Why the Leica SL2-S is the B&W photography king

[@oliscurra]

Are you a RAW or a JPEG shooter?

[@AlexKroke]

HEIF and HEVC😂

[@oliscurra]

@@AlexKroke 😂 So basically JPEG on steroids…

[@TheVFXbyArt]

I shoot canon for work, all RAW, but use fuji with leica glass for fun and street.. RAW + jpg I would add for street photography, i use the dr400 extended dynamic range mode on the fuji. The dr400 mode, in short, distributes the exposure more evenly thru the exposure of the images, removing the necessity of underexposing for highlights. It does this by requiring you to shoot at iso 640 or higher. This allows the camera to underexpose the hi lights of an image while boosting the mod tones and shadows…. basically what you eventually do in post if you underexposed your images. It does all of these calculations prior to the analog to digital conversion, so it works in RAW! To find out about this technique, check out Pal2tech video on this mode in detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJvNdJRtaL2rqbs Whats great about this mode is that you no longer are required to underexpose your images to retain hi lights… something that generates, often, underexposed jpgs. It uses the computer in your camera as it should be used. As a photographer, you’re not supposed to alter your photography because digital sensor tech is shit at retaining highlights. You ALTER the tech to conform how you shoot for the scenes. Fuji dr400 mode does this. For additional street photography tips, I make sure to get it right in camera. This allows for immediate use as jpgs (I shoot raw + jpg). I uses a -4 on sharpness and and -2 on the highlight and shadow tone curves. This LOWERS the contrast on the jpg, allowing me to add contrast in an iOS photo app. I use MaxCurves to do that as it allows for sophisticated curves to be used discreetly as highlight, midrange and shadow tone curves to tweak the image.

[@alfredgeorgebailey2064]

I Shoot RW and convert to TIFF and then JPEG if i need it..

[@SunshineHB]

Hi, I’m back. I got my SL2-S and the high contrast monochrome setting is downright gorgeous. The best I have ever seen. You are 100% on the mark, sir.

[@oliscurra]

Ain't it grand? 🙂 I'm glad you like it. Never been as impressed by a digital black and white as this one.

[@kennethbenitez6195]

Haven’t taken my SL2s out of high contrast bw for non work purposes for over a year. I do cheat and shoot raw+jpeg and in a lot of cases grade the color photos to black and white for added latitude. One of the things I love is seeing the bw image in the viewfinder. Makes the act of shooting more about composition and light.

[@oliscurra]

One of my next videos is going to be about exactly that Kenneth. Keep a look out. I love looking at the world in black and white tbh.

[@117775EM]

I shoot JPEG + RAW for the reasons you outlined. Sometimes the JPEG files for some images are just magic and convey the emotional state of the moment. Fuji has nailed this concept with JPEG presets. JPEG files are efficient for when you just don't want to fuss in post. I have on occasions thought a particular JPEG image was good and then tweaked that same image in raw into a great picture. At the end of the day it's about creating images. That's why I love photography so much as a form of self expression because no one else will see that image in the same way you did. Keep creating beautiful images that inspire.

[@baharam98]

I really really really enjoy this channel. I love getting entertained and learn some valuable tips and points along the way. Much respect Oli. BTW, your SL2-S videos made me go get one for myself. (I Shoot both RAW and JPEG simultaneously...)

[@joeychan1589]

Hey Oli, love your style of review and commentary. Plus seeing your amazing photos to compliment your opinions makes it even more convincing. I’ve come back to your sl2s videos several times. I shoot with M10P (my only digital) & MP with 35 cron and 75 summarit. I do music events and portraits, often on both film and digital. I previously had an SL and only adapted M glass to it as well, but sold it because I wanted the M body experience. But now I’m back again wanting an sl2s and pick up a 24-70 for faster shooting when I need it. Thank you so much for your thorough review and covering different use cases 😊

[@oliscurra]

Hey Joey, thank you so much. I am glad you like them. How does the M experience compare to the SL experience for you?

