Leica SL3 Hands on Preview - it's sooooo good

[@FrankRomerophoto]

How time changes everything. I remember when camera companies wouldn't invite you for an event. You have done a great job all these years. Congrats.

[@Scoober222]

To your point, Leica needs to copy what Nikon ZF did with their manual focus system. Nikon allows for eye detect in manual focus so when you punch in it's already at the subjects eye, with the box turning green as well to give focus indication. They also allow for trap focus so the camera automatically triggers the shutter when your manual focus hits focus. I feel like Leica and every other company need to adopt this, makes too much sense.

[@mrcojocaru]

Damn... I'm jealous of those features.

[@iamtesting3824]

Sounds autofocus to me ...

[@AManWhoWasntThere]

Canon also does it really well. It shows you how far off your focus is next to the focus square without the need to zoom in. It also works with subject detection so you can focus on a person's eye really easily. And it works with fully manual focus lenses as long as they have electronic contacts like the new Vogtländer lenses for Canon RF.

[@MrNicoPela]

@@iamtesting3824 It isn't autofocus since you're the one turning the focus ring. Eye detect only helps manual focus, it doesn't override it.

[@deadtothewxrld]

@@iamtesting3824 it's more of a visual aid for people who want to work quickly or those who have trouble seeing the focus area with the naked eye. It's a great idea

[@RuzalRon]

Absolute dream of a camera. Looking forward to the full review. I'm currently shooting on a Q2 and absolutely love it.

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

Thanks for the great review. The Nikon Zf does give you manual focus features such as eye detection. I use it all of the time and love it.

[@ianthomas465]

Hello Ted. I think one of the big advanteges of the SL-system is that you can use the older Leica-R-lenses with the ROM-mount and the dedicated adapter with full funktionality excluding autofokus. But these lenses are mechanicly so well made that it is a joy to use in manual fokusing. And they are, although covering the full frame not that bulky as the new lens line up. I am using the Leica M system and the reflex Leicas for ages and I am quite happy that Leica provides this continuity in the use of equipment. The most exciting thing is for me when I go out with having an analoge Leica M and the digital one in my camerabag with only one set of lenses that fits to both. Great stuff. Best regards and cheers from Germany, Greg from „analoginsights“

[@tedbahas]

Yeah I do love shooting my other vintage lenses with my SL2 but the SL3 is not a big advantage for me since I shoot manual focus for everything but wildlife.

[@stuntmonkey00]

I'm one of those people who wants a built-in EVF with the M cameras. The SL isn't it. People think they want a classic rangefinder until the reality of how small the range finder patch is. (The viewfidner magnifers are some of the more consistent selling accesories.) I worked at a Leica boutique and the M really fell off as film-era shooters aged out and their eyes got worse. A big bulk of the people who just wanted a simple M body and one-lens system went with the Q system, SL is a very thin slice of the pie. The M system isn't just about the rangefinder, its about having quality lenses in a very compact un-obtrusive form.

[@johnvr1]

If this had the Nikon Zf MF aid, I’d pick it up.

[@LeicaMD]

You are absolutely right. The SL3 could get (even better) functions with Leica M lenses. For M users, it would make the jump to ALSO buying eb SL much easier. I look forward to a video if you can come up with good ideas for improvements. Maybe you could reveal a few here?

[@Mowikan]

The best auto museum is in France, Mullhouse. The National Automobile Museum houses the most beautiful automobile collection in the world with more than 450 exceptional cars. In 1957, the Schlumpf brothers bought a former woolen mill where they installed their entire collection a few years later.

[@stevemphoto]

I just posted a comment on Gajan's review asking about manual focus aides. That would be a killer feature of the SL cameras for me. I have a Zf, and with the Z mount Voigtlander lenses you get focus confirmation with a green square. Also if you use the TT Artisans 6bit adapter you get the focus confirmation with M lenses AND any other lens you adapt to M mount. This has been incredible for me as an M11 owner. I'd switch to the SL system if this was a feature they had! I believe Canon also has focus confirmation for manual focusing...

[@raksh9]

How do you find the Zf with M mount lenses? Are any differences between the M11 and Zf small enough to make the Zf sufficient for M lenses?

[@Ericvl2102]

as far as i know, a lot of the Z camera's have focus confirmation. My Z6II has with green square in MF, and also has focus peaking which also helps .

[@johnchuttlesworth6419]

i may be in the minority but i found i really love tilt screens for a modern shoot from the chest style, both for street and just for being lazy. hopefully the P version is blacked out in the front. thanks for the quick and to the point review as always.

[@antoniog8276]

It's so much more stable, compact and convenient for street vs flip-out screens.

