Why I Couldn't Resist Buying the Leica SL2-S Camera in 2024

I discuss the peculiar timing of my recent purchase of a Leica Sl2-S in January 2024 and talk about why you should wait. I also discuss some flaws, why I'm okay those flaws, and what I expect in the SL3 system this year.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
1:01 Odd Timing
1:30 How I Use It
3:44 Why Now?
4:48 Flaws
6:24 How I Justify It

[@JohanKhoo]

I got the SL2S last year - it’s been amazing, looking forward to the SL3. Don’t forget the brilliant Panasonic and Sigma lenses for L mount, especially the Sigma I series primes.

[@JeffreyHauser]

Hi Justin. Thank you for your openness & honesty in your comments regarding the SL2-S. I really do appreciate that. You simply did NOT sing the praises of this camera, but rather how this camera fit into your current Leica system & your plans to expand more so in the SL system in the future. It is so refreshing to see a You Tube professional photographer with integrity in talking about camera equipment, instead of trying to “sell” you camera equipment. Safe travels.😊

[@AskMOTT]

Thank Jeffrey, my absolute pleasure. I only give my true opinions and commit to being transparent on here :).

[@jacobh5817]

Using both the SL2 and SL2-S for fashion and beauty work. While they’re not as engaging as an M, these are the best DSLMs I’ve ever used. Been around the block, trying Sony A7/A1, Nikon Z and Canon R, but for me the SL2/SL2-S worked best. AF is sufficient for me and battery life not an issue. I love the EVF (by far the best) and the IQ and colors out-of-camera. It results in the least work in post. But that’s perhaps just me…

[@AskMOTT]

Love hearing it Jacob, thanks for sharing your experience and my only regret is not buying some Q3 batteries.

[@Reportageandart]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@bugsybunny398]

Makes total sense. Kudos on your new and improved websites. They look great, and the navigation experience is easy and intuitive.

[@AskMOTT]

Thanks, I appreciate that, took a while to do but it was my little holiday season project. You should put a website together if you haven'y already.

[@tcruzdesign]

I really did notice how cool the B Roll looked before you mentioned that you were stepping it up. Very cool.

[@AskMOTT]

Thanks makes me happy, color grading is my next endeavor but I plan on trying to up my B roll game more and my editing this year.

[@stevieraveon]

Great move, makes sense. It does all I need and it's inspiring to use as well, and a different experience from the M for sure 🙂

[@AskMOTT]

Right on Stevie, do you shoot video with it as well?

[@stevieraveon]

Just here and there for small videos, but not major projects. I only have the 24 to 70 and the 16-35. We use it mostly for interiors shoots, portraits (face detection is awesome) and personal with M lenses @@AskMOTT

[@MarcAdesso]

I recently bought the Panasonic s5iix for similar reasons...and man, do I miss the EVF of the SL2 series cameras...will be at the front of the line for the SL3!

[@AskMOTT]

I’ll be there w you :)

[@stepitup5409]

Hey Justin, Just wanted to say I am enjoying your videos, your honesty, and your humble attitude. Good on ya.

[@AskMOTT]

I appreciate that, thank you and have a pleasant weekend :).

[@jklphoto]

The SL (601) was my first digital Leica. Bought as a companion for my M4-P. Can't say I loved the EVF shooting experience right away. Such a drastic change from the spirit of zone focusing and snap shooting with a rangefinder. I've always said the SL-series is Leica's technical camera. Hoping the SL3 will feature a much improved focusing system thanks to the L-mount alliance. BTW, partnered with SL-glass, you've got a much more weather-resistant camera. Also, don't be afraid to try some Sigma DGDN glass.

[@AskMOTT]

Good point on the weather sealing I knew that but forgot to mention it as it’s important especially when we get crazy rain storms here .

[@donjagoe]

Seems totally rational and well-reasoned to me. My burning question is how did the contractor pull off having the steps light up individually as you descend? That is way cool. Cheers!

[@AskMOTT]

Ha ha yes we thought it was a cool idea so they added sensors at the top and bottom of the stairs :).

[@c141charlie]

Just picked up a barely used SL2. Yeah its autofocus and low light performance sucks, but it’s still awesome for what I do.