[@joeychan1589]

@@oliscurra When I had the SL, I wasn’t doing much client work and my personal work was all on film, daily camera being an M6 at the time. I sold it to fund other things. When I bought my m10p 6 months later, it made me excited to shoot digital again. I felt right at home using an M and it didn’t feel like a hassle to bring out with me (unlike the SL.. it always felt and looked “too serious” for casual walks). Recently I’ve had more client work come through. When under time pressure or when there’s a critical moment that needs to be captured, the burst mode becomes very important to me. I was shooting Q along side my M10P (usually with my 75mm on it) which was a great combo EXCEPT when burst was required - the Q’s processor just couldn’t keep up at times. When you’re trying to capture a dance performance that’s on stage for only 5 mins, you can imagine the stress when seeing the camera buffering. I shoot in low light a lot at music events (crowds with drinks and all kinds of weather conditions) so the sl2s solves a lot of the shortfalls I had with the Q. I’m really looking forward to the sl2s with 24-70! I got the Leica m-l adapter as well to have more options with M lenses. My kit is making a lot more sense now and I feel I have better versatility with the kinds of things I want to shoot 🙌🏼😎

[@ziggy149]

Not a total fan on all the bnw’s but some of them do work for me with the crushed highlights - that’s just the norm for me. I admittedly prefer to use the purist’s Monochrom. Now your color work - now THAT I liked every single one you showed; even the ones you said you preferred your bnw version of. It’s that Leica color science.

[@oliscurra]

Thanks for the feedback Andrew and as is clear everyone has their tastes. It's very cool, that you like the colour ones, especially considering that they are heavily edited RAWs with my presets, especially the new pack which I've been working on like mad. 🙂 You have some lovely photos on your IG. Are you still shooting your Q2 monochrom or have you got another monochrom?

[@ziggy149]

@@oliscurra Geez Oli - thanks for taking the time. Solid individual you are. Yes I'm still shooting with the Q2M, but I've been missing the experience and flow I had with my Typ 246 so I'm planning on getting the M10M in the foreseeable future - hopefully by May before I go to NYC for a workshop with Phil Penman. I'm editing a 2 min exposure I did of the Bay Bridge here in San Francisco I shot a couple weeks ago with the Q. Stacked a 10 and 4 stop ND. First time I've used the Q like that. I usually like to keep it moving - especially these days in the city here. Alot of the images you likely saw are from the 246 and my 35 Summilux that will live on the M10M when I get it. Thanks for getting back with me. Have a great day man.

[@oliscurra]

@@ziggy149 Hey Andrew, how did that 2 min exposure of the Bay Bridge turn out? I'd love to see it. Hope you're well. 👋🏾

[@ziggy149]

@@oliscurra Wow - what an unexpected re-visit. Hope you’ve been well. Well, the 2 min exposure Bay Bridge actually turned out very solid. I actually got probably a little more than halfway through my editing, stepped away and haven’t finished. I think I was distracted by a show I was getting ready for in August; which went horribly unfortunately. But yes - i need to finish the edit. The ghostly water turned out creamily sublime.

[@joeypandabear]

Love your video! So much fun yet informative to watch

[@nocommentnoname1111]

Hey Oli, love your comment about the rule of 3rds. Can i borrow it sometime? :) Great vid from a Sony shooter.

[@fabricetranzerphotographer]

Am about to drop DNG's altogether and shoot exclusively JPEG on both Q2 and SL2. I love the feel of the images and also the workflow--very close to shooting film. I think Leica nailed the JPEGS on SL2/Q2. Never like them on M240 nor M10.

[@norwegianoutdoors4437]

Do you still shoot jpeg on the SL2?

[@TheDka1]

Photos do speak for themselves, really really good

[@oliscurra]

Hi TheDka1, thank you very much man. You are too kind. 🙂 👍🏾 Cheers, Oli

[@clinicalimaging8619]

love your work, you've inspired me to do the same. I used the Leica S 006/007 for a few years, the black and white rendering, deep blacks and highlight roll off makes me look at my R5 with disappointment.

[@oliscurra]

That's really great to hear. Thank you. So what do you shoot nowadays?

[@clinicalimaging8619]

@@oliscurra R5, c200 and Red Raven - trying to build a second hand 007 kit on eBay currently. It’s the juggling act between do it all kit for work, and camera you actually enjoy using. With lockdown I’ve been going through old assignment and trying to figure out if it’s the assignment, the kit or the freedom I miss lol Great review btw- m10p looks for the part a good balance.

[@oliverrichetti3736]

Since we are both Oli's I subscribed

[@oliscurra]

That's two reasons you're awesome. 😊

[@FriendsFan4ever]

Whats your thought on new SL2-S reporter edition? Beautiful as they say? Worth the hype or do you prefer black still ? Thanks!

[@oliscurra]

Hey Francisco, it's a very nice design, but I'm very happy with the black. You thinking of getting it?

[@FriendsFan4ever]

@@oliscurra I could not fight the urge & ended up getting it 😅 Love the colour & theres something very special about it. One of my top favorite camera I've ever owned & I've been shooting for the past 25 years. Love your vids! Cheers !

[@DamirAlexanderZajec]

welch interessantes und zugleich schönes Video, das ich nur durch Zufall gefunden habe... danke!

