The Leica SL: the new AF Leica

[Godfrey]

Pentax film lenses, I agree. Have you tested any of the Pentax digital 645 lenses (designed for the 44*33 format)?

Those are amazing. Most hold their own against the Leica S lineup. And for the lowly price of $3-4k each.

No, I haven't. However, how long have you been working around or with Pentax gear? I was promoting and selling Pentax gear in 1973 ... I seen a lot of great by reputation gear flow under the bridge through the years. I tried dozens of Pentax lenses over the years, both 35 and 645. Many were excellent, but where they always let me down compared to Nikon and Leica, and Olympus, was in their consistency.

I'm comfortable with what I have in lenses, and it won't cost me anything. 🙂

G

 

[Corran]

Price? It compares with any pro system out there. (have you priced a 1Dx or D4s lately?)

This has already been mentioned but you should go price those cameras right now yourself. They are $2-3,000 less. The price has fallen since release of course but they were still never quite that expensive and are also the top of the heap of a much larger system approach. Frankly a 24mp D750 (under $2,000) will likely match the Leica SL in pretty much every respect.

 

[KM-25]

They do... but wow, that's a large mirrorless.

Out of control LOL!!

The SL + 24-90 is actually heavier than a D810 with the new 24-70 E lens.

This thing is ridiculous for a "mirrorless" camera....

 

[f16sunshine]

Why would it not be?
A great evf is going to have a prism, micro display, processor, controls, casing... Etc.
Should it end up weighing in at less than a mirror, prism, casing etc ..??

I agree there should be a weight saving with mirrorless but it won't be 400-500g... likely more around 50-150g.

 

[willie_901]

I was all set to order. But those lenses are just to dainty for me.
🙄

 

[Archlich]

They do... but wow, that's a large mirrorless.

Definitely makes you look pro with it.

 

[Kate-the-Great]

I actually like this camera; it's just a very different machine than the kind that people here expect. As other posters have said, "mirrorless" does not have to mean "compact". It can mean compact, which is a big deal, but there are other reasons to do away with a reflex finder than size.

This isn't a sports camera, this certainly isn't a walkabout camera. My reading of it is that it's basically a medium format camera. High-resolution 135-format digital cameras are the new 645. That's the segment this camera is going after; people who are doing studio and location shoots for commercial clients. This has nothing to do with the M-system; it's a mini-S. The lenses are huge because they're surely going to be impeccably-sharp even wide open.

 

[uhoh7]

I think it will sell. The build is so strong and as Ming explains, aside from pixels, the A7r2 is a plastic toy in comparison. But all those touches, like the crazy great EVF, video specs, dual cards, FULL WEATHERPROOFING, cost, and add low production numbers, of course it's going to be 7K.

In the bigger picture it's not the slightest threat to anyone, because there is no autofocus lens system to go with it, like Canikon, where the range is 500/4 to UWA. Just tons of lens options for every application.

It's a supercar, and they are never the most practical things.

I think it does not mean we won't see a Q-like interchangeable body. It means Leica can make rather incredible state of the art (aside from MP count) kit, and that's a good thing.

They even let the focus mag box move around!

 

[YYV_146]

I think it will sell. The build is so strong and as Ming explains, aside from pixels, the A7r2 is a plastic toy in comparison. But all those touches, like the crazy great EVF, video specs, dual cards, FULL WEATHERPROOFING, cost, and add low production numbers, of course it's going to be 7K.

In the bigger picture it's not the slightest threat to anyone, because there is no autofocus lens system to go with it, like Canikon, where the range is 500/4 to UWA. Just tons of lens options for every application.

It's a supercar, and they are never the most practical things.

I think it does not mean we won't see a Q-like interchangeable body. It means Leica can make rather incredible state of the art (aside from MP count) kit, and that's a good thing.

They even let the focus mag box move around!

