Why I Want To Stop Using Leica | Honest Pros & Cons After 4 Years
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
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Today i'm giving my honest thoughts and the truth around using Leica cameras as a professional.
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CHAPTERS
Changing brands 00:00-00:14
My background 00:14-02:27
Hater- 02:27-03:09
General Cost 03:09-04:08
Battery 04:08-04:41
Video 04:41-06:06
Lineup 06:06-07:16
Lenses 07:16-08:19
Sponsor 08:19-09:17
Colors 09:17-10:10
Craftsmanship 10:10-11:20
Interface 11:20-12:05
Glass 12:05-13:05
Value 13:05-14:04
Conclusion 14:04-17:31
Thanks for watching!
NIKKOR lenses are quite awesome. They also have the 50mm f1.2 which is a must in my opinion.
Its not expensive if you buy second hand,.... try keeping value on any other brand you will see how it depreciates....
Battery issues with video goes better with Leica lenses. Forget the signa and pana. You havent had a proper SL experience w/o SL lenses trust me
Leica SL3 may come next year, so maybe they fixed all your problems:)
@@be8059 pshh yeah phase detection alone changes everything
Great video! An alternate thought, as someone who shoots Leica and Sony, professionally. You’re not wrong about your issues with Leica, but I think one of the biggest disadvantages to your setup is using 3rd party lenses on the SL system. It’s almost like this… if you’re going to use Leica, you have to keep it all Leica for its advantage. The magic with Leica happens in the marriage of the lenses to the sensor.
That said, I have Leica M lenses on my M system, which I use for photography. For videography, I use Sony. I just couldn’t go all-in on the SL system with cameras and lenses.
This is so great to hear! I use an M system for photography, & use Sony for video as well. I've been wanting to consolidate down to just one system, but reading your comment really helps understand that I need to just stick to what I'm doing. Thanks David!
The much cheaper but highly praised Panasonic S5 ii X seems like an obvious choice to add for video and multimedia use and perhaps replace the SL2 with the upcoming replacement of the Panasonic S1R for high resolution work - if the S5 ii isn't enough. This way you can keep all your L-mount lenses which will cost a lot in trade in for similar Nikon Z glass. I actually like the Nikon Z line up a lot too but the combined Panasonics/Sigma L-mount line up seems to bee best value for the money.
i think S5iix is more of a better SL2S, while the high res S1H and upcoming S1R will replace the normal SL2
I'm surprised your jump wouldn't be to the Panasonic S5II. It seems like it would solve a lot of your problems for being essentially the same camera with a different badge. The Z9 does look great though.
My only problem with Leica is that I'd want to shoot the M because it's more compact, but the Range Finder is too hard to see in suboptimal light when you need to nail bright aperture critical focus the most. In most of the conditions it's easiest to see the patch, I'd probably be zone focusing anyway. So it's kind of awkward for me. The Q 100% is the answer, but I have a Ricoh GRIII and I don't want to give up all that amazing UX design. I swear the usability considerations are so intelligent on that camera, it makes me feel stupid. 😂
Yesss the S1 is just like the SL
Nailing critial Focus is not that Hard, just turn on the live view with enabled Focus peeking. Works Fine for me on my M10
I would love an S1 or S1R mkii if they ever update that as well.
I’d suggest grab a Lumix S5iiX! You can still using the SL2 for photo and S5iiX for video! And keep all the l mount lens!!
Isn't there a new S the bigger one?
Most people that are pros don't shoot Leica but a few do.
I feel people that buy Leica are people that saved their money or have very well paying jobs.
When it comes to wedding photography once in a blue moon you'll read about someone using Leica.
Great video Evan!
I’ve had my Q2 for 3 years now and I love it. The perfect lifestyle camera, not too intrusive and I take it everywhere. Colours & depth are so unique, and the high contrast B&W isn’t spoken about enough! I use it for street & social photography. My downside is face detect AF is trash! My favourite thing about it is being able to take it into venues where a pro camera would be banned or intrusive (anything from concerts to restaurants), and you end up with unique images that nobody else would capture!
