Leica officially announces the SL3

[Canon Rumors Guy]

The new mirrorless full-frame system camera from Leica is now available. In 2015, Leica Camera AG introduced the SL-System, uniquely combining the two worlds of photography and videography. From the beginning, Leica has focused on partnering with its users and the photographic community to ensure that their products achieve exceptional standards. The result is a

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[AlanF]

Would it go well with the Sigma 500 mm f/5.6 L-mount?

 

[Canon Rumors Guy]

Would it go well with the Sigma 500 mm f/5.6 L-mount?

I don't know, I had the SL2-S and the autofocus was abysmal. I'm sure the SL3 will be better with the new Panasonic AF system, but they're still well behind the big 3.

 

[koenkooi]

I don't know, I had the SL2-S and the autofocus was abysmal. I'm sure the SL3 will be better with the new Panasonic AF system, but they're still well behind the big 3.

The petapixel video review can be summed up as "The SL3 isn't suited for moving subjects, the AF can't keep up and it maxes out at 5fps in AF-C". It's great at other things, just don't buy it for 'action'.

 

[Del Paso]

There was a time when I was 100% Leica, M & R, with lenses from 21 to 560mm.
Unlike the Leicaflexes, the R bodies were mechanically only acceptable in terms of finish, though competitive when it came to specs. Throughout the years, I lost a few plastic levers or lever elements...
But the lenses still were first class.
Then came AF and digital, and Leica dropped out of the race, for several reasons. Mostly lack of money due to the wrong strategic decisions and poor management.
I bought the Canon 5D III and was more than happy. Turning back to Leica in mirrorless age? No chance, they don't have the lenses I want: No TS, no genuine Leica telezoom, no recent standard zoom. I know, there are some Sigma options, but Leica's strength is their lenses, I don't buy Leica in order to use lower quality optics. I know, Leica's longer teles weren't exceptional, but their moderate focals are superb!
And Canon's longer focals are great, Canon's AF too.
Yet, If I didn't need those lenses, I'd certainly get the SL 3, for its wonderful Summicrons and its body finish. Since I'm only occasionally into sports or wildlife, AF is not of utter importance to me, provided it's better than the SL 2's.

 

[TulseLuper]

SL3 looks great to me if ergonomics/usability/OOC JPEGs are on par with the Q series. Lens selection leaves a lot to be desired although Panasonic S Pros and those nifty compact Sigmas do seem very good.

 

[Canon Rumors Guy]

SL3 looks great to me if ergonomics/usability/OOC JPEGs are on par with the Q series. Lens selection leaves a lot to be desired although Panasonic S Pros and those nifty compact Sigmas do seem very good.

The ergonomics of the SL line for stills shooters is the best there is in my opinion.

 

[Canon Rumors Guy]

There was a time when I was 100% Leica, M & R, with lenses from 21 to 560mm.
Unlike the Leicaflexes, the R bodies were mechanically only acceptable in terms of finish, though competitive when it came to specs. Throughout the years, I lost a few plastic levers or lever elements...
But the lenses still were first class.
Then came AF and digital, and Leica dropped out of the race, for several reasons. Mostly lack of money due to the wrong strategic decisions and poor management.
I bought the Canon 5D III and was more than happy. Turning back to Leica in mirrorless age? No chance, they don't have the lenses I want: No TS, no genuine Leica telezoom, no recent standard zoom. I know, there are some Sigma options, but Leica's strength is their lenses, I don't buy Leica in order to use lower quality optics. I know, Leica's longer teles weren't exceptional, but their moderate focals are superb!
And Canon's longer focals are great, Canon's AF too.
Yet, If I didn't need those lenses, I'd certainly get the SL 3, for its wonderful Summicrons and its body finish. Since I'm only occasionally into sports or wildlife, AF is not of utter importance to me, provided it's better than the SL 2's.

I will always own a Q, but yes... I'm done with the SL line... Canon just does what I want that sort of camera to do better.

I will however be very interested to see what they do with the S line with the mirrorless entry that is coming. Those lenses are untouchable.

 

[Del Paso]

The ergonomics of the SL line for stills shooters is the best there is in my opinion.

Fully agree, same is valid for the M line.
The SL 3 ergonomics remind me of the Leicaflex, everything one needed, no unnecessary crap!

 

[Canon Rumors Guy]

Fully agree, same is valid for the M line.
The SL 3 ergonomics remind me of the Leicaflex, everything one needed, no unnecessary crap!

I sadly had to move on from the M, focusing became challenging, and the the visoflex reliability was frustrating. Brilliant ergonomics as always though. I'm not having issues with focusing a Mamiya 6 though, so that's good.