SL3-S – I plan to buy it and have some unbelievably exciting questions :-)))

[-MR-]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Greetings! 

After deciding against purchasing the Q3 and now leaning more towards the SL3-S, I have some questions about the SL3-S.

1. Does the power button light up during operation? Can the light be turned off? I don’t want to be distracted by a glowing power button.

2. How easy is it to operate the joystick under the rubber cap? Does it move smoothly? Is this feature durable? How would you describe the experience of using it, or are there any recommendations?

3. Can I leave the custom FN buttons unassigned (so nothing happens when I press them)? Can I assign the same function to multiple FN buttons, e.g., set all FN buttons to ISO (I know this doesn’t make sense, but still)?

4. Can I leave the top dials unassigned (so nothing happens when I turn them)?

5. The top display always looks light gray in photos, but appears dark when turned on. This confuses me. Does the top display turn dark when the camera is powered on?

6. I’m worried that the diopter adjustment on the viewfinder might be accidentally changed, for example, when handling the camera or quickly taking it out of the bag. Can the diopter adjustment be locked?

7. By the way, I mostly use a 35mm lens. The Leica one is too expensive for me, so I’m considering the Sigma 35mm 2.0 DG instead. Does anyone know this lens? I’m particularly interested in the autofocus speed compared to the original Leica 35mm.

8. How well does the SL3-S perform for manual focusing? Of course, it’s not a fully manual camera like the M11 – still.

9. Are there any points that personally bother you about the handling and use of the camera? Anything annoying or poorly designed?

I’d appreciate any help, thank you and kind regards from Germany! 
Please excuse english mistakes, cause Iam using German brain.

Edited March 23 by -MR-

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[jaapv]

I can answer the more general ones:

2. no problem here. It is still fine on my totally beat-up SL601.
5 The top display turns black and has internal lighting
6 The diopter adjustment cannot be turned accidentally
7. Those two lenses are virtually identical. I prefer the Sigma for its lighter weight and more durable finish but I hate the hood - got a very nice replacement from Adorama for 12 Euro.
8. The EVFs on the SL series are very good for manual focusing. The SL-S cameras are particularly well-suited to M lenses.
9. The eyepiece rubber sometimes gets loose and is difficult to push back. I solved it by cutting off two offending rubber swallowtails and it snapped back. 
 

[-MR-]

Thank you! Any more replies?

[sequeller]

Hi. I just received my SL3-s yesterday, so I'm pretty new to this. But I cn answer a few of your questions:

1. Yes, it glows continuously but it dims so much that it does not disturb – at least me.

2. I love handling it. It is very smooth.

3. There is no "none" setting, but I could set all to ISO. And yes, it doesn't make any sense 😉 

4. No, they are all preassigned.

5. When on, it has a dark background with bright letters.

6. No worries. Leica designed the movement ring behind the rubber ring. It is smart and no unexpected chance for me until now.

Beyond that: Go for it. I fell in love with mine!

[sequeller]

Hold on… I just found a setting to lock the buttons and dials. It looks you can deactivate them. But I have to experiment with them a bit more… 

[Photoworks]

23 hours ago, -MR- said:

 

1. Does the power button light up during operation? Can the light be turned off? I don’t want to be distracted by a glowing power button.

2.  

Yes, Yes, when you bring up the eye to the EVF it goes off.

 

23 hours ago, -MR- said:

•  

• How easy is it to operate the joystick under the rubber cap? Does it move smoothly? Is this feature durable? How would you describe the experience of using it, or are there any recommendations?

very good

23 hours ago, -MR- said:

Can I leave the custom FN buttons unassigned (so nothing happens when I press them)? Can I assign the same function to multiple FN buttons, e.g., set all FN buttons to ISO (I know this doesn’t make sense, but still)?

NO,NO, once you use it you can see that the question does not make sense and that you may need them all.

23 hours ago, -MR- said:

Can I leave the top dials unassigned (so nothing happens when I turn them)?

No, there are 2 dials, to set exposure and one thumb dail

23 hours ago, -MR- said:

The top display always looks light gray in photos, but appears dark when turned on. This confuses me. Does the top display turn dark when the camera is powered on?

It is just an OLED display, just like the kindle, with a light.

 

23 hours ago, -MR- said:

• I’m worried that the diopter adjustment on the viewfinder might be accidentally changed, for example, when handling the camera or quickly taking it out of the bag. Can the diopter adjustment be locked?

•  

It does not move.

23 hours ago, -MR- said:

By the way, I mostly use a 35mm lens. The Leica one is too expensive for me, so I’m considering the Sigma 35mm 2.0 DG instead. Does anyone know this lens? I’m particularly interested in the autofocus speed compared to the original Leica 35mm.

Leica Makes two 35, Apo and non APO, non apo is faster focusing and less money.
Sigma makes many lenses in 35, the 2.0 is fine.

Panasonic has a 35 1.8 , light and fast
since you didn't ask about image quality, we leave it at that.

On 3/23/2025 at 9:09 AM, -MR- said:

How well does the SL3-S perform for manual focusing? Of course, it’s not a fully manual camera like the M11 – still.

just like most other cameras, manual focus works fine. it is probably more dependent on the operator to nail focus.

On 3/23/2025 at 9:09 AM, -MR- said:

Are there any points that personally bother you about the handling and use of the camera? Anything annoying or poorly designed?

most people use the camera in an individual way, and no camera is perfect.
The camera is a pleasure to use, and I prefer the SL3 for higher resolution.

The new touchscreen menu could use some refinements, the SL2 is quicker to operate.

The iso dail could benefit from a lock,  there is an option to lock dials with a button, but it looks at all of them and not just ISO. The iso dial can be changed to something else like EV.

 

in cany case, it is better to try it by yourself than relay on comments.

[jaapv]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

One thing more. It took me a while to find out that the thumb wheel can be changed to a function button by pushing it. 

[colonel]

The Sigma 35mm f2 is a great lens, but at f2 there is some veiling haze. Its usable but I prefer to use if f2.8 and above.

I don't have the experience of the Leica 35mm, but ephotozine shows that it is as good as the Sigma at f2 but also sharpness up alot from f2.8 and above

The Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN is now super sharp at f2, but is a little veiled at f1.4. The f1.2 DG DN is super heavy but is not bad at f1.2 and sharp at f1.4.

The Leica 35mm APO is sharp through and through.

Not sure if you are interested in 50mm, but the Sigma 50mm f2 DG DN is a different story. It is sharp from f2. One of the best f1.8/2 non-APO lenses around. The Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN is one of the best 35mm lenses ever made.

Have fun!