Family portrait sessions on the beach with an SL2-S, Can I get the results I am used to with my Canon R system?

[Daniel C]

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Dear SL-S users!

 

I am a family photographer in the Mexican Riviera Maya. Colors pop, lightning is almost always beautiful. Nice soft pastel tones dominate the mornings and evenings. I am quite happy with my Canon R6 but just recently my 35mm 1.4 ii gives up on me and I am considering a change to the SL-S. I do have an M10 with a Summicron 50 f2 and Summicron 28mm f2, and even if I personally like the images that I get with the M System I never use it in family sessions as the pictures and colors always turn out a bit "harder" over the Canon colors that work so well where I live. My question to you: Do you recommend me switching to the SL System? Maybe you did sessions of that sort in comparable areas and can share photos?

 

Thanks a lot and happy new year!

 

 

[jaapv]

When I am happy with a system -in my case Leica- I tend not to switch. If you do switch to the SL2S I can say that it is a fantastic camera but you may like the results better-or less. My advice:start with renting. 
A consideration for your use on the beach might be the IP 54 rating. A Sigma 24-70 2.8 DG DN ii L Art and you have a powerful combo. 

[lykaman]

You obviously have the prescription for success with your R6, imho stay with it.. Rent an SL and see how you feel..  I’ve used Leicas for the last 50years (film & digital) there is a learning curve (both in camera and PP)…  Leica bodies deserve Leica lenses..   The SL Apo’s are mouthwatering, overall weight is another factor… 🍻

[jaapv]

I’m not sure whether the APO lenses are the right choice for portraiture, especially outdoors. They are perfect and optically the best,  but contrasty, hard and unforgiving for the subject. 

[Daniel C]

vor 17 Minuten schrieb lykaman:

You obviously have the prescription for success with your R6, imho stay with it.. Rent an SL and see how you feel..  I’ve used Leicas for the last 50years (film & digital) there is a learning curve (both in camera and PP)…  Leica bodies deserve Leica lenses..   The SL Apo’s are mouthwatering, overall weight is another factor…

 

I wouldnt just trade one for the other right now. I do have experience with Leica Ms (film and digital) and I love everything about them. I just wondered if I can achieve a similar look with an SL, a camera I think I would just appreciate more using. Thought of starting out with the 35mm Summicron L and see where it goes. I just wondered if some of you have insights to share. 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Daniel C

[Daniel C]

vor 26 Minuten schrieb jaapv:

When I am happy with a system -in my case Leica- I tend not to switch. If you do switch to the SL2S I can say that it is a fantastic camera but you may like the results better-or less. My advice:start with renting. 
A consideration for your use on the beach might be the IP 54 rating. A Sigma 24-70 2.8 DG DN ii L Art and you have a powerful combo. 

I would love to start with a smaller prime. And try out the M lenses that I have. Size is a factor. But also is picture style. I am wondering if I can get results that "Joe Average" also appreciates. 

[Jeff S]

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44 minutes ago, Daniel C said:

I do have an M10 with a Summicron 50 f2 and Summicron 28mm f2, and even if I personally like the images that I get with the M System I never use it in family sessions as the pictures and colors always turn out a bit "harder" over the Canon colors that work so well where I live. 

 

 

 

 

Not sure why you can’t achieve intent via color profiling and PP adjustments, especially with your lenses, plus additional control variables if you print.

Do you expect ideal results straight out-of-camera with an SL? I use both systems, including M10-R (including 50 Summicron v.5) and SL2 (mostly SL 24-90), and IQ/colors are not limited by either system (using DNG). Totally different systems otherwise, however. 

While I don’t use it, many here sing the praises of the SL 50 Summilux for portraiture.

Jeff

Edited December 31, 2024 by Jeff S

[Daniel C]

vor 8 Minuten schrieb Jeff S:

Not sure why you can’t achieve intent via color profiling and PP adjustments, especially with your lenses, plus additional control variables if you print.

Do you expect ideal results straight out-of-camera with an SL? I use both systems, including M10-R (including 50 Summicron v.5) and SL2 (mostly SL 24-90), and IQ/colors are not limited by either system. Totally different systems otherwise, however. 

While I don’t use it, many here sing the praises of the SL 50 Summilux for portraiture.

Jeff

Thank you for the Tip with the Summilux, Jeff. I am not printing, all is digital. Clients say they book me for my candid style and portraiture work. I built my business with Canon and it has worked great for years and still does. Right now I am curious to change things up on my end but am worried that it might not be appreciated. 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Daniel C

[Daniel C]

vor 11 Minuten schrieb Jeff S:

Not sure why you can’t achieve intent via color profiling and PP adjustments, especially with your lenses, plus additional control variables if you print.

 

So how would you approach color profiling and PP adjustments in my situation (Changing from Canon R to SL-2S)? 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Daniel C

[Daniel C]

vor 40 Minuten schrieb lykaman:

You obviously have the prescription for success with your R6, imho stay with it.. 🍻

I hear you, but you know, over time we like to change things up a bit, right? 

[lykaman]

1 minute ago, Daniel C said:

I hear you, but you know, over time we like to change things up a bit, right? 

