Leica SL3 Hands On Overview

[@michaelascher2693]

By far the best source of information for leica cameras ❤

[@RedDotForum]

Thanks!

[@rolandrickphotography]

Indeed it is. Beyond any doubt! ☺

[@jpcalamaro961]

David what an outstanding summary review. You guys are the reference forum for Leicas.

[@NickToumpelis]

Great video! One correction: the EU isn’t forcing manufacturer to remove chargers from the box, but to allow for such option to exist. So, ideally, there should be two options for the SL3, one with the charger included in the box, and the other without.

[@boostedgixxer]

I was really looking forward to this camera. I was never expecting it to be a Sony A7R5 or Nikon Z8 but this seems like a really unfinished camera. I honestly expected a more complete camera, not one that does everything but one that excels at its niche. Hopefully they release firmware before its start shipping to make it a better performer. For 7K the launch firmware should be better.

[@RedDotForum]

Firmware update is already available. We're working on a post now. And if you get your hands on the camera, it is extremely refined - a natural evolution of the mature SL System.

[@boostedgixxer]

@@RedDotForum good to hear

[@chefjaap1]

Don,t forget that rolling e- shutter 😢

[@karljacobson8521]

Thanks David, great video as usual. The SL3 improvements are impressive, but I still love my SL2 and SL2S. It will be awhile before I upgrade.

[@RedDotForum]

For sure. The SL2 is awesome. I still plan on holding on to mine as a backup to the SL3.

[@rumporridge1]

@@RedDotForumsame here.

[@jklphoto]

Once again, I commend you for this set David. Far too many KZbinrs have busy sets with light sabers and other such nonsense distracting from the talking head. Makes. Me. Crazy. BTW, is the camera getting smaller or is Leica's branding getting bigger? Reminds me of my M4-P from the 80s! 🙂

[@albertknapp2740]

Excellent review! Looking forward to upgrading! Albert and Ruth

[@speresec]

Thanks David! Can't wait to watch the deep-dive tonight! And love ordering from the Miami store, highly recommend!

[@RedDotForum]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@StephenGershberg]

Excellent intro to the SL3. You are so knowledgeable and helpful! Thank you.

[@sakavouras]

Thank you Dave awesome intro to SL3

[@ericwickfield1074]

Excellent overview, David. Best one out there this morning!

[@m1k3e]

Waiting on the SL3-S 🤞

[@Dpul945]

I would have thought the fact that you have a sensor that goes from 18-60 negates the sl3-s

[@gurugamer8632]

Why

[@CharlesTay]

I be jumping into SL system w sl3. Great video

[@jessekoskinen]

I have been waiting for this announcement. Excellent news.

[@manilamartin1001]

looks great. I also saw the Leica KZbinr Ramsey Spencer talk about this camera. Both of you are fantastic.

[@RedDotForum]

Awesome, thank you!

[@saurabhbhardwaj6753]

Thanks for this, still love ML SL2, I would like to keep that extra muscle for a while :)

[@michaelhaimburger9903]

Amazing performance as always ;) Thank you!

[@crissignori7482]

I am sure it is awesome which is why I was first in line at my local dealer to put in a deposit on March 7. The only problem is that none of these cameras seem to be coming to Canada so far.

[@gerardturnley1491]

And when will we see a SL Monochrome? For left eyed photographers the SL is a winner.

[@colinosullivan]

I hear ya on the left eye 😂 I’m still using the m though. 😮

[@RedDotForum]

Leica didn't make an SL601 or SL2 Monochrom, so not sure they're going to go that route with the SL3 either.....

[@cavb748]

That will be my dream camera!

[@spooky_lights]

Yeah I use left on the m and it’s great!

[@itssoaztek4592]

Thanks for a very good overview! Congratulations to Leica for some very nice and necessary upgrades (AF, tilt screen) and some good amount of innovation. The triplet of wheels for exposure settings is really nice!! However, the handgrip is as terrible as it's always been and almost a deal breaker for me. I wish they would learn from Panasonic in that regard. (I know, there is no one size fits all and never will be. But still it's pretty obvious to me that Leice prioritized looks over function here, which is so against what made Leica successful in the past)

[@RedDotForum]

Like you said, everyone's hands are different. As a long-time SL user, first with the SL601, then the SL2, I absolutely love the grip. The SL is the most solid-feeling camera in hand that I've ever used and I can balance it just on two fingertips while carrying it at my side. I've used it in very wet conditions with no slipping and in very cold climates with gloves and even full down mittens. Again, perfect....for me. I'd definitely suggest getting your hands on one so you can see for yourself.

