My honest truth about the Leica SL2-s - no filters

THE LEICA SL2 DOES HAVE THE MUTLSHOT OPTION TOO.
Why is there a Leica SL2-s and who is this for? I was asked my honest opinion and here it is.
Also, is it still good in 2023?
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My website: www.crisphotography.info
My Instagram: @cris_photo_graphy
@cris_weddings

[@touchtennis]

Bought one after watching your videos in February! Absolute beast of a camera. It just does everything I need.

[@cris_photography]

Awesome! 😃

[@nickdardalis3535]

Have the SL2 and the Q2. Then i bought the SL2S. Since then, the other two haven’t been used even once :( I adore it. I was going to trade the Q2 for the Q3 but decided not to because i love using the sl2s so much.

[@cris_photography]

Wow that’s awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience with this beast of a camera 😉 I think we think very much alike!

[@dr.travisrader5788]

💯 agree Cris. You gave me some advice awhile back as I was trying to make a decision between Sony A7R5 and FX3, both great cameras. But this SL2S blows them away from build qualify to image quality. I’ll never go back to Canon, Sony, again after shooting Leica.

[@cris_photography]

Thank you - I remember! Yes this is something else altogether in terms of IQ 😅😅 thanks and hope you’re well

[@NikolausHirsch]

Awesome video Chris! I own and use a Leica SL2s. I’ve had it for 6 months now and it is the most practical camera I have ever used. I record all my KZbin videos with it and do all my professional watch photography with it. Yes sometimes I wish it had a flip out screen but that’s all. I have had no issues with the 24MP and the weight is ok as I use the new 35mm lens which is awesome!

[@cris_photography]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing 😅

[@jacobh5817]

Absolutely agree. I use the SL2 and SL2-S for professional fashion and beauty photography. I’ve used other brands, but these cameras are the best for my kind of work. The APO-SL lenses are superb, but even with the Lumix lenses you have a great setup for stills and video. I use the SL2-S combined with the Lumix 24-105 as a holiday setup and I was very happy with the results. Low light performance is incredible.

[@cris_photography]

Can’t agree more!

[@snappyft]

I’ve recently sold my Q2 and purchased an SL2s, and i absolutely love it. It was supposed to be my ‘personal’ camera, as I shoot Canon & Fuji GFX commercially, but Ive found myself taking it to work as well. Love the files, and it beats my Canon R3 at high ISO!

[@cris_photography]

Wow nice! 😉😊

[@phillipallaway7306]

Just swapped my SL2 for the SL2- S Reporter. Essentially for the improved low light performance. Matches well with my Q3 and M11M. Looking forward to further videos about your experiences with the camera Cris.

[@cris_photography]

Thanks Philip! Good choice - loving my SL2s ☺️ and stay tuned for more! Cheers

[@HatefYaminiOnline]

Total agree. And one thing I would add is that the SL2-S is superb with Leica M lenses. That combo is lighter and the EVF makes it easier to focus than with an M camera. I like it so much I rarely use my SL lens anymore.

[@cris_photography]

Totally 💯 used the 35 Summicron APO (m) last week for my trip to Portugal to celebrate the 50 years of Leica manufacturing there and it was a delight - also for filming. Cheers!

[@luissalazar2021]

Great stuff bro, thanks for sharing

[@cris_photography]

Thank you 🙏

[@benoitpiret9065]

I agree with the SOOC... I use the Q3 natural mode JPG and love it. same on sl2s

[@cris_photography]

Exactly!

[@GamachePhoto]

Nice video Chris, for me it’s the SL2, since I have a M10R I wanted the resolution of each camera to be similar. Plus I don’t shoot video, which I think the SL2-S is geared for. Super happy with the SL2, and btw it also does Multishot, never tried it yet. I find the sensors in the SL2 and M10R to be very similar in Color science, super easy to use both cameras in a shoot. But I would probably go for the SL2-S as my only camera if I had to, who knows maybe the SL3-S….

