Leica SL (Typ 601) Hands On Review
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- The Leica SL is a full frame mirrorless camera featuring the new L Mount that will be used with Leica, Panasonic and Sigma.
Get yours at B&H goo.gl/VYmkUZ
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Leica introduced the SL in 2016 and it still holds up as a brilliant mirrorless camera. I reviewed this using the Leica 24-90mm f/2.8 zoom lens which is one of the best zoom lenses I've used to date. It is heavy but its an incredibly versatile system.
• 24 megapixel, full frame CMOS sensor
• Leica Maestro II Image Processor
• Internal 4k video
• L-Log profile
• contrast AF with 49 AF points
• Up to 11 fps burst rate
• Dual SD card slots
• Weather-resistant milled aluminum body
• Built-in wifi and GPS
Check out my other videos:
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• Panasonic S1R, S1 and the new L Mount • Panasonic S1R, S1 and ...
• Deepest Pixels :: Leica SL First Look • Deepest Pixels :: Leic...
• Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master • Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master
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On my channel you will find videos about photography, cinematography, post processing tutorials for Capture One, Lightroom and Photoshop, photo assignments that YOU can participate in, the Artist Series and of course me vlogging about my personal life. The Artist Series is an ongoing set of videos I produce as documentaries on living photographers. I am extremely passionate about photography and video and my goal in making these videos is to share my passion and enthusiasm with you! Don’t forget to subscribe and make sure to hit the like button and share this video if you enjoyed it!
* FTC notice - Leica was kind enough to send me this camera for review. No financial compensation was involved. The opinions in this video are my own.
Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
2830 S. Hulen, Studio 133
Fort Worth, TX 76109
US of A
I just bought a used SL since everyone is selling to get the SL2. This video was very helpful in setting it up since, to date, I've only used the M's. thanks!
The 875 photo at 6:21 is outstanding, the tones, contrast and composition is just beautiful. One of the best, simple but effective architecture shots I've seen in a long time.
Really cool you got the opportunity to borrow this cam. That type of thing is a milestone for a photo CZcams channel. It means you're really doing something right. Big respect Ted
Have been using this camera for a couple of months now and I really love the minimal style and the outstanding quality from this zoom lens. The top display shows the hyperfocal distance when half pressing the shutter button witch makes it easier when shooting landscapes. A long press of any of the four back buttons and a scroll on the rear wheel gives a quick dial of the iso or the white balance setting, less thinking and easier to work with! And the evf is the best of all mirrorless cameras out there. Keep up the good work Ted!
i find it funny to read people talk about their sony etc. it's like driving a nissan gtr to a lamborghini show and bragging about how cheap their gtr is. they just don't get it.
This is the best metaphor I saw in years.
I have owned this camera since it hit the market, and it is by far the finest camera I have ever used, including various iterations of Nikon, Canon, Sony, and other Leica models. Fitted with one of the M lenses or one of the SL primes, I find it to be a great street camera. The 70mm and 90mm primes are much smaller and lighter than the zooms, and feel perfectly balanced on the SL. Of course, the M lenses are manual focus, only, but the SL's outstanding EVF make focusing as quick and easy with M lenses on the SL as they are when mounted on one of the M Rangefinder cameras.
Image quality is outstanding. Do I sometimes wish for more than 24 MP? Sure. Do I often need more than 24 MP? Nope.
The SL is not an all-purpose system - yet. There is still no native lens longer than the APO Vario-Elmarit 90-280, and Leica does not offer a teleconverter, so the system is lacking a long telephoto option. I am optimistic that the new Sigma, Panasonic, Leica partnership centered around the L Mount will soon fill in that gap. But for now, I am content using the Sony a9 and Sony's outstanding 100-400 GM lens for wildlife photography.
does it fit any Zeiss lenses?
The grade you put on that SL footage looks amazing.
I’m getting a jones for the SL all over again. Sigh.
You have a Fuji 50R to buy!
Life is short, Hugh :-)
Is it wrong that I read this comment with your voice?
Take a leap of faith and buy a gently used one :)
That Bauhaus-inspired design is just timeless.
My SL loved your comments, but she is wondering why you didn't mention the outstanding quality of the electronic viewfinder...
Both you and Hugh have done nice reviews of this camera. I'm curious to see how both future L-mount cameras and lenses evolve with the new 3-way alliance. A Leica Q-sized rangefinder style L-mount would be a smash hit.
I'm really really digging this camera. The menu system mops the floor with the Sony stuff. Would love to see some more megapixels though. Great review as usual!
