СИСТЕМА LEICA M

IMAGEFILE QUALITY

MirrorLESS

Before I delve into the nitty-gritty of the files, I’d like to touch on the benefits of using a professional mirrorless system and how that affects image quality. Firstly, the light coming through the lens hits the sensor directly, without a mirror, which allows for the use of the EVF. Using the EVF means you get to see more information in the viewfinder (if needed), and you also see the true effects of your exposure before the shutter is activated. On top of that the EVF and LCD are almost identical to the colours I get on my Eizo Monitor, and close to my Apple Macbook Pro, which makes in-field colour/exposure monitoring trustworthy and very accurate.

DOWNLOAD FIRMWARE UPDATE 3.6

You can quickly and easily download Firmware Update 3.6 for the Leica SL. The instructions provided with the firmware update will guide you safely through the installation process.

Leica SL customers do not need to install the Firmware Leica SL-Lenses (SLLens01.plf). The update files for the lenses are already included into the camera Firmware 3.6.

Leica CL customers can use the Firmware Leica SL-Lenses (SLLens01.plf) to update their Leica SL-Lens on their Leica CL. The lens firmware contains update files for all Leica SL-Lenses.  

Customers from our L-Mount alliance partners can use the Firmware Leica SL-Lenses (SLLens01.plf) to update their Leica SL-Lens on their camera. The lens firmware contains update files for all Leica SL-Lenses. For the installation please follow the instruction from your camera provider.

Introduction

The Leica SL (Typ 601) is a 24 megapixel compact system camera with a 35mm full-frame (24 x 36mm) CMOS sensor with no optical low pass filter, 4K video with a frame rate of 30 frames per second, the fastest auto-focusing of any full-frame system camera, a 4.4million pixel electronic viewfinder, a 2.95” LCD display with a viewing angle of up to 170° and touchscreen control, Leica Maestro II series image processor, a continuous shooting rate of up to 11 frames per second, built-in wi-fi, NFC and GPS connectivity, a highest ISO setting of 50,000 and support for dual UHS II memory cards. The recommended retail price of the Leica SL (Typ 601) is £5050 / $7450.

Интерфейс

TL2 довольно интересная камера, но она вызвала много противоречий среди фотографов. Её необычный сенсорный интерфейс и возможности выбора параметров понравились не всем. Многие не приняли его. Новая CL стала более традиционной камерой со стандартным набором кнопок и дисков. Можно сказать, что новая CL стала гибридом камер Leica TL2 и M10.

Двойные диски управления на верхней панели камеры стали спорным элементом. С одной стороны, они служат в качестве основных элементов управления для настройки экспозиции и прочих других характеристик, но с другой стороны, довольно хлопотно переключаться между функциями. Каждый диск имеет переключатель, меняющий текущую функцию. С этим легко запутаться и лишние действия по переключению функций уменьшают полезность дисков. Благодаря сенсорному экрану, вероятно, не все будут использовать данные диски по полной. Также не вполне удобно и расположение рядом друг с другом. Логичнее было бы один перенести вперёд под указательный палец.

Электронный видоискатель

Ещё одно полезное нововведение – это электронный видоискатель. Камера TL2 имела возможность использования съёмного видоискателя. Такой подход позволил сделать камеру более универсальной, но увеличил её габариты в комплекте с дополнительным аксессуаром. Видоискатель Visoflex имеет чёрный цвет, что сочетается не со всеми расцветками камер, а пользователи Leica, которые платят огромные деньги за свои камеры, хотят получать максимум во всём, в том числе в дизайне.

Видоискатель в камере CL выступает из корпуса. Небольшой бугорок не добавляет много объёма. Небольшое увеличение камер в размерах из-за выступающего видоискателя позволило установить очень качественный модуль с высоким разрешением 2.36MP и увеличением 0.74X. Эти характеристики позволяют видеть изображение высокой чёткости. Специальный регулятор позволяет регулировать видоискатель +/-4 диоптрии, что будет полезно людям с отклонениями в зрении.

