New: Firmware Update v.4.0 for Leica SL3 / SL3-S

[Leon_B.]

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Today Leica has published firmware version v.4.0 for the Leica SL3 and SL3-S with significant new features and improvements. Here are the download links and the changes:

Downloads:

• Leica SL3 with v.4.0
• Leica SL3-S with v.4.0

Alternatively, the firmware can be installed via the Leica FOTOS app.

NEW

• A direct Camera-to-Cloud connection to Adobe Frame.io can now be established via WLAN, allowing photos and videos
  (proxy videos) to be uploaded directly to the cloud. This new function is located in the Connectivity menu, where both Leica FOTOS and Frame.io are now managed.
• The tracking algorithm automatically adjusts the size and shape of the focus field during subject tracking. This results in more stable and reliable performance over extended periods of time.
• Automatic focusing on human features, e.g. eyes and faces, has been significantly improved through AI-assisted models.
• The AF mode was revised and the menu structure was simplified. Multi-Field and Spot were combined into one menu (Zone / Multi-Field
  and Field / Spot). A new AF Acquisition menu is now available in both the FN list and the Control Center. Expanded subject recognition: humans (eye/face/body) and animals – including birds, dogs, wolves, cats, and big cats.
• The Leica Looks menu was optimized. A new Intensity setting option was added.
• The monitor refresh rate can now be set to 30 fps / 60 fps. Selecting 30 fps reduces power consumption in Live View mode.
• A new Battery Condition menu now displays the overall condition of the BP-SCL6 battery.
• A Multi-Shot mode has been added for the SL3, Facilitating shots of up to 241 MP for maximum detail rendering.
• Additional video formats with lower bit rates have been introduced, providing more flexible recording options. The camera now also
  supports the aspect ratios 4:3 (anamorphic) and 3:2, expanding creative possibilities.
• When using an anamorphic lens, the camera can now de-squeeze distorted images during playback. Supported anamorphic desqueeze factors: 1.25, 1.3, 1.33, 1.5, 1.6, 1.65, 1.8, 1.85, 2.0.

IMPROVEMENT

• The behavior of the Auto ISO display in Live View and the Control Center when using a flash was revised. - Previously, the camera
  sometimes displayed incorrect ISO values in flash mode, since the actual ISO value is only determined during the pre-flash. With the
  update, the following behavior applies:
  – If a flash is connected and required for the shot, the Auto ISO value remains hidden in Live View and the Control Center.
  – If a flash is connected but not ready or not required, a preview value is displayed.
  – If no flash is connected, the Auto ISO value is displayed as usual.
• The AF profile labels (DE/EN) have been adjusted for clearer and more consistent terminology.
• Change to the default flash setting: The default for Flash mode is now On instead of Auto
• RED – EU Cybersecurity Requirements: When updating from version 3.1.1 or earlier, the camera must be re-paired with the app.
• Default settings adjusted in Control Center: AF Detection is now enabled by default.
• Faster Start Time (after extended inactivity): The camera starts up significantly faster.
• When inserting an aged or low-performance battery, a warning message now appears indicating reduced battery condition.
• The icon for active Perspective Control is now displayed correctly in Review mode.
• The warning message regarding limited functionality when using a BP-SCL4 battery was revised. The message can now be disabled via the option „Don't show again“. After eight weeks, the reminder automatically reappears to indicate the battery condition. The message is displayed only when the camera is switched on, not when waking from standby. The setting is restored to default after a camera reset.
• Starting a video recording no longer cancels a previously set autofocus lock. The focus setting is therefore maintained during the transition from photo to video mode.
• The menu items File Format and Compression were consolidated and are now available via the single menu item (File Format).
• Improved display of grayed-out settings: Current values will now always be shown in Live View and in the menu.

TROUBLESHOOTING

• When switching on the camera, the message “No memory card inserted. Please insert a memory card” was previously displayed
  briefly, even though a card was present. This behavior occurred with SD and with CFexpress cards. This issue was resolved. The
  camera now recognizes the inserted memory card without error messages.
• Autofocus with S-lenses now operates significantly more reliably and consistently, especially in combination with the SL3-S.
• In Tethered shooting mode with JPG+DNG files, Leica Content Credentials data was previously not stored. This issue was resolved.
  The Content Credentials information is now properly embedded in both file formats.

