New Leica SL2-S 24MP mirrorless full frame camera

R

Razz16mm

Veteran
Remarkable set of features. For Leica it is actually reasonably priced. Can shoot 24fps 4k DNG raw. IBIS with multi-frame 96 megapixel still mode and tethering for Lightroom and Capture 2 pro. From the sample video there are brief shots that hint it may be a global shutter sensor, or at least an extremely fast rolling shutter with almost no distortion. Up to 60FPS 10 bit 4:2:2 400mbps full frame video with no time limits. HDMI clean feed for external recorders. IP 54 weather resistance. $4895 body.

https://www.redsharknews.com/leica-sl2-s-new-24mp-mirrorless-camera-takes-video-seriously
 
Greg_E said:
That red dot costs a lot of money, not every manufacturer can create the technology to build the same red dot, it's very special.
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Leica uses their own unique color science and processing, though it probably shares the same sensor and mechanical platform. Does an S5 record uncompressed full frame 24.6 mp DNG at up to 25fps unlimited length? Full DCI 4K video? Leica looks like it might have a global shutter, or such a fast rolling scan as to be indistinguishable from one.
 
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Not many outside of the Leica circle who collect cameras for fun will take a look at this one for video, but it's nice to see them keep improving.

The SL1 and SL2 appeared to have random issues with their video - I imagine mostly because Leica doesn't have much experience here - but keep getting better.

Also, hopefully the reported battery issue (SL2 doesn't record when Leica batteries get too low in capacity) has been resolved in this new body.

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Specs per usual look great on PowerPoint, but IQ looks the same as everything else.

If GS and CDNG 4K DCI with nice color science is desired, a BMPC can be found on eBay for 500 bucks.
 
Razz16mm said:
Leica uses their own unique color science and processing, though it probably shares the same sensor and mechanical platform. Does an S5 record uncompressed full frame 24.6 mp DNG at up to 25fps unlimited length? Full DCI 4K video? Leica looks like it might have a global shutter, or such a fast rolling scan as to be indistinguishable from one.
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seems I missed something. I'm glad I asked :)
 
NorBro said:
Not many outside of the Leica circle who collect cameras for fun will take a look at this one for video, but it's nice to see them keep improving.

The SL1 and SL2 appeared to have random issues with their video - I imagine mostly because Leica doesn't have much experience here - but keep getting better.

Also, hopefully the reported battery issue (SL2 doesn't record when Leica batteries get too low in capacity) has been resolved in this new body.

___

Specs per usual look great on PowerPoint, but IQ looks the same as everything else.

If GS and CDNG 4K DCI with nice color science is desired, a BMPC can be found on eBay for 500 bucks.
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Never liked the early BM cameras. Major issues with aliasing and fixed pattern noise, poor color discrimination. Overall IQ my Bolex is much better than its BM contemporaries and that is reflected in the sale price of used ones which still bring close to their original purchase price in good condition.
 
Aliasing is what it is if you don't want to use third-party filters (have to have negatives somewhere for the overall price) - but as far as FPN, I always thought QC played a major role in it after Jarred Land once made a comment about how many sensors they throw away for their cameras.

I owned more Blackmagics than any other cameras in my life (buying and selling, buying and selling) and most were great if you stayed at the native ISO (or below). But once you were past it, could be brutal.

Didn't you used to use BM cameras back in the day? [Guessing because of BMCuser.]
 
NorBro said:
Aliasing is what it is if you don't want to use third-party filters (have to have negatives somewhere for the overall price) - but as far as FPN, I always thought QC played a major role in it after Jarred Land once made a comment about how many sensors they throw away for their cameras.

I owned more Blackmagics than any other cameras in my life (buying and selling, buying and selling) and most were great if you stayed at the native ISO (or below). But once you were past it, could be brutal.

Didn't you used to use BM cameras back in the day? [Guessing because of BMCuser.]
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Never owned one. But I have downloaded and evaluated raw footage samples from their cameras along with most other raw digital cinema cameras as the came on the market. The current generation from BMPCC4K onward looks pretty damn good. Far superior to the older ones.

Thinking about the next camera since my Bolex is getting a bit old, but I still prefer its uncompressed raw CDNG, global shutter and phenomenal color gamut over anything for personal creative work.

I like Komodo a lot, but still on a learning curve regarding how best to grade it. Also have to think about high quality stills for shooting Suzy’s art work. There are colors in her pastel and oil palettes that most digital cameras can’t even register.
 
Razz16mm said:
Leica uses their own unique color science and processing, though it probably shares the same sensor and mechanical platform. Does an S5 record uncompressed full frame 24.6 mp DNG at up to 25fps unlimited length? Full DCI 4K video? Leica looks like it might have a global shutter, or such a fast rolling scan as to be indistinguishable from one.
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I had a Sony FS700 with an Odyssey Q7 recorder also the 1st gen BM Pocket. I can tell you uncompressed CDNG was the feature I passed the most. It's a terrible amount of data. I don't think CDNG is the no brainer on the SL-2 either
 
Clermond said:
I had a Sony FS700 with an Odyssey Q7 recorder also the 1st gen BM Pocket. I can tell you uncompressed CDNG was the feature I passed the most. It's a terrible amount of data. I don't think CDNG is the no brainer on the SL-2 either
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CDNG is not a video mode on the SL2-S .... similar to the 1DX III it is high speed raw acquisition at >999 frames but will choke when buffer fills. The V90 cards will slow at some point ... @25fps 1 minute is 1500 frames.

Internal all-I is limited to 30fps ... 60fps to external recorder.

Loved the color and ergonomics of my SL1 but these are limited as primary video capture devices.

David Farkas has a great preview at REDDOTFORUM.
 
I love CDNG precisely because of the complete unrestricted capture of all raw sensor data. For normal video production it is overkill and it is not an editing format. It is a true digital negative that should be processed and transcoded to a suitable DI format before editing.
But for full grading access to the image data as one would have with stills, nothing else comes close. None of the compressed raw formats compare if you want fine control over your grades. When it comes to processing, stills processors have far better debayer algorithms than any video program. But you are talking about processing times in seconds per frame, not frames per second. I do this strictly for fine art works, not normal video production.
 
DP Review has their clip out. Video looks gorgeous. AF with 225 contrast detect points is iffy. Manual glass with an external LiDAR AF might do it good.

But $5K is a tad steep.

Unless you're already a Leica owner.
 
Clermond said:
or a dentist.
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Or a very successful professional photographer who likes their color science, optics, and bullet proof ruggedness.
Their lenses cost more than the camera bodies, which aren’t that much more than their premium Canon or Nikon competitors.
Any other cameras based on this Sony sensor sport IP54 weather proof rating?
 
What kind of weather proof rating does the 1DX mark II have?

Because there about a billion people using those cameras all over earth. (Point being at some point there's good enough...even if it's less than whatever IP54 is.)

Are you getting the camera?
 
Razz16mm said:
Or a very successful professional photographer who likes their color science, optics, and bullet proof ruggedness.
Their lenses cost more than the camera bodies, which aren’t that much more than their premium Canon or Nikon competitors.
Any other cameras based on this Sony sensor sport IP54 weather proof rating?
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I would myself count as a quite successful professional photographer and within my association I know some very high professional photographers on an international level in person. Leica is one of the association's sponsors and some colleagues do use the camera indeed. From my personal observation the main reason for a Leica it's the image of the brand and the differentiation to other photographers. Why do people wear a Rolex? Not because it's waterproof until 300ft. I have nothing against a Leica nor a Rolex if you can afford both. You show how successful you are with both. Fine. Have fun.
 
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