KEH Black Friday Sale: How to Buy a Leica SL2 for Less Than $2,000 (hint: it requires perspective)!

Big shout-out to KEH for sponsoring this video! Their Black Friday Sale -- biggest of the year - is going on right now (November 22-27, 2023). Score 10% off site-wide* by visiting 3bmep.co/KEHBF23 and using the discount code BF10.
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How is it possible to buy a Leica SL2 -- one of the greatest cameras ever made - - for under $2,000? Hint: a bit of perspective.
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Gear Used to Make This Video:
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- Camera: geni.us/aTHQt1
- Lens: geni.us/lX9L
- Microphone system: geni.us/Rc3gN
- Lavalier mic: geni.us/8BCoi
- Usual Audio Recorder: geni.us/SXslK
- Usual Microphone: geni.us/DkaH8uR
- Accessories: geni.us/k1YCB
- Key Light: geni.us/BGAw
- Key Light Modifier: geni.us/HObbjo4
- Fill Light: geni.us/yEA9
FULL EDIT SUITE
- Main Computer for editing geni.us/oIYLUA
- Secondary RAID system: geni.us/7GPqOV
- Primary RAID system: geni.us/C7fDV5
- Laptop for writing: geni.us/ccCt
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[@hiramabiff885]

I've had my S1R for almost two years. It is an incredible tool. I mainly shoot with manual focus prime lenses. The focus peaking is superb. I later picked up the Lumix "kit" zoom lens which is excellent. I always lusted after the Hasselblad X-Pan and with the S1R I've got it. The ability to use the aspect ratio of the X-Pan has produced mind-blowing results. Using a tripod with the 187mp option produces breathtaking images. Once you familiarize yourself with the menu system (like reading the Torah) it's not that difficult. The shutter release is amazing and when I first unboxed the camera I thought something was wrong because it is almost silent. Would I love the SL2? Sure, but logic trounces desire.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for weighing in! Yes, those pixel shifted high resolution shots are INCREDIBLE under the right circumstances!

[@hiramabiff885]

I wish it were possible to post links on KZbin to images online.@@3BMEP

[@Mowikan]

Thx for your kind words on my favorite camera besides my Q3. The S1R is the most underrated camera out there. But also you forgot to mention the s-pro line lenses. I have them all from 16mm all the way to 200mm including the the best 50mm, s-pro 50 1.4. They are all more the perfect lenses at a decent price

[@damianip]

The S1R is absolutely the best no-compromise camera I’ve ever owned. The rear screen and DOF preview are unmatched. IQ is breathtaking and the incredible ergos offset the considerable size and weight.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jacobh5817]

I’ve been using the SL2 and SL2-S for fashion and beauty photography, but we also have a couple of S1R and S1s. The AF issue is much exaggerated. I hardly ever had an issue when shooting stills. Even with spinning models. The Lumix S1-series are fantastic cameras. Very durable, perfect in hand and with outstanding image quality. To my eye much preferred over the 60MP models of Sony. The Lumix has a slightly different color rendering compared to the Leica (same sensor, different processing) but that can easily be managed in post. I must say though, that I slightly prefer the digital noise at high ISO (3200 and above) of the Leica over the Lumix. Its more resembling film grain. Having said that, in the studio we hardly get past ISO400. Note that the S1R has the same sensor as the SL2, but the S1 uses the older 24MP sensor found also in the older SL type 601. The SL2-S (my fav) has a newer BSI CMOS sensor. I absolutely agree: when looking for one of the best ‘workhorse’ FF cameras in the business, have a look at a pre-owned S1R. PS. The S1(R) EVF is really amongst the best in class. For people wearing glasses, it has 3 magnification settings, allowing you to select the best view corner-to-corner. I wish Leica had that too on the SL2…

[@SlotCarNewsOfficial]

Excellent video. Solid suggestion for an alternative.

[@neilbuchan-grant2328]

Lovely camera, I miss mine but no regrets on going down the S5II route, Sigma 35mm 1.2 and 135mm 1.8 offer me slow and considered but incredible photographs

[@pkennethv]

Genuine question (not a rhetorical statement of disagreement): What are the things that the S1R does better/preferable over Nikon Z8/9 which lead you to consider it "the most ergonomically sound and complete full frame mirrorless body" ?

