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Many thanks to Robb Williamson for the linguistic revision

‘More light’ were the last words of the Hessian poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1832 - in 2025, a camera from Hesse is now more than fulfilling his wish. But more on that later.

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As was the case around four years ago, the high-resolution flagship of the SL series is now being followed by a somewhat slimmer (in terms of technical values) ‘S model’. Not a big surprise in this respect, but still a bit of a surprise in the end. But let's take a look first.

The Exterior

The SL3-S and SL3 are practically identical on the outside. Only the white ‘Leica’ lettering on the viewfinder and on the hot shoe are now black on the SL3-S – just like on the SL2-S. It is therefore more inconspicuous, which many people like. During the field test, I usually masked the black viewfinder lettering with black gaffer tape – so even the Leitz Park didn't recognize the new model.

The SL3's flip-up display has also been retained unchanged. It can be flipped up, but not swivelled, making it a very stable and elegantly integrated solution.

All SL3 accessories fit directly onto the SL3-S, including the HG-SCL7 battery grip.

The Sensor: Evolution Instead of Revolution

Little was known about the SL3-S in the run-up to the field test, so there was a certain amount of curiosity when the parcel arrived. The first thing you notice is the new, contemporary, plastic-free and sustainable packaging.

The biggest excitement concerned the sensor. I guessed correctly that it would have less resolution than the SL3. That's what this -S sister model stands for. I hoped it would have a BSI sensor with just over 30 MP to allow 8k recording, but that was only to be in my hopes and aspirations. The fact that it will stay with 24 MP again was initially no joy. Overall, sensors with 24 MP seem to be a constant fixed size – the new Canon R1, Nikon Z6 III and Sony Alpha 9 III models also have this resolution, but all with very short readout times up to a real global shutter.

It is clear that the sensor supports good phase-detection AF and it has a significantly faster readout time than that of the SL3 at about 20 ms. The SL2-s that it is replacing has a rolling shutter of 22.5 ms so there is a slight improvement here but nothing to write home about. The SL3-s does not yet use a stacked sensor in the 5ms range or even a global shutter like the competitors mentioned above, but this rolling shutter only plays a minor role in e-shutter image making and videos.

As expected: it is a BSI sensor with very good high-ISO performance. The camera offers up to ISO 200,000 – more on that later. And the sensor has a fantastic dynamic range.

The assessment of the performance of camera sensors is currently undergoing a radical change: modern AI-based optimization processes make it comparatively easy to achieve significant improvements. Two aspects are particularly worth emphasizing here in relation to the SL3-S, in the nomenclature of Adobe Lightroom (each under ‘Improve’):

  • Super-Resolution: AI-supported resolution extrapolation. This enabled high-quality printing up to a 33” x 47” from a slightly cropped 24MP file.
  • Denoising: The AI-based process for denoising suits the new sensor very well; files improved in this way, even from a shot at ISO 200,000 have an astonishingly high quality.

Resolution

For your own assessment of the resolution, similar DNG files are available here; all are taken with APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm at 130mm focal length and aperture 8 with a heavy tripod in an identical situation, focused on the centre.

  • SL Type 601, 24MP
  • SL2, 47MP
  • SL2 Multishot, 188MP
  • SL2-S, 24MP
  • SL2-S Multishot, 96MP
  • SL3, 61MP
  • SL3-S, 24MP
  • SL3-S high-resolution upsize with Adobe Lightroom, 96MP
  • SL3-S Multishot, 96MP

The assessment of the images naturally confirms what I was expecting. It seems remarkable to me:

  • SL2-S and SL3-S are practically identical
  • As expected, SL2 Multishot offers the highest resolution
  • SL3-S Multishot looks better than SL3-S ‘Super Resolution’ upsize from Adobe Lightroom
  • SL3-S Multishot looks better than SL3

SL3-S Multishot (left) in comparison to SL3:

SL3-S Multishot (left) compared to SL3-S with Super-Resolution from Lightroom:

In the course of the test, several prints in 33” x 47” were created from SL3-S files extrapolated with Adobe Lightroom ‘Super Resolution’ upsize, which are absolutely convincing in terms of quality.