[@AskMOTT]

Yeah, if I was reliant on AF I wouldn't buy it either but not so much. I hope the SL3 fixes this as I want to be able to use it for commercial work and be able to count on it the way I can rely on Sony autofocus.

[@NickDelDuca]

I just bought the origonal SL for a lot of the same reasons except I don't intend to use it for video. I knew it would get me started down the path I want to go down with a Leica system and I intend to purchase the SL3 at some point so I figured just go with the cheapest option that would hold me over.

[@AskMOTT]

Fair enough, I’m excited for the SL3 as well.

[@JJ_Photo]

You wont regret! The sl2s is fantastic. I love my M10p, but after getting a sl2s, I just use this lille beast more and more. The files - beautiful colors and fantastic lowlight. I have shot 12.500 iso images that had to be pushed 2-3 stops in post, and still looks so great. The EVF is so nice compared to any other camera. The handling, the menu etc. Just love it. The only thing I hate is battery life (and price). And the bit slow AF, compared to other brands. But the good thing about AF is that i nails it every time. Lets see how the new phase focus system in the SL3 will behave. Again I mainly use M lenses on the SL. But it is nice to have AF sometimes. So enjoy Justin!

[@AskMOTT]

Totally agree, have you tried buying the Q3 battery and using that instead as it's compatible and they claim 18% increase in performance.

[@JJ_Photo]

@@AskMOTT yes, I have the original battery and two new Q3 batteries. Can't really feel much difference.... The best thing is to set Auto Power Off to 10 seconds, instead of 2 minutes. This makes a huge difference when walking around for a day. But I wish they would implement 30 seconds or 1 minute, between these two options. Kind of strange they programmed it like it is now.... And the wakeup time in sleep mode is not that good. But other than that - love it :)

[@JacobChristiansen1]

@@AskMOTT I bought the Q3 battery for my Q2 and it is a big improvement. I don't know if it's 18% (could be more could be less), but definitely worth it.

[@camelotvanerven9667]

It's also the look and feel, it's build quality.

[@AskMOTT]

Yeah, I agree Camelo. I didn't even have time to talk about how much I love that as well, it's top notch.

[@fuelediowa]

Following your passion is sometimes exactly what the DR Ordered. Over the Summer I went and bought an 8 year old rangefinder style camera just because I wanted to try that style. And I dug in and committed the next 30 days to just use that camera. and that turned into 45 and into 90. The only times I picked up my other camera was when I had a paying job that was critical or it was fast moving where the memory was worth more than the passion taking the photo. Although it would have possible been more rewarding to capture it on the older "fun" camera. Now when I pick up my latest greatest camera I feel I take better photos easier.

[@AskMOTT]

Love it , thanks for sharing your e experience. What rangefinder did you buy and did you enjoy it .

[@fuelediowa]

@@AskMOTT I picked up the Fuji Xpro2. It is so fun to use. It took me almost 2 weeks of struggle to slow down and create photos not try and take photos. If that makes sense. But now when I grab my XT-5 I find myself paying attention to all of the process giving me even better photos. I would love to try a Leica some day however being in rural Iowa I have never met anyone who has one. Lol heck I have only met one other Fuji shooter. I am excited to see your street project and how you progress on your new year's resolutions.

[@frankphotography8470]

Be interested to hear about how you find the M135mm f4

[@MauroTandoi]

I just got the SL2-S "Reporter" two day ago, awesome camera.

[@annikamiloshkevich1124]

Thank you for a great video. I am wondering, which camera is better for low light - SL2s or SL3 🤔

[@AskMOTT]

I’d rather use the SL2-S in low light because of its lower megapixel count.

[@paulbegg.photography]

I hear you about eyesight, and I struggle at times with focusing my M10-P. I have been thinking about an EVF to help with this, but hate the clunkiness of it. Ideas on the usefulness of this? I don't have the SL2, but do have a Nikon 7ii for similar purposes you want the SL2 for, in particular video. Both have great EVFs and I have a whole slew of Z S lenses and that I'm totally invested in. Using the M10 for street photography works great, it's small and compact, discrete. The mirrorless Nikon works for most other situations, but it's still heavy and bulky. I want to start to travel lighter with less baggage (i.e. the Pilot 10L concept), and I think the M10 with a 50mm and 75mm will be the way ahead for most scenarios. Great new website!