[@cris_photography]

Thanks for the feedback and info 😉

[@syrcular]

I completely agree! I picked up an SL2-S a few months ago, and now I’m considering selling both my Sony and Fujifilm kit and just using Leica, and using the SL2-S for my portrait and event work. The image quality is sooo good on this camera. Really sharp and detailed for a 24mp camera and the AF is decent enough for me.

[@cris_photography]

Exactly! Glad we see it the same way 😉

[@LCM94120]

Agree with you. I am not a pro but I had the first SL that I bought used several months back, and for vintage lenses (Pentax, Minolta) or more modern lenses such as Sigma i series or latest Voigtlander lenses it's the best camera: interface simplicity, build quality and gorgeous outputs in DNG or Jpeg. Yes it's expensive even on the used market (I bought my SL2-S for 3500€ in a 'as new' condition at a Leica Store in Paris) but I guess it will last me a long time :). Even the first SL camera is awesome today and you can get it for around 2000€ in Leica Store in superb condition.

[@cris_photography]

Thanks and happy to see we think alike ! Take care

[@benoitpiret9065]

great video! I really agree with you. If you get passed the 24mp I think the only real downer for me is the weight (with SL lenses). But color is amazing. ISO is amazing, AF is fine. Video is great (I wish they had a bit better on rolling shutter). Focusing M lenses is a dream even better than SL2. For me its my camera of choice when I travel in rough places like jungle etc... I have that and a Q. My favorite color camera is the X2D. but then 100mp is a lot of space.... 24mp is actually really great for my workflow too (I use LR with cloud backup so storage matters a bit). Honestly SL2S with SL lenses, even at 24mp you get files you can blow up big. I rarely crop anyway....

[@cris_photography]

Thanks! We are on the same page then 😉 take care

[@GastonShutters]

After shooting M and Q systems for a couple for years I almost bought the SL2s. Your points regarding the SL2S are the reasons why I was drawn to it.

[@cris_photography]

Totally! Can't agree more

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

I have the silver SL2. It’s a terrific camera and does well in low light (the SL2-S has a bit better high ISO performance). On New Year’s Eve, I used it with a Leica Noctilux-M 75 mm f/1.25 to shoot a jazz music group without any issues. Other the price, you can’t go wrong with either the SL2 or SL2-S. Leica might have a sales offer on them now.

[@Shaari]

I got my hands on the SL once and instantly fell in love with it. Looks sleek, feels great in the hands and the image quality is topnotch. I'm just waiting for the SL3 since it'd certainly come with phase detection, and hopefully be lighter. Are all the images in this video taken with 24-70?

[@cris_photography]

Can’t agree more! Most of these shots were shot with prime lenses (Sigma) which I reviewed on this channel recently if interested. Let’s see what the future holds re: SL3 😉

[@stevenbrooks2701]

Love your vids Cris - dumping Canon for Leica - have the SL2S Reporter - apo 35 & 75. What lens do you use for your weddings?

[@cris_photography]

That’s awesome! I use the 24-70mm f2.8 and a bunch of prime lenses from Sigma for weddings. I made a video recently about it specifically if you want to check it out

[@jensruckert4763]

Nice video, thank you. I use M8.2 and M240 and when I need AF I use a Nikon Z7 and ... was quite happy with this combo. but a few weeks ago I shot a wedding with this combo, and the outcome was quite surprising. Why? I didn't need to work on the Leica files - I use the M8.2 for b/w work mostly, the 240 for colour - whereas the Nikon files looked really unreal and sterile so I needed a lot of time to develop them to my taste. It was the first wedding with the Nikon Z7, for other events where I used it it never was so obvious. Anyway, then last week, I had the opportunity to use the Leica SL2 and SL2s as well as the Nikon Z7 and my other Leicas. The result now ... I am going to sell my Nikon Z gear, keep the D Nikons and go on with the Sl2s I suppose. Those Leica SL - files where/ are partly gobsmacking compared to the Nikon Z ones; not so much to the D3 and D3x; ... oldies but goodies. Can definitely agree with you. And also the haptics of the Sl compared to the Nikon Z is just worlds apart ... imho Always good light!