Here there is a very comprehensive and up-to-date discussion on the classification of the 24MP resolution.
Is 24mp the sweet spot of 36x24 format?

High ISO up to 200,000

After around five months of really daily use and around 11,000 shots, you get used to the new SL model. The SL2-S and SL3 are already good in terms of ‘low light’ thanks to the BSI sensors. In line with Goethe's request, I can say that the new model immediately makes you forget the worry about high ISO values in practice – especially when combined with modern, AI-based noise reduction methods: ‘More light’ and IBIS are also available to help put this worry to bed.

Since the introduction of the SL2-S, the SL system has been able to produce good image results with very little light. The SL3 is also convincing here, considering its high resolution of 61MP.

The SL3-S now offers an ISO range of up to 200,000 for the first time – with limitations in terms of quality, of course, but usable and with surprisingly good results when AI-based post-processing is used. I was impressed with the results.

Here is a DNG archive with comparison shots with identical settings (again APO-VE-SL 90-280, aperture f 8.0, tripod, ISO 6,400 to maximum ISO for SL 601, SL2, SL2-S, SL3 and SL3-S) for your own judgement.

At the same (high) ISO value, these are the most important findings for me:

  • SL2-S and SL3-S have the best results with an advantage for the SL3-S of at most 1 f-stop
  • As expected, the high-resolution SL2 and SL3 models are weaker here

Here SL3-S (always on the left ) at ISO 50,000 compared to SL2-S, SL3, SL2, and SL 601:

Interesting is the result from the SL3-S with ISO 200,000 and AI-based noise reduction in Lightroom (DNG also included in the package): It results in a very convincing image result; with this processing step, even ISO 200,000 can be used well.

SL3-S (on the left ) at ISO 200,000 compared to the same image with AI-based noise reduction:

Readout time and rolling shutter

The readout time of the new sensor is around twice as fast as that of the SL3 sensor, which is a relevant advantage in practice – but as it is not a stacked sensor, it is still a long way from cameras such as the Z8/Z9 or R3/R1.

As a result, there is a significant reduction in rolling shutter effects with the SL3-S compared to the SL3, but it has not (yet) disappeared completely.

As with the SL3, the shortest flash synchronization time is a comparatively long 1/200 second; for shorter times, HSS is available both with Leica flashes and with the Profoto system.

The file size issue

You can see it as an advantage: of course, the 24MP files from the SL3-S are significantly smaller than those from the SL3; with 14-bit DNG specifically around 34MB to 80 MB.

The SL3-S (sensibly) does not have the triple resolution for the high-resolution sensor introduced with the M11: this makes perfect sense, as only 24MP are available anyway. I'm sure some advertisements will emphasize again that the SL3-S files are so much easier to process – but with Triple Resolution you can also create smaller files directly with the SL3. Of course, the smaller file size is practical.

The Autofocus

Probably the biggest advance within the SL system with the SL3-S is the autofocus. With the SL3, Wetzlar had already left the path of pure contrast AF and implemented a hybrid phase AF/contrast AF system. With the SL3-S, an improvement has been achieved here, particularly in the previously unconvincing AFc.

The ‘pulsing’ known from contrast AF, the search for the focal point, is greatly reduced, the camera finds the focal point quickly and reliably. AF tracking is significantly improved for moving vehicles, for example. The video area in particular benefits from this.

As is so often the case, you get used to progress incredibly quickly. If you switch back to another SL model, you will be surprised at the cumbersome and therefore slower AF. The SL3 with the first phase-detection AF is already better here, but it is still a long way from the AF performance of the SL3-S.

The whole thing also depends very much on the lens used. Within the Leica portfolio, particularly good AF results can be achieved with the ‘non-APO’ Summicron-SL 35mm/50mm and the new Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200/2.8. The fantastic APO Summicron-SL lenses are – of course – not quite as fast on the SL3-S, as larger glass masses have to be moved and the motors are presumably slower. This applies even more to the Summilux-SL 50mm, which remains a slow lens in terms of AF on the SL3-S – but is also fun in combination with the SL's sensor, for example for Available Light.

