SL3-S EVF vs Visoflex 2 - Night and Day Difference

[Jan1985]

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I am now testing the SL3-S since one week. In summary the biggest improvement for me as a M-shooter is the wonderful EVF of the SL3-S. 

Now I totally understand why a lot of photographers say that shooting M-lenses on the SL is much easier than on the M. I shot wedding with the M for over 10 years with fast lenses such as the Noctilux 0.95. Even with the Visoflex 2 on the M11 focusing often was a gambling. Especially when you were sure you nailed the focus it was often off. 

The other features of the SL3-S are also impressive and the ability to shoot M-lenses as well as L-Mount lenses makes me really think of switching totally to the SL. The best would be to have the sensor of the SL3 with all the improvements of the SL3-S in one camera.

[o2mpx]

@Jan1985 Thanks for the post as I was on the fence whether to get a M11-p with visoflex or SL3 for m lenses. Barring any surprises from the M11-V, rumored to be announced in Oct, looks like the SL3 is still the better solution with ibis. 

[Jan1985]

vor 4 Stunden schrieb o2mpx:

@Jan1985 Thanks for the post as I was on the fence whether to get a M11-p with visoflex or SL3 for m lenses. Barring any surprises from the M11-V, rumored to be announced in Oct, looks like the SL3 is still the better solution with ibis. 

I am also a passioned M-shooter. But practically the SL gives you much more flexibility to use a variety of lenses from different brands. And the EVF in my eyes is a game changer. But I'm curious how the rumored M11-V will look like.

[LeicaR10]

Jan1985,   You might possibly find your answer to the M11-V on the most recent posting at Leica Rumors.  The real answer might well be known this October. Stay tuned.  r/ Mark

Edited July 6 by LeicaR10

[maxinmanhattan]

Hi, I use both SL and M systems.  the biggest problem of SLs for me is the EVF is not bright enough in bright sunlight, and to make things worse is that I wear glasses, so I cannot fully block the outside light from entering into the EVF.  M has no issue in bright sunlight, and actually much easier to focus.

It is very easy to use M lenses on SL for sure.  I usually change the photo style to high contrast Black and White, DNG only.  so the EVF will become black and white, making the focus peaking red even more noticeable.  

[Jan1985]

I used the M for almost 10 years of commercial work. Really getting to know its limits using it on weddings, ceremonies or type of shootings. If I could afford both, keeping the M11 and adding the SL3-S I would do that. But I have to make a decision. Letting the M11 go for an SL3-S with good AF and a lens.

[jaapv]

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You could start by getting an SL2S which is quite affordable right now and is very close in functionality to the 3S. I doubt that you would miss the improvements of the SL3S for your type of work. Mount  a 28-70 and just go. Or use it with the Sigma 70-200 to supplement your M. Even if your next M is the rumored EVF one. 
To forestall one argument The AF on the 2 is quite adequate for general work with the right lenses, especially the Sigma variants, and the 3 adds only little - it is still nowhere near for instance even the Panasonic equivalents, let alone Sony.

Edit: The SL2S is, at the present prices, is rather unlikely to lose much on resale. 

[Jan1985]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb jaapv:

You could start by getting an SL2S which is quite affordable right now and is very close in functionality to the 3S. I doubt that you would miss the improvements of the SL3S for your type of work. Mount  a 28-70 and just go. Or use it with the Sigma 70-200 to supplement your M. Even if your next M is the rumored EVF one. 
To forestall one argument The AF on the 2 is quite adequate for general work with the right lenses, especially the Sigma variants, and the 3 adds only little - it is still nowhere near for instance even the Panasonic equivalents, let alone Sony.

Edit: The SL2S is, at the present prices, is rather unlikely to lose much on resale. 

So from your POV the AF of the SL2-S is good enough for photographing runnings kids on a wedding or something like that?

[jaapv]

If they are not running directly at you… it does fine with my dog running towards me using the Sigma 70-200 2.8, which has dual AF motors. In any case the SL3S wouldn’t do much better. I would prefer my S5ii.  Personally I would go for an M using prefocus though. 
I can only say try for yourself. The reviews are contradictory. 

[Jan1985]

vor 7 Minuten schrieb jaapv:

If they are not running directly at you… it does fine with my dog running towards me using the Sigma 70-200 2.8, which has dual AF motors. In any case the SL3S wouldn’t do much better. I would prefer my S5ii.  Personally I would go for an M using prefocus though. 
I can only say try for yourself. The reviews are contradictory. 

