Deciding on The Leica SL3: My Final Verdict
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- čas přidán 10. 07. 2024
- Join me as I take a deep dive into the Leica SL3 and discuss whether or not I will be purchasing this camera for my photography and video production business. With its impressive features and sleek design, the SL3 has caught my eye, but is it worth the investment? Let's find out!
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 INTRO
1:59 HOW I'D USE IT
3:30 FOCUS/SENSOR
4:20 DESIGN
8:50 CONNECTIVITY
10:10 VIDEO
13:00 WILL I BUY IT?
This channel is one of the many reasons I dove into the Leica system head first. I appreciate how real you keep it and look forward to more content from you! Peace & Love!
I love to hear that Angel, are you happy with your decision and what is your set up?
@@AskMOTT Honestly yes, I used to only pick up my main camera a 5D MKIV for strictly paid shoots & kinda lost the passion for personal work....but back in 2022 I acquired an X100V and it was fun for friends & family stuff. Then I borrowed a friend's Leica M6 & Q2 for the first time and wow! I never felt so connected to a camera. Then the Leica research rabbit hole began. I ended acquiring a Leica M10-R & Voigtlander 35 Ultron II. Very much looking forward for this next chapter in my photography journey !
I think the most admirable thing about Leica is the care they have for the experience of photography as much as the final image. It’s the little things like the user interface, the dials, the overall feel that enhance the experience of the photography and as a result improve the ability of capturing our images.
I couldn't agree more :).
I know that cameras are supposed to be just tools, but there are some tools we prefer to use. If the tool can 'speak' to our inner self without getting in the way, then just maybe we can become better artisans/workmen with a truer version of our intent. Leicas are not for everybody, but neither are the generic lumps of black plastic that can take technically perfect images with no more effort than a press of a button. Bravo Justin.
Good Morning Jason, I was lucky to be the second person to get an SL3 from the Marseille Leica Boutique yesterday. I love it so far. I have the 24-90 and yesterday I picked up the 100-400mm and 35 SL. I have shed all of my M gear. So now with this combo and my Q3 my old guy eyes are able to capture sharp focus again. Love your channel.
Cheers from Southern France.
Mark
Be lucky!
Might be selling my monochrome to get the q3 and just adapt m on sl when needed. I can never get rid of my m lenses.
Always appreciate your insight. I never feel like I am being sold too with your channel and the fact that you make your living using the camera vs. talking about using the camera is important to my buying decisions. It is a lot of money to drop on a Leica system so this is big for a lot of people.
One thing, as I get older is I am over “tech”. Meaning, I used to love having 100’s of gizmos and gadgets and enjoy tinkering and toying around, but as I get older I just want simple, beautiful things that inspire me and that work. That is where Leica comes in. Simplifying is hard and Leica takes that time to do it vs others who just throw everything at you. Appreciate you Justin!
Thank you Joshua, that means a lot to me. I feel that's a blessing and a curse for my channel because I don't review gear I don't use or that I'm not interested in using so I don't have to fake anything. However, my channel grows slowly because gear reviews get a ton a subscribers, but oh well.
I like talking about gear sometimes sure, but only gearI have a genuine interest in and I like sort of talking through my buying decisions and what goes into that.
My SL3 is being delivered today ! I really want to try out that 24-90
That 24-90 is bulky but it's also beautiful and it covers a nice range so I dig it.
I’m jelly lol. Probably October for me. Keeping my SL2 though.
Great video! I appreciate your thoughtful reviews of the SL3, but I’m going to pass on this one.
I really like my SL2, it’s mostly a companion to my M10-D for longer or wider M lenses that are easier used with live view, and for occasional video.
I’m much happier with manual focus, so most of the new features on the SL3 seem to me like bells and whistles that I’ll never need/use.
I feel like the SL3, like the M11, is heading down a path I’m not interested in.
And seriously, can we stop with the tilt-screen nonsense? At this point I fully expect to see the M12 with a tilt screen to appease the Fuji X100 crowd.
No thank you!
