Leica SL3-S function button settings manual mode?

[Marcel Zyskind]

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Hello there,

Marcel here, my first post on this site. I recently acquired a SL3-S for my work.

I seem to have an issue with my camera understanding which mode I am in. I'm using a non original Leica M adapter. And camera is set to manual in photo mode.

I'm trying to change the functions on my dials and thumb wheel. For instance in manual mode I would like to set my shutter speed selection to the thumb wheel on the back and not on right dial like it is from default. I've done all settings in the menu, but the camera does not change the setting on the dials. Also, it does not change the settings of the left dial if I change it from ISO to EV for instance.

Now this. I borrowed an original Leica M adapter with pins on the back and when I put that on it respects my settings that I changed in the menu. Strange, it seems? How about all the other adapters and lenses I'd like to use which don't have pin registration? Is there a way to tell the camera to go "full" manual so that I can use my settings with my various lenses?

I hope the question makes sense. 

Cheers,
Marcel

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[Photoworks]

6 hours ago, Marcel Zyskind said:

I seem to have an issue with my camera understanding which mode I am in. I'm using a non original Leica M adapter. And camera is set to manual in photo mode.

I'm trying to change the functions on my dials and thumb wheel. For instance in manual mode I would like to set my shutter speed selection to the thumb wheel on the back and not on right dial like it is from default. I've done all settings in the menu, but the camera does not change the setting on the dials. Also, it does not change the settings of the left dial if I change it from ISO to EV for instance.

That is definitely an issue. I don't have a solution for you; you should probably contact Leica Support.

I have tried the Leica adapter and it worked fine.

I tested a dummy adapter with an R lens and can see your issues.
The first indication is that the camera does not detect a lens is that it should only activate "A and M" mode option and not "P and S"

This is an issue, nice you are supposed to be able to use Cinema lenses and PL mount doesn't have typically electronic contacts relevant for this camera.

[Marcel Zyskind]

10 hours ago, Photoworks said:

That is definitely an issue. I don't have a solution for you; you should probably contact Leica Support.

I have tried the Leica adapter and it worked fine.

I tested a dummy adapter with an R lens and can see your issues.
The first indication is that the camera does not detect a lens is that it should only activate "A and M" mode option and not "P and S"

This is an issue, nice you are supposed to be able to use Cinema lenses and PL mount doesn't have typically electronic contacts relevant for this camera.

Thank you 

[Marcel Zyskind]

On 2/2/2025 at 2:11 AM, Photoworks said:

That is definitely an issue. I don't have a solution for you; you should probably contact Leica Support.

I have tried the Leica adapter and it worked fine.

I tested a dummy adapter with an R lens and can see your issues.
The first indication is that the camera does not detect a lens is that it should only activate "A and M" mode option and not "P and S"

This is an issue, nice you are supposed to be able to use Cinema lenses and PL mount doesn't have typically electronic contacts relevant for this camera.

I saw an SL2 today and it did exactly the same thing, which does not leave me with much hope that it will change anytime soon? Weird move. I wonder if I am overlooking an full manual option in the menu somewhere?

[BernardC]

52 minutes ago, Marcel Zyskind said:

I saw an SL2 today and it did exactly the same thing, which does not leave me with much hope that it will change anytime soon? Weird move. I wonder if I am overlooking an full manual option in the menu somewhere?

Make sure that the camera is using the latest firmware version. Leica changed the behaviour of adapted lenses twice last year.

[Photoworks]

56 minutes ago, Marcel Zyskind said:

I saw an SL2 today and it did exactly the same thing, which does not leave me with much hope that it will change anytime soon? Weird move. I wonder if I am overlooking an full manual option in the menu somewhere?

You can still do the full manual. Just not on the dials you set

there are 3 components, ISO, F-STOP, and Shutter time.
ISO can be set in M on the screen or the dial left.
F-Stop on the lens
Time is set on the dial right

[Marcel Zyskind]

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5 minutes ago, BernardC said:

Make sure that the camera is using the latest firmware version. Leica changed the behaviour of adapted lenses twice last year.

