Wrote up a review for the Leica SL (Typ 601) after using it professionally and for personal use for about 5 years! Tons of sample images with both L- and M- lenses, and my thoughts on using the system in 2020.
Thank you for the interesting read, written from the perpective of someone who actually uses the camera!
Did you have any issues with peripheral color shift with M lenses on the SL? Lab tests indicate that lens profiles almost eliminate that shift on the M10 and M10-P, while some - most often purple - shift remains on the SL and SL2. The new M10-R appears to be almost flawless in this regard, even without applying lens profiles (and thus also when using third party lenses).
I found a couple of typos and other things like a missing negation in your text, so you might want to comb through it one more time to weed out these things.
AcuteShadows wrote:
Thank you for the interesting read, written from the perpective of someone who actually uses the camera!
Did you have any issues with peripheral color shift with M lenses on the SL? Lab tests indicate that lens profiles almost eliminate that shift on the M10 and M10-P, while some - most often purple - shift remains on the SL and SL2. The new M10-R appears to be almost flawless in this regard, even without applying lens profiles (and thus also when using third party lenses).
I found a couple of typos and other things like a missing negation in your text, so you might want to comb through it one more time to weed out these things....Show more →
Thank you for taking the time to read! I never used any M lenses wider than 28mm from Leica on the SL, so I can't speak to color shift on those. But, with all my lenses 28mm and longer, color shift was not a noticeable issue. In playback mode, the screen did have strange color noise that didn't appear in the final images.
photos_of_chu wrote:
Thank you for taking the time to read! I never used any M lenses wider than 28mm from Leica on the SL, so I can't speak to color shift on those. But, with all my lenses 28mm and longer, color shift was not a noticeable issue. In playback mode, the screen did have strange color noise that didn't appear in the final images.
I'm using a Summicron 28mm, Summarit 50mm + 90mm on the Nikon Z series and apply lens color profiles generated with Capture One to my images (actually I did until Capture One 20 was issued, which somehow broke the LCC module). While the color shift was most pronounced on the 28mm, it was still visible on the 90mm if focus at or close to infinity. My take on this is that you are not in clear above 28mm focal length, though your chances improve that you don't run into problems.
photos_of_chu wrote:
Wrote up a review for the Leica SL (Typ 601) after using it professionally and for personal use for about 5 years! Tons of sample images with both L- and M- lenses, and my thoughts on using the system in 2020.
AcuteShadows wrote:
I'm using a Summicron 28mm, Summarit 50mm + 90mm on the Nikon Z series and apply lens color profiles generated with Capture One to my images (actually I did until Capture One 20 was issued, which somehow broke the LCC module). While the color shift was most pronounced on the 28mm, it was still visible on the 90mm if focus at or close to infinity. My take on this is that you are not in clear above 28mm focal length, though your chances improve that you don't run into problems.
Can you send me via PM when you have a minute an example of colour shift when adapting your M lenses to your Nikon Z? I don't think I see colour shift when adapting even the wide Summilux 24 on the A7rIV, but maybe I don't know what I am looking for.
Thank you for the great write up and sample images. I had sold my original SL years ago and have always missed the look of the files and the feel of the camera in hand. A few months ago I purchased the SL2 and, although I appreciated the increased resolution, the compelling look of the SL images seemed to be missing (only my opinion, others may disagree).
LBJ2 mentioned the SL2-S. I recently received mine and, to me, it very much has the same look as the images I was getting with the original SL. With some of the technological advancements over the original SL, it may be worth taking for a test if your local Leica store will let you try one for a few hours.
In terms of portraiture, your results are stunning. I am going to be doing more portrait work and I need to work with the camera more to get the best results. I have the Canon R5 and the RF 50 1.2, RF 85 1.2, RF 28-70 f2 and RF 70-200 2.8. I purchased the Canon for more consistent results, especially using eye-AF, but the images (as good as they are) are just missing something as compared to the Leica.
Currently I’m using the APO Summicron-SL lenses (35, 50, 90). The results you’re getting with M mount lenses are stunning, and I prefer the rendering to what I’m seeing with the APO Summicron-SL lenses. I may need to try the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 Distagon and compare it to the 35 SL.
Have you used both the 50 Summilux-SL and the 50 APO Summicron-SL? I’ve been thinking I want to try the 1.4 for portraiture with the SL2-S (It was the lens I used most with the original SL) but my local Leica store keeps talking me out of it since I already have the 50 APO Summicron-SL.