When I went for my Pro camera I considered the SL2-S, however for the same price I could get a Canon R5. I went for the canon and I don’t regret it for a second! Pulling perfect focus at 20fps is incredible, something I would never get with Leica at the same price!
So when I go out I take my Q2 and R5. The R5 for business and the Q2 for pleasure. I don’t think I’d ever consider Leica for business, but I love it all the same!
great points all around. I'd just wait on the SL3 which will surely incorporate a flip screen, video upgrades, etc. than reinvest in a whole different system and lenses
Been using a z9 and z8 combo right now for weddings. Z9 has been my main camera for about 60 weddings at this point. Absolutely amazing camera. Skin tones, dynamic range, autofocus and lenses make an incredible system. 🤙🏼
Nikon still in business 😮 thought they bankrupted long time ago
Very smart take on this. I no longer shoot video, just photography, I have the M10R and the SL2, enjoy them both, but prefer the M10R because of the rangefinder, small manual lenses. SL2 when I do need AF and good backup as well. I’m older than you, in my 60s and have been shooting since my teenager years! You mentioned before having regrets purchasing the Q2 when the Q3 came out soon after, perhaps wait and see what improvements the SL3 brings next year. Or get a Lumix body for video that way you can stay in the L mount. Good luck!
I think the more obvious solution is to pick up the S5 IIX for video. You wouldn't have to worry about getting new lenses and you'd have way more than you'd need out of a video camera.
Love my Z9, nothing it can't do. For traveling with a backpack I've come to the conslusion that it is too big and heavy, that's why I carry a Z6 II with me 😆 but when back home, in the studio, or with client work, I absolutely love it. Think I'll be getting the Z8 in the very near future.
Why not get a Fuji XH2 for video to complement the Leica system?
Evan - Can't speak to your Leica issues but I can tell you the Z9 is the best camera I've ever owned. It's so good I bought a second one as a backup/video option. Yes it fits on a gimbal, yes it tracks really well. The battery on the Z9 goes all day for me and only once did I have to swap in my backup battery. For stills, drop on the 50mm f/1.2 or the 85mm f/1.2. The 35mm f/1.2 is on the way and the 20mm f/1.8 is pretty amazing. The zoom lens trinity is amazing.
Not sure you can go wrong going back to Nikon with the Z9.
Nikon Z9/8 looks like a great contender! Insane specs and competitively priced!
I bought my Leica M10 almost 2 years ago. I came from Fujifilm X-series and I fell in love directly. I've been watching the SL2 and the Fuji GFX cameras for a switch. But the small form factor and the genuin feel and handling of the M10 beats everything! I just shoot stills and I've used my M10 booth professionally and for my family shots during this time and if you just shoot stills, I think it's very flexible, specially with a visoflex on it when you need it.
But of course, I miss AF some times, I miss a shorter focus distance from time to time. But there is something to special about the Leica M, so I can't switch it!
I do agree with everything you said though, don't know much about video features (M10 doesn't shoot it at all), but the rest, it's spot on. Great cameras, but it comes with a price, and the M-line-upp has it's pros and cones, that's for sure!
Thanks for the vid Evan. Wait for the SL3 - it will likely meet your needs. I am hanging out to upgrade my SL2 for better AF, tilt screen (like my Q3) and better sensor for low light..
great video and nailed it on pros and cons. have you considered the new panasonic s5ii/s5iix? way upgraded AF for video and you can keep your L mount glass?
Interesting video, thanks for sharing!
I have a couple of Panasonic-Leica lenses, and I do feel that they have an interesting rendering and feel to them that I don't necessarily get with my Olympus or Nikon glass. Maybe it's the coatings. Who knows?