[@itssoaztek4592]

@@RedDotForum I am using a Leica SL as well as other comparable cameras. So I already have a direct comparison. Hence my comment about the grip. I am glad the grip works well for other people.

[@RedDotForum]

@@itssoaztek4592 SL601 or SL2? The SL2 has a much more ergonomic grip.

[@itssoaztek4592]

@@RedDotForum Typ601. I don't see much of a difference 601 vs SL2 in terms of grip ergonomics, but I haven't used the SL2 myself so it's totally possible you are right about the improvement. It wasn't apparent in your first comment though that the SL2 grip is so much better compared to the SL601. Unfortunately, the button layout of the SL2 was a big step backwards. Glad to see that Leica fixed that with the SL3.

[@jkdrake1]

thanks for this! Does it crop exturnal video such as BRAW?

[@russpribanic2008]

When will they become available in numbers?

[@astraeusone]

Nice camera, however, I would've favored a flush design for the LCD, akin to what's found in the SL series. Additionally, the eyepiece could benefit from a redesign for enhanced robustness. I find switches more appealing than power buttons, and brass outperforms aluminum in durability, which is crucial for extensive use. There have been several instances reported where the camera fails to eject the battery properly after being dropped, suggesting the need for a more sturdy mechanism. Moreover, comparing the native image outputs from the SL, SL2, and SL3 would be fascinating. Overall, the aesthetics of the 601 are more to my liking.

[@chrisalberti]

Can the SL3 be set up so that the shutter closes when the camera turns off, protecting the sensor? My M10-R does this, but my SL2 does not, so I have had problems with dust on the sensor when changing lenses in the field.

[@rogerwojahn]

Can you put me on the list? Ready to purchase. Thanks!!

[@RedDotForum]

You can pre-order here: leicastoremiami.com/collections/sl-camera-bodies/products/leica-sl3

[@rumblestar5771]

Thanks David, great info.

[@andreid5254]

No more S-cameras? SL3 60Mp very close to S3 63Mp camera. Maybe we should wait mirrorless medium format camera?

[@javierreygonzalez4779]

Excellent video !!

[@colinosullivan]

Looks very nice. Something for the Irish landscapes perhaps. Cheers

[@RedDotForum]

Definintely!

[@mawavoy]

Nice job, David Thanks!

[@RedDotForum]

Glad you liked it!

[@allena3430]

Any chance it supports the Visoflex 2? For those who want to see into a evf at an angle

[@RedDotForum]

Unfortunately not. There's no video connection in the hot shoe like in the M11.

[@allena3430]

@@RedDotForum Thanks for the update. Wished they supported visoflex on the Q3 and SL3. It'll be good for certain niche occasions

[@MarcAdesso]

Does the shutter come down to protect the sensor when changing lenses?

[@RedDotForum]

This was a suggested firmware update during some conversations in Germany. Hopefully, we'll see it soon.

[@MarcAdesso]

Good to know it can be added via firmware!

[@delgriffith4629]

What is the new button on the top left side of the EFV housing?

[@RedDotForum]

Not a button. This is the timecode port screw-down cover.

[@pewaw6199]

Which cable is required for that timecode port? Can't find it anywhere @@RedDotForum

[@rodriguezahr]

That’s my next system right there between your hands. 🎉 got the M, the Q but the SL3 is gonna be the workhorse for my studio and tethered shoots. Does the camera charges when tethered ?

[@RedDotForum]

It does charge when tethered, but will depend on power output from computer if it can keep up with power drain. You may want to get the dummy battery to be sure.

[@MKWHD]

Does it have multi shot?

[@RedDotForum]

Not in the initial firmware. But should be coming soon.

[@iSpike]

Hi David. 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)

[@MarcAdesso]

One more question- I’ve seen you can load LUTs in for video, but what about for photo (like the S5 II)?

[@RedDotForum]

Yes, you can load Leica Looks via the FOTOS app.

[@MarcAdesso]

Thanks for the response, but was moreso wondering about user-customized LUTs? Like you can on the Panny S5II/x?

[@lochan1211]

Whoa!

[@kevinhan721]

Is it true Hasselblad X2D is better than SL3?