[@cris_photography]

Thanks man for the feedback and I can't agree more with you! Glad you had a good experience too ;) take care

[@gtbr8134]

Nice review. Steve McCurry shoots with leica SL series . If I ever win the lotto I will buy it

[@cris_photography]

Makes sense 😁 I wish u to get it one day 😉 take care

[@shy-guy5544]

Very nice video as usual. How are the JPEGs straight out of the camera? Thanks

[@cris_photography]

Thanks! They are gorgeous - especially BW I just love them! Cheers

[@stefanlehmann_ch]

nice review cris. for me, it's the sl2. and i found no relevant advantage in sensitivity (or something else) for the sl2s. (for me) and i love to have that extra amount of megapixels, so i can go with my apo90 and if i need a crop - i just crop 25% and can go with just this lens. :-) (but i'm coming from the gfx100s, so go back to 24mp is no option to me with my workflow for reportage, people and street)

[@cris_photography]

I hear ya and makes sense 👍🏼 thanks for sharing

[@mallingwater984]

I bought the SL2S after buying the Leica Q and seeing the quality of the photos from that 26mp camera was just something else, so I sold my ~Fuji GFX 50smkii and lenses to buy the sl2s and a couple of lenses. Wow is all I can say. Do I sell my xt5 and lenses now?

[@cris_photography]

Glad we’re on the same page 😉 For the T5 - depends if you use it or not currently. If IQ is what you’re after I think it’s safe to say you can only keep the SL2s. Take care!

[@TomCelar]

What are your favorite lenses for your SL2S now?

[@christianwagner6213]

I am really torn. I have the SL2-S, the Q(1) and the CL. The SL2-S is the best built, most beautiful, best performing and most awesome camera I've ever used in my life throughout all brands, even Leica itself - but I never use it! Why? Because it is so big and heavy and its native lenses are also big. It feels like a massive steel ingot hanging from your shoulders and this is no joy walking around with this camera. I have the (inferior and discontinued) Leica CL, say with the 23mm Summicron, which in total weighs half of the SL2-S body alone... And in 90% of the time, you cannot really tell the difference of the final result. So, a difficult choice. If you do professional work, this might be a different story. But for a consumer ... The SL2-S is so awesome, I almost put it in an illuminated glass shelf to look at the whole day and admire perfectionism in German industrial design. But that's not what it is made for..

[@cris_photography]

Great comment Christian - thanks! I can't agree more with you about the German build quality. I cannot find another brand that's so precise, simple, easy to use and well made. Regarding size and weight, yes the SL2 series is bulky and heavy I agree. That said and like you mention, for pro use it is a delight (studio, wedding, landscape, etc.) because of its built quality, the weight and size and the grip and because when you go out to shoot on a pro shoot, you know you'll take photos, you'll be with a client and there is a purpose that you can predict. When you shoot for leisure and pleasure, you don't "have" to take photos and you do it if you want and feel like it and that's where a CL, a Q or an M come in handy and will give you the best experience as a traveler or casual user. Take care and thanks for sharing. ps: I love the illuminated glass shelf - might get one for my SL2s in the office :D

[@absonus]

Yep . I still use my CL more than my SL2s .When I do use the SL2s I often use it with the CL lenses to reduce weight and tolerate the subsequent reduction in MP count .

[@mohdfarizolabdulghani7208]

@@absonushow is the TL lens on SL2s? It's 10mp it is good enough? Currently, I'm using CL but thinking of adding SL2s

[@angryrabbitproductions1690]

Great video. I love the build quality of Leica. My Leica M11 Monochrom is my favorite camera to date. That said I largely dislike the size/weight of the S-series of Leica cameras. I am interested in the upcoming M11-P… it will probably be my next Leica body. I’d love to see a new sensor in that camera. If Leica endows it with video features that actually work (24p 4K, 10 bit color recorded as internal ProRes)… , that would be a perfect hybrid for me.