I think the problem most people have with Leica is that the one thing Leica has going for it is not measurable. A "feeling" or "rendering" or whatever. You said in here that it helped you develop your particular style. Can't really put a number on that.
For every other aspect of cameras, you can put a number on it, and Leica basically always loses when you do. Their lenses may have been amazing in the past, but the Nikon S-line lenses and Sony GM lenses cost notably less, have autofocus, are all weather-sealed, and have just as good if not better image quality (something that can be measured). The SL2 seems like a great camera, but it's basically a tweaked Panasonic S1R for more than twice the price.
I don't think I'll ever use Leica, even if I wanted to spend that much money, just because I can't accept paying that much of a premium for non-measurable things. That said, I think the Fujifilm X100V has been backordered for a year for the exact same reason people love the Q2 and Q3: it has that "feeling" and many photographers and videographers are looking at how their gear helps them feel when they create, rather than is it technically good enough (since all our gear is technically good enough now).
Again, thanks for the video!
I made a video as my experience as a Leica owner who shoots canon professionally, I talked about the m10-R and I wasn’t surprised that you use the SL2. It’s literally the only camera that I would use professionally. But all of the cons you mentioned are what I had a gripe about as well. You’re brave man I wouldn’t use Leica professionally, not worth the cost of the investment and tech isn’t up to par. That said the colors and image quality as well as the build quality as you said is worth it. I use mine for street photography which hasn’t made me a dime. Great video!
i am using the Q2 in combination with an R5 and love it. Using it for all my pro work as well
Great video man :) Yeah go the Z9, I’m mostly Panasonic theses days - but started out with Nikon :) You could also look at the S5mkii and use all your L-mount lenses? Fantastic video camera (And Stills) New Autofocus too :)
I have wanted to get a Leica for years and genuinely looked at both the q and the original sl. After borrowing my friends for a while I found very similar views that you said. I ended up upgrading with Sony got some of the zeiss lenses for character. The Nikon z system is really cool I used a z6ii for a bit and both the z8 and z9 are miles ahead
Great video, as always! I shoot Nikon. The only Leica I’m interested in possibly getting is the Q3, as it’d be great for Street and Documentary work. However, $6k is a lot of money to spend, so I’d have to think twice before buying one. You might want to get the Z8, or wait for the Z6iii, unless you really need the few extra benefits of the Z9, and don’t mind the extra weight and size of the 9.
I’m a Leica shooter myself (Q2, M11) but To be honest with you. I don’t see the point of the SL system. It’s a camera that have been left behind in so many way. Heavy, bulky lenses. For everything else Sony is where is at for me. So much lens option and one of the most innovative tools in their system. But I would never picture myself leaving the M11 system as there is nothing like it that even comes close. I could leave without my Q and easily replace it for a Sony A7C (or the new ones) with a 24 or 35mm lens.
The SL lens line-up is growing and growing! New 14-24mm, the 100 to 400, the 24-70, the new cheaper 35 and 50mm! For video I use an SL2-S and Lumix for the camera that needs eye AF, works like a charm! And the SL3 is a couple of months away! Black Magic also have a new L-mount 6K video camera! And for Leica, I buy mostly 2nd hand, there is a lot of stuff around and with patience you can find nuggets!
It sounds to me that Fuji would be good for your needs no? The colors on the photos side is great, video wise, coloring is not an issue either. It does not cost an arm to have accessories with it and it is still compact and not over complicated
Basic menu's, lack of buttons and features makes my use of Leica M's smooth and purpose driven. To me less is more and I love my Leica's for that.. They just work!!
Nice video Evan..
One of the main reasons I bought the Leica Q instead of the Leica Q2 was the batteries. Cheap panasonic batteries :) additional the lens on the Q,Q2 and Q3 is exactly the same.
Evan, Started my serious photography with Nikon... you won't go wrong. But... I agree with your assessment. Leica cameras are amazing. Have the M11, SL2 and CL. Love them all. Tried Sony for a year and ended up selling it all. Just did not click for me. Complexity was the key issue. Since I don't really do lots of video, the photographer in me wins!