[@Austinite333]

Ok I see one used for just over $4k. I am interested in the perspective😊. Now I’ll watch👍

[@nickcarneyphotography]

Something tells me an S1R successor will be coming soon and it will be a real competitive high megapixel camera. I've got an S1R for work but I find my Z7ii that I own personally is much more enjoyable to use due to it's significant weight savings and better AF. Even compared to my S5 the S1R hunts way too often, even in photo mode. I've been in situations where no matter how many times I try it won't acquire focus on the subject, even when it's acknowledged the subject by putting a box around it.

[@castielvargastv7931]

Did you all firmware updates? What you describe should not happen with the recent one

[@jacobh5817]

Panasonic has an excellent pdf on their website explaining how to tweak AF settings for different shooting conditions. Next to the most recent firmware, getting the settings right, makes a huge difference.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jazzybugler]

Do you have a video on your audio setup? Very nice voice isolation and quality.

[@3BMEP]

Nothing current, sorry! But you can see what equipment I use down in the show notes.

[@iaincphotography6051]

Great shots Hugh but I figure you would have got them what ever camera you had been using.

[@user-ck7qd8wr1u]

Hello Hugh, Love your output. I'm not a paticualrly technical photographer actually far from it, but do have opportunities here in the UK to shoot at festivals and concerts. I'd like to know if you think the Leica SL2 with the 24-70 F2.8 can perform in low and often fast changing light, as the light shows play out. I curently use Canon, have since I was 16 (now 40 + years) and thought it would/ might be worth broadening my horizons now funds are available. Any feed back or your thoughts would be fantastic.

[@3BMEP]

Like all contrast-detection autofocus systems, low light / low contrast will show off the weaknesses of the SL2’s AF system. Yet with this written, many festivals and concerts are much higher contrast than one might assume. The 24-78 is a great lens. I suggest you try the combo out before committing to it. Best AF in the business right now is Sony, but Nikon and Panasonic are suddenly quite close with the Z8, 9 and f - and the S5 II and IIX, respectively.

[@Biosynchro]

I recommend Red Dot Forum's video on the 24-70/2.8. They will tell you its good and bad points compared to the 24-90. Just FWIW.

[@user-ck7qd8wr1u]

Thank you for your considered feedback it is much appreciated. From what I've looked at, Sony wise, I'm impressed, and dare I say it, Nikon also impresses. Cameras, what a minefield. I'm not sure how one would test drive a SL2 here in the UK but will look into it. Keep up your outstanding channel. G.

[@user-ck7qd8wr1u]

Thank you. Will check it out.@@Biosynchro

[@digiternst]

Would this be a good platform for adapters and vintage lenses?

[@3BMEP]

Absolutely!

[@user-oq1we2sh8r]

Hugh, do you ever do one on one in person workshops for street photography? Alan

[@3BMEP]

We don’t advertise it, but we do.

[@---us7qf]

And better for video, compared to the other brands. I would really love on, just for video and the occasional photo walk.

[@Jfrancois144]

Damn I should’ve waiting 1 more week before I got my sl2 lol

[@rumporridge1]

Hugh I loved my S1R, but recently sold it. The menu system and quirks drove me absolutely bonkers 😵‍💫🤪. I even brought great books on their system. That proved futile without obtaining a Doctorate from said books. My SL2 requires no time at all get to it up and running. Hoping for a new totally revamped S1RII. Or even perhaps the new forthcoming SL3.

[@3BMEP]

I hear you!

[@tammytrashbags]

I'm looking for a new platform for what I shoot - mostly street, mostly M mount lenses - and currently torn between the S1R (familiarity & no need to change adapters from my old S1, mainly a healthy bump in resolution, the same incredible EVF) and the new Nikon ZF (a more 'soulful' & compact body / experience, ability to change exposure comp / iso before turning the camera on, access to native Voigtlander glass). If the resolution and evf were the same, it'd probably be an easy win for the Nikon, but as it is I'm stumped. It's good to hear some love for the S1[R], it's a woefully neglected body in my experience - don't suppose you've got a ZF video in the works? ;)

[@3BMEP]

In fact, I do!

[@tammytrashbags]

well there's some good news! And I always welcome an excuse to delay a decision a little longer 🙂@@3BMEP