0 and the GPS version 2.4.0.0 was added.
• Mechanical shutter speeds:
  When using the hybrid shutter, the camera will now use the mechanical shutter for the speeds 1/5000 s, 1/6400 s, and 1/8000 s.

Leica SL2/SL2-S Update Information for v.6.1.0

Extended Functionality: 

• Supported lenses

Improvement:

• Profoto Connect Pro:
  Fixed an error when connecting to “Profoto Connect Pro”.
• Eye detection in AF mode:
  Eye detection during refocusing in video mode (AF mode, L-Log) has been improved.
• Magnification via joystick:
  In MF mode, magnification via joystick is possible again.

 

On 12/13/2024 at 12:01 AM, Leon_B. said:

Today Leica has announced firmware updates for the Leica SL3, SL2 & SL2-S.

The firmware is already available on the official Leica website, slight availability delays via the FOTOS app can be possible. 

Downloads:

• Leica SL3 mit v.2.0.1
• Leica SL2 mit v.6.1.0
• Leica SL2-S mit v.6.1.0

Leica SL3 Update Information for v.2.0.1

New

• White Balance/Video ISO Lock 
  Added lock function for white balance settings Auto ISO and Auto WB. This function ensures a constant ISO value and automatic white balance during video recording until recording is stopped, or settings are changed via menu settings.
• Joystick
  • Additional assignment options:
    Factory setting: AFs
    Magnification is now also available for MF lenses and Leica M lenses.
  • Additional function Click and Hold for AF-L, AE-L, and AF-L + AE-L:
    In the Click setting, the joystick will no longer need pressing and holding, and will be simply activated and deactivated with a single click instead.
  • Additional function for the joystick assignment:
    When AF-ON is selected for the joystick, AF metering via the shutter button is deactivated. The metering function is instead activated by pressing the joystick.

Improvement

• User profile:
  Preparation for future firmware updates. Updates for Version 2.0.0 and later will automatically apply existing settings for User profiles, Language, Time and Date.
• Thumbwheel:
  New functionality as function button
• Perspective Control:
  The perspective control function is now also available in continuous shooting mode for 2 fps, 4 fps, and 5 fps.
• Continuous Shooting:
  The start delay for the setting 15 fps was reduced by 700 ms.
• Control Center:
  Optimization of the connectivity icons and their positioning in the Control Center. Bluetooth ( / ), Wi-Fi ( / ), cable ( / )
• Storage options:
  The storage option DNG+JPG on CFe=SD (Backup) was optimized. A warning message will be displayed that no backup option is available if one of the two memory cards is unavailable for functional or capacity reasons.
• User profile:
  The setting for AF field size will now be taken into consideration when creating a backup of the user profile.
• Camera menu:
  • Improved menu guidance with the introduction of the new button "Back" at the top left corner of the camera menu.
  • The WLAN menu item has become part of Camera Settings.
  • A new flash icon was integrated
• Capture mode:
  Blackout time for single shots was improved from approx. 310 ms to around 250 ms.
• Review mode:
  Improved user interaction for the deletion of multiple shots.
• Connecting to Leica FOTOS App
  The problem of Leica FOTOS being unable to connect if another smartphone was already connected to the camera via Wi-Fi was remedied.
• Exif 3.0:
  Support for Exif 3.0 and the GPS version 2.4.0.0 was added.
• Mechanical shutter speeds:
  When using the hybrid shutter, the camera will now use the mechanical shutter for the speeds 1/5000 s, 1/6400 s, and 1/8000 s.

Leica SL2/SL2-S Update Information for v.6.1.0

Extended Functionality: 

• Supported lenses

Improvement:

• Profoto Connect Pro:
  Fixed an error when connecting to “Profoto Connect Pro”.
• Eye detection in AF mode:
  Eye detection during refocusing in video mode (AF mode, L-Log) has been improved.
• Magnification via joystick:
  In MF mode, magnification via joystick is possible again.

Received my SL3 recently, before I obtain CF card I just use SD card to setup the camera, all was well to save DNG files on SD card. After the FW upgrade this is no longer possible, I get following message ‘Both cards have to be ready to write in Backup Mode’. There is no option to save DNG files on SD card (without CF card present), only JPG on SD. Would have like DNG on SD card only as an option as well. Not the end of the world (yet) ordered spare FC card just in case, your thoughts?