[@oliscurra]

Vielen Dank Damir. Freut mich das Ma das Video dir gefallt. 🙂

[@mwales2112]

I love the Acros shot images I get out of my X100V and working on my shots from my Leica M240, but not many settings to play with and thats a good thing... I have been using the Leica B&W jpegs more and more and really liking what I get..

[@oliscurra]

Which camera do end up reaching to more? the x100v or the m240?

[@mwales2112]

@@oliscurra The Leica hands down. I do a lot of street photography and range focusing with my 21 or 35mm lens on the Leica is faster than any auto focus system. I rarely even bring the camera up to my eye when I'm out shooting street.

[@JoeDAgostinoPhoto]

Great video. Question if I may. Do you believe you would be able to achieve the same results using the SL2 or Leica Q2 using the high contrast setting. Or do you believe it comes done to the newer BSI sensor of the SL2s

[@oliscurra]

Hey Joe (I love that song). It's probably a combination of both. Are those your cameras?

[@webersteve1547]

Your video has an incredible good vibe. You almost sold me a camera 😂

[@alexgoeke]

If you had to choose 1 camera between your m10p and sl2s which would you choose? For portraits, street, personal, etc.

[@oliscurra]

The M10-P wins in terms of size and charm, which are both very important characteristics. For portraiture an unassuming camera really helps. But I’d go with the SL2-S. The image quality is better (especially in lowlight), so is the EVF, which I prefer to use with my weird lenses. Is that the decision you’re up against at the moment?

[@alexgoeke]

@@oliscurra yeah I’m currently trying to decide.. I love the m10p because of the rangefinder system.. but I’m having a really hard time doing portraits even with the visoflex.. and haven’t found a way to use flash and live view at the same time.. so I was thinking of switching to the sl2s but im worries I’ll sell the Leica and not be able to manual focus well or even lose the file magic

[@MicheleSocci]

Hi Olivier, I m in the mailing list but i didnt receive the welcome mail and the settings😢 can you help me? ( not in spam)

[@oliscurra]

Hi Michele, I’m out and about at the moment. As soon as I’m back at my laptop this evening I’ll sort it out.

[@oliscurra]

Hi Michele. It should be sorted now. Please let me know if not.

[@MicheleSocci]

@@oliscurra thanks for solving the problem! looking foreward for future content

[@MuratKilci]

Damn Oli. Your SL2-s videos are going to make me sell my Fuji and Sony gear or get a second mortgage. Great content and love your style. You have a new subscriber. Great music recommendation by the way. Do you have a playlist I can follow? Thanks for the videos.

[@oliscurra]

Great to hear from you Murat. 🙂 🙋🏽‍♂️ Selling Fuji gear is hard. They are fantastic cameras and sometimes I wonder, I truly wonder about the value of a Leica over something like a Fuji, if I'm entirely honest. Sony's for some reason I never gelled with well as a photo camera (A7ii), but the A7Siii has some of the most beautiful skin tones for video with the Cinetone profile. Really good. All my videos since the Leica M10-P review were shot on the A7siii. I don't have a playlist to be honest, but yeah that song is crazy. It's very special. What kinda music are you in to?

[@saha753]

great images! What’s your JPEG settings for the crushed BW look SOOC?

[@oliscurra]

Thanks Sourav. Head over to my site & click KZbin things -> BW gallery.

[@saha753]

@@oliscurra really appreciate buddy

[@SpruceUp612]

For simple outings with family and friends I’ll turn DNG’s totally off and force myself to really commit to the jpeg shots. I only do this with my SL2 or Fuji cameras though.

[@oliscurra]

That sounds like a great way to focus on capturing the moment without getting bogged down in editing later! What film simulation base do you use on your Fuji camera?

[@SR-hf9kv]

You tell a good story.... I like the presentation :)

[@oliscurra]

I appreciate that SR.

[@Agedwheel]

Love that crushed look!! Great video

[@oliscurra]

Thank you Michael. 🙂

[@jailbreakoverlander]

Wow, man just Wow now Im spending 11k for a camera and lens? and I roll with canon eos r6 and 5

[@oliscurra]

Yikes... frikkin' Leica man. On the other hand I've noticed other brands are hiking their prices considerably too. I hope Leica doesn't think they need to raise their prices as a result. 😬

[@jailbreakoverlander]

@@oliscurra Ok its your fault and I now have the Sl2-S and the 24-70mm to start with. But already looking for another lens. wish there were more how to use menu vids, but alas there are not And I posted my entire eos R5 ecosytem om craigslist at a considerable loss.