[@AskMOTT]

Thanks Paul, it's a but chunky of a camera however with an M Lens it feels pretty nice, not like M level nice but still feels really good :). I have used an EVF on a M so I don't know, I hear mixed things about it.

[@MadshGrappling]

The EVF for the M10 is not that bad. I have one and I enjoy it for tele-photo lenses and for delicate focusing at f1.4. It can feel a bit clunky, but I really enjoy how you can shoot at waist level with it. I got mine fairly cheap used (as in "cheap-for-a-Leica), and would definitely suggest that you give it a try.

[@garryclarkson7224]

I use it for film and it's fabulous. Run it on usb c battery. No filmmaker ever uses autofocus.

[@AskMOTT]

Credit my friend Colin for telling me I should leave my images up longer and get rid of the movement on the images.

[@user-om5lk9hj6j]

I wasn't familiar with your background, and saw some of your Vietnam photos and thought "damn this guy is really good for just a random camera youtuber" 🤣 Makes sense that you're a professional.

[@FarEastSurvival]

I started using M43 cameras then moved to Sony/Canon then once I saw the colors and images out of Leica cameras, I sold everything else to build a M and SL system. The camera bodies are so solid and the colors are very attractive. The M lenses will keep their value over the long term. I like the SL2-S for the bigger M lenses like the 50mm Noct and 75mm Summilux. The portraits you can make with that combination especially in low light is unbeatable. Sure it's expensive but it's worth it. Even if you only had $1000, I would buy the Leica-T and pair it with a old 40mm summicron. It would be super compact and fun to use while still delivering great colors and images.

[@johannesbasuki391]

I just bought Hasselblad X2D and sold my SL system, much regretted. It is soooooooooooooooo hard to purchase the Hasslemuch lenses, just not available anywhere, what I got is merely 45P😪

[@Joe32942]

Thanks. Do you still own your Hasselblad X1D if yes, why wouldn't you use this for your commercial work?

[@AskMOTT]

Sold it during Covid as it just didn’t makes sense for me as I need two bodies and multiple lenses and back up lenses and it was just too pricey in the end. It’s a great system but not scalable for my business and not versatile enough for the type of work I do .

[@Joe32942]

Interesting. For me, it is more expensive to keep staying with Leica. In germany the current market for Hasselblads is dead. I bought a X1DII with 45mm for 3k. The 21mm is 2k. The Leica Sl2-S Body alone is 4k.@@AskMOTT

[@JohnJenningsphotography]

Autofocus lens recommendations?

[@AskMOTT]

That 24-90mm sure is appealing to me as it covers so much ground and I think I'd use it at 90mm frequently. I borrowed it for a few assignments and I loved it, even thought it's rather bulky and you can find it used for around $2700 here in SE Asia.

[@AskMOTT]

What upgrades do you want for the Leica SL3?

[@webersteve1547]

Should be smaller, ideally like the Sony, a flip screen will be nice, but not mandatory. But honestly I think I will add a second SL2 (or maybe SL2 S

[@c141charlie]

Autofocus and less noise in higher ISO!

[@JJ_Photo]

@@c141charlie get the SL2S instead. Fantastic ISO performance!

[@brainz406]

I knowwww that as a photographer, the man behind camera is all that matters whether the photos will be good or not. However, Leica cameras are soooooo appealing 😭 i want it even more after watching this video 😂

[@AskMOTT]

In my case it's 100% the photographer ha ha, yeah, they are addictive I must admit. Well, if you do decide to buy more Leica gear make sure you give me some love and use my affiliate links :). www.amazon.com/shop/justinmott

[@Old-School-Liberal]

The new LUMIX camera could be a good choice

[@AskMOTT]

I could see that being a good option for many as well but I just love the Leica design.

[@jacobh5817]

For M lenses, the SL series is a much better choice. Using M lenses on other cameras (like Lumix, Nikon or Sony) results in poor corners/edges when focus is set to infinity. The SL cameras are corrected for that.

