Leica SL2 / SL2-S Firmware Updates

The Leica SL2 / SL2-S have had Firmware Updates to V4.0 and V3.0 respectively. Nick Rains explains many of the new features and demonstrates how to set some new custom function button options.
UPDATE: V4.1 and V3.1 were released via the FOTOS app yesterday (25/5/22) to squash a bug in the system. This fixes the reported issue with SL Summicron lenses where there was a delay in the aperture control system. There should be downloadable versions available next week.

[@cleftoftherock6797]

Great instructor and salesman. Clear and concise. You're setting a standard others should emulate. Thanks.

[@gitteskjoldresling6599]

There is a firmware updat 4.1 for SL2 and 3.1 for SL2-S out now, that corrects the bug with the Summicron lenses. ❤️

[@imagecreative720]

Nick, appreciation 'as ever' for your clear concise breakdown on tech detail, your presentation often solves niggling operational queries; really hoping for your tips and guidance on the SL2 following the firmware (5) upgrade. Thank you, Matt

[@ohowitt]

I actually just updated to firmware 4.0 on my new SL2. I opened KZbin while it's updating my lens and what a surprise! Great video as always, Nick. I love the new features with the firmware. The follow focus was awesome in 3.0, and the new eye detect is an awesome addition this firmware. I'm excited to give it all a go.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Yes, a decent upgrade for sure.

[@HernanFariasCamus]

Currently there is a very unfortunate problem with shutter lag for those using SL APO lenses after the firmware update ..... I would assume Leica is aware of the problem and hopefully will soon fix this issue via firmware update

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

I have seen a few reports of this, however I believe a simple reset of the camera appears to clear the problem. I have a 50mm Summicron-SL on my SL2 right here and it's working fine. No lag.

[@HernanFariasCamus]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia thank you for the reply , I also have the SL 50mm APO on an SL2-S, the lag is very evident if I go above f/2 ...... how do you perform a simple reset as opposed to a factory reset ?

[@bb9586]

After installing firmware 4.0, I’m sorry to report that even after resetting my SL2, my SL2 APO lenses (with exception being on f2) continue to have shutter lag.

[@panda3853]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Hello, sorry but what is “simple reset of the camera”?? After the firmware update, there's always been a problem of shuttter lag with SL lens, even with Panasonic camera. And that is not a problem of SL2, it is problem with firmware of lens.

[@lochan1211]

Oh god, I was tearing my hair off because of this. It seems to have a mind of it's own as it comes and goes.

[@willilaufmann38]

Thanks Nick good explanations I liked the focus centre return and didn’t know about that

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Glad you liked it!

[@markoehlschlager3862]

Two thoughts: 1) it's so great to see that Leica can improve the functionality of existing cameras with firmware updates; 2) upon reflection, with some trepidation, I guess we must acknowledge the computerization of cameras with all that implies (i.e. battery operated gizmos whose operating systems are alway getting updated, eventually making one's camera unsupported.)

[@robertjureit2574]

Hi, i have recently found your channel. I was wondering if you have ever done a video on the, most unusual, Thambar 90mm f2,2 lens. Soft focus. I bought one recently,and love it for portraits,and still life. By the way it’s an m lens. Would like very much,if you would do a short video about it . Thanks

[@goldfinch2283]

I have experienced the same problem, once you close down the aperture to 2.8 and lower. I wrote to Leica in Wetzlar and they answered me that hey are aware of the problem and that they work on a FW- update to solve the issue. I am a bit surprised that Nick is not aware of that. The same happened to me when I contacted Leica Geneva, they said nothing was wrong. Very weak/disappointing communication from Leica, actually.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

I too have heard back from the SL Product Manager at HQ and there is definitely a FW fix in the works. Most unfortunate, but it is being attended to.

[@goldfinch2283]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Actually the same problem occurs after the firmware update on the Q2. I think it is really a shame that Leica did not discover this before releasing the firmware update.

[@jkdrake1]

greetings, is it true the exturnal recording via hdmi is with a crop and not the full sensor? thanks in advance.