I hear you want a Lumix S5iiX. You can use your same lenses, but with good autofocus and a lot of videocentric stuf... ahh and the colors are also great if you don't use log.
Try it 💪👍
Been shooting Nikon since pre digital. Broke my D750 and replaced it with a Z6II. To be honest, I rented a bunch of cameras before making the purchase and stuck with Nikon because I could use all my F mounts on the Z with the adapter and replace slowly. Recently got my husband the Z8. I could not justify the price of the Z9 for what we shoot.
Go Nikon! Just wondering, since you are a street guy, if the size is going to be too much..? Curious what you choose to do. Thanks for all the great content!
Hi Evan: great videos on your channel. I have purchased the Z9 on two separate occasions. The first time the camera was broken upon arrival. The second time I purchased the Z9 decided to give the camera another chance. I have owned all the D cameras in the Nikon line since 2002. Also, I own a Leica Q2 and SL2 as well. My frustration with the Z9 camera is enormous. To many things to deal with on the Z9 and the quality of the images are OK nothing great.
If you are using it for video, which I have no experience with, I am sure it does a good job. My advice, for what's it worth is, don't sell the Leica's. You will be sorry. I own a Nikon D6 and it just works like a charm and very simple to use and I love the camera. I was the Visual Information Office at the Department of Veterans Affairs for 20 years. We purchased all the D series cameras. The D series cameras fro Nikon are great ,simple and easy to use. Once I got in the Z9 I spent way to much time, dicking with it.
I will sell the Z9 and all the lens in January 2024. I have to wait until then because Ebay is killing me on fees and I don't wish to get 1099 forms from eBay. Ebay is becoming a monster that penalizes an individual for selling cameras. My last transaction selling the Q2 Ghost I give eBay 1/3 in fees of the selling price. (I have two Q2's, the reporter and ghost and wanted the SL2 Silver ) So, I sold the Q2 Ghost. If you want to use it for video I suppose the Z9 is a good fit. In my situation, I want to focus on shooting images not messing with camera many menus. Go Leica!
KEH, the used cameras buyers and sellers, might be an option to eBay. I have used KEH twice and they are terrific.
Been a Nikon user myself for a number of years and the Nikon Z9 and Z8 are amazing hybrid work horses. Hope you are excited with choosing the Z9. I am very happy with it.
Evan the Panny s52x is pretty nice plus you can use your own LUTs in camera, I love mine
Thank you for sharing your journey! Cameras are just tools - whatever gets the job done. I agree with @maskinmoller that if video is lacking in Leica SL (or ergonomics to be exact) then adding Panasonic S body would make sense. Flip out screen, great codec support, shoot varicam log all day system. And your Sigma and Leica L glass is fully compatible. But switching systems is also exciting - just don't let GAS take over.
Sold my Leicas decades ago and bought a Mamiya RB67 system for my new studio with the procedes. A geat decision and I have neve regreted it.
Little late to the video but I agree with most of your thoughts on Leicas. I love my Q2, thinking about buying an M but the price alone (and no video on an M) is kind of a turn off to be honest but these cameras (lenses) are truly second to none when it comes to photography. I shot over 10k images in Japan last spring and my images on my Alpha IV are so much different than my Q2, there is just something different about the color rendition, depth of field and just overall contrast that I simply cannot get out of my Sony.
Which ever choice you make, know that these days in 2023 there are no bad cameras on the market. The Z9 is an amazing work horse but if it’s only video you are lacking maybe look at the (new) ZV-EV1 from Sony? Sony had an gigantic lens line up and most of them are very affordable as well. Even the new A6700 does 4k 60 I believe.
Sony A7R V with the brand new 16-35GM II? Great video, I love your take on the creative process.