[@cris_photography]

Hello there, thanks. I agree on the size and the M is… the M 😉 In terms of video, we won’t see any video capabilities in any of the Ms any time soon (besides the M240 which was imo a big mistake). Take care !

[@camelotvanerven9667]

I’m on the fence, but the cost is an issue, in the end the Nikon Z might be better value for money ( waiting for the anticipated Zf).

[@cris_photography]

I hear you - I do. But think of it this way: how much more expensive is it and while you pay more, you will retain value over any other brand (for resale purposes later). You take a Sony A1 for example and you can see the prices going up quite fast (and how it will lose most of its value as soon as the next one comes out). You can still find and buy Leica M8s for over 1k which is crazy for a 20yo camera 😉 Take care!

[@LA.Black.]

I hate the battery life of the SL2 coming from a Nikon shooter. Maybe I got the Leica bug because I have not touched my Nikon since owning the SL2 camera all year.

[@cris_photography]

I hear y’a! I purchased the newer 2200mAh battery and it’s better than the original 1860mAh one. I know the feeling of only using this one… 😉

[@walkingmeditation61]

We are so close to the SL3 being released, it will have a flip screen MUCH faster AF. Do you think it's worth waiting? You already have the SL2-S which is fine

[@cris_photography]

Are we? 😉 Meantime i think it really depends on your needs, and here’s what I mean: While it’s true that a flip screen is great - don’t you use that often enough to justify the need for it? AF: do you use continuous AF often? How much do you actually rely on it? I personally don’t care about the screen (for photo) but I do for video. I do have other cameras for video so not a must. The AF is by far not the greatest but for my shooting style never once hindered me in getting the shot - not even during a wedding. So my answer really is to chose based on your needs. I know there’ll prolly be an SL4 and an M12 - does that stop me from getting what’s available now? Not really. Worse case you re-sell and the good thing is that Leica retains a pretty high value. Lastly, when you compare the M10 to the M11, while all the improvements are really great, I don’t think I’d sell the 10R for an 11 - know what I mean? Same for the Q2 vs Q3 But some people would and do. Take care 😉

[@walkingmeditation61]

The Q3 reveals what will be in the SL3 for sure the huge upgrade in auto focus and flip screen the 60MP sensor even though I dont need 60MP is much cleaner in high ISO use. A Leica is a big investment and being we are fairly close to seeing an SL3 I think it's worth waiting. The AF would be the biggest reason for me.The Sl2-S AF just isn't snappy enough The flip screen would be great for photos as well as video. I and most would agree it's all based on use case. The Sl2-S is a beautiful camera and if it meets your use case then thats great and also the fact you already own it,I don't own an Sl2-S I can wait a little and get the Sl3 at the start of the new model cycle@@cris_photography March 2024 7 months to wait, the rumored release date should be pretty accurate

[@paulsehstedt6275]

I had the idea to buy a SL2 instead of my M-P240, but after I had it in my hands, I figured out, how heavy it was compared to what I'm used to. For my press photography I find the M system lighter and more discreet. Anyway: keep on rolling.

[@cris_photography]

Hello, yes that makes senses (press needs smaller cameras to be more discreet indeed). Take care!

[@iKIMshuffle]

Is that the 24-70 or the 24-90? The Leica is good but the Leica 24-90 is better. That’s where I noticed that the German lens magically makes the color pop! This concert was shot with my SL2-s and a Leica 90-280mm kimreuel.com/images/all-star-concert

[@cris_photography]

Nice! That’s the 24-70 f2.8 (I gain some light when zoomed over the 24-90 and better for my needs) but yes the 24-90 is an amazing lens too! Take care 💪🏼😊

[@iKIMshuffle]

@@cris_photography I personally like the 24-90 because that extra length, may not be bokehlecious but the compression is good enough

[@gordonmohr2268]

I just need a tilt screen on it. then, it would be perfect for me

[@cris_photography]

True 👍🏼 for video I absolutely agree

[@stefanlehmann_ch]

100% agree, for photo and video. it's the main thing i miss in compare to gfx100s.