Leica SL Typ 601 Specs

Imaging

Exposure Control

Video

Focus

Viewfinder and Monitor

Flash

Interface

Environmental

Physical

External links

A full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera is a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with a digital sensor the same size as 35 mm format (36 mm × 24 mm) film.In comparison, full-frame digital SLRs also have interchangeable-lenses but differ in having a reflex mirror. Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras that have a smaller sensor than full-frame (such as APS-C and Micro Four Thirds) differ in having a crop factor. Digital cameras with a larger sensor than full-frame are called medium format, after medium format film cameras that use the 120 and 220 film formats.

The Leica M9 was the first full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera in 2009, using a rangefinder focusing system.Sony was the first to introduce an autofocus full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, the α7, in 2013.

It was followed by the Leica SL (Typ 601) in 2015.Nikon and Canon each launched full-frame mirrorless cameras in September 2018. Also announced in September 2018, the L-Mount Alliance will see Panasonic and Sigma using the Leica L-Mount for their own full-frame mirrorless cameras. Panasonic announced its S1R and S1 cameras, and Sigma announced an as-yet unnamed camera, all to be launched in 2019 along with lenses from Panasonic and Sigma.

Leica Camera AG is a German company that manufactures cameras, lenses, binoculars, rifle scopes, microscopes and ophthalmic lenses. The company was founded by Ernst Leitz in 1914. The name Leica is derived from the first three letters of his surname (Leitz) and the first two of the word camera: lei-ca.

Leica Camera AG is 45% owned by The Blackstone Group which licenses the Leica brand name from the independently-owned Leica Microsystems GmbH.

The Leica L-Mount is a bayonet mount developed by Leica Camera AG for interchangeable-lens autofocus digital cameras.

The L-Mount has an inner diameter of 51.6 mm and a flange depth of 20.0 mm.

The L-mount exists in two versions, an APS-C version (TL) and a full-frame version (SL). The two versions are mechanically and electronically compatible. TL lenses mounted on full-frame cameras will cause the camera to use a crop mode from the center of the sensor, corresponding to the APS-C coverage of the lens. SL lenses mounted on TL cameras function normally, providing a 1.5x crop field of view, as is typical with APS-C cameras.

In 2018 Leica formed the L-Mount Alliance, licensing Sigma and Panasonic to use an upgraded version of the mount for their own products, opening the way for a more extensive system of fully compatible cameras and lenses.

The Leica SL (Typ 601) is a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera announced by Leica Camera AG on 20 October 2015. The SL is promoted as a camera system for professional applications. Beside the Leica S-System, the Leica SL-System is the 2nd professional camera system in the company’s product portfolio.

The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm F2.8-4 ASPH is an interchangeable standard zoom lens for Leica L mount, announced by Leica on October 20, 2015.A review in PCMag UK praised the lens for its sharpness, low distortion and weatherproof, optically stabilised design, while also drawing attention to its vignetting of up to 5.5 stops at 24mm.

This is a list of devices which can record video in 4K resolution. As digital video authoring systems could be considered re-recording systems, these should be included.

There are several methods to create a Geotagged photograph (see also Geotagging). The application of this is to allow photo management applications to use this information to manage images.

Some of the existing methods for embedding location information to a captured image are:

A camera that has built-in GPS;

A camera with interface for an external GPS (the interface could be a physical connector or a bluetooth adapter to a remote GPS logger, or WiFi and an app to allow the camera to sync GPS from a smartphone);

A storage media (CF or SD card) that has GPS or WiFi built-in (products like Eye-Fi provides cards like this, only supported for some cameras).

