Lens Review, Camera ReviewMorten ByskovApril 18, 2023Leica SL2 bundle deal, Leica SL2-S in 2023, Leica Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH, Leica Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH sample images, Leica SL2-S First Impressions, Leica SL2-S Review, Leica SL2-S sample images, Leica SL2-S sample photosComment

Leica SL2-S First Impressions

Leica SL2-S shown with a Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S — The Leica SL2-S is shown with a Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S. Photo captured with a Leica SL2-S and Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH @ f/4.5.

Will the Leica SL2-S Be My Next Camera?

I was treading on, for me, new grounds last week when I met up with fellow Vancouver photographer Julian Fok.

But first, let’s rewind to the week before that when I met up with Kyle, a Vancouver photographer who kindly took the time to show me his Leica SL2. I was immediately drawn in by the solid build quality and phenomenal grip on this camera.

Inevitably I started researching the Leica SL2 and SL2-S cameras and noticed Julian was posting SL2-S photos.

Vancouver photographer, Julian Fok — Meeting up with Julian Fok at Commercial Drive in Vancouver for a Leica SL2-S photo walk

Julian was happy to meet and after a quick coffee and chat, we did a photo walk along Commercial Drive here in Vancouver. Not only did Julian have a Leica SL2-S loaner but he had also just purchased an SL2-S for himself only a couple of days earlier.

This gave me an excellent opportunity to try out and briefly get better acquainted with the SL2-S and Julian gave me a few pointers along the way.

Vancouver photographer, Julian Fok, with a Leica SL2-S and Leica Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH — Julian Fok, Leica SL2-S and the Leica Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. Photo captured with a Leica SL2-S and Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S.

Why Consider a Leica SL2-S?

I have both feet firmly planted in the Fujifilm ecosystem with APS-C cameras and a Fujifilm GFX 50R so why even consider adding a Leica camera to the mix?

For quite some time I have researched and considered full-frame mirrorless camera options but have yet to find a camera that fully spoke to me.

Somehow, and perhaps miraculously, I have survived without a full-frame camera for about 7 years now but would like to add one to the mix again. It is especially luring as it opens up countless options for reviews but could also be beneficial for work and personal projects.

The L-Mount alliance has a vast array of lenses from Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma. I am also interested in the option of adapting older Nikkor F-Mount lenses, Voigtländer, and Leica M-Mount lenses.

An old GMC van parked amidst trees in spring blossom near Commercial Drive in Vancouver. Sample image from a Leica SL2-S with a Leica Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. — Commercial Drive, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Leica Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH @ f/5.6

Why is the Leica SL2-S Appealing?

I have tried options from Canon, Sony, and Nikon and they are all good in their ways but as mentioned above none of the current models have spoken to me in the way the Leica SL2-S has.

Some of the above-mentioned Canon, Sony, and Nikon cameras win on specs in a direct comparison but it comes down to four main features/attributes that make an important difference to me. Build quality, design, ergonomics, and the EVF.

Morten Byskov, camera reviewer at 5050 Travelog, during a test of the Leica SL2-S — Your truly. Photo (still from a video) by: Julian Fok

The fit and finish on the SL2-S remind me of the Canon 5D Mark III I once had with its fixed screen. The camera just feels rock solid in your hand but not as beefy as the 5D3.
Whether you like the design of a camera is, of course, completely subjective. The way Leica blends the visual design with functionality on the SLS-S is quite striking in comparison to its competitors
You would think it would be easy to design a good grip for a camera but try a few and you will know this is not the case. I instantly had a, wow this feels good moment when I handled the Leica SL2 and SL2-S. The Canon EOS R5 is a strong rival when it comes to ergonomics
The 5.76m-Dot 0.78x OLED EVF is a marvel and I found it easy to manually focus the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S Julian brought along for our photo walk. As for EVFs, the Canon EOS R5 and the latest Fujifilm X-H2 and X-H2S also excel in this category.

Entrance to a grocery store on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. Sample image from a Leica SL2-S with an adapted Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S. — Commercial Drive, Vancouver. Leica SL2-S, Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S

Image Quality

The photos in this first impression look at the Leica SL2-S were captured with two lenses; the $6,395.00 Leica Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH and a manual focus Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S using a K&F Concept Nikon F to L-Mount adapter.

The SL 16-35mm is astronomically priced but has one of the best zoom operations I have ever felt and rendered very pleasing images. I do not see myself in the market for this lens.

I preferred the experience I had with the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S as I found it to render sharp images with beautiful bokeh with a more classic signature. I have the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI-S and would love to see how this would compare.

I was happy with the colors and look in this first batch of images which was processed in Lightroom.

Check the sample images in this article which can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide depending on the size of your monitor or pinch-zoom if on your mobile.

A business hours sign in shop window along Commercial Drive in Vancouver. Sample image from a Leica SL2-S with an adapted Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S. — Commercial Drive, Vancouver. Leica SL2-S, Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S

Wrapping Up

Leica is currently running a bundle deal with the Leica SL2-S including the newly released Leica SL 50mm f/2 Summicron ASPH for $4,895.00 (price after the $1,300.00 rebate expiring April 29th, 2023). Used prices for the SLS-2 are in the $3,000.00 - 3,500.00 range.

The options in the full-frame camera market seem almost endless and I have not mentioned the Panasonic Lumix S5 II which I hope to be able to test and review before long. The S5 II, like the SL2-S, features a 24-megapixel sensor and is part of the L-Alliance as well, sharing lens mounts with Leica and Sigma.

Money still doesn’t grow on trees where I live and in this department, despite building a strong case for myself, the Leica SL2-S is not a straightforward slam dunk. I have initiated some gear shuffling and although I am thoroughly tempted it is hard to fully predict if I am going down this road.

Thanks again to Julian for the opportunity to try out the Leica SL2-S on our photo walk and to Kyle for sharing your Leica SL2 experiences.

Update: March 2024

As it played out, I did end up buying a Leica SL2-S in March of 2024. You can check out my update here:

Leica SL2-S in 2024 Review

Please see more sample images below.

Julian Fok using a Leica SL2-S and Leica Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH — Julian with the Leica SL2-S and Leica Super-Vario-Elmar SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. Photo captured with a Leica SL2-S and Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S.

Price / Availability

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Leica SL2-S - B&H Photo

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