[@michaelacedeno]

Honestly don’t feel like it’s that necessary if you treat the EVF like a proper viewfinder. Adds an extra point of stability as well. Would love a Bolex style vertical handle for it though.

[@dognute2746]

I got the SL2-S because it does not have a tilt screen. If I wanted a tilt screen would have got a Panasonic. I like the more solid feel without the tilt screen. EVF and weather resistance were other reasons. I am hoping SL3 will not have a tilt screen. I could do without the LCD completely and just use the EVF.

[@BadVoodoo11]

Agree with it being good in low light but that's not to say the SL2 isn't. The SL2 is more than capable in low light, I've got great night shots and interior event shots with an SL2. The SL2-S gets at best 2 stops better low light advantage though. I would treat the SLS2-S as a very specific tool if the majority of your shooting is low lit interiors. I think generally the SL2 is more versatile, the lenses Leica makes for the L mount resolve for much higher resolutions so well making the detail in the SL2 images superior, the "croptions" are better. Frankly I have never had a noise issue in SL2 photos because the files respond so well in post processing to lifting shadows without introducing large amounts of noise and the tools to combat that while preserving detail are now so good.

[@cris_photography]

Thanks for your feedback John! 😉

[@Mr7Poz]

Hey Cris, is there a big difference in IQ between SL2 and XT5?

[@cris_photography]

Hey there, hard to tell - I haven’t compared them both side by side. One if a FF sensor vs APS-C but in real life, not sure you’d notice a huge difference honestly. Take care!

[@Mr7Poz]

@@cris_photography Thank you Cris, the Leica lust is real, but I love my Fujis.

[@cris_photography]

Oh ya most definitely! And yes, I love me Fuji cameras too! Sometimes a hard choice ;)

[@JohnJenningsphotography]

What’s the best autofocus prime and zoom for the SL2-S? I hear the Leica lenses are too heavy and the Panasonics don’t have the “Leica look.” Thoughts?

[@cris_photography]

Hello 👋🏼 o personally love the Sigma i-series lenses for L mount. They are solid and give great results. I reviewed a bunch on this channel in case

[@JohnJenningsphotography]

@@cris_photography thanks

[@lensman5762]

If the guy is a photographer, he would produce a gem with a 12MP sensor ( equivalent of a half decent 35mm transparency ). If not the resut is 47 or 60 or 100 MP of shite that we all witness all over the social media and evenin some galleries. Its the guy behind the camera, not the sensor or the film.

[@cris_photography]

Absolutely correct 👍🏼

[@alex-chicago-80]

The AF is not great though. Contrast detection is a thing of the past. Even Panasonic is moving away from it.

[@cris_photography]

Totally, but this is not the most recent camera out there either. Let’s see what the futur holds 😉

[@NickDelDuca]

I'm really rooting for Leica and Panasonic to take over the industry. The big 2 are dropping the ball in lots of categories and Sony is well... Sony.

[@cris_photography]

100% agreed!

[@David-rc8fb]

Good Video, a Camera that is a Wolf in Sheep’s clothing. Punches well above it’s weight. Enjoy it. Keep well & stay safe 👍🇬🇧

[@cris_photography]

Absolutely 💯! Thank you David - take care!

[@Dpul945]

You just have to hope that nothing goes wrong with it. My shutter and motherboard failed after 2 years and it’s been in Germany for 8 weeks now and still no update. CS is awful

[@cris_photography]

Oh shoot - that sucks! I never had an issue with Leica CS personally but I'd hate being in that situation. Hope it'll get handled fast! Cheers

[@Mowikan]

Save some money and look for the the lumix s1r or the s1 and save some money. Same camera under de hood.