 

1 minute ago, Daniel C said:

I hear you, but you know, over time we like to change things up a bit, right? 

I hear you, real success is hard to find, like a good recipe. So you want a new challenge, very commendable. Rent an SL and see if you can really live with it…

[Jeff S]

5 minutes ago, Daniel C said:

So how would you approach color profiling and PP adjustments in my situation (Changing from Canon R to SL-2S)? 

No differently than you would with Canon, or any other system. (I trust you’re shooting RAW.) Color profiling is basic, using for instance a ColorChecker Passport.  And modern day PP software options offer myriad tools and techniques for image adjustment, starting with default import profiles and/or presets, followed by endless rendering possibilities using global and local controls. LR Classic generally suffices for me, but others swear by alternate software.

The flexibility of digital, regardless of system. Whatever works for you. Written and video resources abound.

[Camaro5]

15 minutes ago, Daniel C said:

Thank you for the Tip with the Summilux, Jeff. I am not printing, all is digital. Clients say they book me for my candid style and portraiture work. I built my business with Canon and it has worked great for years and still does. Right now I am curious to change things up on my end but am worried that it might not be appreciated. 

I think you answered your own question.  If you have clients that like the look of your work and you're making money why make a drastic change?  I shoot with a Leica Q3 and a Canon R5 and use them both according to the situation.  I did a wedding with using both and in post I was able to get all the images to have the same look and feel.  Maybe try using both at a shoot and then ask the clients which one they prefer.  I can understand wanting to change things up, but if you have a money maker, I wouldn't mess with it too much.

[Jeff S]

23 minutes ago, Daniel C said:

Thank you for the Tip with the Summilux, Jeff. I am not printing, all is digital. Clients say they book me for my candid style and portraiture work. I built my business with Canon and it has worked great for years and still does. Right now I am curious to change things up on my end but am worried that it might not be appreciated. 

If you don’t provide clients with prints, how do you present, and control, output?

[Daniel C]

vor 6 Minuten schrieb Jeff S:

Color profiling is basic, using for instance a ColorChecker Passport.  

I heard about that but never used it. So what you're saying is that I can get almost the same colors minus the rendering of the lenses?

[Daniel C]

vor 7 Minuten schrieb Camaro5:

I think you answered your own question.  If you have clients that like the look of your work and you're making money why make a drastic change?  I shoot with a Leica Q3 and a Canon R5 and use them both according to the situation.  I did a wedding with using both and in post I was able to get all the images to have the same look and feel.  Maybe try using both at a shoot and then ask the clients which one they prefer.  I can understand wanting to change things up, but if you have a money maker, I wouldn't mess with it too much.

Thank you! I think I might end up doing that. What I really want is: Getting the color that worked for me but user experience of Leica Cameras and rendering of Leica lenses.

Edited December 31, 2024 by Daniel C

[Jeff S]

14 minutes ago, Daniel C said:

I heard about that but never used it. So what you're saying is that I can get almost the same colors minus the rendering of the lenses?

I can’t speak for you, but many others attempt such an approach.

But if your clients are seeing results on their screens, how would you even know what colors (and contrast, etc) they’re seeing?  Do you outsource printing?  If so, that’s another discussion.

[Daniel C]

vor 2 Minuten schrieb Jeff S:

I can’t speak for you, but many others attempt such an approach.

But if your clients are seeing results on their screens, how would you even know what colors (and contrast, etc) they’re seeing?  Do you outsource printing?  If so, that’s another discussion.

I live in Mexico, and most of my clients are visitors from the US and Canada. Once I deliver their images digitally, I’m not sure what happens to them afterward, though I haven’t received any complaints so far. I’m committed to maintaining the highest standards in my work. I believe Leica lenses are the best in the industry, but I’m also a big fan of Canon's color rendering. That’s the dilemma I’m facing.

[Crem]

2 hours ago, Daniel C said:

Dear SL-S users!

 

I am a family photographer in the Mexican Riviera Maya. Colors pop, lightning is almost always beautiful. Nice soft pastel tones dominate the mornings and evenings. I am quite happy with my Canon R6 but just recently my 35mm 1.4 ii gives up on me and I am considering a change to the SL-S. I do have an M10 with a Summicron 50 f2 and Summicron 28mm f2, and even if I personally like the images that I get with the M System I never use it in family sessions as the pictures and colors always turn out a bit "harder" over the Canon colors that work so well where I live. My question to you: Do you recommend me switching to the SL System? Maybe you did sessions of that sort in comparable areas and can share photos?

 

Thanks a lot and happy new year!

 

 

You mentioned family sessions and I assume that means young moving/running/playing kids too. I do a lot of daily family photography with my young kids and the SL2-S files are a joy to work with. I only use it with M lenses and I sold off my L mount lenses. Definitely test out the auto focus. It will be much worse than a Canon R6. The colors, high ISO performance, and M lens compatibility are what make me keep the SL2-S.

Edited December 31, 2024 by Crem

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[lykaman]

Off hand I would say the client is not worried about which lens or camera is used, just that they are satisfied. Practice with a rental, when your happy with the results try 3 or 4 shoots with the Leica set up, do your PP thing and see how the clients respond..  🍻