The video specs is good. Not great. The SL still needs an external recorder to do 4:2:2 - which is in line with the A7s. The A7s can however do 4k on full sensor readout, while the SL is limited to APS-C capture. Yes, it's better than the A7 for video. But that's not saying much considering that the A7S is only $1,800 or so at this point.

The A7rII's body is fully enclosed in magnesium alloy with a separate layer sandwiched between the front and back plates. All the dials are also finished in metal, not plastic. How much more durability does a camera actually need?

Two card slots is nice, but news is that only one supports high speed writing. So you have one slot that's only capable of writing JPEGs. And realistically, given the durability and cost of modern storage, an in-camera backup is nice but not crucial.

For the most part I don't even understand what all the space is for. There's few buttons, the EVF is in the hump, the battery in the grip - so why must the body be so big?

 

[vladimir]

I love the new Leica SL and certainly will get one in about a years’ time to use it with my M lenses and than I will sell my black M (240). Why there is so much negativity about this camera is beyond me.

 

[Godfrey]

This has already been mentioned but you should go price those cameras right now yourself. They are $2-3,000 less. The price has fallen since release of course but they were still never quite that expensive and are also the top of the heap of a much larger system approach. Frankly a 24mp D750 (under $2,000) will likely match the Leica SL in pretty much every respect.

Interesting comment since I have one of those. It doesn't work very well with my R lenses, never mind M lenses, and can't match the 4K movie recording capabilities or 11fps capture either. The D750 is a darn nice camera anyway.

G

 

[jsrockit]

List price of 6.900 € body only. What are they thinking?

What did you expect from Leica? $1000?

 

[Corran]

It doesn't work very well with my R lenses, never mind M lenses,

Why not? And yes, of course not the M lenses.

can't match the 4K movie recording capabilities or 11fps capture either.

True, though I'm sure the next iteration will have 4K (video features always marching forward). Of course my $400 GoPro can do 4K already (and really well!) so it's not like that's some revolutionary feature.

11fps on the SL seems to be 100% a marketing spec. Not much of a need and it's limited.

 

[Lss]

11fps on the SL seems to be 100% a marketing spec. Not much of a need and it's limited.

Of course speed can be useful.

 

[doolittle]

I think Godfrey hit the nail on the head. This isn't Leica's take on the A7. It is their entry into the 35mm DSLR market. The announced lens line up is the proof.

Price wise on the body, exactly what you would expect - much the same price as the M240 and cheaper than the Leica S

 

[willie_901]

... How much more durability does a camera actually need?

Apparently acceptable durability is defined by being machined out of a solid hunk of aluminum.

The camera is large enough one could use it as a wheel wedge for a large aircraft or hammer tent pegs in firm soil. So the sturdy magnesium alloy construction used in other mirrorless systems won't do.

 

[jsrockit]

I think Sony got it right, being a trendsetter for the design of mirror-less system cameras. 🙂 Given the price of the new Leica (system) I am wondering which market they are targeting.

Who does Leica always target with its cameras and prices? The luxury market.

 

[bobby_novatron]

I know this has already been talked about but I still can't get over how large the overall system is (body + lens). Stylistically you can see the body cues from the old Leicaflex SL lines, but ergonomically the Typ 601 looks like a large, difficult-to-manage camera.

 

[Samouraï]

The video specs is good. Not great. The SL still needs an external recorder to do 4:2:2 - which is in line with the A7s. The A7s can however do 4k on full sensor readout, while the SL is limited to APS-C capture. Yes, it's better than the A7 for video. But that's not saying much considering that the A7S is only $1,800 or so at this point.

The SL does 10-bit out the hdmi port. The A7SII does 8-bit out the hdmi port.

 

[srtiwari]

I love the new Leica SL and certainly will get one in about a years’ time to use it with my M lenses and than I will sell my black M (240). Why there is so much negativity about this camera is beyond me.

What would be the advantage of this, over an M240, if one only wanted to use M lenses ? 😕