I think I made the right choice with buying a used SL 2s also a reporter Edition used last week as the people were dumping those, especially since I mainly use my M10r but I wanted the low light performance
Thanks for this look at the SL3, Jutin. Here's the bottom line for me, an amateur who agrees 100% about design being a critical component of the cameras I use. Had a SONY and the experience was brick like, had Olympus but the files were weenies, had Nikon, and well...excellent, but hey, only if Leica didn't exist. As for a purchase, I shoot with a few, the Q3, SL2, Q2 Monochrom and even a CL, which I still love as a great companion to the Q3 when I keep a portrait lens on it. So, the plan (today, anyway) is to sell the SL2 and Monochrom and get the SL3. As they say in the math world, Q.E.D. Thanks for all your intriguing videos here on your channel.
Hi Justin. I enjoy your channel very much. Your honesty & integrity in reviewing products is greatly appreciated. I believe Leica cameras & lenses offer a build quality that is class leading in the industry. ( I remember holding a Leica M 7 film camera in my hands, many years ago & never forgot that experience.) I am a “ retired” photographer, so I do not have the “need” to buy the SL3 , but this is not to say that I do not “want” one. 😅 Best wishes for your channel, your photography/video buisness & your family.
As an M10 shooter, I like the additional dial, on the top left, that can be programmed to adjust the ISO. And, a tilting screen is truly useful for low-angle shots, a thing I appreciate more as I age into my sixties, using a Nikon D850. (I did not abandon my Nikon DSLRs, when I added the Leica M system.) The UI does look much more appealing than that of the Sony system. I had thought that the SL3 introduction would be good for me, because I might then buy a pre-owned SL2 or SL2-S for a lower price, but, now, the SL3 is the more-tempting option, if/when I can justify the cost of adding an L-mount camera. Thanks for presenting a working pro’s impressions of the SL3!
Thanks for watching Rex, yes the extra dial is a sneaky good and welcomed addition as is the flip screen :).
I am on the fence with this model. For photography, I had very little issue with the SL2. I need that reliable autofocus and image on the video side that my Sony a1 is providing. The AF-C does not seem to match the LUMIX S5II (which would have been good enough), and the rolling shutter when panning and the battery life are my issues with the SL3. Hope to hear your experiences on those fronts.
I use an SL2S for fashion editorial work alongside my film cameras, and I absolutely love the handling, ease of use and feel of the SL. Hated handling my Fuji X units, which are collecting dust currently. They felt like toys. I also prefer the size of the SL2 to the SL3.
I absolutely love my SL2-S as well :).
hahah Im not sure I can sell my SL2-s for the SL3... I like it too much. Might ditch the Q2 to fund an SL3 though! :) Also yes, good move to shift towards the Lumix S5iiX as they are amazing video hybrid cameras that share the L-glass. @@AskMOTT
Great review! Your commentary regarding using M lenses on the SL camera line is especially useful to me. Many of us “non-autofocus” M users debate getting an SL as a 2nd camera. Your review will help us make a purchase decision.
Considering that the battery life of the SL-3 is worse on the new SL-3, I will keep my SL-2; because my eye-sight has deteriorated with age, I nearly always compose my subjects using the rear LCD screen with the SL-2 mounted on a tripod, but using the rear LCD screen takes up more battery power; the SL-2 gives 350 shots per charge, whereas the SL-3 gives 260 shots per charge; Leica should have increased the size by the new battery for the SL-3.
I think the battery issue is caused by the upgraded autofocus (as mentioned in Chris from petapixel's review), so if you shoot manual lenses the problem goes away.......
Justin, as always, I enjoyed your delivery style, the informative commentary, and the way that you reason out your way forward. Personally I’m sticking with my SL2-S and wait for its counterpart - the SL3-S. Continued happiness and success to you and Q. Be Blessed, Doc Chaps
Your honest and unfiltered opinions about use cases are so helpful because you're not making the decision for the viewer and shilling products carelessly. That quality is a true value added to your channel. What was the most memorable moment that stands out from your time spent at Leica headquarters recently?
