Leica SL3 - First Look with Nick Rains

[@abad13638]

Very Precise and to the point. Such a joy listening to your presentation.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Thank you kindly!

[@spope6852]

Thanks Nick. It is good to finally see the rumored SL3 and you've explained it wonderfully, as usual.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

My pleasure!

[@dmystify1381]

SL4 & 5 are already being mocked up......🤫🤔

[@stefangroenveld]

Finally, some good insights supported by excellent pictures. Thank you for your effort in putting this video together. Much appreciated while waiting for my SL3 ;)

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Glad it was helpful!

[@3BMEP]

Simply outstanding, Nick!

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Thank you kindly!

[@3BMEP]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia I note that you do not use the rear thumbwheel click function to set it for ISO as I've done on my SL2, but I can't see how to do it on my SL3. Is this because it is no longer possible? Also, do you have a preferred method for toggling eye AF on and off? Thanks again!

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

The SL3 does not have this feature, not sure why it was removed. Clicking only accesses exposure mode. I use the Custom Button right above the dial and it's almost as quick. I might submit a feature request... You can obviously use a Custom Button to access Focus Mode but you can't toggle between the Eye AF and some other AF mode. It would be nice to be able to toggle between, say, Field and Eye. Another feature request maybe.

[@hanspeteroberle5043]

Hi Nick! Thanks for this first look!

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

No problem!

[@lars-ove8749]

Very good video and presentation Nick, as always 👍

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Many thanks!

[@JS-shim]

Great presentation Nick. As someone who has loved using the Q2 and Q3 since 2020, I have always wondered whether I should get a M or SL for an interchangeable lens camera. M has the size advantage for the body and lenses, but the SL has weather sealing, autofocus native lenses and the ability to use M lenses. I loved your shots in the Port cellars. I remember, on my trip to Porto, the port cellars were a challenge with the Q2, which the Q2 could barely cope with. Porto maybe the world's most photogenic city.

[@gpappas4332]

Great video, Nick, as always..can you please provide the video on menu setup for the SL3? I don't see it in video notes. Thank you.

[@scotie690]

I love Leica, simple as that. But it reminds me how poor I am when the brand reviewer has a Rolex Sub on the wrist. 😊 These new features are welcome, despite being on other brands for long.

[@brentkingston4389]

Now that is a REAL camera 👍🏻

[@Sniper5354]

If I were Leica, I would simply kidnap Nick and take him to Wetzlar headquarters. He could have done so much in different aspects, from product development, marketing to being the chief photographer showcasing the capability of Leica products.

[@JackBuxbaum]

Nick: Many thanks for your clear explanations & guides! You can teach an old dog new tricks here! Good on ya! No mention of the Leica Content Creation feature? MIA? Your thoughts? Thanks again.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

There is no LCC/CAI hardware chip in the camera because the SL3 started development before the M11-P. Slightly counterintuitive I know, but that is the reason. I'm quite sure it will appear in future Leica cameras...

[@MrPhotog7]

Thanks, looks like a great camera! In the photo of you on the boat in India you are wearing a vest. What brand of vest is that?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

No idea, had it for years! I think it might be a fishing vest. Honestly, it's not that great, I'm always on the lookout for a better one!

[@steveoc64]

Thanks for a really interesting product update. Love the way that Leica Press Releases dont waste time hyping over features and specs .... A short but comprehensive summary of whats new, then straight into a deep dive of photos, and sharing insights from the people that shoot them. Quality stuff ! The SL3 is very tempting. Im still saving up for an upgrade later this year - it's going to be rather hard choosing between M11 and SL3 at this rate. Nice problem to have though.

[@rubelukeable]

Have the Q3 and just sold the M11P to buy the SL3 with the 24-70 and the SL 35 F2 non APO (smaller and lighter and 95% of the APO quality). Get so many more keepers with the IBIS and bright EVF of the SL3 compared to the M11P. Love the form factor and unmatched manual experience, but can’t justify having all 3 Leica camera systems. M lenses work beautifully on the SL 3 with the M-L adapter. Cheers

[@dadux74]

Amazing! My present in 2026 😃

[@richspies2473]

✅👍🏼Beautiful watch👍🏼✅

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Thank you 👍

[@Phantom_gtx]

great 🎉

[@seandee]

How would you choose between the Q and the SL2? Or would you, when travelling?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

I take both! A Q3 and an SL3 make a fantastic combination.