[@franknelissen8041]

@@jailbreakoverlander how is the SL2-S AF with the 24-70mm lens you bought? Is the contrast AF any good? I’m very tempted by the same combo as you have!

[@jailbreakoverlander]

@@franknelissen8041 actually i sold it not long after, bought another eos r5c leica was above my paygrade.

[@stavroskavouras5451]

Great video. Thanks

[@oliscurra]

I’m glad you liked it. 🙂

[@MARTINEZCHAN]

Thank you for your really useful review

[@jcbarker1]

Some great shots, Oli

[@abryanphoto]

I’m really thankful for this analysis. I’ve driven myself crazy trying to get my raw edits to emulate the Leica SL2 jpgs. I’m not used to importing jpgs into LR alongside my RAW images and I’m worried I’m going to clutter up my system. I’d love to hear how you handle this. Different folders or next to each other in the same folder? Same final file name/number? I know everyone’s system is different but just curious your take. Thanks again for the insight (and beautiful work!)

[@oliscurra]

You're very welcome buddy. For my import, I have them next to one another with the same filename (other than the extension of course). That way, when I have similar photos, I know which pair belongs to one another. I've put together some BW presets, and one of them is very much based on the SL2-S crushed white look, for when I eventually will sell the camera. But I haven't put the presets up for sale. Not sure why.

[@ucevrim]

don't have an sl2, how do I mimic the crushed white look with a 50r :)

[@oliscurra]

If I remember right (I sold my 50R a while back), you would set highlight tone on Acros to -1 or even -2. That should do a similar effect. Let me know, if you try...

[@fblay]

Great tip for the jpg + raw. Magic, thank you! Where is the link for your SL2-S settings? Regards from Brazil

[@oliscurra]

Hello Fernando, it's cool you enjoyed it. 🙂 It seems the link got deleted in the description. Apologies for that. It's now back there. Take care, Olivier. PS Let me know how you get on... 🙂

[@fblay]

​@@oliscurra Thank you, Olivier! Sorry to bother you, but besides the settings link in the description, I filled out my email and never received the link (I already checked my junk folder, etc.). So I think something is broken. Just to let you know.

[@oliscurra]

I am sorry to hear that Fernando. Which is strange though, because I see both your email addresses in mailchimp. I've just sent it to you manually. Please let me know if you received it or not. Take care, Oli. 🙂

[@Ai-sq6zh]

Glad I found your channel! I really love your style. I have the Q2M, ar3 with 14/35mm GM, Fuji xt2 and an old canon ( I don’t remember off hand) film with 50mm1.8. As much as it pains me to trade the Q2M in, my budget can’t handle two leica bodies and the Sony gears. So, I decided to part ways with them. I wanted to get into more portraitures, so I was thinking of getting the sl2-s with the 75mm f2 apo summicron sl aspherical. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[@oliscurra]

Hey A i, I think the SL2-S is one of the best cameras I’ve ever shot hands down at least digital. I find that the GFX 50R had the best sensor… But overall SL2-S is the top of the Pops. There are rumours that an SL3 is coming out so the question is how much of a hurry are you in? because if the SL3 comes out well then secondhand prices for the SL2S drop and becomes a whole lot more available or you have the option of getting the SL3 instead. I don’t know much about the 75 mm lens you’re talking about, but I shoot the 75 mm 1.4 for the M mount and it’s by far my favourite portrait lens ever. But that’s because of its character. The 75mm focal length is one I much prefer to 85 as well. Let me know which way you decide to go…

[@madspallesen156]

Hi Oli, are your highlight and shadow settings for the JPEGs in LR? I don’t believe Leica has in-camera settings for highlights and shadows in camera. Or am I missing something? Cheers, Mads

[@oliscurra]

Hey Mads, good to hear from you. Which camera are you looking at and which firmware is it running? I am using an SL2-S with firmware 2.0. When you go into JPG setting, is see Film Style and then film style settings.

[@madspallesen156]

@@oliscurra , yes but don’t you just have contrast, saturation and sharpness as options?

[@madspallesen156]

I’m shooting Q2 Mono btw. 😊

[@oliscurra]

@@madspallesen156 No I have contrast, highlight, shadow & sharpness. I believe it may have been with a firmware upgrade recently, based off what I've found online since you wrote. I am still checking though.

[@madspallesen156]

@@oliscurra , okay. Thanks buddy 😊

[@fededuran2523]

Very good pics, Oli. I've been on the fence for a while regarding the SL2s. I'm even considering to sell one of my systems (GFX or sony alpha) for this camera and a few APO lenses. As usual, hard decision.

