New Leica SL

[Erik Lund]

More news in Leica land wow  Thanks for the heads up!

Hand holding a camera lens and getting a sharp image has a huge amount of variables involved - Weight and overall balance of the camera/lens being of paramount importance.

It was quite obvious when I 'zoomed' in on the focus peaking of the SL how shaky I was hand holding it with the small M lenses... and all to often I see this with the Leica M9 as well in the images, these high MP cameras need stability and or high shutter speeds to nail sharpness when and where needed... See it also on the D3X btw!

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Most people never mount their camera gear on a decent tripod/head and thus never will learn how good (or bad) their lenses are.

VR is a "helping hand", but NOT a life saver that can be relied upon all the time. Same can be said for in-camera methods.

[Erik Lund]

Focusing
My impression after shooting the SL with Leica M lenses is that it's generally very similar to focusing on ground glass (Matt screen) with a DSLR and judging depth of focus is even better than using aperture stop down and judging from the matt screen on a DSLR.

Lenses with a slim depth of focus in relation to the field of view are very easy to focus.

Lenses like 35mm 1,4 and 50mm 1.4 and 75mm 2.4 are very similar to focusing a Leica M9 via the contrast patch

The added possibility to zoom in to see the focus peaking makes it possible to see the depth of focus even for wide angle lenses like 24mm 3.8 quite impressive!

DSLR can't do this, even the Nikon Df witch has a matte screen quite good for MF, can compete with the SLs view finder.

If I use Live view on the rear display of the D3X and the Zacuto finder I can do the same of course...

[Jakov Minić]

I can hardly wait to see you in action with your new SL Leica

[tommiejeep]

Erik, I'm not sure how exciting this will be for you 

http://digicame-info.com/2015/11/leica-m-typ-262.html
By the by, when I went to pick up my son from school, a good friend was picking up his son.  He buys all of the high end cameras.  Just bough the a7RII to go with his D4S, D810, Fuji XT-1, X100T , 5DS, etc, etc....   I'll mention the SL to him    Then I might get to play with it .
Tom

[Erik Lund]

Indeed there was no real new Leica M this time;

It's re-launch of the Type 240 without Video, LV and frame selector and a series of a la carte options of the 240 without Video, LV and with or without frame selector in colors galore - Sometimes I just don't understand how that small company can exist with all those options and variants along with hopeless small camera types...

[Erik Lund]

I can hardly wait to see you in action with your new SL Leica

.....
Anyway - I have decided not to buy it, I'll wait and see how the new Leica M will look like, I still love the simplicity of the Leica M system.
.......

 

[Erik Lund]

Novoflex makes an adapter LET/NIK for the new SL; F mount to Leica L (Leica T) G-Type lenses as well, however not with Nikons latest E type... No AF or anything

[Olivier]

Quite impressive, and it is always good to have Ferrari on the market even if I only plan to get an Alfa Romeo. At least they act as a laboratory guiding other developments...
The advantages that you describe, Erik, about the EVF are actually the main reason why I purchased my Fuji X-T1 (this plus the small size vs the D700). It have been very satisfied with these aspects of the Fuji so far.
Not trying to hijack your thread or to start a brand war, it is not at all my style. But I mean that what you obviously enjoyed very much about the SL is actually already present on the market, probably in less accomplished implementations.

[Erik Lund]

Sure Fuji has a solid grip on the camera market with their X line I agree 

However; Leica has taken the view finder, AF, build and image quality to a level comparable to the D4 and D3X the top of the line Nikon flagships and at the same price level!

I can only say; Please walk by a Leica dealer and have a look for yourself.

[stenrasmussen]

I had a go with the Mercedes...eh, Leica SL today.
- EVF is the best around, REALLY impressive size, clarity, etc. Not much lag when panning.
  Drawback as with other EVFs when shooting fast moving objects...frozen viewfinder.
- 11 fps (30 pics max, raw or jpegs, before buffer is full.
- Shuttersound is very theatre-friendly, even at full burst rate.
- The rear LCD is touchable and very clear.
Otherwise it is just like a Leica...built like no other camera brand.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The Fuji has its strong points, but getting a better EVF is obviously possible. Or so I hope. I must take a look at this Leica if Erik hasn't already got it before I team up with him tomorrow evening

[stenrasmussen]

You two see each other a lot!
The Fuji X-T1 has a great EVF but it is left in the dust behind the SL.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Just packing nearly 14 kg of photo sundries - Erik and I have plans for a nerdy weekend with lots of smaller projects 

I'm sure he'd be pleased to drag me along to the Leica store if required.

[stenrasmussen]

Just packing nearly 14 kg of photo sundries - Erik and I have plans for a nerdy weekend with lots of smaller projects 

I'm sure he'd be pleased to drag me along to the Leica store if required.

I might arse myself in with you guys on the next nerdocation in the near future...
Honestly, that SL is a nice camera. (On a side note...I tried out the Milvus 50 and 85 today  )