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The $6995 Leica SL3: Battery Charger $Extra, Can’t Charge Camera As-Supplied!

Leica SL3

re: Leica SL3 vs Sony A7R V: In-Depth Value Comparison

Real system cost and buyer fleecing should be called out for the shitty behavior that it is.

The Leica SL3 does not include a battery charger.

The Leica SL3 does not even include an AC power brick to power the supplied USB-C cable.

You literally cannot charge the camera unless you already own gear to do so. Yeah, most of us do, but that’s not true for everyone. And even if you do, it might not be a port that can charge at full speed. Or you might be somewhere where there is no such port.

Leica, you have to be kidding me... seriously? A $6995 camera which doesn’t even have feature parity with the about $3849 Sony A7R V, let alone a high-value low-cost Pro services offering. Or any pro support at all.

Spend another $220 for the Leica BC-SCL6 USB-C Dual Charger, which brings the effective camera price (with one $200 spare Leica BP-SCL6 battery) to $7415 = +$420 more. Even more retrograde, this $220 Leica charger cannot us 12V DC input (eg in a vehicle) as with chargers Leica used to make. I've made heavy use of 12V charging in the past. Very useful, very convenient. With this Leica charger, I need to power up my 2000W power inverter for its A/C power brick. Or buy something that can do high-power USB-C, which I did. But that is rather awkward when driving (can’t leave camera sitting out).

Versus Sony for just $78 for one spare battery (charger supplied with camera).

This is not a class act or premium product; that would imply a 1st-class user experience in which there are no left out pieces to frustrate with make-work efforts required to get to the starting line.

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica SL System

It’s not an option to have no charger and no spare battery:

  • Especially on the road, it is unacceptable to have a camera sitting around charging on a USB-C cable—it could get tossed-about. Or exposed to prying eyes. At best, it forces the camera into a bag strapped-down or heaped somewhere (to avoid damage), in an awkward place, as well as having to come up with a USB-C port will not charge at full power with many ports.
  • Even at home, having to dedicate a USB-C port on is a hassle and a headache with limited ports on some computers (no power brock supplied!). It also means a clunky brick (the camera) in just the wrong place on my desk since USB-C cables are short.
  • I need to keep shooting while a battery is charging. That’s impossible if the camera does the charging
  • Wear and tear from constant plug/unplug of the USB-C port. This WILL result in problems sooner or later.

Leica, this is messed-up!

Stefan D writes:

I am pretty sure this has to do with the new EU directive on reducing electronic waste.

DIGLLOYD: interesting possibility. Gives Japanese camera vendors a leg up.

  • Would those regs apply here in USA? After all, it has a USA warranty card, so the contents vary already in at least one respect for the US market.
  • A coupon for a free charger upon request would address it, if no other solution could be found.
  • I don’t see a price drop for lack of the $220 charger. And why is it $220?
  • If true, it needlessly generates ill will (very poor brand management!) to not include a little tag or small flyer saying that “due to EU regulations, a charger is not included...”.

OTOH, it works in Leica’s favor (profit) to NOT include a charger. So regardless of rreason(s), the same shitty end result accrues to customers. And not to Fujifilm or Sony or Nikon or Canon or Sigma customers!

Sony Pro Services: Does not Coordinate with Sony Protect Warranty + Sony Response

Sony Pro Support

I recently paid for two years of Sony Protect Plus, essentially an extended warranty with loss/damage protection ($244.99). It is transferrable to a new owner should I sell the camera.

I also have paid yearly for Sony Pro Support ($100, and I consider it an outstanding value with excellent service I have used several times). So nothing but praise for Sony Pro Services for responsiveness and delivering what is promised and the very low cost.

I had called Sony Pro Services for a minor issue, and learned something quite disappointing:

The Sony Protect extended warranty coverage does not coordinate with Sony Pro Services.