[LD_50]

Excellent!

[Photoworks]

I suppose I was complaining for too long that the Firmware is needed on the SL3!

Now lets test it

[Elliot Harper]

1 hour ago, Leon_B. said:

When switching on the camera, the message “No memory card inserted. Please insert a memory card” was previously displayed
briefly, even though a card was present. This behavior occurred with SD and with CFexpress cards. This issue was resolved. The
camera now recognizes the inserted memory card without error messages.

finally, this is something I have been suffering for the long time.

[thrang]

Even though I did the update and paired, the Fotos app said I still needed to update the Bluetooth pairing... I tried this, and got nowhere, including deleting the bluetooth pairing on the phone - kept showing the same message. I had to delete my phone pairing in the SL3-S and the SL3-S from Fotos and start anew, and seem fine now

[hoolyproductions]

Oh I forgot to mention this happened to me as well, but I just did nothing and it sorted itself out.

[thrang]

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5 minutes ago, hoolyproductions said:

Oh I forgot to mention this happened to me as well, but I just did nothing and it sorted itself out.

Just did my Q28, and the pairing update worked on that...

[Filip Baraka]

Great news for SL3 users, let us know how multishot is working for us SL2 users that have kept holding back on upgrading…

[JeffWright]

24 minutes ago, thrang said:

Even though I did the update and paired, the Fotos app said I still needed to update the Bluetooth pairing... I tried this, and got nowhere, including deleting the bluetooth pairing on the phone - kept showing the same message. I had to delete my phone pairing in the SL3-S and the SL3-S from Fotos and start anew, and seem fine now

Same here with my SL3, had to delete the camera profile. Didn't use the Cable, did it over wifi/bluetooth.

Edited 13 hours ago by JeffWright

[stbeyer]

Wow, this addresses all my AF UI complaints! 

Looks really good when testing on my cats at home! Now, let's see if it holds up in the real world.

[jiggyb21]

I’m curious how the user profiles transferred over for everyone, especially considering they’ve separated and tweaked some of the AF menu components.  

[LocalHero1953]

The excitement is too much - updates for the SL3-S and Q3 43 on the same day. I'm not sure I can cope

[Drbajm]

1 hour ago, Filip Baraka said:

Great news for SL3 users, let us know how multishot is working for us SL2 users that have kept holding back on upgrading…

I did a test, admittedly very basic—freehand, in poor lighting conditions—and the result is... impressive!
I had kept my SL2 in reserve because multishot was still interesting, but now the missing link has been filled.
All that remains is to implement focus bracketing.

[MikeZ]

Glad to hear that some of our concerns have been addressed - we'll see if that is truly the case when we all have the chance to test.  Nevertheless, I'm hopeful.

[BillCB]

Looks very good. The SL3 updated without any problems, and my APO lenses also updated when I attached them - but not the SL24-90 Vario Elmarit. I assume it doesn't need updating.

[Jonathan Levin]

I was wondering if this updates anything in the 24-90 as well.

[Jonathan Levin]

I'm thinking this may be big enough update that I may reset camera to factory, install update and set everything all over. Also delete paired devices in Leica Fotos too and start with a clean slate.

[LBJ2]

Interview with Stefan Daniel: "SL is our most versatile workhorse for photographers and videographers" 

 

 

Edited 10 hours ago by LBJ2

[jiggyb21]

Just now, Jonathan Levin said:

I'm thinking this may be big enough update that I may reset camera to factory, install update and set everything all over. Also delete paired devices in Leica Fotos too and start with a clean slate.

That’s kind of why I asked the question above. Problem is I just spent 2 hrs setting up my SL3 and SL3s perfectly and identically…..LAST NIGHT!!!!

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[albireo_double]

28 minutes ago, BillCB said:

Looks very good. The SL3 updated without any problems, and my APO lenses also updated when I attached them - but not the SL24-90 Vario Elmarit. I assume it doesn't need updating.

I recall that the lens FW update addressed the inconsistent exposure vs. EVF preview that had been present when shooting with the APO Summicrons. The zooms did not suffer from this issue. So no need to update the 24-90.