[@alanboone357]

Thanks , Nick , for your contribution . As always , great stuff . But , the problem is , as ever , the wandering focus point . So easy to jog it off- center with the joystick . I see a deal of comment on this on the net . There are shooting situations where it's essential to keep the focus point dead central . Why ever can't we have a " Lock on / off " focus point dead central ? To have to press a button etc to re-center - whilst better than nothing - is frankly feeble . To me , it's so obvious that I must suppose Leica engineers are currently not up to it . They obviously recognise the issue , so .... In passing , pressing the top right button doesn't give me " Toggle focus point " - but " Toggle info levels " etc etc . Best wishes .

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

You can lock the joystick and so lock the focus point in the centre - from memory this menu item was added when the SL2 replaced the SL. On my SL2 it's on Page 4, above Display Settings and you can assign the lock/unlock to a custom button. Regarding the custom buttons, after updating the firmware long-press any function button and you should see the menu item - Toggle Focus Point. Choose it and click the joystick to set. On mine it's on the second to last page of options, and I have a lens attached.

[@alanboone357]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Many thanks for your advice . Of course , the joystick lock works fine . I must contact ( from the South of France ) my cousin in Brisbane - there's this guy in Melbourne ... I'm on firmware 4.0 ( I see firmware 4.1 is out ) - but I can hold down any function button and I get " FN Button and a range of choices , none of which is Toggle Focus Point . I'm missing something !

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

There are 55 options for each FN button spread over 10 pages, Toggle Focus Point is the 50th (Page 9) by my count. You can see all these other options, right?

[@alanboone357]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Thank you for taking the time to offer further advice

[@philmtx3fr]

Hi Nick an SL2s is on my list and so even if not having it yet I used to follow some KZbin article on it. With the dof visualisation functionality I understand that until now it was impossible to close the aperture before taking the shot to visualize it… How is it possible ?? The advantage of using an hybrid vs an SLR is to have the best simulation on the screen of what will be the final picture and it seems to be just implemented now ? Is it implemented on the CL too or as the camera is rather old now it won t be done ?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

As far as I know there are no plans to implement this on the CL.

[@philmtx3fr]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Hi Nick. It s really a pity not having this functionality on an hybrid camera and mainly coming from Leica one of the best camera manufacturer ever. The management of the depth of field is one of the most important parameter to pass from a photo to a good photo. It s also a pity not implementing this on the CL knowing that they did it on the SL. Finally not listening to their customers is not a great mark of respect. Sony knows it since the beginning and that s why by taken in account feedbacks they transformed their bad version of A7 in a more competitive but far from perfect A7ii to the best sold amateur camera even made with the A7iii. Be careful Leica, living only on a reputation is not always enough.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

The CL is no longer available, this would be why there were no new firmware features in the pipeline. Also, many, if not most, of the changes from the original SL to the current models were based on user feedback.

[@philmtx3fr]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia for the feedback of users if you say so it must be true. On my side I opened a ticket at support for this strange behavior on the Cl (not showing the dof in the viewfinder - I understood through your announce on the SL2 that it was not supported) but never got an answer … thus never happen with Nikon support do … be careful

[@jamestolich4569]

Hi - Can We expect RAW recording for the SL2 a shame this was not included in the upgrade

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

I cannot give you a definitive answer - who knows what things are in the pipeline? What I will say is that getting a genuine raw feed off the higher resolution SL2 sensor creates many problems, not the least being a necessary 50% crop factor...

[@Ricardo-SW]

Problem with installing 4.1 on SL2. Have an SL2 with 4.0 now. Have the SL2_41_o.lfu file 123.8mb on single card at parent level. When I go to Camera Info and select Start Update, I get "No firmware on SD card found". Have reformatted cards, tried each one, redownloaded lfu file, etc, nothing seems to work. Any ideas? Thanks

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

I'm sorry. I have no idea. I updated to 4.1 via FOTOS - have you tried that? If no joy you will need to contact Leica Customer Care through your dealer.

[@Ricardo-SW]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Thanks, I will try via app. Had called Leica USA Customer Service, no one answers or bothers returning messages/calls- a Black Hole.

[@Ricardo-SW]

Found a different version today, it worked. Original had slightly different name: looked like double-width underscores in file name. New version has standard width underscores. I assume problem was file name format was not what was expected.