I’d be happy to have Sony correct me on this, but the representative was quite clear that you have these two choices:

  • If you want extended warranty coverage, then it cannot go to Sony Pro Services; it must go to Sony Protect.
  • If you want fast turnaround, then it must go to Sony Pro Services, because Sony Protect will take weeks to turn it around. But you then have to pay for it out of pocket.

Suppose you have an issue, you send it to SPS, and it turns out to be a warranty thing. Now you are faced with either paying out of pocket, or a long delay in getting it transferred over to Sony Protect, and starting over. Not very professional!

This Sony corporated disjointedness needs fixing ASAP.

Sony Pro Support note

I was impressed with getting a note from Sony about 2 hours after this post went up from the lead for the Sony Pro Support team:

Hope all is well. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.

I totally understand the process might be a bit convoluted. But we have been working with Sony Protect to ensure that the process goes smoothly for our customers.

When you reach out to Sony Protect to file a claim number, please mention that you are a PRO Support member, they will help expedite the process as well.

Please reach out to me if you need anything or have any questions.

Once again, thank you for your feedback.

DIGLLOYD: this is about as good as it gets for a company responding, so kudos to Sony. A seamless process would be ideal, but I understand that such things take time to sort out in big companies, process-wise.

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Fujifilm Professional Services Program

Relating to yesterday’s post mention of Sony Pro Services, reader Dr S reminded me that Fujifilm Professional Services is also available (since 2017).

Fujifilm Professional Services Program

Fujifilm Professional Services Program

The standout feature with the Fujifilm Professional Services Program is a 1-year warranty extension.

Fujifilm Professional Services Program at $399 (really $434 here in California) is less of a value than Sony at $100, given that the camera and lens pricing is little different for pro gear, indeed some Sony gear is more costly. Except for that extended warranty.

In 6 years (2017 through today), I’ve had no circumstances with Fujifilm gear that would have made it important, so I’ve saved $2400 so far by not signing up.

* Fujifilm’s program has sales tax applied, Sony’s does not. So it is really ~$434 vs $100. Some aspect of Fujifilm’s offering must make the whole thing taxable, a poor program design IMO.

Positives

Fujifilm Professional Services Program Terms and conditions

  • 1-year extended warranty on any new, qualifying X Series and GFX System gear purchased and registered in a qualifying membership year
  • Two (2) free “Check and Clean” services on eligible gear
  • Fifty Percent (50%) off any additional Check and Clean services during the qualifying membership year
  • Thirty Percent (30%) off expedited repairs
  • Two (2) business day turn around on all services
  • Exclusive access to loaner equipment.

Negatives

The first two are unreasonable IMO.

For example, 2 days after subscribing to FPS, your camera is stolen and you do not replace it—no refund. Similarly, Apple AppleCare allows transfer with the computer—why not with camera gear?

  • You will not under any circumstance be entitled to receive any refund of the paid participation / membership fee from Fujifilm.
  • Non-transferable.
  • You will bear all risk of loss or damage to the Loaned Equipment while in your possession and until its return to Fujifilm.
  • $399/year
  • Warranty extension is “outsourced to a 3rd party”. Not much of a confidence builder.
  • Alaska and Hawaii residents are excluded. Is this just to save shipping costs?

About FPS

FUJIFILM Professional Services (FPS) provides outstanding support for professional photographers. For only $399 per year, qualified X Series and GFX System owners can rest assured that the FUJIFILM Professional Services Team is close at hand. Members in the FPS Program will receive exclusive phone and email support, two complimentary Check and Cleans, discounted and expedited services, and express repairs and loaners where applicable.

It’s easy! Just register any qualifying GFX System or X Series Products at www.RegisterMyFujifilm.com. When you’ve registered products with an aggregate MSRP value totaling $3,000 or more, you will become eligible to purchase your FPS membership!

Term and conditions apply. For full details, read here.


  • Receive 1 Year extended warranty on any new gear purchased and registered in a qualifying membership year
  • Dedicated phone number & email for customer support
  • 2 free check and clean services and 50% off on any additional check and clean services (does not include internal cleaning)
  • 30% off expedited repairs
  • 2 business day turn around on all services (some exclusions apply)
  • Exclusive access to loaner equipment (certain terms and conditions apply)

Dr S writes:

That Sony thing about Sony Protect is an interesting potential mess.

