SL2-S vs SL2-S Reporter

[NightPix]

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I’m looking to pick up a used SL2-S (there are quite a few out there) but I also have the opportunity to get a used SL2-S Reporter. Same camera but of course the Reporter is $1k more expensive, I assume because it’s a limited edition. I’m not a collector, and I expect that at some point down the road I might want to sell whichever one I buy. Should I expect the Reporter to keep the value premium better than the stock SL2-S in 2-3 years? I take pretty good care of my cameras and lenses.  Does the tougher exterior on the Reporter (scratch resistant paint, Kevlar) make much of a difference wear-wise? I’d appreciate thoughts on which to buy (especially from folks who have owned any of the Reporter cameras). 

Edited March 28 by NightPix

[LD_50]

I wouldn’t choose based upon resale value. Resale value will depend on the market at the time (ie if there is a reporter version of SL3/S). I would expect reporter value to be more sensitive to condition. 

I would anticipate the reporter to wear worse than the standard. Both are fairly easily damaged on sharp edges.

 

[jaapv]

I would avoid the Reporter as the Kevlar frays next to the handgrip on quite a few cameras. 

[NightPix]

7 minutes ago, jaapv said:

the Kevlar frays next to the handgrip on quite a few cameras. 

Thanks. I seem to remember hearing that somewhere before. 

[NightPix]

9 minutes ago, LD_50 said:

I wouldn’t choose based upon resale value. Resale value will depend on the market at the time (ie if there is a reporter version of SL3/S). I would expect reporter value to be more sensitive to condition. 

I would anticipate the reporter to wear worse than the standard. Both are fairly easily damaged on sharp edges.

 

Good point. I hadn’t thought about the possible impact of an SL3-S Reporter. 

[LocalHero1953]

Based on experience, not hearsay......

I bought a Q2 Reporter, and used it intensively before swapping it for a Q3 43. The aramid fibre wrap (it's not Kevlar brand - even if Kevlar is aramid fibre.....) showed only the anticipated wear over two years: fading to green-grey. There was no fraying around the edges, and only slight wear to the green paint on the edges. I sold it for a higher price than black Q2s were selling for last October. I sold it to MPB, who have a good handle on used prices - they had several other Q2s for sale at the time they bought mine.

I bought it for the looks (it was 'only' a few hundred pounds more for a new Reporter over the new black Q2), but I liked the grippiness very much indeed. The grey-black Q3 43 is fine, but it doesn't grip as well, and doesn't look as well either. I would have bought another Reporter edition if it had been available.

Edited March 28 by LocalHero1953

[NightPix]

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1 hour ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Based on experience, not hearsay......

I bought a Q2 Reporter, and used it intensively before swapping it for a Q3 43. The aramid fibre wrap (it's not Kevlar brand - even if Kevlar is aramid fibre.....) showed only the anticipated wear over two years: fading to green-grey. There was no fraying around the edges, and only slight wear to the green paint on the edges. I sold it for a higher price than black Q2s were selling for last October. I sold it to MPB, who have a good handle on used prices - they had several other Q2s for sale at the time they bought mine.

I bought it for the looks (it was 'only' a few hundred pounds more for a new Reporter over the new black Q2), but I liked the grippiness very much indeed. The grey-black Q3 43 is fine, but it doesn't grip as well, and doesn't look as well either. I would have bought another Reporter edition if it had been available.

That's good to hear. I found a number of complaints about fraying, but few posts commenting that they didn't experience any problems. The Reporter is such a beautiful camera it's a shame to pass on it. Sometimes I wonder how representative the forums, reddit, etc are of the larger group of Leica owners.

[colonel]

it will retain a premium over the normal sl2-s, but not as much in a few years as a $1k

[jaapv]

1 hour ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Based on experience, not hearsay......