[@Adi-hj3nd]

I would use my brain

[@lanycera]

I think it's really vital that Leica stepped up the AF capabilities and AI. I say that as a fan and also with healthy criticism, the SL2 AF was atrocious in comparison to eg. Canon R5. I'm both working in the slower commercial + editorial space and event space (weddings), and it simply didn't hold up for events and weddings. I'm hoping there will be continuous improvement to this with firmware updates, because the competition is strong (Z8, R5, Sony) and I'd really like to entirely swap to the Leica ecosystem.

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

Nick, in video mode, can the ISO and/or shutter speed be changed while shooting, or do you need to stop the video, tweak the settings, and restart the video?

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Good question. Yes you can. It's reasonably smooth for ISO if you set the ISO increment to 1/6. Changing the iris is actually super smooth, but changing the shutter speed is a little more abrupt due the the 1/3 stop increments.

[@brightk8759]

How can I see the 709 screen on the monitor when shooting log mode with SL3

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

You can install a LUT in the camera and view Log adjusted to that. I tend to leave it looking flat because I know what it will look like later.

[@barrowboy1083]

Why is there n color Histogram ???

[@xstrange_potret]

Beautiful camera❤❤❤

[@Mojave511]

Good video. You have such a clear and informative style. I am seriously considering chucking all the other photo kit and going all-in Leica.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Go for it!

[@kevinperlmutter5074]

While I really enjoy your videos very much, I have to take issue with your claim that the SL3 is better than the SL2 in all respects. I believe image stabilisation has been downgraded by half a stop and there is a slower shutter sync with flash

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

I probably should have said, 'almost' everything has been improved. I got carried away by my enthusiasm for this camera. Yes the sync speed has dropped back to 1/200 from 1/250, but since I never use flash except in the studio this is of little consequence. But still, a backward step for some. It has to do with the new sensor's readout speed and the new shutter I think - increasing resolution will always come with some 'side effects'. The stabilisation figure is interesting however. On paper, the spec has, as you correctly point out, changed from 5.5 to 5 stops but my experience is that it is unchanged in effectiveness, or even slightly better. How do you even measure this? Is 1/2 stop of stabilisation just a tech spec or can it be detected? My sense is no it can't. I think there is more variation in the stability of the user to worry too much about a minor difference here.

[@iSpike]

G’day Nick. 📸 The stuff that DREAMS are made of & if you don’t have a dream how can you make it come true. Like a good ROLEX watch a LEICA SL3 is a good investment and wonderful camera to have as a family heirloom to hand down to the next generation of photographer filmmaker. I now know what I am working towards and saving up for.✌🏻😎🇦🇺 fyi - $20k to $30k camera & a couple of lenses (AUD)

[@brandmarks962]

Any one like to giveaway his sl3 camera. Its donation to a deserving person

[@poikatiikeri]

no flip out screen, such a shame. sony a7rv has the perfect screen for hybrid filming

[@The_golden_charlie]

Battery life.

[@FART-REPELLENT]

Just as Leica launched a silver version of the M11 simultaneously with the black one, they should also have launched a silver variant of the SL3; the silver variant of the SL2 is so much more aesthetically pleasing and has a much better fake leather covering.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

Maybe one is planned for the future...

[@JMC0704]

I asked a simple question of where you get your printing done. No answer from you. Thank you.

[@LeicaCameraAustralia]

I must have missed your question - which video was it connected to? To answer your question, we print all our exhibitions and sample prints in-house. We have our own inkjet printers in my studio.

[@JMC0704]

@@LeicaCameraAustralia Thank you very much. It's been 4 or 5 months back. But I commented after two of your videos. Beautiful prints. Thank you.