BTW, as I said earlier, I got the GFX100 II early on when stock was sparse. After I got the cam I discovered a problem. The dealer could not get any more stock for awhile so I bravely sent mine into Fujifilm.

To my delight they exchanged the $7500 body for another brand new one and paid all the shipping.....taking only one week! Had I not been an FPS member, who knows how long the check and repair time would have taken!

DIGLLOYD:

Upgrade Your Mac Memory
At much lower cost than Apple, with more options.

Lloyd recommends 64GB for iMac or Mac Pro for photography/videography.

Camera System Value Proposition: Sony A7R V vs Leica SL3 vs Fujifilm GFX100 II vs Hasselblad X2D

re: Leica SL3
re: Sony A7R V

Leica SL3
Sony A7R V

Some (eg Scott Adams) would say that the idea of “fairness” is for children and idiots. I suppose it depends on what you mean by it.

What is the “fair” comparison?

Similar cost?
Arbitrary naming conventions with no specific definition eg “APO”?
Manual vs autofocus?
Design or application intentions?
Lens speed eg is f/1.2 of greater value than f/2?
Totally subjective rendering style?

Hence... the children and idiots thing.

...

Hasselblad X2D
Fujifilm GFX100 II

If the $879 Voigtlander FE 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar can match or beat the $5095 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH, then what? And what about the autofocus Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM and/or Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, having a full 1.5 stops and 1 stop lens speed advantage and smaller and lighter too.

If the $949 Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar can match the $5195 Leica 35mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH, then what? And what about the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM? The Voigtlander outperforms it, but the Sony 35/1.4 is a darn fine lens and autofocus and a stop faster than the Voigtlander and the Leica.

See Roy P’s comments below on the relative sharpness of the Sony/Voigtlander vs Leica APO. And the regular leica 35mm and 50mm Summicron-SL lenses are grossly inferior to the APO versions.

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica SL3 35mm and 50mm System

CLICK TO VIEW: Sony A7R V 35mm and 50mm System

CLICK TO VIEW: Fujifilm Medium Format

CLICK TO VIEW: Hasselblad X2D Medium Format

Value

Sony is by far the best value.

Did I mention Sony Pro Services and Fujifilm Professional Services Program? Leica has nothing remotely comparable in service (as of 2024-March). Lame. Although there is a one-year warranty extension for registering your Leica gear (transferrable?).

And then there is the king-of-the-hill Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM vs Leica’s cheap knockoff 14-24 (seems to be a Sigma 14-24/2.8).

Where’s the value in paying a massive price premium for a Leica SL3 that does not even achieve feature parity and has glaring omissions vs the Sony A7R V?

A 100MP Hasselblad X2D is compelling vs a Leica SL3—fantastic Hasselblad XCD lenses that cost ~half as much. A Fujifilm GFX100 II system also some standout lenses like the Fujifilm GF 55mm f/1.7 and Fujifilm GF 20-35mm f/4... at half the price of Leica APO but without the fussy naming—massively superior value.

The way it works: buy Leica, then rationalize the choice—works every time!

System cost for various camera brands as of 2024-03-16 at bhphoto.com

Reader comments

Sylvester W writes:

I agree 100% with your opinion on this topic. It is exactly as you describe in your tests.

I'm just glad that so many reviewers don't see this scale and every time a new camera appears, they scream with delight as if it were some miracle. I'm not using any brand names here. We know perfectly well what this is about. The role of each reviewer should be to show the reliable side of the product in relation to the price we have to pay, the role of the manufacturer is advertising. By being subjected to any pressure or enthusiasm in a product review, the whole thing loses logic and sense. I hope that there is still a "free press" in this field, I wish you good luck and thank you for your reliability.

DIGLLOYD: see my compare/contrast of Sony vs Leica.

Roy P writes:

Absolutely. 