Thank you so much , this is probably also why my channel has such a low Subscriber count ha ha :)
i have been waiting for the SL3, but I am already super happy with the SL2-S! i will need to feel it in hand before putting my order in!
forget about the camera! i have to agree completely that Wotancraft make exceptional camera bags..
Indeed they do Simon, and they are wonderful people as well.
I am still extremely happy with my SL2-s and Q2, I have no really "use case" for the new 3 series of the Q and SL. And for video, I purchased the Lumix S5IIx, which is great for a lot of reasons, but most important was the L-mount for me. Having SL, Sigma and 7 Artisans lenses, as well the adapter for M and R lenses in my bag, giving me all the options for stills and videos.
Nevertheless, I feel happy for you if you get the new SL3, enjoy and continue your beautiful work.
Yes, the SL3 is a killer camera and does a lot of things very well. And while I can afford it, I have to be an adult and say that I just cannot rationalize having it. I still have three old digital M-bodies I like a lot. And the HB which is just killer for color and IQ and an A7 III so I am camera'ed up, alright. Way beyond what I can really say I need. What I need is the talent. And that is from getting out and taking pictures. Buying gear will not do that for me. Rumor has it that it will stop raining here and warm up. In the meantime I will just have to find stuff inside.
Good review, yes, you do need the SL3 and it will put money in your pocket so it is justified, too. The Leica folks do build good cameras and can shoot, and shoot, and shoot. Cameras are not much good when they do not work. So you have increased the likelihood of good images with the SL3. That satisfies the artist and the businessman. Good on you.
I always appreciate your well thought out explanations my friend :).
I will be traveling to Germany in May to check out this camera. I sincerely appreciate your review and opinions on this camera. I would not have even considered it if I hadn't watched your video. As a working professional photographer as well, you're review was very thorough and intriguing to say the least. My own personal favorite Leica camera is my Leica Q2 monochrom, so the smaller design will be personally appreciated. I look forward to future videos and content you submit, and thank you!
Awesome to hear Antonio , let me know how it goes when you get it.
I have always used Nikon camera and of course I have both a Z9 & Z8. I also have the new hasselblad X2D and I absolutlely love it elegant simplicity and minimalist button design. I will probably sell the Z9 because I have found tge custimization of the buttons to be not what I need and overly complicated. So the Leica SL3 really appeals to my style of work and the desire to have a more intuitive and simplicler menu system and button layout. Oh yea I did own the Q2 and loved it menu system and design and size but the fixed lens didn't work for me.
SL3 looks great, your review is spot on! I will keep my SL2 for now as it does everything I need. Maybe a used SL3 in a few months !
Good choice, S5 MK2 X for videos and SL3 for photos! I am definitely going for this setup as well since i own the S5 and will add the SL 3 to replace my SL2S. Panasonic video capabilities surpassed the Leica for now!
Thanks Justin, really well presented review. I really appreciate Leica’s commitment to the UI as it’s not only that they are differentiating themselves from the rest of the mirrorless industry, but they highlight, innovate, and promote the UX experience. Hopefully this focus on the UX will bring/force/shift the camera industry to focus much more attention to the actual hands-on usage of a camera rather than same boring sensor size battle. Bravo! Now let’s get this UI on the M camera 😊
As for a video camera, Jordan at Peta Pixel was frustrated that he could never got the parameters he wanted. If he wanted 4k and then set some other parameter he wanted it would kick him out of 4k because you couldn't do that in 4k. He could find no combination of settings that worked for him. There were a lot of hidden caveats.
I shoot for fun. For years I admired Leica from a distance. I told myself I wasn’t capable of using a Leica. Now I have a Q2 and SL2s. I cherish them for the joy they bring through use and results. The SL3 seems to be the moment the SL
Series matured. It now brings flexibility through MP options, tilt screen and a smaller footprint. I’ll get one for sure but I may wait for a used one. Well done to Leica for another wonderful camera. Thanks to Justin for the review.
Dear Leica,
Please remove that terrible “LEICA” from the top of the camera. Porsche doesn’t have a flashing neon signs for their brand in their cars. Your logo says, please steal me!