[@DanniPortillo]

Finally an app that works smoothly. GREAT pReview an incredible camera

[@Bodywern]

Excellent presentation. It was good to see you in Leigh’s presentation. It looked like Justin Mott at the table, too, and I know Hugh was around. It has been great comparing all your ideas. Leica UK arranged a “do” at Gleneagles for about 10 people, some of whom I regularly watch. But they clearly have an excellent product to present, and I’m so glad they found a way to invite you all to these presentation events. For the moment, I’ll stick with my SL2-S = which suits me really well. Having said that, I’m very grateful for the judgements you’ve shared here!

[@louis5352]

Happy to finally have the 60MP sensor in all 3 Leica cameras. The new UI in the SL3 is very nice too have.

[@flgrove]

I have one coming to me via UPS. The UI looks marvelous. Now all my Leicas have a 60MP sensor. Yeah!

[@kanho1093]

Nikon Zf + Leica M lens is a very good combo and got most if not all the modern manual focus features. The downside is a 24 MP sensor (therefore, more like a SL2S with modern features).

[@ofeykalakar1]

Z8 better option- has all the features and more at a lower price point. I use my M lenses in autofocus etc

[@DiggingForFacts]

@@ofeykalakar1I don't know where you live, but I'd recommend snapping up a Z8 if you can then: over here they are at easily 1500-2000 euros more expensive than a Zf

[@RegrinderAlert]

@@ofeykalakar1It does not. Those are as of today limited to the Zf and Z6III.

[@axelkeuchel5728]

Hey there, Ted! Thanks for your initial review - even though it seems we disagree on this camera😅. Actually I have to admit that I was a little underwhelmed when I read about the specs of the SL3 and watched some of the initial reviews here on KZbin. Yes, within the Leica SL ecosystem this camera is of course a step forward. But compared to the competitors I can’t see anything that makes me want to throw about 7.000 Euro at Leica to buy this camera. I can see the USP of a Leica M (I own a M10-R, a M6 and a M7), I can see the USP of a Q3 (although personally I would prefer the X100VI from Fuji) but here with the SL line I can hardly see who should buy this camera except die hard fans with very deep pockets. It’s “just” a DSLR style mirrorless camera like so many others, it’s still pretty big with inferior specs except the 60 MP sensor. It leaves me somewhat perplexed🤷.

[@marknathan7744]

Its just a Panasonic under the bonnet! which is a good thing now they have finaly developed phase detect af about 6 years to late.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

For manual focus features check Nikon Zf! Eye detection and tracking in MF mode ! Amazing and unique

[@RetroHoo]

I believe that the Louwman car museum in The Hague, Netherlands can compete with the National Auto Museum. Really interesting space as well

[@davidroth7138]

Poked around the SL3 at the Leica Store. I dig it. But think I’ll keep my SL2 just the same. M11 or a Q3 someday. BTW Ted did a great job reviewing the Sony 12-24 F2.8 GM but I’m finding the Leica (Sigma) 14-24 F2.8 works fantastic on the SL system. And the Leica FOTOS app is great, sooo much better than Sony or Fuji. Another thing about the SL that no one seems to talk about is how great the Diopter is; I love it for when I forget to put in my contacts! 🎉

[@Resh1477]

Thanks. Waiting for mine from Leica LA. They said they have no idea when they're getting any, but they don't anticipate the same wait that occured with the M11. That took 4 months to get.

[@AskMOTT]

Great to meet you Ted :).

[@DaveQuickRocks]

since you already need an M mount adapter I'd love to see an AFenablement for the manual lenses - I can shoot on my Z9 with M mounts and use AF as a result of the PRONTO adapter - would love to see that capability within the leica system. I'd love the convenience of small lenses with the speed and surety of eye detect AF.

[@jBartolo]

What a great video, Ted, please keep up the great work I so much enjoy your content.

[@taylorhickman84]

As a Sony A1 shooter, I wonder if I would hate the lack of buttons, or come to love the simplicity.

[@Beingaroundbean]

Ran into you at gilt bar on like 2018 in Chicago. We got a selfie! lol I switched from Fuji to M11 and SL2 and SL2-S, I really am interested in the SL3 because of the sensor and ISO performance. But also I need to get more L lens before I get another body

[@theartofphotography]

I actually remember that well!!! Was my birthday that night ;-) Gilt Bar was awesome as I recall.

[@tedbahas]

Wow Ted really nice review. I have been a Leica system users for years. I have the SL2. I have the budget to either do an SL 3 or upgrade my MP240 to an M11 but not enough for both. I love shooting the 240 and the higher resolution better low light of the M11 would be a big improvement. Is the the upgrade from SL 2 big enough or should I go for the M11. ? Any opinions appreciated.

