bwcolor wrote:
I’ve managed to see a number of Leica storefronts, at night, when they were closed. Probably going back to Korea, where I saw a store in Busan just off Haeundae Beach. To support the luxury image, a Ferrari dealership was the next shop over. Reading this page of posts makes the store a must see. I’ll take anti-nausea medicine prior to entering, just in case my mind wonders to class struggle and the rich suppressing the poor and rich people mindlessly buying Leicas and Ferraris. Oh.. the horror..just watched Apocalypse Now.
I hear the Korean Leica store is amazing. Be sure to visit. If you call ahead they will have any gear you want to take out for a few hours reserved for you.
rscheffler wrote:
Maybe this is a crazy suggestion, but what is the disadvantage of adapting the FE mount version of the 300-600 to Nikon Z? I imagine there should be some tradeoffs but I don't use either system or follow discussions about adapting FE to Z... But I'd think this could be a rental test with perhaps the need to purchase the adapter. If it works, it would negate the need to switch systems, unless you have additional reasons.
Maybe there isn't enough demand given the L mount is less popular than the 'Big 3' but from a technical standpoint it would be possible to adapt L lenses to Nikon Z and open up access to some of those awesome Leica lenses. Granted, sensor stack differences may result in some image quality compromises......Show more →
This isn't a crazy idea, and I have looked at these mount adapters. I've never tried one, and read there is as much bad as good when using them. Because of the AF demands in wildlife photography, I have always suspected (without personal experience) that the adapter would not hold up to fast-paced shooting situations, or be robust enough to hand the inevitable bumps of field use. My gear looks like the gear used by a professional sports and nature photographer. The paints is fading, buttons are warn, and their are visible signs of regular use. How will an adapted lens w/ and intermediate mount handle the bumps from walking between trees, putting the gear down on a mudflat, drizzle, rain, and so on... As for the SL3-P and Sigma combo... well, I'm not certain that they are weather sealed together either, and this would be a barrier for me as well. I don't put rain gear on my gear and I don't cover my lenses with neoprene camera condoms (they hold water in the rain).
As I said, I was impressed with the Leica, but I'm also impressed by the capabilities of my Z9 and pack of lenses.
bwcolor wrote:
I’ve managed to see a number of Leica storefronts, at night, when they were closed. Probably going back to Korea, where I saw a store in Busan just off Haeundae Beach. To support the luxury image, a Ferrari dealership was the next shop over. Reading this page of posts makes the store a must see. I’ll take anti-nausea medicine prior to entering, just in case my mind wonders to class struggle and the rich suppressing the poor and rich people mindlessly buying Leicas and Ferraris. Oh.. the horror..just watched Apocalypse Now.
It does not look like a luxury environment to me. According to Google Street View, it is wedged between the BMW service and the Mini salesroom. It seems to share its entrance with Mini, which I do not consider a luxury car brand.
SrMi wrote:
It does not look like a luxury environment to me. According to Google Street View, it is wedged between the BMW service and the Mini salesroom. It seems to share its entrance with Mini, which I do not consider a luxury car brand.
So much for my memory. Ferrari was on the opposite side of the street.
flash wrote:
I can not find a way to add an artificial sound to the Leica electronic shutter. I like this on the Sony.
- Camera Settings (second-to-last page)
- then Acoustic Signal (last page)
- then Electronic Shutter toggle
OTOH there’s no 1.4x for the Sony version of the 300-600. Viltrox’s 2x works by not reporting it’s on the lens. But with the compromises of a 2x. The Leica 1.4x works great on the L mount 300-600.
Hows the quality with the 1.4x on the Sigma 300-600?
The only complaint I have so far — but could be a bug or firmware issue — is that at when I have the drive mode at 15 frames, when I hold the shutter button (not shooting, just to start tracking), the EVF is very very annoyingly slow as if it is missing frames even though im not taking any photos.
gavinsan wrote:
- Camera Settings (second-to-last page)
- then Acoustic Signal (last page)
- then Electronic Shutter toggle
Hows the quality with the 1.4x on the Sigma 300-600?
The only complaint I have so far — but could be a bug or firmware issue — is that at when I have the drive mode at 15 frames, when I hold the shutter button (not shooting, just to start tracking), the EVF is very very annoyingly slow as if it is missing frames even though im not taking any photos.
Oddly enough at 40 frames its not as bad so.
Not sure if you found the same?
Thanks for that. Don’t know how I couldn’t find it earlier.
Yes about the stutter. I mentioned it earlier. It’s the read speed of the sensor. At 15fps you’re in 14 bit so the read is longer than 30fps 12 bit. It’ll never be completely smooth like the fully stacked sensors. I’m getting used to working with it but it’s probably the biggest reason I’m sticking with Sony for my wildlife travel. That and pre capture.
Tests on the TC’s are very preliminary. So far so good. The AF is still excellent but I’ve done no real IQ side by side tests yet. It looks pretty good in the EVF. I have 2 copies of the 1.4x and they do have different IQ so be fussy if you pick one up. My good one is excellent and I think it’ll be very usable on the 300-600. Sigma make the Leica one so I wouldn’t spend the money. (although I did.
I also have the Viltrox 2x and both Sony’s for the E mount (I will test against the Sony GM primes). Looks about the same as the Leica one on L mount. AF is slower but still OK and IQ takes a small but noticeable hit.
It’s a rainy winter here this year so my usual testing is going a bit slower than normal.