Interesting. Is the EVF of the SL2-S on the same level as the one of the SL3-S?

I think about additionally buying the Sigma 28-45mm 1.8 for both photography and videography. Are the SL2-S video capabilities good enough for serious videography?

[costa43]

On 7/6/2025 at 12:58 AM, Jan1985 said:

Now I totally understand why a lot of photographers say that shooting M-lenses on the SL is much easier than on the M

Only in limited situations for me, wide open with very fast lenses and stationary subjects for instance is more accurate on the SL but otherwise, I find the rangefinder quicker than the SL in most circumstances. I also find when stopped down, it’s not so easy to tell when you’ve hit critical focus on the SL, whereas on the M, if the rangefinder is lined up, you are golden, regardless of anything. 

Edited July 7 by costa43

[jaapv]

It is clearly superior to the Visoflex and SL, and I am happy but I have no direct comparison. 
As for Video,I only know that one should push the red button. 

[o2mpx]

11 hours ago, jaapv said:

You could start by getting an SL2S which is quite affordable right now and is very close in functionality to the 3S. I doubt that you would miss the improvements of the SL3S for your type of work.

Is the SL3, followed by the SL3s the best options now for using m lenses? Followed by the SL2 and SL2s? How would one look at how these, and the LUMIX variants rank in terms of desirability scale for the purpose of using m lenses?

[LD_50]

7 hours ago, Jan1985 said:

So from your POV the AF of the SL2-S is good enough for photographing runnings kids on a wedding or something like that?

I know you'll receive feedback here that AF is good enough with the older SL cameras, and also that AF isn't necessary at all. I'd try the cameras before buying because others' acceptable focus, hit rate, and expectations for focus placement vary widely. It's an expensive mistake to choose a camera that doesn't give you the results you want.

With enough DOF you can mask focus errors a bit with running animals/kids with the older cameras, but the SL3-S has provided a significant improvement to me with the ability to quickly acquire focus. I haven't changed lenses in going from SL to SL2-S to SL3-S. The AF is not up to Sony/Canon/Nikon standard but I do believe it's usable and the hit rate is sufficient for use with my young kids in ways the SL2-S was not. I still don't think it's great with high fps and AFc tracking, but it's definitely an improvement. 

I would recommend you try out the SL3-S before buying if AF is important to you. I have no experience with the SL3, but it also adds PDAF (with fewer sensors and a slower sensor readout) so it may also improve over the SL2/SL2-S. The newest Panasonics should perform as well and many here can provide feedback about them. 

[jaapv]

If the poster is using an M camera now I really doubt whether he will find SL AF insufficient, especially when using fast focusing lenses. The newest Sigmas are a clear improvement. I have a strong suspicion that the variance in AF experience depends on the lenses used. 

Especially when he is asking about M lens performance. 

[Jan1985]

I plan to purchase a Sigma 28-45mm 1.8 for my wedding photography as it covers exactly the range that I am usually working in during an event. And it also has a nice shallow DOF and low-light capabilities which is essential in this kind of photography because the light situation sometimes change rapidly. 

Actually I am testing the SL3-S. Got it from a local dealer. But the question is, how much better it behaves compared to the SL2-S?

[jaapv]

If you can find one,,try.  Nobody can tell you as it is personal experience. For me the 3 was not worth the upgrade and I am not alone. But if you get a good  2 for about 2000 EUR you can always sell it at little loss   Even  a new one should not be more than 2500. Low light? Not an issue.  With the 2 and Topaz I can get usable shots at ISO 100.000 and 25.000 is a realistic value. The 3 is only marginally better. 

[albireo_double]

For me, shooting M lenses is easier with an M camera. Focus with the rangefinder, compose and adjust exposure with the Visoflex. The only M lens that I have much preferred to shoot with on an SL camera was the Noctilux 0.95 when used wide open.

[Tirpitz666]

The SL2/s share the same EVF as the SL3/s, so I don't see how the latters could be "better" at shooting with M lenses, unless someone plans to use the rear LCD and needs an articulated one (sensors differences aside of course).

I still have a limited experience with my SL2s, but this weekend I shot a concert with it and my APO Summicon-M 90 F2 almost entirely wide open and nailing focus even in dynamic context was much easier than I was used to with less capable EVFs of other cameras, so far it looks like it was the right choice for me for that kind of usage 🙂

Edited July 8 by Tirpitz666

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[jaapv]

As for the sensor, although it may have been upgraded for super-critical use, I can safely say that if you cannot get amazing IQ out  of the SL2S, you won’t be able to get it out of the SL3S either.