Person tracking/eye AF was already good before, but has become even more accurate and faster with the SL3-S and follows the selected person very reliably. In situations with many (more than four) people, the system reaches its limits, but this will be similar with other manufacturers.

I tested the AFc in particular in the context of cycling. Overall, there is a clear improvement here compared to the SL3; while the hit rate with the SL3 was low with fast-moving racing cyclists, with the SL3-S it is well over 60%. Surprisingly, people tracking (eye AF) also delivers good results here; in the classic AF mode ‘Tracking’, however, there still seems to me to be room for improvement, especially as far as cycling is concerned.

Speeeeeeed

And there's something else that makes the SL3-S unique in the Leica world: the continuous shooting speed. The camera offers DNG 12-bit up to 30fps with autofocus (AFc)! In comparison, the SL3 and SL2-S offer a maximum of 5fps.

My tests ran seriously up to 15fps with good results. I did not use it at 30fps – there was no use.

Video

Video is a less used subject for me, so I can't say much about it.

As expected, the video functions are sophisticated and the video quality is very high. The heat management of the SL3-S is absolutely trouble-free, even for long high-resolution recordings. All the familiar functions such as L-Log from the SL3 are available.

The autofocus system of the SL3-S is an advantage over that of the SL2-S for video use; for example, people tracking with Eye-AF and AFc of moving people is much more reliable with the SL3-S than with the SL2-S, for example.

The new functionality to record directly to an external SSD is useful – also for photography, but the range of application for video is likely to be greater: Activate the SSD connected to the USB-C port in the menu via USB settings. This worked with all tested SSDs without any problems after formatting with the SL3-S and with readout on a MacBook with the latest macOS.

The handling of the video settings in the video profiles is familiar from the SL3 and has been adopted unchanged. I like this very much, but others may see it differently. It would be nice to be able to give the profiles descriptive names in addition to the numbers.

Somewhat surprisingly, however, the SL3-S lacks some video functions:

  • I use 4k60p for high-quality use – but the SL3-S does not offer this format with the full sensor, only with APS-C. The SL2 and SL3 can do this.
  • Unfortunately, 4K120p is also completely missing – for me this is not necessary, but I see a lot of demand for it from the community.

With the 24MP sensor, recording in 8k is of course not possible – but in my opinion this is not a serious limitation. Recordings up to 6k are possible.

The SL3-S therefore leaves a very solid impression in terms of video capabilities.

Menu Navigation

The SL3-S has practically the same menu navigation as the SL3 with the customizable main menu consisting of eight icons and the subsequent grouped detail pages. For me, this is a very good setting and an important argument in favor of the SL system.

The previous ‘favorites’ are still missing – but thanks to the configurable main menu, this is only very rarely missed.

Multishot Mode

It's back again! The multishot mode introduced with the SL2-S has also been implemented in the SL3-S and has been significantly improved once again.

There are now two different modes, Tripod (as before) and a new one – Hand Held. With tripod, there is also the new option to calculate out moving objects.

The new Multishot has proven itself in extensive use, the results are qualitatively better than AI-upscaled native SL3-S DNG or even SL3. This makes the SL3-S a very universal camera that can also produce high-resolution formats for landscapes, for example.

Memory Management

As expected, the SL3-S uses the combination solution of CF Express Type B and SD like the SL3. However, the SL3-S also offers the option of using external SSD storage via the USB-C connection (as already described for video) for both video and photography.

The DC-SCL6 mains adapter can then be used for an external power supply due to the occupied USB-C socket.

Content Authenticity: CAI/C2PA

When the SL3 was unveiled in March 2024, it was a big surprise that the new SL model did without the interesting innovation of the M11-P, which had been released around six months earlier: image authentication via C2PA. The SL3-S now solves this shortcoming. Steffen Rau, the SL product manager, explained last year that the plans for the SL3 were simply too far advanced to consider the hardware implementation favoured by Leica.