It’s a good point , I’d prefer it to be blacked out as well.
What I did with my SL-2 is I used a black permanent marker pen to go over the 'LEICA' branding to hide it, so now it's barely noticeable as is the case with the SL-2S
I've used mine quite heavily for the last month and it's a pretty great camera. I think it's the better camera than the SL2/S cameras but I prefer the shooting experience on those cameras more. But I will say the SL3 sensor is the best sensor I've personally used. It's incredible.
I think your new kit will be great. The Panasonic cameras are great for video and they're priced right.
Delighted to hear they listen… I am new to Leica I got the MP for black and white film work (I am an amateur) as I have a G2 and am a Canon user since the AE1. But this video and my MP use are making me think seriously about the SL3. Len’s interchangeability is a huge plus because the lenses are so good (but so are the Zeiss)…. I don’t have many but getting double duty would be a huge plus given the cost…
I went to the launch in London at Leica London & managed to play with it for a while. Sold my SL2 immediately privately & now awaiting my delivery of the SL3. Not a pro-photographer but the upgrade ticked at lot of boxes & fits nicely with my M11 & M11M as I love the sensor. One thing Leica did emphasise to me & you didn't mention was the SL3 is fair more intergrated to use the M lenses on this camera, which is what I use for my primes. Also as I now have difficultly get up once down I can use that flip screen a lot easier.
I will wait for you to post videos about your experience with the camera in the field and perhaps further firmware updates by Leica. As an amateur, I don't feel compelled to upgrade from my SL2S yet. Is there a photo that the SL3 will capture that the SL2S will not? Is the user experience that much better? I look forward to your reports on the these questions.
Thanks for this great summary, went to your video first, as I knew you would skip all the tech things and focus on usability. Well done! I noted you use tethered studio shoots. Question; When I use my SL2 tethered, (Capture 1 or Lightroom), while on manual with M-lenses mounted, It will not trigger a release if using the pc display release button. I have to push the button on the camera itself, a bit annoying) L-lenses works but not M-lenses. Maybe a very peculiar question, but wonder if this has been fixed on the SL3. Anyways, greetings from a fellow SL2 & M10-D user!
Your review was excellent. Like Leica, Justin you are authentic and passionate about your craft and equipment! 🙌💪👏
Thanks Roz, I appreciate you always contributing here and glad you liked the review. What are you shooting this week?
You didn’t mention a big issue with this camera, battery life. I’m already so disappointed by my SL2 on this point and from what I’ve read it’s going to be worst on the SL3. That’s a big miss from Leica !
Keeping the rear screen off increases battery life.
So glad that I stuck with the L mount, there’s plenty to afford and plenty to aspire to in this system. Another straight to it video. 👏
Yes, I am getting one. If I can get ahold of one.
I’m sure you’ll love it!
I traded my Canon 1DX Mk ii kit for an SL2 + 50 Lux SL back in 2019, and then it ballooned from there. Recently had to downsize to just my M11 + 35 Lux FLE (represent), but now I'm gettin back up and please believe I will be snagging one of these SL3's once I get another film MP first! Ha! Informative videos, tyvm
Appreciate your review and keeping it sweet and short.
Thanks Charles, what do you shoot with?
@@AskMOTT I am shooting with a Q3 and M240. I placed an order for SL3 for use with my M lens. Awaiting my SL3, my first adventure into SL body
Hi Justin, thanks for the review, I am currently trying to decide whether to upgrade from the SL2-S or not...or later. Very helpful to hear your thoughts, which I share fully, especially the heavy, tank feel.