SUMMARY

The Leica SL is one ambitious camera, and it’s certainly more capable than most of us budding photographers. It’s easy to sit back and nit-pick over areas that competing products ‘may’ excel over the SL, but for now I’ll let the facts and performance speak for itself. If we go back to 1954 when Leica released the M3, their focus was to produce the best and most versatile camera available for 35mm photography. The M3 featured a combination of features that have a lot in common with the new SL, including the new M-bayonet lens mount, a bright new large and accurate built-in viewfinder with the best quality lenses available. Let’s not forget that the M3 was then succeeded by a successful line of M-series cameras. Having said that, I think its safe to say that Leica has made an attempt to recapture that same position in 2015 with the Leica SL.

While Leica are targeting the professional market, they are also catering to the requests of existing Leica users, and the SL will appeal to Leica T, M and S owners looking for the ultimate blend of added versatility, speed, performance and image quality in one package. After speaking with some avid Leica M users in London, Bangkok and through Australia recently, I think the SL will be a big hit with them, specifically for using the SL in conjunction with lenses in the 50mm-135mm range. These lenses, especially when shooting wide open, will excel on the SL due to the incredible clarity of the EVF, aided by focus peaking and focus assist.

I feel very honoured and privileged to be chosen by Leica to be one of their SL ambassadors, and it’s reassuring to know they are now working with great photographers globally to ensure they get the best feedback about how to improve their amazing products. My experience over the last month has been incredible. It started with the journey to the SL launch at Leitz Park in Wetzlar, and has taken me to London, Bangkok and all around Australia to participate as the special guest at each of the Nationwide launches. During this time, the camera has been an absolute pleasure to use, and I still can’t believe I have a Leica camera that’s capable of handling any situation I throw at it.

Coming from the Leica M, I’ve always seen Leica as a niche product with niche features – meaning ‘the bare essentials’ forcing the photographer to do all the work. The SL promises to built on that and take performance of Leica into the 21st century by creating the highest performing professional (mirrorless) camera — and having used it for the last month, I would say they have achieved their lofty goal. The SL has met and exceeded most of my expectations and has changed the way I work. Combining the best features of a Pro SLR with mirrorless technology is a marriage made in heaven. Add to that image quality that bridges the gap between 35mm and medium format, and you have a very compelling package, even at it’s relatively high price. All I can advise from here is to go and try the camera for yourself, and see if it works for you.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica M9 and Leica SL (Typ 601) and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the SL offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data
to an off-camera location. In contrast, the M9 does not offer wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Leica SL (unlike the M9) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights
can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the SL has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates
in its EXIF data.

External links

A full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera is a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with a digital sensor the same size as 35 mm format (36 mm × 24 mm) film.In comparison, full-frame digital SLRs also have interchangeable-lenses but differ in having a reflex mirror. Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras that have a smaller sensor than full-frame (such as APS-C and Micro Four Thirds) differ in having a crop factor. Digital cameras with a larger sensor than full-frame are called medium format, after medium format film cameras that use the 120 and 220 film formats.

The Leica M9 was the first full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera in 2009, using a rangefinder focusing system.Sony was the first to introduce an autofocus full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, the α7, in 2013.

It was followed by the Leica SL (Typ 601) in 2015.Nikon and Canon each launched full-frame mirrorless cameras in September 2018. Also announced in September 2018, the L-Mount Alliance will see Panasonic and Sigma using the Leica L-Mount for their own full-frame mirrorless cameras. Panasonic announced its S1R and S1 cameras, and Sigma announced an as-yet unnamed camera, all to be launched in 2019 along with lenses from Panasonic and Sigma.

Leica Camera AG is a German company that manufactures cameras, lenses, binoculars, rifle scopes, microscopes and ophthalmic lenses. The company was founded by Ernst Leitz in 1914. The name Leica is derived from the first three letters of his surname (Leitz) and the first two of the word camera: lei-ca.

Leica Camera AG is 45% owned by The Blackstone Group which licenses the Leica brand name from the independently-owned Leica Microsystems GmbH.

The Leica L-Mount is a bayonet mount developed by Leica Camera AG for interchangeable-lens autofocus digital cameras.

