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News Leica SL3 preproduction review
- Thread starter dirk
- Start date
pdk42
Moderator
It's probably the first Leica camera (aside from the Q models) that I'd seriously consider. But, you know, the price !
RichardC
Member
I like the relative simplicity. The big dial can be left to control the ISO, because for most things these days, I'm in manual, fixed aperture/shutter speed, and bump the ISO as needed.
I really like my S1R. However, I'd like to bet that the S2R, if it ever materialises, won't be that much cheaper and will have at least one button per square centimetre of chassis.
I have a strategy. It involves lottery tickets.
It's pretty sad it only has a 4 way joystick, I don't know why they do such things. The higher ISO is rough too but you expect that from 61MP and don't buy it for that. Christopher frost shows a good comparison of ISO in photo & video and a good overall review. Nobody would be buying it for video but it looks decent but still not as good as S5ii, it does 8k though.
He makes a big deal of IP54 weather sealing but that isn't that high, remember the dunking of Pentax into river and runningbunder tap videos? Buried in sand etc from years ago? LoL I took mine out in heavy rain and destroyed it but they gave me a new one outside warranty.
He makes a big deal of IP54 weather sealing but that isn't that high, remember the dunking of Pentax into river and runningbunder tap videos? Buried in sand etc from years ago? LoL I took mine out in heavy rain and destroyed it but they gave me a new one outside warranty.
pdk42
Moderator
Yes, I agree. There are so many cheaper cameras that have an 8-way joystick, including the S5ii.
It's base ISO performance that is my interest, including the ability to push shadows heavily.
pdk42
Moderator
I really like my S1R too. I took it out for a spin yesterday (first time in a long time) and really enjoyed the experience, and the images when I viewed them on the PC later.
I'm working myself up for the S1Rii/S2R, but TBH, unless it comes in with a decent reduction in size/weight, there won't really be a compelling logical reason to upgrade. The only IQ complaint I have with the S1R is its long-exposure noise.
Yip naturally. Conversely I'll be needing ISO 3200/6400 for astro landscape which I've yet to do on FF. 61MP sensor is at least 1 stop down which is still possible though or you could buy faster lenses like Sigma 14mm f1.4 versus my f2.8 but that's another £1400 or so.
Did you try DXO for noise reduction? DXO seems to be leading in this.
pdk42
Moderator
I've not really used DxO much. I tried a trial but didn't go ahead and buy. Maybe time for another try?
before you buy another camera, you should definitely try all available software for noise reduction. This will be always cheaper than a new body and as you said, there is basically nothing important that needs to be improved on the S1R.
I am not good at editing images, but most people say that the prime noise reduction of DXO would be the best. But you need for this the more expensive version of DXO. The basic version does not have the better noise reduction.
You have Lightroom? I find the new DeNoise excellent.
xaviergut
LMF-Patron
I was a little surprised when I saw the AF performance (min 2:00) and FPS (min 3:10) of the Leica SL3 in this video. I want to say that this is a very good camera for landscapes, social, travel, fashion or portraits but it falls a little short for sports or nature (animals in motion).
If compared to the Sony A1/A9 line (even A7 line), the Nikon Z9/Z8 or the Canon R3/R1 this SL3 cannot compete in these photographic genres with those flagship cameras at all. We won't see a SL3 in the Olympics for sure.
The thing is that if Lumix is going to release a camera equivalent to this SL3 at the end of the year, I'm afraid it will have to be excellent and make a difference with the rest of the cameras in other characteristics of hybrid cameras... and I'm referring to the video specs.
If the price of the new equivalent "Lumix SL3" remains at around €4,000, that price difference is understandable, but if Lumix is going to charge €6,000 they can already start improving the FPS and autofocus...
CharlesH
LMF-Patron Gold
Yes, it is really good. I also use DxO Prime RAW 4, and some reviewers rate it better than Lightroom Enhance, but I can't tell the difference, they are both excellent. DxO Prime has better sharpening if that is required. This noise reduction capability is why I stick with Micro Four Thirds for telephoto; you can run up the ISO and get very good results. And if/when Panasonic comes out with their new high-resolution camera this will be very useful.
Travis Butler
Well-Known Member
I've had pretty good luck with the noise reduction in On1 Photo RAW, and the 'NoNoise AI' in On1 2024 is an improvement (if slower).
Sample:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/the_prof67/mjo6td23i7 (original)
https://www.flickr.com/gp/the_prof67/o8Bh17JR20 (shadows pushed)
https://www.flickr.com/gp/the_prof67/6sex32P5b5 (denoised)