In my head to head comparisons at the same f-stops between the Leica 50 f/2 APO Summicron-SL and the Sony 50 f/1.2 GM, the two things that really stood out were (a) the Sony 50 GM is as sharp as the Leica APO-Summicron, and (b) the Sony actually has a shallower DOF than the Leica.  So the transition into out of focus is actually noticeably better with the Sony, if shallow DOF is your goal (e.g., people, subject isolation). 

OTOH, if max DOF is your goal (landscapes, cityscapes), then the Voigtlander FE 50 f/2 APO Lanthar (for Sony E mount) is as good as the Leica, perhaps even a tad superior.  So much so that when I first tested the CV 50 f/2 APO, I suspected Cosina might be cheating, pushing an f/2.8 or f/3.5 lens as an f/2, so I actually took test shots at the same ISO with the CV and another 50mm lens to verify that both lenses took the same exposure times!  (I think I had mentioned this to you a few years ago).

At any rate, a Sony A7R V + one extra Sony battery + Sony 50 f/1.2 GM + a CV 50 f/2 APO Lanthar VM for a total of about $6760 is $5,500+ less than the cost of the body of the SL3 ($6995) + BP-SCL6 battery ($170) + $5095 for the Leica 50 f/2 APO Summicron-SL, which add up to $12,265.  That $5500 can buy a slightly used Sony A1 in 9+ condition in the B&H Photo Used department, or finance more than two thirds of a Fuji GFX 100 II ($7500).

DIGLLOYD: yep.


Which is Better, Sony A7R V vs Leica SL3?

re: Leica SL3
re: Sony A7R V

Leica SL3

The Leica SL3 should be here Monday for review. Lenses might take a few more days though, so coverage likely end of week.

I am not all that keen on reviewing the non-APO 35mm and 50mm lenses but I have requested those, along with a lens I am keen to review, the Leica 21mm f/2 Super-APO-Summicron-SL ASPH.

If you already own Leica SL L-Mount lenses, particularly the fabulous reference-grade APO-Summicron wonders, then the Leica SL3 is the camera that will give you more for the same effort.

As for Zeiss ZM or Leica M lenses, these are nearly all turds on the SL3 or SL2 (or even M11)—they were never designed for the sensor cover glass, and M-lens performance is generally tapped-out around 24 megapixels*.

* A very few lenses do OK, like the Leica 35mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH and the Voigtlander VM 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar, and the Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon (stopped down). Most others show ridiculously poor performance and are unacceptable even at f/8.

Camera Infomercials

Recent video “reviews” of the Leica SL3 by coin-operated talking heads (soon to be replaced by AI?) are laughable entertainment worthy of mockery. But to be expected when 'coin' is involved, as in all-expenses-paid trips to Germany and/or early loaner gear which will not be forthcoming next go-round if the Right Things are not gushingly emitted.

That is, the things you could have been using for years now with the Other Brands.

That is the seamy underworld of the biz, and has been for as long as I’ve been reviewing photo gear. In my 15 years of experience, only one company is an exception to that. And it’s why I rarely if ever (for years now) get any loaner gear from camera companies in any timely manner or at all. It’s for the best.

As for usability/haptics/functionality: some photographers shoot differently than I do, obviously. But that is not an argument for general usefulness of a camera, it’s an N=1 anecdote. No logic can ruffle that “works for my limited needs” cognitive commitment.

When a camera does something particularly well and better than all the others, then that is an argument. Which is my point. But achieving parity is not much of an argument.

Sony A7R V vs Leica SL3

In diglloyd Mirrorless:

Leica SL3 vs Sony A7R V: General Comparison

Leica SL3 and Sony A7R V

FOR SALE: Leica M Lenses, Canon Lenses, Zeiss ZE for Canon DSLR, Schneider + Rodenstock, Nikon, Coastal Optics

Most items with original box, lenses with lens caps, etc, except as noted. Clear and clean glass, known-good lens samples owned by Lloyd.