The L-Mount has an inner diameter of 51.6 mm and a flange depth of 20.0 mm.

The L-mount exists in two versions, an APS-C version (TL) and a full-frame version (SL). The two versions are mechanically and electronically compatible. TL lenses mounted on full-frame cameras will cause the camera to use a crop mode from the center of the sensor, corresponding to the APS-C coverage of the lens. SL lenses mounted on TL cameras function normally, providing a 1.5x crop field of view, as is typical with APS-C cameras.

In 2018 Leica formed the L-Mount Alliance, licensing Sigma and Panasonic to use an upgraded version of the mount for their own products, opening the way for a more extensive system of fully compatible cameras and lenses.

The Leica SL-System is a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with a Leica L-mount.

The Leica SL (Typ 601) is the 1st camera of the system and was announced by Leica on October 20, 2015. The SL is promoted as a camera system for professional applications. Beside the Leica S-System, the Leica SL-System is the 2nd professional camera in the company’s product portfolio.

This is a list of devices which can record video in 4K resolution. As digital video authoring systems could be considered re-recording systems, these should be included.

There are several methods to create a Geotagged photograph (see also Geotagging). The application of this is to allow photo management applications to use this information to manage images.

Some of the existing methods for embedding location information to a captured image are:

A camera that has built-in GPS;

A camera with interface for an external GPS (the interface could be a physical connector or a bluetooth adapter to a remote GPS logger, or WiFi and an app to allow the camera to sync GPS from a smartphone);

A storage media (CF or SD card) that has GPS or WiFi built-in (products like Eye-Fi provides cards like this, only supported for some cameras).

Сенсорный экран

Leica CL оборудована 3-дюймовым 1,04-мегапиксельным дисплеем без поворотного механизма, но с сенсорным управлением. Всё управление камерой TL2 рассчитано на сенсорное управление, но CL получила много физических кнопок и два диска, поэтому данная камера будет более привычна для фотографов.

Конечно же, камера предлагает возможность фокусироваться при помощи сенсорного экрана. Это одновременно и хорошая новость, и плохая. Дело в том, что экран нельзя отключить, а когда вы используете видоискатель, ваш нос будет прикасаться к нему, особенно при работе в портретной ориентации. Это не самым лучшим образом скажется на комфорте работы. Странно, что другие производители давно справились с этой проблемой, предложив множество вариантов настроек чувствительной области экрана и отключением дисплея при поднесении камеры к глазу.

Также в CL присутствует возможность съёмки касанием экрана. Так что ваш нос сможет стать фотографом, но, скорее всего, не самым лучшим. Пулитцеровскую премию он не получит из-за фокусировки не там, где надо.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Leica M9 or the Leica SL – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Leica M9:

• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• More compact: Is smaller (139x80mm vs 147x104mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 262g or 31 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2009).

Arguments in favor of the Leica SL (Typ 601):

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 18.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 15%.
• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (19 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (2.5 bits more color depth).
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.7 EV of extra DR).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1 stops ISO advantage).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.80x vs 0.68x).
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0″ vs 2.5″) for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 230k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II and UHS-I) SDXC cards.
• More modern: Reflects 6 years and 1 month of technical progress since the M9 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the SL is the clear winner of the contest (24 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges
from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera
is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

M9 ₀₄₂₄ SL

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the SL has an electronic viewfinder (4400k dots), while the M9 has an optical one.
Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information
into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but
the viewfinder of the SL has a higher magnification than the one of the M9 (0.80x vs 0.68x),
so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica M9 and Leica SL along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The SL
has a touchscreen, while the M9 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example,
for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while
others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the SL is one of those camera that have an additional
electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of ) or
shooting under artificial light sources (risk of ).

The Leica SL has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to
capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the M9 and the SL write their files to SDXC cards. The SL features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the M9
only has one slot. The SL supports UHS-II cards on its first slot and UHS-I on its second one, while the M9 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.