For video, also because you want log and a flat profile… Fuji X-H2S! Every single time, that would be the choice… for photos… GFX… and you’ll kick Nikons ass in both categories with those, and for the smaller apsc camera, you’ll save massive amounts of money in native really great Fuji lenses… the GFx and lenses… depends… for portraits..
The GF110 f2, and don’t look back. For landscape - 23 mm f4, or 32-64 mm f4…
Solid video. The Leica dream stopped for me as soon as I tried Fuji. The cropped sensors are so good now that I wouldn't miss FF. Also the 6k FLOG2 open gate of the new generation models is on another level
Yes. And the weight! The 70-300 @ 550 grams. Tele lenses on full frame are hard to cary when traveling a lot. Yet there are no bad cameras anymore. There is a camera for everybody and one for any type of specific use. ✨👌🏼
Don’t do it man! You’re in- you have a Leica system- you’re in. Just keep building the kit over time. You’re going to keep thinking of the system if you liquidate. I shoot with the m10m, q2r and the sl2 kit. I held a z8 because I wanted something a bit more capable. It felt like a plastic toy. The build quality alone wasn’t anywhere close to the sl2. Don’t buy in to the marketing hype of the next feature set. Just wait for the sl3 and you’ll Be golden.
What about a Lumix for video? Can use same lenses so you won't take a $$$ hit from selling all the L-mount gear and great video capabilities
Recently sold my SL and got an XH2. No contest- for my work anyway.
Been a Sony guy from early on. Considered Leica seriously, but the speed and accuracy of the Sony cameras is unbeaten. Nikon has caught up,but why not go with the class leader
Just wait for the sl3 that is what I am waiting for. I think pairing the sl2 with maybe a lumix s5ii so at least you can keep your glass etc.
Why not pick up a lumix S5II for video? Same L mount, it’s video is amazing, affordable, video autofocus is great. - I keep wanting an sl2s but I look at my S5II and it does everything I want.
Yes, go for Nikon 🥰 would be amazing to see what you could make out of it 🎉
It's not a camera. It's a NIKON!
Welcome back!🤘
I own a Z9 for the past year , it's great!
Rugged reliable , the lack of mech shutter , means you can worry much less about wear.
The AF is great, can't say at this point how it compares to the other system , but as of version 4.0 I'll bet it's at least on par.. makes cathing some difficult moments easy.
Also having firmware suppert is awesome ** cough cogh Sony , Canon **cough
Image quality is by far the best part .
The battery life is awesome , I have 2 , and it covers me for a full day of up to 8 hours of mostly stills , and some video mix.
When I came to buy it , it as the best option , the R5/6 were overheating , Sony had shutter failures .. SO I went with it , no regrets, maybe some wonder if Sony or canon were better in the long run , but I am very happy with the Z9.
I'll get the ZF when it's out , and upgrade the Z9 MK II when it's out
OMG the hook for this video is great.
Haha im really considering it. But as a CZcams I can’t miss the opportunity to optimize the video
HLG is what you might be looking for in a color grading gamma and it's on my SL2s, so it might be in the SL2
I bought the Lumix S1R precisely for the photography things you mentioned. All the hardware is the same as the sl2 but the rock solid body is way more photo centric. AF is also better. The s-pro lenses of lumix are all leica certified and are gems! Highly underrated system. Go ahead and try one out and you be amazed plus you can still use all your l-mount lenses.
not sure why you love lecia colors as much as you do, but their black and white files are stunning!
Consider the Lumix S5II, absolute powerhouse, and then you dont need to swap lenses :D
The z9/8 are rad. I started with Nikon, moved away and am back because of these two cameras. I shoot off-road racing so the z9 is mind blowing for that, but it’s amazing for portraits and travel too though!