Local sale (San Francisco Bay Area) preferred so buyer can inspect lens, but can ship FedEx insured. Contact Lloyd. Buyer pays FedEx insured shipping of choice.

  • All lenses here are “good samples” as far as my testing has determined; I never keep bad samples.
  • Nearly all are with original box and packaging (all that stuff up in the attic, I never throw away boxes).
  • My reputation is more important to me than any sale. I would never knowingly sell any gear with an issue. It’s that simple—just not worth it. Local buyers welcome to inspect firsthand.
  • All my glass tends to be pristine. If I see any kind of optical marring, I will note it prior to final sale.
  • Please note that new lenses have dust inside! Used lenses always have some dust, even after a week or two of use. NONE of my gear has ever gone to Burning Man or anything 1/10 that extreme.
  • Overseas is just too much of a hassle, but if payment is made I can hold a lens until buyer visits my area.

One-of-a-kind

  • Coastal Optics 60mm f/4 UV-VIS-IR APO Macro serial #002 (yes, the 2nd one ever made). Hand picked for me by Coastal Optics. Nikon F-Mount. $11250.
  • Zeiss ZF 25mm f/2.8 IR-Distagon. Rare model with infrared-friendly lens coatings for infrared photography. Hand picked for me by Zeiss. $3200.

Leica M

M lenses include box and leather case as shipped by Leica. These lenses are all in terrific shape.

Nikon

$2150 Nikon D850 with Really Right Stuff L-backet, known-good lens mount planarity (!), multiple batteries, box, 256GB + 128GB XQD cards, Zacuto loupe. Excellent condition, proven performer.

Canon

$1050 Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo Lens like new.
$offer Canon EF 50mm f/1.4, f/1.8, TC2X, TC1.4X

Zeiss

Hand-picked samples that I purchased directly from Zeiss.

Olympus

Schneider 400mm f/5.6 APO-TELE-XENAR MRC Compact

All on Linhof Technikardan lens boards, copal shutters.

  • FOR SALE Schneider 400mm f/5.6 APO-TELE-XENAR Copal shutter+ Linhof Technikardan lens board $1900 PRISTINE
  • $offer Rodenstock 135mm f/5.6 APO-Sironar-S Copal shutter + Linhof Technikardan lens board PRISTINE
  • $offer Schneider 150mm f/4 Tele-Xenar medium format lens (Pentacon)
  • $offer Carl Zeiss Jena 180mm f/2.8 MC Sonnar medium format lens (Pentacon 6 mount)

Tait S writes (unsolicited):

Lloyd, the Canon 5Ds R arrived today. It was well packed, arrived safely, and the contents of the package were as described. Thank you.

I want to share the condition of the camera with other potential buyers: When you rated this camera as excellent, you did not share what your scale is - "excellent" understates the condition compared to my experience elsewhere. I have purchased an E+ rated lens from bhphotovideo that was in worse condition than this. This camera arrived in better shape than any of my cameras have been in after even one weekend trip outdoors. Actually, with the very minor exception of a couple of hairline scratches on the top LCD readout, I can't tell it was used at all. The pricing of this camera was well below what it would sell for on ebay or other open market, and with confidence that I know the seller and that he has a reputation to maintain.

If you are ever selling anything I want in the future, I will buy with confidence the condition is at least as good as described, if not better. Thank you so much!

Fujifilm X100 VI: X-Trans sensor... Feature or Bug? + Sharpness Impressions

re: Fujifilm APS-C
re: Fujifilm X100VI — 40 megapixels in Compact Form Factor

Fujifilm X100VI

Fujifilm apparently has a hit on its hands, with extreme demand for the Fujifilm X100 VI pushing prices to 50% over list price or so over on ebay.

CLICK TO VIEW: Compact Cameras

Its 40 megapixels along with 6K video, built-in flash, IBIS, etc make this a standout compact camera for go-anywhere walk-around shooting at an aggressively low price vs the competition.

