I’ve been waiting a long time for my press demonstrator Leica SL. I’m on the list, I’m on the list, I’m on the list. I could borrow a lens, of course, but those press bodies are elusive. Fortunately, I can steal a march on my own review with these excellent mini-videos produced by the Leica Akademie’s guru Robin Sinha.
Any of you who has purchased a new Leica in recent years has probably had a one-to-one session with Robin where he has taken you through your camera step by step. I can’t think of another company that offers such a introductory session. But back to the SL, a camera that has clearly got off to a good start. It’s a fascinating product and, as it turns out, most buyers are intending to use it with M or R lenses. I’ve heard rumours that SL bodies are outselling the only lens available, the rather bulky 24-90mm zoom, by a significant margin. Perhaps everyone is waiting for a nice neat fifty prime before sampling the autofocus capabilities of this camera.
Leica SL with Robin Sinha – Handling and Design from Leica Camera on Vimeo.
Leica SL with Robin Sinha – Clear Layout and Logical Handling from Leica Camera on Vimeo.
Leica Camera Leica SL with Robin Sinha – The EyeRes Viewfinder from Leica Camera on Vimeo.
Mike, thanks for that…
I am still waiting to see whether Leica are going to come through on the hoped for production version of the M60 before I jump in to acquire another digital camera.
But as I commented a couple of months back, should this prove to be a mere hope, the SL is probably (to me) the most attractive of their "modern" offerings…
The EVF is built in and of a very high quality and it even takes M lenses that the digital M’s cannot handle, if one is going to go for a bit of complexity, the M262 in standard form is (in my view) inadequate, the M-P is not bad… the T body misses almost every button as far as I am concerned…
…However, I am curious to see how the SL behaves with those TL zooms, they fit natively, and 10MP is perfectly acceptable, as long as we are not looking to turn our snaps into billboard posters.
The Sony a7s was quite successful during its three week production run with only 12MP and Thorsten von Overgaard still recommends the 4MP Leica D-Lux 2, yourself and others still recommend the 12MP Leica X1.
Stephen, your analysis is pretty spot on. I think M-lens owners now have a clear choice between the M and SL; ideally it would be good to have one of each because I can’t see myself saying goodbye to the rangefinder experience.
With this in mind I am not sure why you feel the M262 is inadequate. I would argue that for the SL owner, the M262 is an ideal companion. No need for the fripperies which the SL does better anyway.
As for the M60 production model, I was once pretty convinced we would have seen it before now but the arrival of the M262 rather took the wind out of my sails. There is a possibility that the M262 was the basis of the earlier rumours of an M60 production model. Meanwhile, Leica remains tight lipped as always. Personally I hope it does show up, ideally with a bit of bulk shaved off because of the lack of screen but, if not, the 262 will have to fly the flag for austerity (if you will excuse the use of an overused little word).
Regarding the M 262 Mike, I reckon that the M-P 240 that you have, with its 2gb buffer and the extra functionality of "live view", and video, is the best current M camera.
I know this sounds a bit odd, but I am attracted to the production version of the M 60, because it really is minimalist, like an M2/MA/MP but with a digital sensor… Whereas, the M 262 is just a cut down version of the M 240 (M-P 240)…
Neither fish nor fowl.
Makes perfect sense and I am happy with the M-P despite the slight extra weight. I have the same feelings about the M60.