[@hwcanotabot]

Hey Ted, regular watcher of your videos and love your content. Something you touched on in the video about importing onto Fotos and then onto your computer. Can you confirm if you don’t use the Lightroom app, if the DNG photos that you have imported into your camera roll on your iPhone also get downloaded to Apple Photos through iCloud as well? Or do I have to manually transfer the DNG photos to my Mac again?

[@theartofphotography]

Yes the Leica app puts the DNG files on your camera roll so they will automatically sync in iCloud. Lightroom is merely a second option as people tend to use that more.

[@bernardlanguillier65]

Nice to see Leica finally catching up with mid range competition, still a way to go compared to the a1 and Z8 of this world though

[@LIGHTHUNTER.D]

SnapBridge is pretty solid honestly as far as apps go. Can’t believe they put that button on the back either

[@dhritimanbatchu]

This was a great initial impression, thanks! You mention the Leica Eternal look and how you feel the reds are a bit too intense, you also mention that you like to lift the yellows for a more filmic look? Could you go into more detail on the subject of colour? It's likely you already have in the past, but this is in relation to how you edit as well as set up your own presets/ profiles.

[@benjamindejonge3624]

My favourite wedding camera

[@noseyparker6622]

How many batteries would you need to take for a wedding?

[@FART-REPELLENT]

The SL-3 can't be a good wedding camera for professionals let alone a ideal one if the SL-3s battery life is a paltry 250 shots per charge; it would need changing every hour and so a professional wedding photographer would need to bring 15 batteries with them.

[@pixelpower1959]

Great channel Ted, I enjoy all your videos. This SL-3 video is excellent. At about the 10 min mark, You mentioned the L-Mount alliance and the Panasonic 100mm Macro lens, which is a 1:1 ratio lens, but you stated that Leica does Not have a 1:1 L-Mount macro lens, however they do with the TL-60 model. I use one, it's also a very good lens for Macro work and I thought you may like to know it exists. Keep em coming!

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

Hi Thanks for the review Owning S5iiX I know about the new AFC and still find it far behind my Nikon D6 when the subject moves fast Did you see good result in this regards ?

[@winedemonium]

Thanks Ted. Yes, would love to see your thoughts on manual focus on the SL line a little more. My perspective on a possible SL3 is as a companion for my M10-R, for occasional A/F use, but to adapt M lenses that are tricky for critical focus (narrow DOF, or focus shift), or that are a bit bulky to work ergonomically on the M, or that are much longer - 135mm+, etc, than the M system. What do you think Leica can do here with the SL3 that's not in current firmware? Thanks

[@markwaldhoff]

Great video! Does object-recognition work in case of adapted m-mount lenses? Is there a box an an human eye or body and does it affect manual focus in any way?

[@caffeinatedcameras]

The use of an older battery in this new body is a pretty major handcuff from a video standpoint. You’re able to shoot FHD and that’s it. No 4k. Which is odd cause the SL2 and SL2S can

[@AjaySingh-228]

Good Sir..Beautiful cars

[@SavedbybGrace]

Great review and seriously tempting given I’m already shooting on an Leica M11P and just love the Leica experience, from using the M to living the rich history behind it. However, another camera I love is the Hasselblad, another brand I used back in the film days, along with my M6 and R series bodies. So… I’m going with the new 907X… will make an awesome pairing with the Leica.

[@connorluka7149]

Hey, quick Q. Considering buying one of them. Did you get your Hasselblad yet ?

[@SavedbybGrace]

@@connorluka7149 Yep.Arrived yesterday with the 38mm lens. Waiting for the 90mm.

[@SavedbybGrace]

And... my first impression is hugely positive. Looks like the M11P will be pushed into P#2.

[@connorluka7149]

@@SavedbybGrace Thank you, I think will get Hasselblad as well. To many positive for Has…

[@andretim75]

It ought to be soo good !!

[@f.kieranfinney457]

Do the M lenses with adapter cover the whole sensor? I’m coming from Canon and cross-shopping the SL3 with the GFX II.

[@TheNoahShow.]

Hey Ted! have you ever covered a edixa reflex b-v Wirgin camera? i just saw one today and it caught my eye.

[@snappyft]

I’m on the fence as to whether I should upgrade from my SL2S. I went with the S as the noise was much better controlled than the SL2. Is it really on par at high ISO with the SL2-S?

[@mahdimanesh4221]

Now I have to play with one :-) How do you see it compared to the X2D?