I'd like to know if you have, as I do, random freeze problems with the SL2-S when shooting tethered into Capture1; it took me a while to figure out that removing the SD cards when tethered was a mandatory thing to do. It reduced the problem but didn't eliminate it. Any thoughts ? Thanks
Good to hear your thought process. Something unrelated to this specific camera - when shooting with high megapixel cameras, how do you deal with storage when on assignment and back at home? Bring lots of external hard disks on assignment and have a NAS at home? Maybe interesting to discuss storage at a next Q&A session. Btw it seems you deleted the last Q&A video? I don't seem to see it anymore. I was wondering if you were planning on talking about the shooting with two bodies question (eg 28mm on one body and 50mm on other body). Anyway, I hope I'm not bugging you. Keep up the good work
Justin, your videos and approach make me want to be you. "-). Huge value hearing from a working pro in a foreign environment making it real, making it authentic and telling it like it is. fan of the hotel work shots
Thinking about buying this camera for video as well. A little confused by the specs . At 8k it doesn’t do 4:2:2 color? It has a more compressed image?
Great video - One thing I really like is the backwards compatibility with batteries. Those little buggers are expensive, and I bet you have a few hanging around. I wish they'd kept the M cameras compatible, but I understand why not. Also great is the USB-C charging - I use it all the time on my M11M. When you have one power brick that can charge a laptop, phone and camera all at once that's really great. (especially when you only need one foreign adapter) All that said I'm still hanging back - the SL2 is a brilliant camera still and if the SL3 had never come along I'd use it for many years.
Great video! To me, Leica is always about the user experience not the specs. Nowadays digital camera are almost all the same. But it’s how it feels when we use it sets the difference.
I love my sl601 and have a sl2s as main work camera. I am thinking about selling the Q2 and get the sl3. And maybe put in some compact TL lenses when I want to carry it for simple everyday cafe shots
Justin, many thanks for your honest opinions and views. Of all the Leicas I have owned I love my SL2-S the most as the almost perfect al round camera. I have a Canon R5 for wildlife, but scaling down my involvement in that. So now I will upgrade to the SL3 and keep that along with my Q3 for street etc. Pick up the sigma 500m for wildlife (appreciate the SL3 frame rate not so good but I don't really shot like that), have a bunch of SL, M and screw mount lenses for most other scenarios . So shortly, I will sell the canon gear and the SL2-S along with the Sigma FP-L I got for landscape (the upside of the ISO6 and focus stacking is not enough to outweigh the downsides of the rolling shutter in every day use). Then the question will be, what will I do with all the empty shelf space............! One small point that's a bit of a biggie for me, I hate the big white leica name on the front ( strangely the main reason I bought the SL2-S) - in the words of Mick Jagger "paint it black"....!
Fill that shelf with photos you took and I agree about the white lettering , they should offer a service at Leica stores to color it in.
The best thing about Leica is that my M3 doesn't need an update.
Nice b-roll!!!
Thank you , glad someone appreciated my 100mm macro slider shots :)
What I like about the direction leica is moving is that they are thinking about what are the features to REMOVE to simplify the experience. The camera-tech has gotten to a point where now camera are blotted with so many features. Leica being super lean, is in the best position to add the features are the most valuable to the users. And SL3 has become a matured platform now. The improvements on AF can now be delivered through incremental software updates to wrap it up as a nice experience.
You said it better than me :)
Out of the 10’s of SL3 reviews that suddenly proliferated like mushrooms after the rain, this was my favorite mix of data, shooter impressions, images and behind-the-scenes. What a fun couple of days! I particularly got a kick out of seeing Hugh’s picture pop up. Looks like a real win for Leica, again. Any insight on whether an SL3-S is headed our way? Cheers my friend.
User interface is so important for me these days and I am willing to pay the price. Other cameras may have more features but if you can’t figure out how to use them what’s the point. So bravo Leica.
So many people underestimate the importance of the UI, for me it’s a top priority.
Forget the camera review, you cycling through the streets of Hanoi, that's something I want to see and hear about :P
Coming soon :) , but a warning it’s a lot of be sweating in the heavy humidity .
I too have wotancraft bags, 3.5 lit for Q3 just right for camera spare batteries, phone wallet and shades. 10lit pilot for sl2s plus a few lenses, I’m sure the sl3 would fit even better. Leica policy is KISS keep it simple sorted.
They are my absolute favorite :).
There’s a lot of things that seem very likely to be added in firmware like the original SL2/SL2S. Interesting to see where it’s at and hypothesize where it will ultimately go.