The Q3 is actually a pretty solid and reliable talking head video option, the autofocus is excellent. But I get it. I use the Leica 24-70 on the sl2 for photo and video and the easiest way to see what your filming is an hdmi cable to your computer monitor, external recorder or MacBook. It really just depends how badly you want to make it work. I switched from the A1 and fx3 to the sl2 and Q3 and don’t miss any of what Sony offered. Leica actually has better video tools like shutter angle which makes life incredibly simple when switching frame rates.
The new Leica Q3 batteries are “only” $180 and have 1/4 more battery life than the older SL2 batteries.
Great video. How does the Nikon Zf compare to the Leica Q3?
Thinking of picking up the Q3
Another ‘vote’ for seeing what the SL3 might be and in the meantime, Lumix S5ii/x
I can relate a lot.
Coming from sony full frame system I got myself a Leica Q last year.
My dream was to produce commercial stuff with a professional Leica body too, so i bought a uses Leica SL2S...
handling with some issues, camera freezes sometimes, tethering is not that good, autofocus in low light is pretty poor, on camera flash options are not really available.
The Leica SL2 is more a daytime or studio camera in my opinion. I really think about switching back completely to sony with some high quality lenses
The Nikon Z9 is such a compelling camera. It is absolutely the beast of the camera industry. Build quality, ergonomics, features for both stills and video. It really is a master of all.
New batteries for SL2 and Q3 are much better. Leica is a diferent system. I have an SL2, M11, M11 MONOCHROME and Q3. Its fantastic. A diferent way of take pictures. M lenses are a piece of art. All others with electronic systems inside are pieces dont lats so many years. Colour are special
Have you considered buying a lumix s5 II? Admittedly you would have to have two cameras, but the s5 II is great in video and you could use your L Mount lenses.
Appreciate the transparency.
The stuff you produce is top notch 👍🏼✨
Also, look @ what Phil Penman does with his different Leica's. 😊
Camera types need to fit your style.
Nikon makes great cameras as well btw! 👌🏼
I think nowadays it doesn't matter what you choose, all cameras are way beyond what most of us need to make great pictures 😁✨👌🏼
I'm in similar boat but smaller budget. I have been wanting to change my video camera for a while. I shoot video with a canon c100ii and Lumix gh4 gh5. I shoot stills with Nikon z6ii and z8. I don't really enjoy shooting video with Nikon but thinking it might be fun to try the Panasonic s5ii and rent a Leica sl2 for pics. Then I would be in one system. Just a dream for now.
Evan, consistent commentary from your side re your equipment and your personal experience with it. Now, in the next video, you're just going to have to explain why you think you can re-create the magic you're getting from your Leicas with the Nikon Z9 going forward......
As a hobbyist I love my Leica Q, which I’ve owned since it came out in 2015. I shot Nikon since the late 1970s and Leica was always a bucket list purchase for me. However, if I were to go pro, I’d rely on my Nikon for many of the reasons you cite here. But the combination of Leica glass and their sensors is pure magic, for sure.
How's this process going, Evan? Any final take? Looking back to Nikon, maybe the Z8? Still commited to Leica? As a photographer, I like the SL system, but its glass is ultra expensive and the AF is miles away from Sony and Canon. The worst thing: every time Leica releases a new product, also increases the price. I guess the SL3 will cost more than 7k dollars, the SL4 will reach the 8k frontier and the SL6 will fly above the 10k limit. That's Leica's game.
I hear you loud and clear on this one. I love my Leica Sl2s but the video compared to Sony (what I was using before) left me very disappointed with my options on the Leica. My solution actually was buying a Sony ZV-E1 that I use only for video and using my Leica purely for photos. Now that being said. I would love to not have to have 2 cameras. But being first a photographer I just cant say goodbye to the absolute joy of photographing on my Leica. I really hope one day to only have to use my Leica but until then I will rock this little Sony. Good luck! Going from the beautiful warm colors of Leica to the cold world of Nikon is not one I would want to do lol.
