p.1 #1 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
From two people I trust who have used the body...
Negatives:
Has SLOWER AF than both S1/R
EVF is blurry in shooting mode (like the Q2)
Manual focus, using mag, in the EVF also not sharp
May have strange WB issues
Worse HIGH ISO than the S1
SL2 cost 6K
Positives:
More malleable files than the S1/R
SL2 is better with M glass
Better ergonomics (subjective)
p.1 #3 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
Donzo98 wrote:
Surprised... no comments.
I suspect that not too many use either one of these cameras. When it comes to higher resolution, likely the A7R III/IV series and the Z7 are used mostly here. I found the S1R of interest until reports came in that M-lenses don't work better than on other MLCs - currently the (unmodified) Z6/Z7 seems to be one of the best alternative MLCs to Leica for this purpose.
Big con of the SL2 to me is that finally Leica jumped to higher FF sensor resolution. But that's the biggest change IMO. For > $6K. You are right, competition with the much less expensive S1R makes the purchase of an SL2 camera questionable at least. Not sure if Leica will continue the SL series with Panasonic standing close by. I personally wouldn't vest at this point into the Leica SL camera if there is not a business need for it.
p.1 #4 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
retrofocus wrote:
I suspect that not too many use either one of these cameras. When it comes to higher resolution, likely the A7R III/IV series and the Z7 are used mostly here. I found the S1R of interest until reports came in that M-lenses don't work better than on other MLCs - currently the (unmodified) Z6/Z7 seems to be one of the best alternative MLCs to Leica for this purpose.
Big con of the SL2 to me is that finally Leica jumped to higher FF sensor resolution. But that's the biggest change IMO. For > $6K. You are right, competition with the much less expensive S1R makes the purchase of an SL2 camera questionable at least. Not sure if Leica will continue the SL series with Panasonic standing close by. I personally wouldn't vest at this point into the Leica SL camera if there is not a business need for it. ...Show more →
I have decided to stay with the S1 (24mp). Using Leica SL glass on it... outstanding camera. Great EVF, IBIS and super clean high ISO performance.
p.1 #5 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
Donzo98 wrote:
From two people I trust who have used the body...
Negatives:
Has SLOWER AF than both S1/R
EVF is blurry in shooting mode (like the Q2)
Manual focus, using mag, in the EVF also not sharp
May have strange WB issues
Worse HIGH ISO than the S1
SL2 cost 6K
Positives:
More malleable files than the S1/R
SL2 is better with M glass
Better ergonomics (subjective)
I have both in hand.
AF feels SLIGHTLY slower. Low light AF is same (ie: excellent). Neither has CAF worth using. Face/Eye detect is a gen behind. SAF is sensational.
EVF is blurry in iAF (default). Switch to SAF and it's very sharp.
Not had any issues with magnification sharpness.
WB is cooler than S1R. Exposure is higher than S1R (better).
Of course it doesn't match a 24MP camera for high ISO. No other camera bests the S1.
SL2 files have SLIGHTLY more accutance than the S1R. Probably due to less cover glass.
SL2 is 130g lighter.
S1R has many more buttons but they're bigger and better positioned. I don't like the SL2 rear button layout. SL was MUCH better. Not sure I prefer the SL2 to S1R. For my hands the S1R buttons are better positioned.
SL2 has the better joystick.
SL2 touch screen is better implemented.
SL2 menus VASLTLY better.
SL2 does better video (5K)
SL2 can be set to 30 minute exposure before bulb. S1R is 1 minute before bulb.
SL2 can be used while charging from USBC.
If you don't run M glass then the S1R is probably the more logical choice. You can buy 2 S1R's for a single SL. However, if you can afford or just want an SL2 you won't be left behind in specs or performance.
Neither are sports cameras.
I've had the SL2 for 2 days so I'm still learning the camera.
p.1 #7 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
flash wrote:
I have both in hand.
AF feels SLIGHTLY slower. Low light AF is same (ie: excellent). Neither has CAF worth using. Face/Eye detect is a gen behind. SAF is sensational.
EVF is blurry in iAF (default). Switch to SAF and it's very sharp.
Not had any issues with magnification sharpness.
WB is cooler than S1R. Exposure is higher than S1R (better).
Of course it doesn't match a 24MP camera for high ISO. No other camera bests the S1.
SL2 files have SLIGHTLY more accutance than the S1R. Probably due to less cover glass.
SL2 is 130g lighter.
S1R has many more buttons but they're bigger and better positioned. I don't like the SL2 rear button layout. SL was MUCH better. Not sure I prefer the SL2 to S1R. For my hands the S1R buttons are better positioned.
SL2 has the better joystick.
SL2 touch screen is better implemented.
SL2 menus VASLTLY better.
SL2 does better video (5K)
SL2 can be set to 30 minute exposure before bulb. S1R is 1 minute before bulb.
SL2 can be used while charging from USBC.
If you don't run M glass then the S1R is probably the more logical choice. You can buy 2 S1R's for a single SL. However, if you can afford or just want an SL2 you won't be left behind in specs or performance.
Neither are sports cameras.
I've had the SL2 for 2 days so I'm still learning the camera.
p.1 #8 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
From my point of view the major advantage of the SL2 should be better integration with M lenses in respect to sensor cover glass thickness and/or microlens design.
