Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2017/05/12

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Subject: [Leica] S and SL in use
From: rgacpa at gmail.com (Bob Adler)
Date: Fri, 12 May 2017 22:35:23 -0700
References: <mailman.4.1494580607.2511.lug@leica-users.org> <CAE3QcF7m9T-DdV3ZDHj2K6P5kuqpxNyH2eQyxAV8OEhO5B468Q@mail.gmail.com>

Thanks to you both!

Bob Adler
www.robertadlerphotography.com

> On May 12, 2017, at 4:33 AM, Geoff Hopkinson <hopsternew at gmail.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> Hi Frank yes that function that you mentioned that irritated Doug (and lots
> of users) was a subject of comment to Leica by quite a few of us. I can't
> locate where it has changed in firmware at the moment but it is fixed.
> Camera -Exposure Preview-Off and it is fine.
> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: Frank Filippone <red735i at verizon.net>
>> To: lug at leica-users.org
>> Cc:
>> Bcc:
>> Date: Wed, 10 May 2017 01:43:07 -0400
>> Subject: Re: [Leica] S and SL in use
>> Very much appreciate your candid response.
>> 
>> One point of clarification...
>> Doug Herr was not satisfied by the SL when he tried it out. If I remember
>> correctly, he wanted the EVF to not maintain constant brightness with
>> variable lighting of the subject. Your description indicates you were able
>> to overcome this "feature", especially when using flash. Am I correct?  
>> How
>> did you override the constant EVF brightness function?
>> 
>> Frank Filippone Red735i at verizon.net
>> On Wednesday, May 10, 2017, Geoff Hopkinson <hopsternew at gmail.com> 
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi all. Frank sent me a note asking my impression on the two systems as I
>> have them here. I thought it might be of interest to some others also.
>> Very briefly almost all of my photography now is in studio, shooting
>> fashion, beauty, makeup looks, dancers etc. Also some boudoir for friends.
>> 
>> I have the S2 (bought third hand), now just a spare and currently The S
>> (Typ 007). I have also shot a couple of thousand frames with a loan 006. 
>> My
>> lenses are the 70 and 120. All up about 36000 exposures this far. I have
>> had the SL for a shorter period and have the 24-90 only. Incidentally I
>> tried briefly the S-T adaptor but found it noticeably slower to focus.
>> About 6000 exposures thus far. I like to use it where the zoom is very
>> convenient and for higher ISO, natural light scenarios.
>> 
>> For me the S (Typ 007) output is much superior as you would expect from 
>> the
>> format. The dynamic range is noticeably better (quoted at 15 stops). The
>> tonal smoothness is excellent, especially the transitions to out of focus.
>> Resolution may matter or not of course depending on your output. Sometimes
>> with a dancing subject for example I might be composing loosely and shoot
>> rapid sequences, so I might be cropping to effectively similar as 'full
>> frame' anyway. Still very noticeably superior output.
>> Probably the single most significant limitation for me is that there is
>> just one central focus point and focus/recompose requires care in that DoF
>> even stopped down is much smaller in my applications With in close
>> headshots being very unforgiving, so that I usually shoot loosely there
>> with near eye centred and crop to what I want.. I
>> The SL menu operations and button functions really seem to be a more
>> refined version of that of the earlier S designs. I like them a lot and if
>> you have both it is easy to swap back and forth due to the similarities.
>> 
>> Handling wise I don't find the SL to 'feel' much lighter in the hands with
>> the 24-90. I don't know the numbers. Both have much more weight and size
>> than an M with most lenses of course. The lower edge of the body is sharp
>> and can be uncomfortable using it for extended periods. I might shoot
>> 400-even up to 1000+ frames in an afternoon. The battery grip (just tried
>> loan one briefly) is much better in that regard. Then it would be all of
>> the size of the bare S though. My applications aren't carrying around for
>> travel or street so its not important for me. My S is nearly all on tripod
>> and when I get the appropriate L bracket, for studio shall do the same 
>> with
>> SL with stabilisation off of course. For fashion for example it would
>> typically be at me sitting on the floor height anyway.
>> 
>> For both systems, my focus method is to be in MF only and have the rear
>> button set to AFS. Recheck focus every 6-10 frames for full length f9.5
>> ish. The SL has a fabulous ability to be able to shift AF point around 
>> with
>> a single control and while held to your eye. Generally faster to lock on.
>> Very quiet operation of the whole camera too. Lens stabilisation with the
>> native lens is excellent. You need to defeat the exposure simulation in
>> view for low light if you want to be able to see anything most especially
>> if using flash as the main exposure of course.
>> 
>> In summary for MY applications the S system is quite superior in output, 
>> so
>> that I use it nearly all of the time. I would expect/guess that the next S
>> whenever (not soon? may have an EVF like the SL. I vowed that I would
>> dislike losing the OVF, but there really are some advantages to the EVF of
>> course.
>> 
>> 
>> Cheers
>> Geoff
>> http://www.pbase.com <http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman>
>> 
> 
>> 
> 
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In reply to: Message from hopsternew at gmail.com (Geoff Hopkinson) ([Leica] S and SL in use)