Would love to see the tethering features compatible with desktops/laptops via CaptureOne Pro.
Video features definitely don’t seem worth upgrading to though. Love the SL2S rigged out for video because the image is just so dang nice.
I fell you man. I personally like more solid feeling cameras and. The weight I feel helps me. I haven’t dove into the Leica world. I shoot with a Nikon z9 and zf. I do enjoy your channel and perspective from an actual photographer and not a a pretend photographer as most CZcamsrs seem to be.
I appreciate that brother, a few gear reviews here and there on my channel but mostly I like to talk about photography and telling stories about assignments and such.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Justin. I’m curious why you don’t shoot video with the LUMIX S5ii instead of Sony? If you did, you could use your L-Mount and M lenses on it. The latest firmware has some really interesting and time-saving features for creators like yourself who has clients in disparate geographical locations. You could also load your pre-sets as LUTS into the camera. The other great feature is its manual focus capabilities. And the camera is a joy to use. I have a Sony A7RV and find it less enjoyable to shoot than my S5ii.
I did end up investing in a S5II for my CZcams Channel and for my personal work and plan to do an episode on this soon.
That''s great! I'll look forward to it!@@AskMOTT
The only way I can get a wotancraft camera strap is if you ship it to me as my small country is not even mentioned on their website :/ but btw nice video as always, and tell your friends at Leica that costumers didn't want a 1cm smaller SL body, but one body in M size but with EVF and M mount and one in regular size SL with L mount for this gen. (maybe SL3M as well) :)
Lumix S5iix. Wonderful camera, I use for both stills and video. The Leica SL3 looks like a great camera.
They are a sneaky good pairing in my opinion.
No I have to wait for the black out or stealth version. Something a bit more discreet. Maybe the SL3-S?
By the time I scrolled to the bottom to comment, I forgot the parameters which you presented for the prize. What sticks out to me in your presentation of the SL3 are your comments on it's bulk/size/weight, and maybe, the interface. Bulk/size/weight because I have a weak and mobility impaired right arm. So for me, a baby boomer, the average SLR has gotten too much smaller and too flimsy. My viewpoint is that of a boomer who loved shooting Kodachrome 25 and 64 with a incident light meter, and two camera bodies with a 35mm f/2 and 85mm f/2 Auto-Nikkor AISs. I believed in the bulk/size/weight for inertia, and that old saw for choosing a 35mm, "Pick it up. How does it feel in your hands?" Nowadays, I don't hear it anymore. Maybe it's because hand tools don't count for video. At least they still matter in the kitchen. BTW I don't need a camera strap. I have Domke stuff that still works. Muchos mahalos. Keep up the good work, and sharing your objective viewpoint.
My SL3 Arrives today. I have been a Leica shooter for a long time and they are simple and elegant. You do not need a PHD in engineering to work the menu.
Thanks!
Thank you Richard :)
@@AskMOTT My pleasure!
📸 The stuff that DREAMS are made of & if you don’t have a dream how can you make it come true.
Like a good ROLEX watch a LEICA SL3 is a good investment and wonderful camera to have as a family heirloom to hand down to the next generation of photographer filmmaker.
I now know what I am working towards and saving up for.✌🏻😎🇦🇺
Hello, what are dimentions of display? Width and length
The new SL3 is intriguing especially for videography - it isn't something I think of as Leica's natural habitat. Also, browsing your website, I enjoyed your video reel; obviously amazing settings and locations, beautifully and evocatively captured, but what I found myself increasingly thinking as I watched was "will I see the face of the woman in white?" who walks through so many of the scenes? Happy ending = Yes!
As a Leica M and Nikon D/Z user I actually do prefer the Leica Ms with all there limitations to the newer Nikon Zs. Here - for me - I wasted my money and am really not happy with using them. Their menus has become bizarre and hindering for me, just in opposite to what I liked with the D-models… anyway here again one more wheel on top instead of keeping it simple. And that tilt-screen nonsense… I would very much prefer a modular viewfinder like it is possible for the canon F1 or Nikon F3… anyway: I had the pleasure to work with the SL2 and SL2s which both have a great haptics and - at least for me - self explaining, intuitive menus. Want to trade my Nikon Z gear in… definitely!😊
I didn’t get the sony problem, is Leica simpler to use?