What is it all about? In times of fake news and AI-generated image material, it is increasingly important to be able to reliably prove the authenticity, authorship and, if necessary, processing steps of image material. In 2019, the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) was founded for this purpose, which practically all camera manufacturers, many software manufacturers such as Adobe, as well as AI consortia themselves, have joined alongside Leica. The technical specification for this is the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA).

The SL3-S menu now offers the option of activating image authentication in accordance with CAI/C2PA. A DNG or jpg file created in this way contains an additional block of metadata (known as a manifest) including a thumbnail preview of the image, which is digitally signed in the camera by the crypto chip with a digital certificate from Bundesdruckerei, issued to Leica Camera AG.

CAI offers at contentcredentials.org a verify page: If a corresponding file is uploaded, the signed metadata appears – albeit a rather small amount of the secured content of the manifest, copyright, for example, is missing on the verify page, but is very much included in the manifest.

CAI also offers other software tools for reading or editing the manifest. The command line tool c2patool is particularly popular, which generates a complete output in json format that is considerably more extensive than the Verify website, including the copyright information, for example. All of this works without any problems with the current preview of the C2PA-capable firmware of the SL3-S.

This information is retained by Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop and supplemented by processing steps – which are then signed with a certificate from Adobe.

It is also possible to write your own software for generating C2PA-compliant metadata or your own verification software with comparable ease. CAI provides software development kits (SDKs) in the Rust language for this purpose.

While Sony is initially taking the route of a software implementation of C2PA, Leica is consistently pursuing the safe approach of hardware implementation. After the M11-P and M11-D, the SL3-S is now the first fast camera with C2PA. It still needs to be clarified how the process handles the fast frame rates available with the SL3-S; continuous firmware updates should show this. In the test phase, the camera became very slow after a few hundred shots, even in single-drive mode, when image verification was activated.

Activated image authentication is clearly indicated by the ‘CR’ icon both in the viewfinder and on the monitor.

Here is an example for you to try out for yourself: A DNG file from the SL3-S with C2PA activated, further processed in Adobe Lightroom and saved from there with the manifest as a jpg file. The Verify page shows both the original image from the SL3-S and the processing in Lightroom.

Kudos to the team in Wetzlar for being able to offer the first fast mirrorless system camera with C2PA with the SL3-S!

Where the SL3-S is not so convincing

Of course, the SL3-S is also a small update of the SL3, as can be seen from the new CAI, Multishot and support for SSD memory. But there are still a few points that don't make you happy. Some of these can be improved via the firmware, but I fear that some of them are hardware limitations.

The SL3-S's ‘hunger for energy’ is reduced compared to the SL3 (it also has to process fewer pixels per shot); this has the advantage that the batteries last longer, which is very pleasant. However, there is still the often-criticized permanent warning when using the earlier BP-SCL4 batteries. I had really hoped for an improvement here for the five ‘old batteries’ lying around.

Very nice: The SL3-S now has a warning (like the SL3 with FW 2.0.1) if you are working in backup mode (storage on both memory cards) and only one card is inserted. This makes perfect sense – but the warning message cannot be deactivated, it blocks the camera permanently, making it unusable. You either have to change the settings for data storage or insert a second card, which is annoying in practice. Interestingly, however, you can click away the warning message and release the shutter without a card, but not in backup mode.

This warning message and the one for the BP-SCL4 are only shown in the viewfinder, not on the display, which is really awkward.

The shortest flash synchronization is still 1/200 second, matching the SL3, and comparatively slow compared to all competing products.

It has already been mentioned above: It is surprising that video modes that are widespread and in demand today are missing. I miss 4k60p on the full-frame sensor, others miss 4k120p in particular. While the second mode was not yet implemented in any Leica camera, the SL2 and SL3 models already offer the first mode.

The autofocus of the SL3-S is definitely an improvement on all other SL models. However, my use of the ‘tracking’ mode in cycling was not yet convincing, all the others were.