Thanks. My SL3-S is using the latest firmware.

[Marcel Zyskind]

1 minute ago, Photoworks said:

You can still do the full manual. Just not on the dials you set

there are 3 components, ISO, F-STOP, and Shutter time.
ISO can be set in M on the screen or the dial left.
F-Stop on the lens
Time is set on the dial right

I find it odd that I can't set the thumbwheel for shutter speeds. It's counter intuitive to remove my index finger from the shutter button when it should be possible not to.

[SrMi]

4 hours ago, Marcel Zyskind said:

I find it odd that I can't set the thumbwheel for shutter speeds. It's counter intuitive to remove my index finger from the shutter button when it should be possible not to.

Menu > Customize Control > Dials > Dials (AF lenses) > Thumbwheel > Shutter Speed.

That allows me to use the thumbwheel for shutter speed.

P.S.: Same setting, but Dials <MF lenses> works when using M lenses with a Leica adapter.

Edited February 3 by SrMi

[Marcel Zyskind]

1 hour ago, SrMi said:

Menu > Customize Control > Dials > Dials (AF lenses) > Thumbwheel > Shutter Speed.

That allows me to use the thumbwheel for shutter speed.

P.S.: Same setting, but Dials <MF lenses> works when using M lenses with a Leica adapter.

Thanks I get that, but it does not work with any dumb adapter which I find extremely bizarre!

[Pelu2010]

Did you buy the camera online or in a shop? 
I would go to the shop I bought the camera and check the dials and changes with a dealer or support. 

[Jean-Michel]

The 'dumb' adapter is the same as a body cap. 

[Photoworks]

2 minutes ago, Jean-Michel said:

The 'dumb' adapter is the same as a body cap. 

how can you set the thumb wheel on the body cap?

[Jean-Michel]

3 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

how can you set the thumb wheel on the body cap?

All I am saying is that as far as the camera is concerned, a dumb adapter is the same as a body cap. It really means that there is no lens attached to the camera.

[Photoworks]

4 minutes ago, Jean-Michel said:

All I am saying is that as far as the camera is concerned, a dumb adapter is the same as a body cap. It really means that there is no lens attached to the camera.

thanks, that is not a solution.

there are many adapters without contacts. M-R-PL

there should be a way.

[SrMi]

It seems there is a way.

Change the setting in Menu > Customize Control > Dials > Dials (AF lenses) > Thumbwheel > Shutter Speed.

The thumbwheel now controls the shutter speed when the lens cap is on. Without any data, the camera defaults to an AF lens. Changing the setting for MF lenses works only if the adapter communicates with the camera.

[Marcel Zyskind]

13 hours ago, Pelu2010 said:

Did you buy the camera online or in a shop? 
I would go to the shop I bought the camera and check the dials and changes with a dealer or support. 

Thanks, I went to the shop and they had an SL2 on display and it did the same thing. 

[Marcel Zyskind]

32 minutes ago, SrMi said:

It seems there is a way.

Change the setting in Menu > Customize Control > Dials > Dials (AF lenses) > Thumbwheel > Shutter Speed.

The thumbwheel now controls the shutter speed when the lens cap is on. Without any data, the camera defaults to an AF lens. Changing the setting for MF lenses works only if the adapter communicates with the camera.

This works! Thank you. Odd that it has to be this way. I'm still awaiting reply from Leica support. I would still prefer an all manual setting in the camera.

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[SrMi]

6 minutes ago, Marcel Zyskind said:

This works! Thank you. Odd that it has to be this way. I'm still awaiting reply from Leica support. I would still prefer an all manual setting in the camera.

I guess that Leica engineers had to choose a default (AF or MF) when there is no communication from the lens or adapter. MF as default would make more sense.