Pics are dope bruh.
My perfect camera would be a Leica Q3 size full frame camera with interchangeable lenses. My near vision is next to useless and getting worse as I age, so a Leica M is impossible to use. The SL3 would be close to perfect for me, but I wish they would reduce its size even further. The native SL lenses are supposedly Leica’s best lenses from an optical point of view, but they are huge.
I have to say if you want smaller the new SL3 is significantly smaller and lighter .
It is important to note that even with the cool bag, standing next to a rhinoceros can be hazardous for one’s health 👍
Normally yes , that is a great advice. However, these two grew up in captivity and are use to humans and I spent several days racing into things :).
I'd Leica Leica. haha. Great video. Love your input from actually working with the camera.
Leica puns are always allowed here Carolina :).
Why am I looking at the Leica SL3? Well my Leica Q3, I t’s an absolute joy to use, that’s my response to my friend’s who ask my why I bought it rather than the Sony or Fuji like theirs (which I have previously borrowed from them to try out). May be it’s my 1bit brain but I found the menu set up of those other systems Byzantine and repeatedly got lost in them. I’m looking to add a system for general and specific portrait use so the Leica SL3 is my my target (budget to be achieved). I have reached an age where I want the actual process of taking the photograph to be emotionally satisfying, that having the camera in hand and taking the picture makes me feel, well, joy. The Q3 does this for me and I suspect the SL3 will follow.
I traded my SL2s kit towards an M11 and though I love it I feel like I was on the cusp of using the SL2s for my commercial work. For me it was too heavy. This may solve the problem. So torn.
has anyone tried the sl3 with an atomos for the prores raw?
Hi Jason, given all of the gear in your multi-branded arsenal, frankly I was surprised with your final verdict. If you’re actually going to transition out of Sony that’s another story. All the best!
I’m a Leica M user (still have my original M3 along with two M11s) but I sold my entire SL2 kit and replaced it with a Hasselblad X2D 100c. For me the Hassy system is lighter, more ergonomic, and the images are better. Having said that, I miss the SL camera because I also used it with my M and R lenses. Regarding the SL3, I guess I was hoping for a Q3 which could use interchangeable lenses. Maybe I’ll wait and get a good used SL2.
My S5II is close enough to Leica. That Strap would make it more lika Leica. 😂
“Not too big to listen” - That’s what she said!
I kinda asked for that , so I’ll have to allow it.
@@AskMOTT Sorry I had to haha! Great video! Currently filming on an SL2-S and these updates are quite intriguing to say the least! Thx for sharing! Cheers from Hawai’i
My only hesitation about moving over to Leica for professional work (I currently shoot Leica for personal work only) is they don't have a professional services department that can make repairs rapidly. With my Sony's I can get repairs completed in 3 days or less by paying for their yearly pro services ($99/year annually). If the repair takes longer, they offer loaners.
With SL body repairs, I hear from several sources it's around 6 months to get a repair, and that it needs to be shipped back to Germany. Which then means, you got a buy in pairs. Which becomes economically challenging for most. Sure you could pepper your setup with SL2's and and SL3's to offset the cost, but then it's starting to get complicated. So every time I go through this painful exercise, wanting to move my commercial work over to Leica, I remember that although my Sony cameras are not always the most enjoyable, they are extremely reliable from functionality to service, and then I just use my M11-P and Q3 for personal work and if one of those were to go down, at least I'm not scrambling to try and get a loaner while I wait for my Leica to get repaired.
With all of that said...I still want one!
Hey it's a cool luxury item but most professionals will not need a $7000 camera body to do great professional work or fine art work :) If you have the money and you really want it then sure, why not? My peon self will stick to the Panasonic S series.
S series is solid as well , I’ve got an episode planned about a hybrid shooter kit that involves Panasonic/Leica .
nice bruv
So who’s buying and who’s passing ?