Compare Fujifilm X100VI to the $6000 Leica Q3 and you’ll see the outstanding value and thus the high demand needs little explanation: at about 1/4 the price the X100VI offers 90% of the utility. Maybe 100%.

I was hoping to get one on loan a few weeks ago, but so far nothing has showed up. OTOH, sharpness looks pathetic so I think I may just bail.

Fujifilm X100VI at Fujifilm-X.com, see also Fujifilm X100VI User Manual (idiotioc search does the web, not the manual, WTF)

  • 40.2MP (7728 X 5152) 23.5mm x 15.7mm APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR Sensor
  • Base ISO 125
  • X-Processor 5 Image Processor
  • Fujinon 23mm f/2 Lens
  • 23mm lens (35mm Full-Frame Equivalent)
  • Focus bracketing feature for focus stacking.
  • 6-Stop In-Body Image Stabilization
  • 425-Point Intelligent Hybrid AF System
  • Hybrid 0.66x OVF with 3.69m-Dot OLED EVF [diglloyd: decent but not great]
  • 3.0" 1.62m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen [diglloyd: mediocre]
  • Built-in flash
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • 20 Film Simulation Modes with REALA ACE
  • 1.1 pounds

Note: optional lens shade Fujifilm LH-X100 is not included, and is IMO essential for outdoor usage to protect the lens physically, as well as its marginal function of shielding the front lens element from stray light.

What it does NOT have:

BTW, will Sony ever update the Sony RX1R II to a Sony RX1R III with 60MP sensor?

Sharpness falls WAY short of expectations

I downloaded half a dozen RAW/RAF files to assess, all at f/5.6 and at reasonable distance. I checked them carefully for focus, etc. Sharpness at f/5.6 is DISMAL with or without Enhance Details. Clearly the lens is just adequate for 18-24 megapixels and little more. Sharpness fails to persuade even when downsampled to 24MP. Overall look of images is very nice, but do not buy the X100IV expecting to capture sharp images—I rate it as a 20MP camera in terms of detail, captured on a 40MP sensor. Sad to see Fujifilm use such an inadequate lens—same bad judgment as with Leica Q3/Leica Q2/Leica Q.

Sensor size and pixel pitch

Hasselblad X2D, Fujifilm GFX100 II, Sony A7R V/IV, Leica SL3 all have a pixel pitch of 3.76 microns.

With a pixel pitch of just 3.04 microns, diffraction dulling will be a limiting factor by f/5. Even at f/5.6, brilliance (micro contrast) will be visibly reduced vs f/4, by a degree similar to the dulling seen on 60MP full-frame cameras at f/8 vs f/5.6—very noticeable. Manageable but not ideal.

The 23.5 X 15.7mm 40-megapixel sensor suggests a 93 megapixel full frame sensor is feasible. Or a 155 megapixel sensor for Fujifilm medium format. That IMO is the sweet spot for both 35mm and medium format for a long long time.

X-Trans sensor — feature or bug?

Why does Fujifilm provide only low-resolution JPEG examples? Perhaps because full-res sharpness sucks from what I see when processing with my best technique in RAW.

Fujifilm-X.com: XTrans CMOS “X-Trans controls moiré while achieving high resolution without the use of a low-pass filter”. [diglloyd: solution in search of a problem at this pixel pitch, an absurdity. All it does is to create unnatural looking image rendition.]

I was never a fan of the X-Trans sensor with its  plasticized “Pac Mac” fractalized look to fine image details. Extremely digital looking, ironic given that is what it is supposed to address. But maybe things have moved along after some years now.

Apparently Adobe Camera Raw *does* support both Enhance Details or AI Denoise with X-Trans, and since those technologies are the biggest advance in image quality in ten years, which keeps the 40MP images from the X100VI in a league with other cameras of its genre (at least in general terms).

Thus while the X100VI image quality should be superb and together with the Adobe goodies, it might be able to deliver results comparable to the 45MP cameras from Nikon and Canon (who still lack 60MP offerings). There are no other-brand 40MP APS-C cameras yet, but Fujfilm does have the Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujifilm X-H2.