[@oliscurra]

Thanks Fede. What kind of photography do you do? The GFX is a dream system, it simply doesn’t carry the same charm and UX that the SL2-S does. But image quality wise it’s amazing. I used to own the GFX 50-R.

[@fededuran2523]

@@oliscurra Portraits is what I usually do, Oli. Landscapes are my non professional hobby.

[@fededuran2523]

@@oliscurra The GFX 50-R was also my first step into (almost) medium format.

[@oliscurra]

@@fededuran2523 Hi Fede, did you end up selling the GFX or Sony and getting the SL2-S? Take care. 👋🏾

[@fededuran2523]

@@oliscurra , buddy, I finally sold all my sony gear, kept the GFX and bought an M11 with a 35mm lux. Will add an SL3(s) next year, if this model is released. The sl2s still looks amazing to me. How are you doing with it?

[@davesaunders59]

So glad I found your channel. The images here are very strong. I like colour but I flirt with BW every now and then. The 75mm looks like it does the biz. Have you any experience of the auto focus L mount lenses?

[@oliscurra]

Hi Dave. Thank you. It's very kind of you to say and yes, the 75mm is my current favourite lens I use and my 2nd favourite lens of all time. 🙂 I've not shot many auto focus lenses on the L system. I am not sure if I will. The quality to size ratio is not one I feel works in my favour. What about yourself?

[@sakavouras]

The L focus with the latest firmware update on SL2-s is great. I also like the eye detection auto-focus. It even allows me to select the eye to focus w a click on the joystick

[@davesaunders59]

@@oliscurra - For as long as I can remember I have been so mixed up over colour or BW. I often feel some images lend themselves to one of the other. I'm finding more and more I'm leaning toward BW and high contrast. I'm enjoying the BW jpegs out of my Q a lot. With regards to lenses for me the SL lenses are beautiful but too weighty. If I were in a studio they'd be my go to but not for my outdoor shooting. I'll stick for now with m mount lenses. Your work is topps and you've certainly switched me onto legacy glass such as the Rokkor 28mm. Keep posting these great videos. They are excellent and compliment your work. All the best and thanks for replying....btw what was the lens you referred to in this video on the beach shots?

[@oliscurra]

@@davesaunders59 Good to hear from you Dave and thank you for the kind words. Yeah I hear you on the SL lenses. Beautiful but heeavy. The weight is the deal breaker for me tbh. I like having small, light lenses and if need be taking one in my coat pocket. Not possible with the SL lenses. The lens I was referring to, is my all time favourite lens for its character, less so its versatility. The Leica 75mm Summilux. It's a mandler design and without a doubt the most beautiful lens I've ever shot. 🙂

[@davesaunders59]

@@oliscurra - its a lens I never considered (till now). I just debating my first M lens. Its either a 35 lux or cron or 50 lux. Let's see...

[@bernardlesperance742]

The shadows really black out, whereas with the M10s the highlights blow out

[@salmonefotografia77]

Leica Monochrome cameras are very nice, but I perfer to use black and white films for shooting!!!

[@oliscurra]

I absolutely agree with you. Black and white films trump everything digital in terms of aesthetics.

[@salmonefotografia77]

@@oliscurra Wow, thank you for your attention. And I thank you for sharing tihe video.

[@oliscurra]

@@salmonefotografia77 No thanks needed, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@salmonefotografia77]

@@oliscurra Respect!!! See you next time!!!

[@GKhanKutar]

Can't mess with Acros+G

[@oliscurra]

I hear ya. Out of all the Acros simulations, Acros+G, was also my favourite. Once I saw what the Leica produces though, the first thing I though of, was to compare this to the Acros G on my X-Pro II. I could do it on the X100F, but on the X-Pro I could mount some similar Leica glass as well. What do you think? Is that an interesting comparison and which one would make more sense? The X100F or the X-Pro II vs the Leica. I don't have any other Fuji's at this point.

[@GKhanKutar]

@@oliscurra you should try actoss especially with medium format. I have GFX100 and I put Schneider Kreuznach Blach Hollywood cinematic filter to the lens. Acros comes up like film

[@oliscurra]

I used to own the GFX 50R and it is one of the most amazing sensors ever. I poured over my photos with the GFX after getting the sl2-s and here’s the truth, there’s nothing negative I can say about the GFX acros+g image. I can also say the SL2-S kicks ass. I have to shoot both acros and monochrome hq side by side to say more. 🙂 What do you shoot?

[@GKhanKutar]

@@oliscurra I shoot fashion. Leica black and white is too contrasty in terms of Luma. But it is beautiful

[@likeris2]

way too dark. back to school mate.

[@alanjones3076]

Yeah man go to school and learn not to be an individual.