[@FacesOfLA]

This whole video sums up one thing you just wanted to spend money just to spend money to have some thing

[@AskMOTT]

Not really, I didn't want to actually that's why I took a year to make this decision as the used market price dropped significantly and this camera fit a lot of circumstances for me such as using M lenses for video and shooting more video with Leica, a need to check my focus more clearly and a preview of whether or not I can switch to the Leica system for my commercial photography camera/system as well.

[@palamj2]

I’m waiting for the SL3 so that I may be able to afford an SL2 whose secondhand price should fall a little. 😂

[@AskMOTT]

Got mine for around $3400 which felt pretty good :).

[@gjermundhansen7799]

I think there has been a number of price increases on SL2/SL2-S - and with an expected hefty pricing on new releases, I would think the current second hand pricing is not that bad for the current versions anyways. (I really like my SL2 by the way).

[@aviationodyssey1892]

For video work get Blackmagic Cinema Camera instead.

[@VuBui]

Aside from autofocus what are you looking for when you say the video capabilities aren’t good? I mean besides the fact that the SL2-S is a 3+ year old camera. Just wondering what you’re looking for (again, besides AF).

[@AskMOTT]

I wouldn’t say it’s terrible , but but I’d like a tally light , I’d also like a separate video record button, but mainly it’s autofocus for me , that ruins everything for me as it’s important for the type of work I want to film with it . I know you said besides autofocus but that’s the main issue for me, other than I like it as a video camera.

[@thedarkslide]

If you want a great video body with L mount, just get the Panasonic to go with a Leica L body for photography.

[@AskMOTT]

It’s a good option for some absolutely but for me I like having less cameras and often I double use on projects and I hate hoping back and forth with different menus and layout styles .

[@apocryphal_man]

you guys know this is basically a Panasonic S5. Id rather get the S5 II if you likenthe system but want usable autofocus.

[@JacobChristiansen1]

not as good for m-lenses though.

[@AdrianNiveau]

I love your content watch every video. This was pretty redundant sorry. Leica SL2S AF not the best you use it mostly with M lenses clear. Leica SL3 will be around 6k ish SL2S is 3000€ used in Germany / Europe

[@AskMOTT]

Thanks for the feedback Adrian, yeah I felt the need to make this video as I've talked about this camera for so long and so many new viewers were curious about why I'd buy it now so I wanted to address that.

[@AdrianNiveau]

thank you appreciate it @@AskMOTT

[@menoforma]

SL2-s shoot beautiful videos if you know how to use l-log ;) Love this camera to bits! ❤ For example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIOmq5eYfJJ7fqMsi=h9OIKOGhlF27TcrS It just beautiful 😌

[@simongentry]

too late. ☕️😉

[@markusbolliger1527]

I can't see any rational argument for Leica cameras at all. What do you gain by using them instead of a Canon, Nikon or Sony? Your clients will not see the difference in image quality anyway, and Leicas are so more expensive. Leica is a myth, it's like a religion. In reality their rangefinders are a pain to use, and you miss many promising shots because you were to slow in nailing the focus. With the DSLM's of the other brands you don't have this problem. My workhorse is the Canon R6 MkII, what I can warmly recommend for any allrounder in photography.

[@GastonShutters]

It’s not always about the image but the whole process behind. If you feel more connected and o a Leica than a Canon why not? I doubt thousands of people are wrong by choosing a system over the other. I personally got bored of having a camera that shoots for me. Rangefinder cameras brought a whole new enthusiasm in my photography.

[@markusbolliger1527]

@@GastonShutters Okay, I agree with this point. But if you are talented enough to see and decide if a motif is worth to be photographed your camera doesn't matter. A good image - not to speak of a masterpiece - depends on three factors: Motif - light - composition. If alle three come together in the best possible way no one will ask you if you got the shot with a Leica or a Canon.

[@Reportageandart]

There are pros and cons from all systems. Yes you can edit colours but there is a different rendering with Leica M glass. It’s also the user interface and shooting experience… as well, the fact that Leica celebrates photography. Just so you know I have both canon and Leica and when I’m not shooting sports with my canon R3 (not cheap either) I immediately grab my Leica for everything else as I truly love using it and it feels great.

[@AskMOTT]

100% agree this is my point in most of my Leica videos :).

[@AskMOTT]

Agree w Markus I mean .