German design man… hard to top
At that price it better MOP,dust,do dishes,and carry you to the place you are shooting at..I mean really,at the price,it should be that much better than any full frame out there,and even rival medium format..
michael s lol.. chill sony fanboy
@@noctilux13 just another Internet wannabee,having something to say from the distance of a device..MAKE ME CHILL..ONLy stupid people call people dumb names like 'fanboy',like some little girl.I cannot even be a fanboy dummy,for what it's worth(NOTHING),because i dont currently shoot Sony,stupid..
The Panasonic Lumix influence is clear, the menu looks very much like an evolved Lumix layout, and I really like the simplicity of it. Leica fully realise their target market are experienced photographers, and produce cameras that require just a little bit of thought, but reward your knowledge.
I can't say I wouldn't want to try the SL. It's interesting to see Leica throw their weight in this direction.
Peter Patenaude the Leica SL came out in 2015. They just started to market the camera to social media. So you are now seeing a lot of youtubers come out with reviews.
the SL is one dope camera
if i would consider professional photography i would def take this camera in to consideration
thanks for sharing this with us! loved watching this!
Wow, I love the video quality on that camera.
Someone likes Leica.
Good for you!
Hi Ted. One side note. It is not the only foray from Leica into the full-frame mirrorless. There’s also the LeicaQ, which is superb BTW.
Thinking of a SL as a second body for the SL2.
The used market prices for these are awesome... unfortunately this can't be said about their lenses. The sigma lenses look nice.
Absolutely gorgeous images and video. It’s amazing to see how well it does being a few years old vs the new Nikon and Canon mirrorless. I would take the Leica SL over those any day.
What's interesting is that both Nikon and Canon copied the SL. Once again, Leica sets the standards. :-)
My z6 looks really like that sl, and im almost selling my z6 for that sl idk leica gives me the smooth vibe i like
Dont forget the SL also takes TL lenses and bodies; the 23mm Summicron-TL provides a very light compact AF lens for use outside the studio and also provides stunning image quality with a crop ;-)
"Assuming that you're in an area that supports GPS..." Damn, looks like those astronauts and cosmonauts are going to miss out...
Nashtok, why? They are a lot closer to the satellites 🛰 than we are... I heard one astronaut state that his geo tagged photo said for location...third Star to the right and straight on til mornin’! 😀
BillXCIII, Remember Desert Shield/Storm? Remember CNN? No GPS was needed then, just a tv & CNN!
I will definitely check out that camera
I had the chance to play around with this beast a few times. Noone can deny that the image quality is unreal. Possibly my favourite out there. However, for my uses, the ergonomics of this camera are terrible. It's heavy, clunky, the grip isn't comfortable, and when you're out on the street having to change things quickly and grab you camera and get a shot as fast as possible, it just doesn't work that well. The lack of a dedicated ISO button was a pain for me to deal with as I only shoot manual and not having direct access to that setting slowed me down a lot.
It's a fantastic camera, just not for me.
AronBagel get the Leica Q. Great for street run and gun shooting. 😄
AronBagel, you can program any one of the four buttons on the back of the camera for setting ISO quickly and easily.
as soon as I buy one they will release the SL 2
More camera companies *coughs Nikon,Canon need to make a more straight forward easy menu system and layout like this SL , it is simply beautiful and ease of use , Great review as always , oh btw I had it last yr on borrow for a day and is a dream machine with fantastic Optics and pictures are a thing of Beauty
Excellent hands on, having said that, cool.
Affordable lenses you’d recommend that would complement this camera? I typically shoot with a Canon 50mm FD 1.4 lens with a Sony A7RII camera for portraits.
I realize this is an older video, but I wonder who makes the sensor for the Leica cameras and is it really that much different -- not thinking about the lenses here -- than a 24mp sensor on say a Sony, or a Nikon? Is all that Leica love really about the lenses and not so much about the camera? As always, love your videos Ted.
That lens is a beast in weight and price. So I don't understand why Leica would not make it a constant f2.8 Aperture &/or a 24-105mm? That extra 15mm makes all the difference imho for not needing another lens for most shoots or travel. Thoughts?
Looking forward to the next artist series.
I owned this setup for more than a year and it’s incredible, flat out. No longer seek the next camera but more enjoy the art of photography, use this camera and GAS becomes much less. I also use m mount lenses with it depending on the the situation. Skin tones and gradations are amazing, the raw files are far more flexible than any new camera, I also use a d850 so I can speak to that. It’s heavy that’s true. It’s video capability for 3 years ago was ahead of its time. The only issue I have with video is there no way to power the camera with mains. Oh let me also add it’s weather sealed in a serious way. I have had the camera lock up on me at times, it’s rare but does occur. For me it’s a keeper, the image quality trumps every other camera I have and owned except for my Q and it’s summulix Lens, I have owned and used Sony Canon Nikon, Panasonic Olympus and Fuji. Cameras are tools, for people and travel, Leica is my go too. Nikon and Leica I use in the studio. The Nikon is easier to use with strobes, but I have no issue with either system. The SL buffer can be slow to empty, the files sizes are large compared to the megapixel count.
