Seriously considering a move from Sony to the Leica sl 601

[adam tracksler]

I’ve been shooting Sony pretty much exclusively for the last few years, I had the original A7, a 6400, a few rx100, and lately the A7 r3. I did have a short stint with the Hasselblad H3 before a hand injury, which made it too big and unwieldy, though I loved that.

The only one I really liked was the original A7. The r3 changed the grip, which is a bit too deep for my cambo actus, and my pinkie hangs off which is a small thing, that adds up after an all day gig. I also hate the menus the more I use them.

I’ve had a m8 and m9, and while I loved both, they are terrible studio cameras for product, which is what I mainly shoot. Work requires video as well. I’ve never gotten the hang of video out of the A7r3. It’s ok at best. Honestly my iphone 13 pro is better for me.

I really don’t need all the resolution from the r3, so I’m considering the SL 601. Is this a terrible decision?

I’d love to hear your opinions. Thanks.

[Manoli]

… so I’m considering the SL 601. Is this a terrible decision?

Anything but. It’s an excellent and versatile camera. If you’re seeking detailed and extensive feedback on all Leica M and SL (glass and cameras), Fuji and others - Sean Reid is an excellent, verging on encyclopaedic, resource. Check out his article index on

ReidReviews.com
https://www.reidreviews.com/articleindextable.html
sample (one of several):

Some Thoughts On The Leica SL
https://www.reidreviews.com/examples/sl.html

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Also,
A year with the Leica SL

[BernardLanguillier]

Have you tested the Nikon Z7II or Canon R5?

Cheers,
Bernard

[BobShaw]

You don't say what you shoot or why you are considering a move.
If you liked the H3 then you will love the X1D (or what follows).
I am sure that Leica is great but it is still 35mm.
Medium format vs 35mm is a whole new world of image quality.
Suffice to say I have used my Canon only a couple of times in the 4 years since. Cheers

[Peter_DL]

This article may fit to the question:

https://www.optional-extras.org/simplifying-with-the-leica-sl/

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[Paul2660]

If you like the format of the SL 601, then it may work out.  The SL 601 is 24MP, older CMOS and doesn't have as versatile a DR as the newer SL2, but the SL 601 can be found on the used market for a very reasonable price now, unlike the SL2. 

You can use SL glass, TL glass or M lenses, all on the same camera.   SL 601 has a GPS, something that was left off the SL2 or SL2-S.

The SL2-S has the same 24MPs but a much more modern sensor, however Leica did not either add or use the existing Phase detect for AF, as the camera still uses older contrast detect even though the sensor is BSI.  The SL2-S seems to be most suited of the three to modern video requirements also. 

None of the cameras have a tilting LCD, and for video work, that might be a consideration.  (strange that Leica has not added this even to the M11 which is their latest camera). 

I have used both the SL2 and now the SL2-S for close to two years and my Nikon and Fuji cameras have pretty much stayed at home.  Most of Nikon has been sold. 

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Paul

[BernardLanguillier]

Does the SL have a focus stacking function?

[Paul2660]

No focus stacking. Which to me is a huge oversight. Not in the SL or SL2. The Panasonic S1R has it and it’s a nice implementation. Not sure why Leica won’t bring it to the SL2 with a firmware update. There were rumors a year ago that Leica would implement focus stacking with C1 and in a tethered environment but that never happened.

Paul

[Steve Hendrix]

No focus stacking. Which to me is a huge oversight. Not in the SL or SL2. The Panasonic S1R has it and it’s a nice implementation. Not sure why Leica won’t bring it to the SL2 with a firmware update. There were rumors a year ago that Leica would implement focus stacking with C1 and in a tethered environment but that never happened.

Paul

It's interesting that they incorporated a nice multi shot feature but no focus stacking yet.


Steve Hendrix/CI