It's nice that the USB options have been expanded with support for SSDs – it would be desirable to also enable wired networking with an RJ-45 plug connection via a USB adapter.

Leica FOTOS works with the SL3-S without any problems as usual – but if the memory cards are a little fuller (from approx. 100 shots), the connection setup (‘preparation of the gallery’) takes too long for practical use.

From the Field: from Dust to LED

Five months of intensive testing have shown that the SL3 is much less susceptible to dust and dirt on the sensor, as was the case with Goethe:

I see you when on the distant road
The dust rises
(Goethe, Near the Beloved)

The dust protection mechanism is the same as in the SL3: there is a manually activated shake-off mechanism, otherwise the sensor is open and unprotected when the lens is changed.

The susceptibility to artefacts from LED lighting, such as streaking, is significantly less pronounced than with the SL3.

All of this is certainly also a result of the lower sensor resolution, where ‘less is more’ in practical use.

Flashes: I have been able to use various Profoto flash heads intensively, with the ‘Connect pro for Leica’ without any problems including HSS, even with older flash heads via the Air1 protocol.

Of course, the SL3-S has a powerful IBIS integrated, which works as usual and is at least as powerful as the previous solutions in the SL system.

And all in all

2025 will certainly be dedicated in Wetzlar to the 100th anniversary of the first viewfinder 35mm camera. For me, 10 years of the SL-System are much more important – and the SL3-S is already the big highlight. A camera that is simply carefree fun and can be used for almost anything – simply ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’.

A reliable and faster autofocus, high continuous shooting speed of up to 30fps with AFc tracking on request, fantastic high ISO and image authentication with C2PA, plus a more discreet appearance with the black lettering – an all-round successful package at the start of the year. The first Leica with a real predisposition for sports.

2025 may not be an easy year in many respects; the positive aspect is to take the SL3-S, look at people and our world, and take beautiful pictures. The camera conjures up ‘more light’ directly and the AF has now grown up for a lot of action.

By the way, for the non-Hessians: ‘More light’ could also have a completely different meaning in the Frankfurt dialect ‘Mä licht’
Goethe und seine letzten Worte: War das Frankfurter Dialekt?

Internally, the new camera, the poetically unsuitable SL3-S, at least has the lyrical code Picard24 – a Goethe could have made something out of it. The AI has at least delivered this:

A little light blinks, so bright and pure,
There stands the name Picard24.
In springtime, joy begins to sprout,
With Picard24, there's no doubt.
(Microsoft Copilot)

I wish everyone fun and beautiful images with photography in 2025 – whether with Picard24, another Leica or anything else!

Further sample images

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Is it safe to assume this is the same sensor as the SL2-S, with a newer internal processor?  I can't imagine Sony made a different 24 MP sensor recently for this camera, but anything is possible.  The older sensor in the SL2-S is also BSI CMOS, Sony. 

Glad to see they kept Multishot with this camera, still hoping to see it with the SL3 eventually. 

 

Paul 

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It could equally well be the S5ii sensor with a Leica specified filter stack. The readout time just under 20 Ms would fit there. 

4 minutes ago, Paul2660 said:

Is it safe to assume this is the same sensor as the SL2-S, with a newer internal processor?  I can't imagine Sony made a different 24 MP sensor recently for this camera, but anything is possible.  The older sensor in the SL2-S is also BSI CMOS, Sony. 

Glad to see they kept Multishot with this camera, still hoping to see it with the SL3 eventually. 

 

Paul 

 

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17 minutes ago, deonvnzl said:

no open gate video and no full frame 4k 60fps is crazy. 
assuming this is legit. 

bummer. 

Leica SL3-S:

Edited by Overgaard
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No internal raw video recording like Sigma FP (l mount partner)

Evolution of Leica SL2S, but not a revolution, that's a bummer, I waited for that camera for a year. hoping it to be a REAL hybrid of video and photo, because I love 24mp of Leica SL2S.

Stick to Leica SL2S for Leica SL4S.

