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

[jaapv]

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15 hours ago, Homo Faber said:

True that. 
But: It's not because customers are insatiable; it's because suppliers are releasing immature products onto the market.
You may have heard software developers say: 'Software is like bananas; it ripens after being purchased by the customer.'
I mean, the SL3's animal recognition feature is still in beta. After more than a year! WTF?

It has been ready for years but is still being tested. There are 2.6 million animal species in the world. Leica testers are traveling far and wide. 

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[Homo Faber]

vor 26 Minuten schrieb jaapv:

It has been ready for years but is still being tested. There are 2.6 million animal species in the world. Leica testers are traveling far and wide. 

No, it's obviously not ready. If it was ready, it would have already been published.

[jaapv]

Joke-o-meter on the blink? 

[Homo Faber]

vor 7 Minuten schrieb jaapv:

Joke-o-meter on the blink? 

Please think again. The only joke I see here, is that the animal detection is still in beta after over a year.  

[SrMi]

Leica should just remove the term beta without any code changes, and people will be happy.

[jaapv]

38 minutes ago, Homo Faber said:

Please think again. The only joke I see here, is that the animal detection is still in beta after over a year.  

So you do think that it should not be tested on all animal species?  Seriously. I have been photographing animals in the wild since 1988 and although I admit that animal eye detection is useful it is by no means essential. Animal detection without eye detection is useless for wildlife Youmust always focus on the essential parts of the face, know your DOF between ears and nose. With AF attempting to focus on fur which all systems struggle with, your saviour is spot focus or manual. 

[Ralf]

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I have been photographing wildlife for more than 30 years, quite frankly, if one needs the camera software to recognize  and focus an animal, may be concentrating on landscape or architecture would be more appropriate.

[SrMi]

10 minutes ago, Ralf said:

I have been photographing wildlife for more than 30 years, quite frankly, if one needs the camera software to recognize  and focus an animal, may be concentrating on landscape or architecture would be more appropriate.

A good AI focus helper is not necessary, but it can also help experienced wildlife photographers. Of course, it helps a lot if you don't have experience, which is probably the most users.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

9 hours ago, jaapv said:

So you do think that it should not be tested on all animal species?  Seriously. I have been photographing animals in the wild since 1988 and although I admit that animal eye detection is useful it is by no means essential. Animal detection without eye detection is useless for wildlife Youmust always focus on the essential parts of the face, know your DOF between ears and nose. With AF attempting to focus on fur which all systems struggle with, your saviour is spot focus or manual. 

The SL3’s animal AF does try to focus on the eye. What makes you think it wouldn’t? It’s based on the Panasonic algorithm just with a different display and slower end sensor.

It’s not even close to what Sony and Canon are doing, which feels like cheating sometimes. The S1ii seems to have some real improvements (I don’t have one but reviews are positive). Hopefully those flow through to the S1Rii, S5ii and SL3. Currently the SL3 is the slowest in. L mount for tracking and animal tracking.

The R5ii and A1ii I have are remarkable with animal and bird AF. There are very few situations they don’t work. Mostly birds in long grass. But setting a button to spot AF and another to manual over ride is trivial. Add in pre capture and the hit rate is astronomically higher than anything before them. Sure you can futz around with older systems and the like. Why would you? I’d rather concentrate on the subject and the composition than the gear, if possible.

Gordon

[jaapv]

Yes, as I said, useful and convenient if and when it works. However, birds in long grass or inside trees, animals behind bushes, etc. are not the best situation for any AF system. In cases like that alternative methods are needed. I find half-press/manual correction quite practical, or, if anticipating the situation, spot or old fashioned manual focus. As you say, concentrating on the subject, not fighting technology. And yes, my S5ii is pretty decent in this respect, but still far from perfect. I prefer the SL2S and SL overall. Pre capture can work great in dynamic situations, but I rarely use bursts. I find decisive moment works better for me, as I can apply observation and anticipate action. 

[Photoworks]

12 hours ago, Homo Faber said:

Please think again. The only joke I see here, is that the animal detection is still in beta after over a year.  

They start the process with newborns and keep refining over time. Don't need to rush the process.