[@randallbrander8157]

I have a 512hgb CFExpress B Card, the DC-SCL6 USB-C Dummy Battery and the USB-C Dual Charger BC-SCL6 wiating patiently to put it all together for My SL3. Cheers!

[@americanlegendswatches]

I'm hoping a lot of folks jump on the SL3 and sell their SL2 so I can pick one of those up at an affordable price :)

[@Paul-jb6rk]

Almost guaranteed.

[@gurugamer8632]

Hi David why does the M11 cost a lot more ?

[@TomWangArt]

Because the M11 is a better camera. Actually, it's a real camera.

[@Roy-pf8vg]

The rangefinder mechanism is more expansive to produce

[@gewglesux]

"Tilty Flippy". Monochrome version!

[@chefjaap1]

Leica is running 10 years behind withe that rolling e- shutter but those lenses are so good ,cause expensive and the letters APO haha

[@RedDotForum]

"Running 10 years behind" is a bit hyperbolic. Leica clearly prioritized still photo quality with the SL3. The sensor in the SL3 is the current best available on any camera. Highest image quality - no anti-aliasing filter, incredible sharpness, 15 stops of dynamic range, insane file malleability in post (~4 stops latitude), gorgeous color, while still offering very capable low light ability. And yes, paired with the reference-class SL lenses, the results are simply stunning. By going with the best sensor for still photography, some of the video capability was sacrificed, but most people using the SL3 will never even use video.

[@datdudeinred]

Wish the battery life didn't suck this hard. Truly disappointing especially for the size of the camera.

[@JohnJenningsphotography]

This wasn’t supposed to be a review, more a visual press release, right?

[@RedDotForum]

Not a review. Rather, this video is designed to be a concise overview of the new features and initial thoughts. For my full review I will need to do extensive testing in the field producing actual work and spend time working with the resulting files. Generally, my written camera reviews take about one month to put together. They are extremely in-depth with around 50-100 real-world sample images. You can see some of my past reviews here: www.reddotforum.com/content/category/reviews/

[@commentariat]

Incredible how you held it in your hands and yet all you had to say was whatever was included in the Leica press release memo. There’s literally nothing wrong with this camera, eh? Just like its predecessors.

[@BrandonTalbot]

Nobody is doing battery grips right, but Jesus Leica 1 extra battery for a $1,000🤦‍♂? At some point it would be great if a camera company made the battery grip just a giant battery bank. Right now it's just a giant waste of space and money. The SL3 however is so nice.

[@rolandrickphotography]

Well, as far as I know it, the EU law only states that the charging cable must be USB-C, it does doe sure not prohibit including a charger (as long as it is USB-C). This is simply a rip-off. Apple maximised the rip-off when they launched the iPhone 12 and even omitted a power adapter long before the EU law came into force. That law makes no sense for the customers, only for the companies charging many many USD for a charger produced in China for USD 1 or 2. In Switzerland the BP-SEL6 is CHF 178 (taxes incuded). That’s ridiculous. They are produced for CHF 1 or so in China. Even a box at the cost of 1 Cent is missing. Fuji and Olympus has battery boxes included, Nikon and Canon have at least caps covering the contacts, so does Hasselblad, Leica has no battery protection at all. I’m waiting for the first guy suing one of those no-battery-box companies because he lost his leg caused buy a Lithium fire in his pants caused by a battery the gas seal is broken - for what reason ever. Most people have no clue how dangerous Lithium is. If vapor of you sweat comes in contact with the Lithium beause of e.g. a leaking seal, it starts fire immediatey at 1000℃/1832℉ and the instantly vaporising body liqids in your flesh accelerates the fire. The only thing to protect youself is stripping you pants as quick as possible. The big companies writing their own laws and bring through the parliaments by lobbying. The politicians are only puppets on a string.

[@Paul-jb6rk]

You are completely wrong. By standardizing on usbc there is no longer a need to have chargers included for every gadget you purchase which would then have you accumulate chargers which contribute to ewaste. Believe it or not the EU know what they are doing. Please try to do some basic research before forming conclusions.

[@Xingqiwu387]

And it can be yours for under $75,000.

[@angellondian7628]

Can't wait to stop by store to see in hand. David any idea when you'll get a demo? Thanks for all the great content.

[@RedDotForum]

Already have one on display! Come on by.

[@bertagriese8282]

Skip the first 3 minutes, boring