I have the digital CL, M11, M11 Monochrom, and SL2. However, I’ll order an SL3 later this year (the tilting screen and quick downloads to iOS devices are highly desirable) after I pick up a few more M lenses.
Wow John, buying the whole store ha ha, I'll take a few SL lenses while you're at it :). @@johnkasianowicz6536
I don't know. I'm pretty happy with my SL2, and I feel the SL3 will not add much to my photography, and for the price I would have to add, I can get a SL2s as a second body. Or buy another lens for my Ms
@@AskMOTT I’m well along on the back 9 in life and can’t afford to pick up gear slowly!
If it feels good, do it. Buy it, which you will.
from what I saw from the first impression video here in youtube leica sl3, gets updated but not that night and day changes from leica sl2 series, but still the battery life of this new leica sl3 bother me, yes they change it to the new battery more capacity than the previous model but , it`s worst, or nothing change from the previous leica sl series. don`t get me wrong I tried leica sl2-s, it`s nice build quality camera, the lenses are great but expensive and heavy, yes there`s sigma or m mount lenses, but still it is not the same as panasonic lumix that you mentioned. I assumed that leica sl3 is great upgrade all in all, but not for me, panasonic is much cheaper and much good value , more capable than sl3, the thing makes leica sl series shine is build quality, and leica brand name., I owned Leica m11, I want to own nice mirrorless camera with it, partner but not this leica sl3, still I will continue to use my sony for a while. thank you justin mott.
Justin, this is by far the best camera review I have watched for a long time. Kudos. I enjoy your honest enthusiasm for the Leica system, which is clearly contagious. I have owned other brand flagship cameras, the Z9, and found them simply too heavy and complicated for most of my work. This made the camera more of a chore to use than a joy. I'm encouraged in the reduced form factor of the SL3 over the previous models, the improved Leica designed ergonomics and the simplified and improved UI. Whilst I'd never sell my M body or my M lenses, I am tempted to sell my (older) Q2 and move towards the SL3 later this year. With the functionality of my M glass, it makes the move easier and more cost effective whilst future-proofing the overall Leica investment. Something I'm sure Leica is well aware of.
They degraded the materials
With this camera it tells you the video won’t work and you need to change the setting but not what setting!
They should’ve said they aren’t too big to not listen no?
Please tie up your hands and keep still ..... thanks for the words.
Sorry that’s not how I talk though.
I won't get one. I will stick with my Ms. For me the SL has never got close to generating the magical feeling I get working with an M and those exquisite M lenses on their native body. Not to mention the magical results.
It’s so much of a work horse that it feels like such a tool. M shooting experience is another level.
I’m disappointed in the video features. I’d rather have 6K with more frame rates don’t need 8K.
I'll get sl3 because in divorce I lost 2 l-mount bodies, Q2M and Ricoh GRiii. Thanks to my lawyer saved lenses and got money compensation. SL3 will be my feel good work horses.
Sorry to hear Tim, keep the equipment off the books is my lesson to be learned here :).
@@AskMOTT thank you.
@@TimofejNenarokov My pleasure, let me know how you end up liking that SL3.
@@AskMOTT sure. Still need to finish all paperwork and get money and my lenses
I simply cannot comment! The SL and lenses too big and heavy. The price in the stars. I never used such big cameras.. I hated large bags! My M3, maybe a spare lens, a box or two of film. Well truthfully, how many images were needed! We are so lost in technology, there's no way out! Folks get attracted to Film, as it is simple! Professionally dead! If one making photos for self, media and small clients, this is overload! I'm so happy no longer a pro! When images were needed for yesterday 'It's Digital, you know!' I quit! Will you buy it? I don't care!
Welcome to 2024. Good/great cameras are expensive.
This comment 👎
But you did comment. If it’s not for you, and you already know that, why even click on the video? It sounds like maybe you should stick to phones for picture-taking. They are light enough for you.
Imagine early photographers saying that their equipment was too heavy. How funny and lazy we have become.