Q2 has a same level of video quality?
There's definitely some nice tonal qualities about it - I could tell it was a different video set up at the beginning - audio sounds different too.
If you use an external recorder it can even shoot 10 bit (depth) 4:2:2.
I want the SL..... ALOT! Now having said that... I think you need a shirt that says “now having said that”. It’s much classier than dotjpeg. Thanks for the video!
You've gone from one extreme to another lately Ted from Holga's to Leica's, great review if only I could afford a Leica (lottery gods please🙏) I will have to stick to the Holga.
Thanks for brilliant video. would you reccomend this camera also if, at least for the moment due to cost , i would use adaptor and old leica r lemses ( non sl autofocus) ?
Is the photo of the sign on the building at 6:23 miin straight out of camera? It looks really impressive, almost like a Edward Hopper painting :O
I’m considering buying this camera tomorrow. Should I go for it??
If I sell my Sony A7R III, Sony 90 2.8 macro, Sony 24 1.4, Sony 24-35 2.8, Sony 50 1.4, and Sony 85 1.8 then I only $3,000 more for a Leica SL + 24-70 lens.... Hmmmm
yeah,or sell your car..
Dont buy leica then, stick with your sony
Do it, and you will be happy with your decision.
Hmmm... My Leica Q does make me happy... Time to join the Leica family all the way? Or just get a Leica M?
Sell your kidney. You don't need both of them anyway.
Have you tried the TL2 prime L mount lens on the SL. They are also L mount Lens and breathtaking are the results.
The only pro mirrorless camera.
If recording to an external recorder it does 4:2:2 10-bit which a lot of people seem to be clamoring for lately. Just recently tried it on a Ninja V which doesn't list Leica but I tried setting it to panasonic, v-log, v-gamut, and setting the monitor to PQ and the results look really nice when using the Ninja V as a monitor but I still need to take a look at the footage. Was your footage for this video from in cam recording or to an external recorder?
internally sensor s capability to shoot 8 bitrate video it has?if so...how can it shoot 10 bit than
You forgot to mention how it's an awesome camera.
Great video! I have used the SL a few times and ended up buying the Leica Q which is like a mini SL. I agree about the video. It is amazing and even in the Leica Q I have filmed some beautiful images. Hope they continue down the video path. I mean when you have a Leica lens it makes sense to shoot video with it. 😄
Let’s talk about the velvet vocals being recorded ....was that on the camera as well?
So, is this Leica SL with the 24-90 competition for the Hassy X1D and the new 80mm lens or just a full frame with a soul?
Do you think it’s possible that Panasonic might be getting more than just the mount from Leica ? Seeing as the bothe use fd af but the so is so much better?
If you've been putting off getting this camea for a while there's little reason to buy now with a new version sure to be released next year.
mavfan1 more likely Leica will come out with the Q2.
Do you think Leica will make a new version of the Monochrome?
Eventually
Great review.
Have you ever tried the Leica X1? I know it's an old camera but I'd love to own a Leica and that's something that interests me cause of the form factor and the current price. Do you have any views?
If you can stretch your budget consider a used Leica T, has APSC sensor but the same lens mount as the SL, which will prove interesting when the Sigma/Panasonic partnership yields results. Lots of adapters available for manual focus/aperture lenses. Can use the excellent Visoflex 020 electronic viewfinder. The DNG files look wonderful in Capture One. The quirky controls and touchscreen menus, though not quite perfect, are a delight to use. I've even used the pop up flash to good effect.
@@edwinparker6732 brilliant. Thanks for the tip.
@@edwinparker6732 actually I was looking at a T. Can get a good prices body but the lenses are super expensive. Your tip really helps.
Glad to be able to help. I use Canon FD, M-mount, L39 and M42 screw mount, and even a modern fully manual Samyang 135mm f:2 lens with a Canon EF mount. Be careful with shorter focal length Voigtlander wides (28mm and under), only the most recent versions are properly optimized for digital sensors IMO.
A Leica X(type 113) might be interesting too maybe. APS-C, 16mp, Faster 23mm(35)/f1.7
Damn, that is sharp
I wonder how does the image quality of the SL compare to that of the M10?
So many wonderful camera systems... so little money.
Are the pictures shown in the video edited or raw or jpg?
Yeah sony was the first company that produced great mirrorless cameras... Yeah exactly XD it even I didn't had this camera on the radar.
If I could afford the Leica stuff I'd buy it but yeah XD right now I am stuck with fuji.
ehm.. Olympus
And what makes this camera thousands of dollars better than the others???