I bought a Q2 Reporter, and used it intensively before swapping it for a Q3 43. The aramid fibre wrap (it's not Kevlar brand - even if Kevlar is aramid fibre.....) showed only the anticipated wear over two years: fading to green-grey. There was no fraying around the edges, and only slight wear to the green paint on the edges. I sold it for a higher price than black Q2s were selling for last October. I sold it to MPB, who have a good handle on used prices - they had several other Q2s for sale at the time they bought mine.

I bought it for the looks (it was 'only' a few hundred pounds more for a new Reporter over the new black Q2), but I liked the grippiness very much indeed. The grey-black Q3 43 is fine, but it doesn't grip as well, and doesn't look as well either. I would have bought another Reporter edition if it had been available.

Still, Kevlar/Aramid is better at stopping bullets than covering cameras. 😜

https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/amer/us/en/safety/public/documents/en/Kevlar_Technical_Guide_0319.pdf

[NightPix]

23 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Still, Kevlar/Aramid is better at stopping bullets than covering cameras. 😜

https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/amer/us/en/safety/public/documents/en/Kevlar_Technical_Guide_0319.pdf

Makes me wonder why Leica didn't just go with the green paint (which looks great) and ditch the Aramid for something that would last. 

[LocalHero1953]

This is just the way of the world (and internet forums), but it looks like I'm the only one responding from first hand experience.

There are lies, damned lies, statistics, and internet grumble data.

[LocalHero1953]

3 hours ago, NightPix said:

Makes me wonder why Leica didn't just go with the green paint (which looks great) and ditch the Aramid for something that would last. 

In my case it lasted, and it felt better.

[fotonutzz]

On 3/29/2025 at 12:52 AM, NightPix said:

That's good to hear. I found a number of complaints about fraying, but few posts commenting that they didn't experience any problems. The Reporter is such a beautiful camera it's a shame to pass on it. Sometimes I wonder how representative the forums, reddit, etc are of the larger group of Leica owners.

The aramid fibers may be good at stopping bullets, but it can't beat the hot and humid weather conditions in Singapore as well as my sweaty palms. Changed my aramid wrap back to the normal SL2 wrap and couldn't be happier.  It started to fray after 10 months of light usage.

When it is new, the aramid fibers feel like sandpaper and you leave a lot of skin cells on the wrap itself.....hence the patina 🤣

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[NightPix]

There's probably a joke in there somewhere about "sweating bullets" 😀. I actually t

like the looks of the standard SL wrap on the Reporter better than the aramid. Who did the work?

Edited April 11 by NightPix

[cwcltd]

On 3/28/2025 at 9:34 PM, LocalHero1953 said:

This is just the way of the world (and internet forums), but it looks like I'm the only one responding from first hand experience.

There are lies, damned lies, statistics, and internet grumble data.

I’ve got the Q2 Reporter and SL2-S Reporter, both in daily use; skiing, hiking etc. No fraying or issues. Superb.

[Malabito]

SL series, no matter the edition, resale value is terrible. I would go for the standard one just because it's priced lower and it's the same camera.

[jaapv]

Resale value is only of interest to a trader. Most photographers buy a camera to use and enjoy, not to sell. Or, if they are professional, to add the most value their photographs and to write off against profit. 

[CptSlevin]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

Resale value is only of interest to a trader. Most photographers buy a camera to use and enjoy, not to sell. Or, if they are professional, to add the most value their photographs and to write off against profit. 

Сosmetic value is only of interest to a posers. Most photographers buy a camera to use and enjoy, not to glance at its' paint. Or, if they are professional, to add the most value their photographs and to write off against profit. 

Resell value is important, cosmetics is not.
Reselling gear helps buy new gear, cosmetics don't

[jaapv]

If you buy a camera for pleasure you should write it off at then first shot. Resalel value is a bonus, not a consideration.

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[Genoweffa]

10 hours ago, Malabito said:

SL series, no matter the edition, resale value is terrible. I would go for the standard one just because it's priced lower and it's the same camera.

resale value of any man made object is terrible...except real estate and here you also have to hit the right time and of course location, location, location  

Edited April 12 by Genoweffa