Member peytonhoge

Prices on Leica Sport Optics are not increasing at this time. Just what is on the list in the article!

That is true!

There hasn't been an official launch yet and we haven't heard anything besides the preview announcement. Hopefully, we'll see an official launch before summer.

I updated my Leica SL and the Summilux SL 50 last night. The updated firmware to the lens is much better, in my opinion. The motor drive actually seems more quiet and the focus is definitely faster. It is not as fast as the two zooms, but this should be expected because the Summilux has a larger, heavier set of elements to move for focusing. I tested it in dark hallways with my cats (one white and one black) using ISO 12,800. The photographs were grainy, as expected, but the focusing was very good. In very, very low light, you still need to find a good contrast edge (the focus was fast on my white cat and hunted a little on my black cat – all in a dark hallway). Overall, I am excited that this lens immediately feels more useful for active focusing.

David, do you know why the future Summicron-SL 35 is the only one not APO like the others?

David,
Thanks for the interesting article and nice photographs.
I too have found the S007 excellent for night work.
The assumption that the mirror movement will cause camera movement has been false for me.
Perhaps my belief that I can indeed hand hold the S at 1/30 sec. allows me to brace the camera well enough. I confess I couldn’t do that with a dog pulling on my arm. I’d encourage every photographer regardless of camera to test themselves on steadiness so they know what low speed they are comfortable using. I know I can shoot the S at 1/30th. I have even shot at 1/8th but I know from experimenting it’s then better to goose the ISO and accept extra noise to get back to 1/30.

David,
Nice of you to let us give feedback in your polls.
A quibble: You said the lens line up is complete. At the initial announcement many years ago they showed a 350mm S lens. I do not believe the line up is complete until we see something beyond the 180.

I voted for 80 meg resolution as long as Dynamic Range stays 15+, but for marketing reasons. Going to 50 is OK for me but for someone entering the system they will care m ore. Me, I print 90”x60″ as is, so higher resolution just allows for cropping. I hope they will delay this next camera until they can get to 80. I will probably be able to see a difference in a print then.

Going to a mirrorless S would have been fine if there never was a reflex S. Then as they built the lens system they would be set. I believe going forward that optical viewfinders will be unique viewfinders and it would be nice for Leica to have one of the few. But this is a pro system and if other pros want mirrorless, then Leica should go in that direction. I will prefer to stay optical in part because I have lenses for optical.

For me, other than a long lens on the S, I am happy with the system. But to keep current owners and bring in new owners they must progress. They keep surprising me.

I have owned the SL (now sold) and I have an S006. Since owning both camera types, I have felt that the future would be a merger of the two systems. SL body and 4K or 5K EVF with S-size sensor. Lenses from the SL and the S via adapters on this new, unified body (that is if Leica ever ships any more SL lenses; otherwise the S lenses are more than sufficient). 75-100MP sensor and a processor and buffer that would enable 8-10 shots per second for up to 100 shots. Finally, S006 color rendering.

My 2¢. Thanks for the opportunity to comment. Are you listening Wetzlar!

David, the roadmap for the S lens included a 350mm and a tilt shift wide, yet to be introduced. The 350mm I am thinking is delayed due to AF issues. While I find the AF to be extremely accurate the 120 and 180mm need a slight tweak for dead on focus. My SL/S adapter with these lenses is more accurate. Due to this, I lean toward the EVF with it's magnified finder option and one of several reasons many are feeling abandoned are these non addressed issues in current bodies. The lenses are phenomenal, that goes without saying however Leica's achilles heal is body features and function. To have these S lenses and not have the option to take them to their limits is, I feel, a missed opportunity for Leica. I really love the S system, and I enjoy work-arounds, as a landscape shooter stitching overcomes 100mp sensor resolution very easily but not always, having greater resolution is necessary for certain shots and makes me think that other systems are addressing this now. That means giving up Leica lenses, and there's the issue, wanting to use Leica's lenses on a current feature body. Come on Leica, keep up:-)

David,

I appreciate your thoughts and polls on this topic. One thing that I would like to see improved that you didn't touch on in your article is a better rear display. I would like to see a rear screen with better dynamic range, color, and brightness.

Mark

Please add a touch to focus tilt enabled articulating screen & something similar to eye auto focus that would be awesome for fashion or portrait shooters. Please renegotiate with Capture One for fast tethered and raw file support. Adobe is unreliable and slow to implement updates to support the S system, I would’ve fired them long ago, there’s got to be a better software solution.

I hope they do come with with a S 008 or whatever they end up calling it so I can upgrade to the S007 at a reasonable price. Im still sitting with my S 006 which has almost now monetary value anymore, yeah I can trade in for a new S 007 for under 10K yet I feel that is still to much money.
I was considering switching over to a newer modern Fuji or Hasselblad system, yet what keeps me hanging onto my S is the durability and of course the lenses..

EVF would be nice yet I don't see that happening any time sone. I tilt screen would be nice but yet again I highly doubt Leica will ever do that.

As a current SL and M10 user, I almost abandoned the SL for the Fuji GFX in lieu of their recent sales program. Why? The lethargic roll-out of the SL lenses. I am extremely disappointed in the progress on this front whilst we see the introduction of the TL2, the CL, the Chamber, the 28 Summaron and the 75 Nocti. Really Leica, there's more demand for a 75 Notch than the 16-35 SL lens every landscape photographer has been waiting for. I realize this post was to be for the next gen S, but they can't even get lenses out the door for the SL. What hope is there for another medium format system? I think at this point in time it's all fairy dust. Myself, if I don't see that 16-35 as promised in April, the SL is gone and I will be moving to the Fuji GFX. Sorry Leica, I bought into the SL system with the expectation that the lenses would roll out within the timeframe initially promised. More fool me.

Dennis,

Thanks for you feedback. As far as mirror vibration, take a look at the slow speeds I was able to use the S007 at for night photography.

Night Shooting with the Leica S (Typ 007)

Dear David, What are your feelings about this new 50 APO Limited Edition?
Do you prefer this vintage edition or the current 50 APO, lighter, sleek and smaller with a very practical hood?

Thank you, David!

Get whichever one you like better. Both finishes should hold their value.

They are the same lens, with the exception of the focus ring. The LHSA version has a knurled focus ring, while the standard lens has a focus tab. I don't think you'd see much of a difference in the speed or accuracy of focus between the two.

Fixed. Thanks for pointing it out.

It seems that no update was released for the M8.

Carlos,

The Q, with its 24MP full frame sensor will give a little better quality than the CL with an APS-C sensor. Both are going to deliver great results. The Q for me is a mini M camera where I can't take the lens off. Even two years on, it still is best in class.

Really, the decision comes down to one important criteria. If you are looking to get into a full system camera with interchangeable lenses, the CL would be the way to go. But, if you're happy with 28mm, the Q is tough to beat.

18mm is the actual focal length of the lens. On APS-C, it will be equivalent to a 28mm in full-frame terms.

Hope this helps.

Antonio,

The 18-56 TL is extremely capable, with excellent image quality and a nice focal length range. I do find myself gravitating to the 23, 35 and 60 primes more and more, though. The wider apertures and DOF control overrule flexibility for me. So, not a straight-up sacrifice in IQ. Rather a difference in overall look. And, no, I haven't ran into situations with the original T, TL2 or CL where I needed image stabilization.

David, I liked your video but didn't see a link here?