Gordon, it would be great to get your opinion about any discernible differences from M lenses, in respect to detail smearing at the frame edges relative to the M10 and S1R. This is possibly a big ask due to the amount of work required to shoot the tests.... Thanks in advance.
p.1 #9 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
Although the Summicron SL lenses are extremely tempting, for me the main negative of the SL2 compared to the S1/S1R is that it lacks a tilt LCD screen. So I’ll hold on to my A7R3 bodies and spend the SL2 money on an M10 Monochrom.
p.1 #10 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
Supposedly the mobile phone with the Leica Fotos app can be used like a tilt screen with the SL2 w/ even more flexibility. I guess this makes sense in some but not all scenarios. Seems like it could also be awkward when hand holding the heavier SL2 + mobile phone.
p.1 #11 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
rscheffler wrote:
From my point of view the major advantage of the SL2 should be better integration with M lenses in respect to sensor cover glass thickness and/or microlens design.
Gordon, it would be great to get your opinion about any discernible differences from M lenses, in respect to detail smearing at the frame edges relative to the M10 and S1R. This is possibly a big ask due to the amount of work required to shoot the tests.... Thanks in advance.
"the major advantage of the SL2 should be better integration with M lenses in respect to sensor cover glass thickness and/or microlens design."
This is something I want to compare for myself too. I'm already pretty happy adapting my modern Leica M glass to the A7rIII's thicker cover glass even the Noctilux 50 f0,95 ( example below). But of course prefer using M glass with the M10.
p.1 #12 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
I read somewhere that modern Leica M glass is optimized for digital? Is this true? If so which lenses ? If true, approximately what production year did this digital optimization begin?
p.1 #13 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
LBJ2 wrote:
I'm already pretty happy adapting my modern Leica M glass to the A7rIII's thicker cover glass even the Noctilux 50 f0,95 ( example below). But of course prefer using M glass with the M10.
No surprise that this combination works well on the A7R III. It is not a wide angle lens which are the biggest potential troublemakers of M-glass attached to thicker sensor camera glass and the Noctilux has of course a very large end lens diameter avoiding steep light angles hitting the sensor. This said, I am using a bunch of M-lenses on my unmodified sensor A7R successfully. Lenses which don't work from my experience are for example f/2 wider angle based ASPH lenses. For some reason the ASPH lens design does not work at all at f/2 on Sony sensors (it does though when wider open at f/1.4). I mentioned this earlier in other threads here, but the predecessor Leica 35/2 non-ASPH versions all work excellent on Sony sensors. So I can clearly tell that the ASPH design caused some debit here. Not an issue at all when sticking to digital Leica M (and maybe also SL, not sure) cameras.
p.1 #14 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
The flip screen is definitely a bonus and, if you're a stills shooter, brilliantly implemented on the S1R. I didn't use it often on my last trip but when I did it was invaluable. I haven't managed to get Fotos 2 to even connect to my camera so that's an issue and even if I do it's not much good when I'm hanging the camera over the edge of a boat like I did two weeks ago with the S1R.
M lenses are definitely better on the SL2. I have yet to do proper tests and I don't have many "problem" lenses anyway. My wide is a WATE. I'll do some tests with my old 24mm 2.8 asph and first gen 28mm Summicron ASPH some time. The SL2 has less cover glass, micro lenses and lens profiles. It's just going to be better. I have seen shots with the SL2 and an 18mm and they were very nice but I didn't get mission critical on them. I have a MATE. I'll see how that goes...
The SL2 does work with the Sigma MC21. So it's far more adaptable. M, R and S lenses work (S with AF), with profiles plus more Canon lenses than with the Novoflex adaptor. I'll also test the Nikon Novoflex adaptor to see if that works as well or better than the S1R.
p.1 #15 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
Donzo98 wrote:
Has SLOWER AF than both S1/R
EVF is blurry in shooting mode (like the Q2)
Manual focus, using mag, in the EVF also not sharp
flash wrote:
EVF is blurry in iAF (default). Switch to SAF and it's very sharp.
Not had any issues with magnification sharpness.
That's interesting. I was shooting manual focus the whole time I had the S1r, so I don't know that I checked the AF mode. However, I found the poor clarity and definition to apply to magnification mode as well. And even image review mode. And applied to LCD as well as EVF.
One thing I did note, on the LCD image review mode looks terrible because the preview jpeg is tiny and very poor quality. I noticed because it image review mode sharpens up when you use multi-shot mode. It didn't make a difference in EVF though. So my assessment is: this EVF panel is inherently not great, but LCD's problem is just the data input.
p.1 #16 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
Any comparison just became much more difficult, as today B&H is offering a Black Friday sale on Open Box Panasonic S1R bodies for $1862.12 or $2312.23 with their 24-105 zoom lens, that would mean a person could buy more than 3 each of the S1R bodies for the price of one SL2 body. Sobering.
p.1 #17 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
insideline wrote:
Any comparison just became much more difficult, as today B&H is offering a Black Friday sale on Open Box Panasonic S1R bodies for $1862.12 or $2312.23 with their 24-105 zoom lens, that would mean a person could buy more than 3 each of the S1R bodies for the price of one SL2 body. Sobering.
p.1 #18 · Thoughts on the Leica SL2 compared to the S1/S1R
The EVF is high on my priority list for a camera. The S1 EVF is really quite good and the reason I bought it. I'm pretty happy w/the finder, but note it occasionally displays posterization in lower light (oddball rendering of color gradients -instead of a smooth transition, it can make areas look somewhat striated/banded) in the EVF -much less so on the LCD screen, and note this posterization is not in the file. A Pana rep verified this behavior to me. Don't know if the SL2 does this, but assume it uses the same evf panel.
