[Leica] S and SL in use

[hopsternew at gmail.com (Geoff Hopkinson)]

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.

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> ---------- 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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