Regarding short battery life. A Q3 battery (BP-SCL6) is rated by Leica at 2200 mah. It can be used in the SL2/S. The original supplied battery (BP-SCL4) is rated at 1860 mah. So the newer battery may give perhaps an 18% improvement. Might reduce slightly the short battery life issue. Update. New firmware 5.2.0 for SL2 & SL2S officially supports the Q3 battery. When using the Q3 battery and updated software apparently “No longer limitation for lenses with higher current consumption”.
No way Q3 battery works in SL2?
Yeah mate. I use both types of battery in my SL2S. Haven’t done a time test on the batteries but the newer Q3 battery seems to last longer. Info can be found on Leica website under Q3 accessories.
Wait, are the Leica M system digital? Not just film? I am lost here, please explain?
If you want to get together and shoot street in Atlanta sometime, I have the 50mm Summicron SL and the 24-90mm SL if you want to spend some time with them. I live in the NW corner of the state and it is about 2 hours to the ATL for me so I could make a day trip out of it. Just an idea. 👍📸
Which editing software did you have on the ipad
Honestly i think the demand of video options are not that high on Leica users, especially on the M system. I wouldn’t be surprised if Leica would just not bother with that completely.
Interesting about the battery life of the SL2. I have the SL Type 601, the original model and it probably has the best battery life of any I own. Of course I am shooting still, not video.
Nikon Z9 is outstanding. You can't go wrong with it. I found Nikon colors are amazing for landscape photography. There is just something special about Nikon for landscape. This is coming from a guy that owns both Sony and Canon.
nikon is a great system. canon is a great system. leica is a great system. for me it was always about glass. i started with nikon in the 90’s moved to canon in 2005. stayed with canon for the L series lenses. mirrorless changed everything. both nikon and canon have something to offer - but it’s been my experience the RF glass is amazing. adapters can handle almost everything on an RF mount body… in fact my ef series L glass works better on my R5 than it ever did on my 1dxmkiii. however, i love the Leica SL range. I’ve ordered the SL3 after renting the Q3 for a while. The SL2 body with the sensor of the m11 and Q3 but with the L mount! the R5 will always be my go to with the SL3 as my second. I’m really looking forward to trying the M mount lenses both on the SL3 and the R5! good luck with your choices! you gotta love what’s in your hand! ☕️
The z9 is pretty cool. Not sure if it’s worth giving up on Leica for tho
True
Subjective to be honest. Leica isn’t for everyone and I don’t just mean that because of it’s cost….
Don’t understand….
You use Leica bodies, which is the worse value, and NON leica lenses, which is the value in Leica?!?!
I do the opposite: i use cheap but advanced fuji bodies, with expensive but one of a kind leica lenses.
That way when people see my images, they react to the look of the summilux (where all my money went) while I used a fuji body’s inexpensive tech to get. I.e. the ease of using an evf while still using a flash in the shoe mount with the AF point serving as a spot light meter….something you can to on a Leica M.
…and lets not get started on clipped highlights!
I shot with an m11 right next to my fuji xt3. I was surprised at how much I geek out at rangefinder focus.
However I live at iso 1600-6400 …shooting bands… with the uncontrollable lights, the fuji’s dr400 mode gave me about 2-5 stop of highlight detail and falloff.
The leica? Clipped highlights everywhere.
Plus theres the film sims, chrome color to handle saturation, etc.
So I got the summilux look coupled with fuji’s filmic response.
A leica monochrom? There is something unique. But until Leica reigns in their highlight clipping issue, its useless as a reportage.
A leica Film body? Now you are talking! That build quality not succumbing to digital rot (batteries, SD card compatibility), access to leica glass, same rangefinder experience, same red dot, no clipped highlights!
Thx for reading!
@@TheVFXbyArtwhat lenses are you using w your Fuji bodies.