[@johannesbasuki391]

Sony sensor, phase detect from Panasonic, what's left from Leica? I have too many Leica cameras and lenses, but lately I feel Leica is going towards the direction of major camera makers direction. Sad

[@owenrodgers8020]

Sony makes like 80% of sensors for everyone... It's a moot point.

[@edshotsdotcodotuk]

Doesn't Canon have eye detection in the most recent cameras when using manual lenses? Really handy feature that can't be that hard to implement for the other makes if they already have subject detection.

[@edshotsdotcodotuk]

Oh should have looked at others comments, Nikon.

[@IanDocherty335]

I find the MF assist on my Q2 Monochrome to be excellent, if it is the same or even better on the SL£ I will be extremely happy.

[@Isac3000]

Im going to be a father in July. Looking for a decent compact camera to take photos with primarily. Good video would also be nice but it is secondary. However, there barely been any new releases in the past 3-4 years when looking around. Can you make a video about what compact camera to buy currently and what may be coming soon? Thanks in advance. -Isac

[@ddsdss256]

I know the obvious differences, but it would be interesting to compare the production SL3 with the Lumix L-Mount alternatives (particularly the S1 and S5 II). Is it really 3x the camera of either of those? How much is that red dot really worth in terms of UX and IQ?

[@luxmyg]

How does this stack up to Sony A1?

[@johnnyekristensen]

I wish they made some compact autofocus lenses without zoom. e.g. 27+35+50 mm. It had made me invest in SL

[@sansin6250]

Any thoughts on how it compares to Fuji GFX 100 II, particularly in low light, and dynamic range?

[@irutgers]

What did you think of battery life?

[@FART-REPELLENT]

The battery life of the SL-3 is rubbish at best, 250 shots per charge which is well below average of 350 shots per charge, one would have to invest in a battery-grip and leave it on the SL-3 permanently to get 500 shots per charge.

[@irutgers]

Thanks for the heads up 😊

[@kbmats]

Does it have a dedicated chip for the Content Authenticity Initiative?

[@janfrosty3392]

NO, as stated elsewhere

[@noogie13]

Pixii has APS-C so it's not competitive? As I recently ordered a Pixii+, I can only hope you're wrong!

[@Rizoh66]

Nice Whitepearl Doxa.👌 I have the same one, with a white rubber strap though.

[@theartofphotography]

Nice 👍

[@Lennywood]

I too want a M camera with an evf.

[@lvervoortify]

Yesterday I shot a car event, carrying both an M10R and an SL2S. 28mm 2.8 and 50mm 1.4 respectively. The SL I used to shoot the cars fast and sharp through the EVF and the M I used to zone focus on the people, even faster. What a joy to use these Leica camera’s !!!

[@SD_Alias]

Is the screen only tiltable in horizontal direction? No tilt in portrait mode?

[@iczek]

Did thy fix the well known issue with dead pixels in Lightroom for long time exposure? If not, so this is still just another not well prepared for market camera :)

[@nelsonclub7722]

Oh mah gawd

[@NethC]

I hope I can have one of this camera

[@ofeykalakar1]

Z8 allows for M lens AF with all the metering and focus detect at a lower price compare these two head to toe

[@Sourpusscandy]

I want to use my M lenses!!

[@marcusnz232]

Can i connect my M11 to Fotos using the USBC/USBC cable yet? I’ve never managed to make it work.

[@Nonixification]

How do you know someone has a Leica? They tell you. On a serious note, that big ugly font on the front saying "LEICA" was not necessary.

[@GabrielScindian]

How does the image quality colors, dr, etc compare to the Hasselblad X2d

[@BfoSHIZnats]

With how good sensors have become in low light I'd like to see a bracketing feature that adjusts aperture in large stop increments based on a minimum selected shutter speed and varying the ISO. It would be nice to be able to do a burst of 3 shots when taking portraits and getting the look of a wide open shot, slightly stopped down shot and say an f8 shot all in a matter of seconds. With enough light the noise would probably be unnoticeable and often times the look of a lens can drastically change between wide open and f4. Sometimes it's hard to decide on what look you want and when changing iris manually even in aperture priority you could miss some shots.

[@zacualpeno100]

I like the standby button. Why has it taken so long for a company to do this?

[@petermendelson5839]

Hasselblad does this as well. Very useful.

[@zacualpeno100]

@@petermendelson5839 ok. I stand corrected as I have never used a Hasselblad. Maybe it will trickle down to other manufacturers.

[@jaughnekow]

looks good

[@danigonzalez4299]

They have F1's and DTM's and various JOYS! ANd the classic ones i love them too but not as much

[@cavb748]

Will there be a monochrome SL3?