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3 minutes ago, jpark114 said:

seems like no major improvement

I'm still eager to find out how much AF improvement/AFc performance improvement are there in real world.

The usual suspects will report that it's "nearly as good as Sony/Nikon now" and once in the hand of broad reviewer base and objective purchasers will be walked back to "well its better.. I mean pretty good.. definitely good for Leica... hey I wouldn't shoot sports or BIF, but that's not what Leicas for anyway so.."

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11 minutes ago, Overgaard said:

Yes, I notice that now. 
A shame its still only 4:2:0 colour like the lumix s5. 
I'm sure the rolling shutter is equally bad too. 

A sigh of relief for my wallet. 

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13 minutes ago, jpark114 said:

seems like no major improvement

I'm still eager to find out how much AF improvement/AFc performance improvement are there in real world.

Me too. I'm sure it's better, but the original review above says "my use of the ‘tracking’ mode in cycling was not yet convincing" sums it up. AF sounds better in the classic AF sense, but not yet to a point where I can leave it in AFC + tracking and use it like a modern Sony/Canon. 

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4 minutes ago, hdmesa said:

Open gate 👍

No anamorphic support? 🤨

lol. 

I also wonder whether it is finally able to do off speed recording like 12fps and 5fps with a 360degree shutter... 

 

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Well, a really enthusiastic report sounds different. The autofocus and its various modes have improved. But are they also good? In other words, is it competitive compared to Canikon and Sony?  Having to realise that you still can't take convincing pictures of fast cyclists is rather an indictment. Just like the suggestion that if you want a fast autofocus, it's better not to use one of Leica's flagship lenses. Seriously?

I also find it unfortunate that the improvements are measured against the SL3. Firstly, you should compare within the competitive field and secondly, the SL3 is not even a year old. The technology has not developed significantly in this time. Apart from the strictly sensor-dependent things, everything should have already belonged in the SL3.

 

Edited by Ex Orient Lux
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7 minutes ago, Ex Orient Lux said:

Well, a really enthusiastic report sounds different. The autofocus and its various modes have improved. But are they also good? In other words, is it competitive compared to Canikon and Sony?  Having to realise that you still can't take convincing pictures of fast cyclists is rather an indictment. Just like the suggestion that if you want a fast autofocus, it's better not to use one of Leica's flagship lenses. Seriously?

I also find it unfortunate that the improvements are measured against the SL3. Firstly, you should compare within the competitive field and secondly, the SL3 is not even a year old. The technology has not developed significantly in this time. Apart from the strictly sensor-dependent things, everything would have already belonged in the SL3.

 

Yes it was a very carefully crafted report but read carefully it fell short.

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All these low light capabilities are a false myth. Like, how often and who really needs to shoot in these dark scenarios? 
I've been using the SL2-s as a second film camera for quite a while now and after the initial excitement i can now say it's so much far beyond Sony it's not even comparable. The autofocus on the SL2-s is completely unreliable, I'm not sure how they improved on this model but I doubt they made on par with what the current market is offering. 
I'm waiting for someone to actually test this on the field....definitely not considering upgrading.

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9 minutes ago, jonnyboy said:

I'm not sure how they improved on this model but I doubt they made on par with what the current market is offering. 

It will be the same as on S5II at best, most likely a bit behind, since FW updates go to Panasonic cameras first. In a nutshell, it is still crap in comparison to other cameras. here is an AF test:

 

Edited by pf4eva
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1 hour ago, jaapv said:

It could equally well be the S5ii sensor with a Leica specified filter stack. The readout time just under 20 Ms would fit there. 

 

Good Point on the S5ii, overlooked that.  However the SL2-S has plenty of low light performance at least from what I have seen in my use.  I see the Video specs have updated but I am not that interesting in the Video aspects.  Right now the SL2-S new is a bargain 2K off list.  

For stills photographer wanting low light performance with Lecia glass, my main question is the low light performance of the SL3-S so much better than the SL2-S that It's worth the extra 3K?   Would love the tilting screen however. 

Paul 

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