Not to be rude, but my first impression is chipped up paint. I'm thinking, they sent him a used scratched up camera because possibly, they were simply too cheap to send him a brand new model. That concerns me.
Hey Ted :)
From you’re perspective, is the Leica SL (Typ 601) with the 24-90 f4.0 lens ‘Worth The Money’??
I wish I could afford any Leica.
cause I need to be difficult who makes the strap you had on the SL ?
Ask Steve huff😎
marty themole so if you telling me to ask Steve that means you A) know what mfg it is or B) assuming it’s the same if it’s A) please do tell if it’s B) I will wait for Ted to answer me .
Coop
anyone else notice the weird brown skintone when he made a switch to leica video?
The very first reviews talked about how long it took to clear the buffer. Is that still true? Also, a firmware update gave it an electronic shutter which doesn't seem to get mentioned a lot.
Does anyone know what the camera strap is? I've seen it in a couple of videos on this channel, but I've been unable to find it with the help of google. Is it the standard strap that comes with the Leica camras? If not, does anyone have the name of it? :-)
Guess its the usual peak design strap, but Not really sure!
Someone else replied to another post inquiring about the strap. Said it's by Coop. I agree.
Nice camera but with the technology moving so fast seems like a lot of dough to spend and then out comes something better, a challenge for all of us every day.
Where the pictures straight out of the camera or processed? Beautiful colors but extremely expensive compared to other brands.
Is this camera combo body+lense Worth The Money??
"Dentists and other rich dads, where u at?"
-Leica, probably
Alex 😂
About time you and the 3 Elephants guy - started getting serious about cameras and glass instead of wasting your time focusing on crapola SoCaNikon -:)
Yeah, ALSTON EF-L works much better,on Leica SL typ601 camera
Sometimes too minimal means. More complicated and non intuitive
no thanks, I'll stick with my $30 Holga ;0)
wow really early
First
Do I just have a nose for obvious stupidity ,because how can anyone call themselves intelligent,and say, the $15-30k Leica invest ment gets better images than the $7000 one?Does anyone actually expect a NikonD850 or SoNy A9 to be equal to something like a Leica?Plus.there's no prefect camera out there duh,because in the business world,that would just be stupid and financial suicide.Imagine 36MpFF/18 crop,up tp 960great 1080/4k,no video crop,5000Ma battery,great dual pixel/eye detection AF,IBIS,flip/touch screen,buttons/wheels/dials that can lock,great EVF,etc,etc,for $1500..That camera would fly off the shelves,the company would be backordered for 3 years,and they would be hard pressed to sell the rest of their cameras,except the consumer ones...That's like making a Camry/Malibu that will last 25 years,with a 35 year full warranty.Now the geniuses come out to say 'oh yeah,the Aston Martin corners better then my Subaru'.Really?So you reviewed the piece of art,the Leica,and now people just take the time to take potshots at regular gear..wow,really,that's kinda sad..I know if I had 25K to just invest in the system I would be shooting with my heavy ass Leica,and loving it.I already shoot with a heavy full frame beast,and since I'm not a little baby,I can carry it,whip it,swing it,and shoot with it all damn day.I'm ready,Leica...
I need a better paying job hmmmm :)
5 years later im about to buy a used leica SL :) Worth the wait
All the people talk bad stuff about it, just makes me laugh! Too many poor and impoverished individuals are trying to get into photography these days.
HanFei right cause art has always been for rich people only
When you compared this to the GH5s, why don't you show videos of both cameras side-by-side? You praised about image quality so much but at the end of the day it's meaningless without actual comparison to other cameras in the market.
More of a studio camera 😂😂 come on, get a grip.
1. Leica announced the SL in 2015
2. No, it doesn't hold up as a brilliant mirrorless camera. In fact, it is a terrible mirrorless camera. The A7R3 blows it out of the water.
Just another Sony fanboy heard from. I suspect that if it is as bad as fanboy claims, Ted would have noticed... after all, Ted is a fan of Sony cameras.
Bill Daniels Enlightened me then. What does the SL do better than the A7R3/A9?
I had the Sony, and have owned the SL since 2015. The Sony needs heavy grading to come close to what LEICA does OOB. If you like that, Sony is good for you. I don’t. I can edit 300 photos in 2 minutes on the SL, if i get the exposure correct. Image quality far exceeds anything Sony has come up with sensor wise.
Bil Brown The image quality of the Sony is higher than that of the SL. Period. This is a fact. Show me one comparison demonstrating otherwise. The A7R3 has a higher res, higher DR, less read nose = better high iso performance. Show me ONE metric of the SL sensor that outperforms the Sony. Now, the Leica colors might be more pleasing, but you can create your custom color profile and batch-apply it to your Sony files.
Marian, it’s whatever you are comfortable with.