LBJ2 wrote:
Just what I needed on January 1, 2021. An interesting story to read about a beautiful camera and a cup of good coffee!
P.S. No urge to trade in and upgrade to the SL2-S ?
Thank you Oh, the urge has definitely come up, but after listing the SL for sale, I finished up writing my review of it, and felt that selling it would be out of impulse. Writing my review actually convinced me to keep it. The value for money of the 601 is unbeatable in the face of buying (another) $5k camera.
saxguy wrote:
Thank you for the great write up and sample images. I had sold my original SL years ago and have always missed the look of the files and the feel of the camera in hand. A few months ago I purchased the SL2 and, although I appreciated the increased resolution, the compelling look of the SL images seemed to be missing (only my opinion, others may disagree).
LBJ2 mentioned the SL2-S. I recently received mine and, to me, it very much has the same look as the images I was getting with the original SL. With some of the technological advancements over the original SL, it may be worth taking for a test if your local Leica store will let you try one for a few hours.
In terms of portraiture, your results are stunning. I am going to be doing more portrait work and I need to work with the camera more to get the best results. I have the Canon R5 and the RF 50 1.2, RF 85 1.2, RF 28-70 f2 and RF 70-200 2.8. I purchased the Canon for more consistent results, especially using eye-AF, but the images (as good as they are) are just missing something as compared to the Leica.
Currently I’m using the APO Summicron-SL lenses (35, 50, 90). The results you’re getting with M mount lenses are stunning, and I prefer the rendering to what I’m seeing with the APO Summicron-SL lenses. I may need to try the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 Distagon and compare it to the 35 SL.
Have you used both the 50 Summilux-SL and the 50 APO Summicron-SL? I’ve been thinking I want to try the 1.4 for portraiture with the SL2-S (It was the lens I used most with the original SL) but my local Leica store keeps talking me out of it since I already have the 50 APO Summicron-SL....Show more →
I've never used the second generation of SL bodies, but a couple friends have told me that they felt something intangibly great from the original SL files, to which I agree.
Thank you for your kind words! I've definitely also been tempted by the Canon R5 and 1.2 lens ecosystem, but I'm a huge fan of the way Leica lenses render, and the micro-contrast that they provide. Both M and L lenses perform admirably in this regard. I recently traded in my Zeiss 35 Distagon for a Leica 35mm FLE, mostly because I found one in silver
Yes, I have used both 50mm SL lenses, and I feel like there's nothing quite like the Summilux. The APO Summicron focuses quicker, but is still quite heavy as a walk-around lens. The rendering from the Summilux warrants the heavier weight. I've attached a few photos from the Summilux here.
photos_of_chu wrote:
Wrote up a review for the Leica SL (Typ 601) after using it professionally and for personal use for about 5 years! Tons of sample images with both L- and M- lenses, and my thoughts on using the system in 2020.
This is an example of the color shift of the Leica Summicron 28mm f/2 ASPH. (11672) on the Nikon Z 7.
LBJ2 wrote:
Can you send me via PM when you have a minute an example of colour shift when adapting your M lenses to your Nikon Z? I don't think I see colour shift when adapting even the wide Summilux 24 on the A7rIV, but maybe I don't know what I am looking for.
AcuteShadows wrote:
This is an example of the color shift of the Leica Summicron 28mm f/2 ASPH. (11672) on the Nikon Z 7.
Thank you. I see a couple of nuances in the clouds/sky but actually prefer the uncorrected sky/clouds. Is there something else in the frame I should direct my eye?
Top review, very well written, congrats. And thanks for sharing it. The SL is a camera I'm dreaming about...and you make me want it even more
Happy New Year to you and your family. And to everyone on this forum
Most obvious to me is the shift towards cyan on the building on right of the frame. Once you see this, you realize the cyan shift on the Oculus structure on the left. The sky in the upper left corner also looks shifted towards cyan.
Overall, the effect is most visible (and distracting) when you have uniformly colored areas in the image. Often, the effect is similar to having a large light source of daylight temperature (say 5700K) dominating the center part of the image, while the periphery is influenced by colder light such as that characteristic of a clouded sky. Thus, even if you are not consciously aware of the effect, the image conveys a somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere, a sunny spot threatened by adverse weather closing in from all sides.
