I'm being shooting with both Leica SL and SL2 bodies and so far my biggest complaint is battery life. It's not terrible but not ideal either.
Here are things I have set or disabled in the camera that seems to improve battery life:
1) Use EVF "extended" option. This settings turns off both LCD and EVF and only activates EVF when it senses the eye.
2) Turn off image preview and limit checking images on the LCD or EVF as much as possible. (The EVF spends more energy than the LCD btw)
3) Turn off "pre-focusing".
4) Lower brightness for both LCD and EVF.
Turning off 'bluetooth' does not seem to impact batter life (since Leica uses Bluetooth Low Energy)
Perhaps lowering EVF refresh rate from 120hz to 60hz may have an impact. Not sure yet.
I will definitely need 3 batteries for this camera but think it's compatible with an external power pack via USB-C. (SL2/SL2-S only)
If you decide to get an external power pack I've been using the Fujifilm recommended Anker PowerCore Speed 20000 Pd and like it for a variety of charging uses(laptop, phone, batteries in camera, batteries via USB-C charger). Congratulations on getting your new systems hope you are enjoying them a lot!
Fred Miranda wrote:
I'm being shooting with both Leica SL and SL2 bodies and so far my biggest complaint is battery life. It's not terrible but not ideal either.
Here are things I have set or disabled in the camera that seems to improve battery life:
1) Use EVF "extended" option. This settings turns off both LCD and EVF and only activates EVF when it senses the eye.
2) Turn off image preview and limit checking images on the LCD or EVF as much as possible. (The EVF spends more energy than the LCD btw)
3) Turn off "pre-focusing".
4) Lower brightness for both LCD and EVF.
Turning off 'bluetooth' does not seem to impact batter life (since Leica uses Bluetooth Low Energy)
Perhaps lowering EVF refresh rate from 120hz to 60hz may have an impact. Not sure yet.
I will definitely need 3 batteries for this camera but think it's compatible with an external power pack via USB-C. (SL2/SL2-S only)
Same here! I just broke down and purchased a second battery. A must-have IMO. Reminds me of the old Sony mirrorless batteries.
The only other thing I tried in the hopes to extend battery life is to make sure IBIS is off. Not sure if it helps as I also started turning off the camera in between shots to squeeze as much battery as I can since I am currently walking around with just one battery.
* I also noticed when the battery is low, I can't connect to the Fotos App to transfer or view my images on my mobile at the end of a shoot. Second battery very much needed for this scenario and/or Power Bank as mentioned above. I purchased the RAVPower PD Pioneer 20000mAh 60W Portable Charger since its currently 50% off.
LBJ2 wrote:
Same here! I just broke down and purchased a second battery. A must-have IMO. Reminds me of the old Sony mirrorless batteries.
The only other thing I tried in the hopes to extend battery life is to make sure IBIS is off. Not sure if it helps as I also started turning off the camera in between shots to squeeze as much battery as I can since I am currently walking around with just one battery.
* I also noticed when the battery is low, I can't connect to the Fotos App to transfer or view my images on my mobile at the end of a shoot. Second battery very much needed for this scenario and/or Power Bank as mentioned above. I purchased the RAVPower PD Pioneer 20000mAh 60W Portable Charger since its currently 50% off.
I have done some unscientific testing and didn't feel that IBIS affected battery life in a noticeable way. (Similar to SL which it does not have IBIS)
I think the main culprits so far are 'pre-focus' and LCD/EVF usage. So, when shooting, I try to limit the latter to a minimum while having the camera set to EVF 'extended'.
Also, reducing the LCD and EVF "brightness" (two points to the left) seem to help as well just like it would on your phone when using low power mode. Definitely the SL and SL2 need a second (or even third) battery depending on the shooting. Like you wrote, similar to the results from the Sony A7R2 days...
That's discouraging to hear. That battery lasts forever in the Q2/Q2M despite how the EVF/LCD are used.
I had the SL for a while a few years back and never noticed an issue with battery life compared to the Canons of the time (5D Mark IV).
For the SL2, I wonder if it's drawing a lot of power for IBIS, trying to process the high-res files more quickly, and for the AF system. I can see Leica trying to get the AF to come closer to Canon/Sony speed by throwing all the power they can at the lens/AF motor, much like Canon does on its flagship cameras with the larger batteries.