[@cris_photography]

Yep, very similar indeed! But I’d go with Leica personally - which won’t make better or worse photos, just different preferences 🙂 Thanks!

[@aobane841]

I shoot commercial and fashion, and I can’t imagine why anyone would need more than a full frame 24 MP sensor? If more is needed in the off chance, you have the production rent a medium format camera. This camera is for making art, shooting editorials and landscapes. You put an M lens on this MF and shoot old school.

[@cris_photography]

Absolutely 💯! Can’t agree more

[@markusbolliger1527]

I don't think you will see a difference in image quality between this Leica SL2-s and my workhorse which is the Canon R6 Mk II - the most practical and versatile camera I ever used. Every blind test would prove it. But Leica is a myth - and some people love myths. It's like a religion.

[@cris_photography]

Ya maybe. Did you ever own and use a Leica? Just curious. I personally stand by what I said and what I didn't say (ie that Canon or other brands are bad - never understood why people would even bring other brands in the mix and "defend" them when I haven't said anything bad about them). You are a "test" kinda person per what I understand and sometimes in life things are about "feeling" and "pleasure" and in photography it means having fun WHILE shooting - not just the final results side-by-side with other brands and "tech". Thanks for your message and comment, I always like to see other people's viewpoint and opinion. Take care!

[@markusbolliger1527]

@@cris_photography Yes I did - in the film-era (Kodachrome, Fuji Astia, Kodak-Tri-X and T-Max) I used Leica cameras exclusively: I started with the Leicaflex SL, then the Leica R- line until the Leica R9, and of course the Leica M6. But then came the digital age, and the Leica's became too expensive to me. Yes I agree: Leicas are fascinating instruments, not only tools for daily use. But for me it's only the final results what counts. Concerning the look of an image there are so many factors in play, especially the lighting conditions. And in post production you have so many possibilities to give the desired look to your photographs. Salutations cordiales de Berthoud (Burgdorf)

[@webersteve1547]

😂😂😂

[@Bollywoodhollywood2023]

It’s like Toyota SUPRA vs Porsche 911 😂

[@lizlana4200]

@@markusbolliger1527 We are in the digital age there bud, including the specs in video 🤌 the red dot has character, it’s in the expensive glass as well 🔴

[@charliejg]

The biggest issue with Leica for most of us is the cost. There is no doubt about the IQ. But, for amateur/enthusiast photographers they are kind of out of reach.

[@cris_photography]

Very true

[@junichinomura4810]

I don't agree with you about the price especially the new camera nowadays are so expensive, sony a1, nikon z9, canon R5 same orice almost as leica camera, and if you want to upgrade to next body after 3 to 4 years the value didn't chsnge that much but other company cameras almost half of the price lost in 1 year

[@charliejg]

@@junichinomura4810 Oh, absolutely right with the newer bodies. Prices have gotten crazy. That's why I will be using my X-T3 for quite a while!

[@shy-guy5544]

@@charliejgMe too! I am generally very happy with my xt3.

[@gnojedseek]

99 percent of Leica owners are not photographers but equipment enthusiasts. You can see that immediately when you look at their photos, if they show them at all.

[@cris_photography]

99% is a little harsh don't you think? I know plenty of good photographers that use Leica (see how I turned that phrase? it's not good Leica photographers but good photographers that use Leica. Meaning - it's gear - and gear doesn't make a photographer. Who cares the brand people use? And if they want to photograph for themselves they don't have to share with anyone am I right?) Thanks for watching ;)

[@ggreloaded5269]

You have no idea what you’re talking about. You sound like a hater to me. Show us your amazing pics

[@Bollywoodhollywood2023]

Grapes are sour 😂😂😂😂😂

[@BrandonTalbot]

99% of people who make dumbass comments and have no subs themselves are just trolls.

[@lizlana4200]

@@cris_photographypeople that have never shot with a Hassy or the red dot 🔴 would never understand. Cris you gotta know what you’re dealing with, it’s people that have never shot one or seen one in person nuff said