Re: Leica SL images and specs. Looks somehow familiar...
Steve Spencer wrote:
OK, I will make a case for the Camera.
Advantages over the Sony A7r II:
Better EVF: high magnification and the reviews suggest it is excellent
Faster frames per second: 11 fps vs. 5 fps
Deeper buffer: 30 shots vs. 23
Dual card slots
Better compatibility with Leica M wide lenses
Compatibility with Leica S lenses
Perhaps auto aperture with Leica R lenses
Lower base ISO--50 instead of 100 but probably won\'t translate to better base ISO performance
Perhaps faster operation.
Touch sensitive LCD
Longer shutter speed available -- will this translate into better long exposure?
Better weather sealing
Advantages of the A7r II over the Leica SL
More resolution; better high ISO signal to noise ratio (overall better sensor)
IBIS
Better AF with phase detect
Smaller size
Tiltable LCD
Probably better video
Less than half the price
My best guess is that the Leica may have a better shooting experience, but the Sony has a better sensor and IBIS. Both will be very nice cameras and for price performance the Leica will not stand up (since when does Leica ever stand up to a value proposition). Still I think people could like this camera with the right glass and I think they will like the responsiveness and the EVF, and many people will like the interface.
Here are some excellent lenses that will work much better on the Leica: Leica M 18 SEM; Zeiss ZM 18 f/4; Leica M 21 SEM; Leica M 24 Elmar; Leica 28 Summicron ASPH; Zeiss ZM 35 f/1.4; Leica M 50 lux ASPH; Leica M 50 cron AA. These Leica M wide and normal lenses should all work well on the Leica SL, and all have trouble on a stock A7r II, and on the modified camera you will have colour balance issues (that can be fixed with a profile in processing) and you sacrifice the dust shaker.
Leica S 100 f/2; Leica S 120 f/2.5 Macro APO. These excellent S lenses are not useable on the A7r II and they are exceptional and for the speed and focal length (even though they cover a MF image circle) are not ridiculously big. The macro is quite special and really has no peer, IMO.
Leica R 180 f/2 APO; Leica R 180 f/2.8 APO; Leica 180 f/3.4 APO; Leica R 280 f/4 APO; Leica R 400 f/2.8 APO; Leica R 70-180 f/2.8 APO. These longer R lenses are fantastic and although you can shoot them on the A7r II, the bigger size of the Leica SL will be a bonus for these lenses and they may come with auto aperture on the SL when the new adapter is ready.
So in my mind the king of alternative lenses (the Sony A7r II) has been dethroned. The Leica SL will allow you to shoot more lenses and more lenses better and some are pretty unique and special ones even if they are pricey.
A lot to criticize and a lot to like might work with a $2000 camera. But for a $7k+, I\'m not sure I would be willing to make too much compromises. I admit I really like the 50 ISO thing, big EVF, dual slot (mainly because of UHS-II support). I\'m not sure about its responsiveness yet, but the GUI does seem to get more complicated. I read most of the reviews out there right now and some said because of the amount of customization, the menu system is similar to Sony\'s now. However, the lens system is what really kills it for me; too big and heavy.
Again, I thought Leica is the master of making small lenses with high IQ. I guess Karbe is not in the team. Paying this much a camera would require a viable ecosystem into the future, not just to adapt stuff. Sony is already excellent at this, big lens can always be used with a gripped A7. And the future of SL system is medium format size and weight with a competitive FF IQ (but not the top). To me, the look of the camera is irrelevant. I can put up with the ergonomics for light lens, but for big lens, I don\'t know if that grip (contour-less) is going to be comfortable. In the end, I would consider buying it if it\'s not for what Jono Black said in his review that its M compatibility is good but not as good as the M240. Again, sound to me like a modded Sony cam (for less than half the price). If anything, the next M with this same tech would be a big hit for Leica.
Oct 20, 2015 at 08:04 PM
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