I wonder if the battery lasts longer in the SL2-S.
Honestly, I was surprised at how fast the SL chews up power and I've made similar changes to the settings to preserve as much power as possible. I ended up buying five batteries as a result, since I can also use them if I get the SL2 or the Q2.
Also, does anyone know of a dual charger for the BP-SCL4 batteries?
I found the SL and SL2 battery life similar so I don’t think IBIS has much ill-effect here. Not sure if this has been improved with the SL2-S but it’s unlikely since these models share the same battery.
highdesertmesa wrote:
That's discouraging to hear. That battery lasts forever in the Q2/Q2M despite how the EVF/LCD are used.
I had the SL for a while a few years back and never noticed an issue with battery life compared to the Canons of the time (5D Mark IV).
For the SL2, I wonder if it's drawing a lot of power for IBIS, trying to process the high-res files more quickly, and for the AF system. I can see Leica trying to get the AF to come closer to Canon/Sony speed by throwing all the power they can at the lens/AF motor, much like Canon does on its flagship cameras with the larger batteries.
I wonder if the battery lasts longer in the SL2-S....Show more →
Fred Miranda wrote:
I found the SL and SL2 battery life similar so I don’t think IBIS has much ill-effect here. Not sure if this has been improved with the SL2-S but it’s unlikely since these models share the same battery.
I see. Sounds like it is what it is. But I have read of the M10 batteries not working effectively (or at all) after a few years, so if you have some old batteries from the original SL, they may not work as well as new ones.
I have maybe 8 or 9 SL batteries. Haven't noticed the older ones going off yet. Nor my M10 batteries for that matter.
The SL2 battery life isn't great and I don't think it's quite where even the average SL was (just how it feels. I've not actually tested it.). There are also issues with video battery life and some third party lenses.
Having said that I don't generally find it a huge issue. I got use to turning the camera off and on from the old Sony A7R days and still have that habit, although I am learning to use the sleep more, which also helps. And although I have many batteries I also use a battery pack and short cable. USBC charging is a fabulous thing.
Plus a few on my other cameras have similar or worse battery life (XPro2, X1D) so it's kind of relative. Sure, I'd love Sony Z like, battery life but the workarounds are simple and cheap. Which is unusual for a Leica.
Sounds like Leica needs to release a higher capacity version of the SL battery, like Canon did for the R5/6 — same shell, more charge. Probably have to wait for the SL3 for that to happen.
LBJ2 wrote:
Same here! I just broke down and purchased a second battery. A must-have IMO. Reminds me of the old Sony mirrorless batteries.
The only other thing I tried in the hopes to extend battery life is to make sure IBIS is off. Not sure if it helps as I also started turning off the camera in between shots to squeeze as much battery as I can since I am currently walking around with just one battery.
* I also noticed when the battery is low, I can't connect to the Fotos App to transfer or view my images on my mobile at the end of a shoot. Second battery very much needed for this scenario and/or Power Bank as mentioned above. I purchased the RAVPower PD Pioneer 20000mAh 60W Portable Charger since its currently 50% off.
Thanks for the tip on the RAVPower PD Pioneer 20000mAh. The battery pack I have is only 10000mAh and it does not power the SL2 during shooting. (Only works for charging it when it's set to 'off')
I just received the Nitecore USB Charger and it's awesome. It can charge a BP-SCL4 using a USB power-bank inside my bag while I'm shooting. Great peace of mind knowing I won't run out of battery for a particular shooting day. It's an alternative to carrying more than 2 batteries in the field.
It's small and so far has been reliable. Thanks for the tip @Jaree!
Great! I also use it for charging in car while on a road trip. It works well, except that I find the build quality a bit lacking - nothing bad though just need to be careful with it.
And it serves as a backup charger too on trips, in case the original goes missing.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I just received the Nitecore USB Charger and it's awesome. It can charge a BP-SCL4 using a USB power-bank inside my bag while I'm shooting. Great peace of mind knowing I won't run out of battery for a particular shooting day. It's an alternative to carrying more than 2 batteries in the field.
It's small and so far has been reliable. Thanks for the tip @Jaree@!
deiwegian wrote:
I see noticeable improvement in battery life using these settings. Thank you.