Gordon, slightly OT: you mentioned somewhere you also have the Sony 600/4. I've read some comments that the Sigma 300-600 is slightly less good at 600mm than at wider settings of its zoom range. How do you think it compares at 600 with the likes of the Sony? Does it benefit from stopping down 1/3, 2/3, etc.? It seems like such a win at its price point, but if one is chasing ultimate image quality, it sounds like it's not quite there. True, false, irrelevant?
rscheffler wrote:
Gordon, slightly OT: you mentioned somewhere you also have the Sony 600/4. I've read some comments that the Sigma 300-600 is slightly less good at 600mm than at wider settings of its zoom range. How do you think it compares at 600 with the likes of the Sony? Does it benefit from stopping down 1/3, 2/3, etc.? It seems like such a win at its price point, but if one is chasing ultimate image quality, it sounds like it's not quite there. True, false, irrelevant?
I can’t tell them apart. But there maybe some sample variation. I don’t know. Both my copies (E and L) seem extremely close to the primes. Maybe there’s a hair in it to the 600 prime. But with issues of atmosphere and my focusing inadequacies I don’t really see any functional difference.
I’ll have another look next week though. I haven’t had the 600 out in a while and I do want to see if it’ll be a better companion to my new 100-400 4.5 (which is fantastic) as it ca take a 1.4x.
flash wrote:
Thanks for that. Don’t know how I couldn’t find it earlier.
Yes about the stutter. I mentioned it earlier. It’s the read speed of the sensor. At 15fps you’re in 14 bit so the read is longer than 30fps 12 bit. It’ll never be completely smooth like the fully stacked sensors. I’m getting used to working with it but it’s probably the biggest reason I’m sticking with Sony for my wildlife travel. That and pre capture.
Tests on the TC’s are very preliminary. So far so good. The AF is still excellent but I’ve done no real IQ side by side tests yet. It looks pretty good in the EVF. I have 2 copies of the 1.4x and they do have different IQ so be fussy if you pick one up. My good one is excellent and I think it’ll be very usable on the 300-600. Sigma make the Leica one so I wouldn’t spend the money. (although I did.
I also have the Viltrox 2x and both Sony’s for the E mount (I will test against the Sony GM primes). Looks about the same as the Leica one on L mount. AF is slower but still OK and IQ takes a small but noticeable hit.
It’s a rainy winter here this year so my usual testing is going a bit slower than normal.
Hey Gordon, excellent insight for everyone as always.
Curious about your two copies of the 1.4X. You say you got the one that is the Leica version made by Sigma ... are BOTH of your TC's the Leica version, or one Sigma vs. one Leica (Sigma made)? I'm a bit confused by the point of diff IQ at excellence vs. being fussy and the inference of IQ QC variance. Can you expand / clarify a bit?
And, if you already addressed this, apologies for a re-ask ... the AF vs. Sony / Canon is good info ... what about the SL3-P AF vs. Panny's S1R II. Any insights with reference to the Panny AF?
1bwana1 wrote:
Another possible difference between the Sr1ii and the Leica SL3-P?
When was the last time you washed your camera and lens under running water in a sink?
That's really impressive!
For those using the Sigma telephotos, specifically the 500 f5.6 and/or 300-600 f/4, will the SL3 series hold up to rain or snow with those lenses attached?
1bwana1 wrote:
Another possible difference between the Sr1ii and the Leica SL3-P?
When was the last time you washed your camera and lens under running water in a sink?
This is awesome. I take it you can probably do this with those pro Nikons, but other brands aren't standing behind their weather sealing like Leica is. I hope they keep hammering this point home in marketing, so it forces the other brands' hands.
FrozenInTime wrote:
Note the very careful restriction of water flow to a trickle : do not directly shower or pressure wash !
Certainly it was not washed with high pressure, but it looked like normal gravity fed tap pressure to me. Not a trickle. I have never seen that done to a camera before. Very impressive in my view.
1bwana1 wrote:
Certainly it was not washed with high pressure, but it looked like normal gravity fed tap pressure to me. Not a trickle. I have never seen that done to a camera before. Very impressive in my view.
Damn .. I thought that was how you were suppose to clean the sensor.
1bwana1 wrote:
Another possible difference between the Sr1ii and the Leica SL3-P?
When was the last time you washed your camera and lens under running water in a sink?
I believe this is mostly marketing, same for the amazing autofocus in all previous models. The SL2S was also IP54, and I had to send mine for a cleanup due to sticky buttons. I really took care of mine, never used it in extreme conditions, and yet Leica told me that they would clean it in goodwill, but only once, and that the issue was due to dirt.
Malabito wrote:
I believe this is mostly marketing, same for the amazing autofocus in all previous models. The SL2S was also IP54, and I had to send mine for a cleanup due to sticky buttons. I really took care of mine, never used it in extreme conditions, and yet Leica told me that they would clean it in goodwill, but only once, and that the issue was due to dirt.
Obviously your fault as you did not give it daily showers. 🤣
Malabito wrote:
I believe this is mostly marketing, same for the amazing autofocus in all previous models. The SL2S was also IP54, and I had to send mine for a cleanup due to sticky buttons. I really took care of mine, never used it in extreme conditions, and yet Leica told me that they would clean it in goodwill, but only once, and that the issue was due to dirt.
Of course that video was marketing. At least now you know that you should give your SL a good shower every once in a while. That should help avoid sticky buttons. Works on dogs too...