[@tonygarrett7214]

Nice to see Leica nearing the functionality of Fujifilm X-T line of cameras. As they say: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

[@flgrove]

I have one coming to me via UPS. Now all my Leicas have a 60MP sensor.

[@cha-dum-yen]

Is it that noticeable moving from 47 to 60 MP though, assuming you had a Q2 / SL2?

[@rogerwest1207]

Is it compatible with an Android phone or is it apple only?

[@Dpul945]

I’m not convinced by this tbh. I’m a professional photographer with 2x SL2-S’s , which is a beast BTW, M11 and M6 For me to upgrade it’s not just the excessive cost of the camera but also I will have to buy a charger and a whole load of very expensive new cards as well as a raft of new batteries Plus and most importantly I still get awful Leica Customer service, who basically don’t look after their pros but pander to those who put their cameras in a cabinet and look at them all day with Kleenex in hand

[@hachikun2852]

they don't take care of their amateurs either. they've had my sl2 for over three months now. maybe i should have just put my camera in a cabinet and look at it all day ... that way, it will never break down :)

[@juniorwalter9083]

Why some reviwers say that the base ISO is 100 and you are saying it's 50.

[@WilliamKingPhotography]

Is that Karl Blossfeldt I see on the back wall?

[@bodythetan]

Nice Doxa 😊

[@markkk9185]

I have a Q3 and when I imported DNG to LR, I didn’t see the embedded profile option. Anyone know what could be the issue?

[@Resh1477]

Go to the little plus sign over the profile section and select "Legacy." Then you'll be able to select the embedded color profile.

[@ShelpR]

I'm actually trying to identify the music in the background.

[@TechnikMeister2]

I take the opinions seriously of Australia's foremost portrait and fashion photographer, Peter Coulson, when making his decision to replace his Hasselblad 100mp camera with the Leica SL2-S, a 24mp body, not the SL2 or SL3. He got sick of his clients and agencies specifying that his finished files be less than 30mb. So whats the point? Any bigger, he says he now uses Gigapixel and the files look better than the 100mb files from Hasselblad. So why Leica? 1) He can see everything in the viewfinder. 2) The menu system is simpler than the Lumix S5. 3) He says the sensor is definitely the same, but the Leica has a better rendering engine. 4) His lens of choice is a Leica M 75mm Summilux f1.4 Mk1 for 90% of his shots. He uses an adapter. His only gripe is that tethering to Capture One is buggy on a Mac. His interview is on the Mr Leica KZbin channel.

[@Herkulez1981]

Thats the ff cameras i would get , build qualtiy , awesome image qualtiy and descend autofokus with eyefpcus . I only neee 1fps so the speed is ok för my work

[@chrissamarkand]

They sure pumped up the chroma in the files. Not for the fans of natural color.

[@iSpike]

📸 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)

[@VynZography]

Where is the Panasonic Lumix S1R mk II then 😭

[@_willfunk_]

Ted, you got me thinking.. Yes, I’m excited for the SL3 as I’m looking for a resolution jump from the SL2-S. Most notably for my 50mm and 90mm SL APO lenses . In that same breath, I’m just as curious to see how the SL3 performs with the Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.2 ASPH "1966". Obviously, the light lens lab is completely different lens in comparison to the APO lenses but still the same. Could the “1966” hold up to a 60 megapixel sensor..

[@_willfunk_]

Op, NM is I just re-discovered your 1966 review. 🤦🏻‍♂️🫠☕️☕️

[@migerdamiger2753]

Hello, does anybody know dimensions of a display? W and H?

[@ChrisThe1]

I honestly don't get how this is worth the upcharge over the sony. Am I missing something, or is it just Leica tax? At this price I'd get the GFX over the Leica in a heartbeat

[@datdudeinred]

Wish android app also had the support & care put into it that it deserves. & better battery life. It's awful.

[@bornaetemadi]

It should be 4500$ at the most 7k just for the brand name? it is better to wait for panasonic version 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@alistairharris7891]

Or buy a Fuji GFX

[@ofeykalakar1]

I would directly compare with the Nikon Z8

[@WMedl]

I dream of the times when you did real art of photography....

[@seanms35]

Oh mah lawd~

[@tunajames]

SL3 or X2D?

[@raymondludlow5970]

Fujifilm needs to introduce manual focus lenses......

[@gurugamer8632]

Why is it cheaper than M11?

[@FART-REPELLENT]

Because constructing the rangefinder focussing system is expensive.

[@samhardy2038]

Real camera Real cars

[@ralph4840]

Chunky. All the elegance of an M eliminated.