Me too! I'm getting much better battery life after I started this thread. I can confirm that having bluetooth or IBIS 'on' or 'off' offers no significative improvement.
I was looking into the Nitecore USB Travel Charger for the Leica BP-SCL4 Battery and found this review on B&H.
No idea, if the below is accurate or not, but what caught my attention are the instructions to fully charge and fully drain a new BP-SCL4 Leica battery three to four times initially for maximum life time performance. If this is true, then understanding the Nitecore will only charge about 80% even if it displays 100% charged is good to know for those initial 3-4 first time uses with these very expensive batteries...
"...it must be understood that REGARDLESS OF THE INPUT (I.E. SOURCE) AMPERAGE, THIS COMPACT TRAVEL CHARGER WILL NOT CHARGE YOUR LEICA BP-SCL4 BATTERY TO 100% FULL. Instead, it will charge your battery to about 80%. Although the charger will report that the battery is fully charged (and will, therefore, automatically cease further charging)...
Finally, be aware that as per the included instructions for the Leica BP-SCL4 battery, the battery must initially be FULLY charged (and fully discharged by using it in the camera) for 3-4 FULL charge/discharge cycles before reaching its full operating performance. While this may seem like a minor detail, considering the staggering price of the Leica BP-SCL4 battery, I'm sure we all want maximum performance from it. Hence, while this Nitecore USB battery charger is very convenient (especially while traveling), it will NOT charge your Leica BP-SLC4 battery to 100%, and while the 80% charge that it WILL provide IS admittedly useful, IT CANNOT REPLACE THE OEM LEICA BC-SCL4 BATTERY CHARGER, as only the OEM Leica BC-SCL4 battery charger will charge your Leica BP-SCL4 battery to 100%, which is critical in establishing (and periodically maintaining) maximum performance from your battery. I own this Nitecore USB charger. I use it while traveling. But I understand its important limitations, and now you do, too."
The battery manual is an eye chart. Magnifying glass to the rescue!
Seems what this person writes above is accurate and listed to the battery manual under the Notes section. "A new battery only reaches its full capacity after it has been fully charged and discharged two or three times by using the camera. This discharge procedure should be repeated roughly every 25 cycles"
LBJ2 wrote:
I was looking into the Nitecore USB Travel Charger for the Leica BP-SCL4 Battery and found this review on B&H.
No idea, if the below is accurate or not, but what caught my attention are the instructions to fully charge and fully drain a new BP-SCL4 Leica battery three to four times initially for maximum life time performance. If this is true, then understanding the Nitecore will only charge about 80% even if it displays 100% charged is good to know for those initial 3-4 first time uses with these very expensive batteries...
"...it must be understood that REGARDLESS OF THE INPUT (I.E. SOURCE) AMPERAGE, THIS COMPACT TRAVEL CHARGER WILL NOT CHARGE YOUR LEICA BP-SCL4 BATTERY TO 100% FULL. Instead, it will charge your battery to about 80%. Although the charger will report that the battery is fully charged (and will, therefore, automatically cease further charging)...
Finally, be aware that as per the included instructions for the Leica BP-SCL4 battery, the battery must initially be FULLY charged (and fully discharged by using it in the camera) for 3-4 FULL charge/discharge cycles before reaching its full operating performance. While this may seem like a minor detail, considering the staggering price of the Leica BP-SCL4 battery, I'm sure we all want maximum performance from it. Hence, while this Nitecore USB battery charger is very convenient (especially while traveling), it will NOT charge your Leica BP-SLC4 battery to 100%, and while the 80% charge that it WILL provide IS admittedly useful, IT CANNOT REPLACE THE OEM LEICA BC-SCL4 BATTERY CHARGER, as only the OEM Leica BC-SCL4 battery charger will charge your Leica BP-SCL4 battery to 100%, which is critical in establishing (and periodically maintaining) maximum performance from your battery. I own this Nitecore USB charger. I use it while traveling. But I understand its important limitations, and now you do, too."
According to the comment, you can test the 100% charge indicated by the Nitecore by putting the battery directly into the camera and check the battery symbol or in the Leica charger to see if it continues to charge for some time.
I don't have the Nitecore myself yet to test. Most importantly I would imagine is to run new batteries though the fully charged and fully discharged cycle a few times as listed in the manual. Something I have never paid attention to with any of these batteries.