Nikons mirrorless are abysmal! The way they implemented autofocus options is a cop-out… just porting the autofocus modes from dslr, and adding some more or less uncontrollable subject detection… they should’ve implemented variable size autofocus points and groups, to leverage mirrorless…
stay with l-mount and get an additional lumix s5 II x until there will be an SL3(-s) or S1 II (H) ❤
I had a Leica SL and sold it because I couldn’t afford Leica glass. I tried using Sigma and lumix lenses but it felt wrong. Almost like putting Costco seat covers on Lamborghini seats.
I can understand your dilemma. I would recommend keeping SL2 and buy Z8 at $4k or wait till you can find a nice used Z8 for $3k. You would take a huge loss selling SL2. I bought SL2s in June and now it’s selling for $3000-$3300 a lightly used.
Doesn't it make sense to wait until the SL3 comes out and then decide? It's only like 6 months away.
Which lens is that do you have on your SL2
1. the sl3 phase detection alone changes everything....2. the SL will likely follow the q3 play too flip screen . so that leaves option 3 log.....likely 8k will be coming too for users. butttttttttttttttt the log will be a huge question. trade the sl2 and the ghost and that pays for your sl3 and you keep your L mount alliance IMO
Similar to others who have already commented, I have a Q2 with me all the time and will keep it forever. But there are times when I need more reach or options and I have a second system I use in those circumstances. I'm not a Sony user, but from the outside looking in it certainly looks like they are currently leading in the video/stills world at the moment. Maybe you should get a loaner Sony before you decide on going back to Nikon.
Just stick your Leica lenses on a Techart TZM-02. Then you'll have a autofocus with those lenses on a Z9. All of my manual lenses have great AF on my Z8.
Yeees! As a long time Nikon user and a long time follower this is great news!
I'm a fuji shooter, but started on Nikon. I still think Nikon is great. Nikon has some really good glass too.
We use SL2S with APO Lenses and a Q3 for our photography gigs and a Panasonic S5II for Video.
S5II is the best deal on the market right now, used $1500.
I never was a fan of the Q2/SL2 sensor. After ISO 1600 the image falls apart for me.
Well said... but why sell your leica glass when you can keep most of it and go panny and a Sigma FP B cam for raw video - with Leica glass! I say do a compromise and sell half the gear, because I can tell you're interested in the cash, and I would be as well with the great resale value of Leica. One could argue Leica is not expensive if you buy used and sell used.
You could always go with a Panasonic S5ii/S5iix. They seem to have basically everything you are looking for without the need to buy new lenses.
It’s hard to beat a z9 but the fact that leica actually creates images that truly are different is enough for me to stay leica. They’re the only cameras that give me a similar joy most of the time as medium format film. Not that they’re the same at all but there is a beauty and color that is awe inspiring. I always thought if I did a lot of video I’d just add a Sony to the kit. Plus the SL3 will have phase detect.
Great video. Z9 is a beast of a camera. What about a Z8?
Evan, you have a tough choice. Your video pointed out everything but the final decision will be what is best for your business. Leica is a camera company not a video camera company. Sure, they are offering video because of the technology that is available and other companies offering video, but at heart, their focus is stills. In my personal opinion, if you are considering change, then you will move toward that change. It is just your passion for the brand that is holding you back, believe me, I know. When I wanted to change from Nikon to Hasselblad, that was no problem. I thought about it then made the move. But, changing the lighting from one brand to another, that was an issue due to cost and portability.
Either way you go, you will always make concessions, it is just what you are willing to deal with and overcome in order to live with the decision.
Great video, please keep us in the loop for you decision.
Thanks and good luck!
@RanftEvan why not use panasonic because they already have the L mount. and are great for video
I would not make the change for a middle ground colour profile. I use FX3, a Leica Q2, and a Red for video. I thought the Sony would be sweet for S-cinetone and I haven’t used it once. It only limits you in the end and you will end up using log if your a quality snob 😂.
Z8 with a grip is a grand cheaper than the Z9. Plus, it fits on gimbals with the grip off.