There might be a little bit to much magenta in the corrected image, so additional corrections (which then apply to the image as a whole, not only to the peripheral areas) may be necessary.
LBJ2 wrote:
Thank you. I see a couple of nuances in the clouds/sky but actually prefer the uncorrected sky/clouds. Is there something else in the frame I should direct my eye?
AcuteShadows wrote:
Most obvious to me is the shift towards cyan on the building on right of the frame. Once you see this, you realize the cyan shift on the Oculus structure on the left. The sky in the upper left corner also looks shifted towards cyan.
Overall, the effect is most visible (and distracting) when you have uniformly colored areas in the image. Often, the effect is similar to having a large light source of daylight temperature (say 5700K) dominating the center part of the image, while the periphery is influenced by colder light such as that characteristic of a clouded sky. Thus, even if you are not consciously aware of the effect, the image conveys a somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere, a sunny spot threatened by adverse weather closing in from all sides.
There might be a little bit to much magenta in the corrected image, so additional corrections (which then apply to the image as a whole, not only to the peripheral areas) may be necessary.
Thank you again for the image samples and the further details/explanation. Much appreciated. You certainly selected a very colourful scene to investigate! I will look again tomorrow during daylight in my office. Perhaps how I calibrate my iMac 5K Retina or current ambient lighting in my environment the uncorrected sample still looks best to me. Of course I do not have the memory of the actual scene and colours in real life like you do and should be a determining factor.
I prefer the M10 look for my M lenses over adapting. Nonetheless, it is clear to me with Sony or Nikon sensor-stack we can get away with a lot.
nikonsafari wrote:
Top review, very well written, congrats. And thanks for sharing it. The SL is a camera I'm dreaming about...and you make me want it even more
Happy New Year to you and your family. And to everyone on this forum
I have been itching to try my Leica M lenses on first the SL, then SL2 and now SL2-S since five years now, Ha Ha. I came very close to buying the SL2, then decided to hire the camera instead, then pulled back because I know if I try it I will buy it and I certainly don't need another camera system! Ha Ha.
From what I can tell so far, the SL2-S BSI sensor seems to have pulled ahead of the SL and SL2 IQ and joined stiff IQ competition among the other FF mirrorless giants and still retain the possibility of the Leica Look. So the SL2-S might be the big Leica camera that gets me to crack my wallet at least for a weekend...
photos_of_chu wrote:
I've never used the second generation of SL bodies, but a couple friends have told me that they felt something intangibly great from the original SL files, to which I agree.
Thank you for your kind words! I've definitely also been tempted by the Canon R5 and 1.2 lens ecosystem, but I'm a huge fan of the way Leica lenses render, and the micro-contrast that they provide. Both M and L lenses perform admirably in this regard. I recently traded in my Zeiss 35 Distagon for a Leica 35mm FLE, mostly because I found one in silver
Yes, I have used both 50mm SL lenses, and I feel like there's nothing quite like the Summilux. The APO Summicron focuses quicker, but is still quite heavy as a walk-around lens. The rendering from the Summilux warrants the heavier weight. I've attached a few photos from the Summilux here....Show more →
The eye in the first portrait is sharp, sharp which creates a stunning/ beautiful falloff and Leica pop. The other two portraits among these three do not achieve what I describe in the first portrait, rather less sharp eyes, with the second portrait the least sharp eyes but beautiful none-the-less.
LBJ2 wrote:
I have been itching to try my Leica M lenses on first the SL, then SL2 and now SL2-S since five years now, Ha Ha. I came very close to buying the SL2, then decided to hire the camera instead, then pulled back because I know if I try it I will buy it and I certainly don't need another camera system! Ha Ha.
From what I can tell so far, the SL2-S BSI sensor seems to have pulled ahead of the SL and SL2 IQ and joined stiff IQ competition among the other FF mirrorless giants and still retain the possibility of the Leica Look. So the SL2-S might be the big Leica camera that gets me to crack my wallet at least for a weekend......Show more →
I will not buy a SL...I will not buy a SL... I will not buy a SL... I WILL buy a SL
Oh, the urge has definitely come up, but after listing the SL for sale, I finished up writing my review of it, and felt that selling it would be out of impulse. Writing my review actually convinced me to keep it. The value for money of the 601 is unbeatable in the face of buying (another) $5k camera. 