Below: solution in search of a problem? With 3 micron pixels, moiré is not likely to be much of an issue excepti in rare circumstances. IMO, the cure is worse than the disease based on what I saw with X-Trans some years ago. But maybe the demosaicing process has improved.

Fujifilm X100VI
Fujifilm X100VI

Sony A7R V Also has a “Symmetric” Mode for Focus Bracketing.

re: Hasselblad X2D 100C: Step Size for its Focus Bracketing Feature

The idea (well, one idea) is that by focus bracketing, a better overall image can be had in 3D scenes where it can be difficult to determine the best point of focus. Shoot the bracket, then later assess which is best.

Reader Glenn K writes:

Sony A7R V can do a 3-shot focus bracket, one front and one back focused… but I haven’t played with the spacing

DIGLLOYD: somehow I hadn’t noticed that!

With Focus Bracket Order = 0 →- →+, the Sony A7R V fixes the shots at 3.

Step Size is applicable and can be configured also.

Useful to be sure, but not as useful as Hasselblad’s Symmetric mode, which places no restriction on the number of shots.

   
Sony A7R V: 3-shot focus bracket

Focus Bracketing to Find the Best Overall Image in a 3D Scene

re: Hasselblad X2D 100C: Best Focus Bracketing Support Yet of Any Brand?
re: Hasselblad X2D 100C: Step Size for its Focus Bracketing Feature

Reader Michael Erlewine writes:

I am trying to understand and utilize what your wrote of the various kinds of focus stacking.

I understand the first (to infinity) and the second (from far to near), yet I still don’t understand the use of the Symmetric mode.

I would tend to use the second mode, and with my technical camera I lock the most distant part of the subject I want in focus and make my focus rail have a hard stop there, leaving the rest for bokeh. It’s great that you did the work up you did and I appreciate it. Now to fully understand it and put it to work.

DIGLLOYD: as I am thinking of it, Symmetric mode would be best used for a focus bracket for the purpose of selecting the best sharpness “landing zone” for the subject.

Make your best guess at optimal focus placement, then shoot with Symmetric with at least 4 total frames. One of them is likely to be significantly better for sharpness cutting through the subject in a better way.

The bonus of doing this is you could decide to do a “short stack” if conditions allow, or you could simply select one single frame as the best of the lot. You can’t lose.

Example

Consider this image from Earth Shadow Rises over Aspen.

Where exactly should you focus in order to have maximum foreground sharpness without giving up sharpness to the storage shed? Depth of field is asymmetric (more to the distance), and the lens could have a little focus shift and/of field curvature, and the subject spans a significant neaer/far distance.

All these things together make it difficult to be sure of the zone of sharp focus on such a complex scenes, including the visual impact of what is unsharp and by how much.

Indeed, the lens here *does* have a slight forward focus shift. I did pretty well with my focus placement (see the full aperture series), but it is likely that some slightly different focus placement would have produced a better overall result.

Earth Shadow Rises over Aspen
f1.7 @ 1/10 sec EFC shutter, ISO 80; 2023-10-18 17:37:24
Fujifilm GFX100 II + Fujifilm GF 55mm f/1.7 WR @ 45.3mm equiv (55mm)
ENV: Colorado, altitude 8400 ft / 2560 m, 42°F / 5°C
RAW: Camera VELVIA, Enhance Details, LACA corrected, WB 5000°K tint 18, +30 Shadows, +20 Whites, +10 Clarity, AI Denoise 10

[low-res image for bot]

 

CLICK TO VIEW: Hasselblad X2D System

 

Hasselblad X2D: Still no Pixel Shift or Frame Averaging... why?

Hasselblad X2D 100C

re: Announced: Hasselblad X2D-100C with 100 Megapixel Sensor, IBIS, Phase-Detect AF

Back in October 2022 I wondered why the Hasselblad X2D did not include a pixel shift feature, ideally one like the Panasonic S1R.

The IBIS technology enables pixel shift and/or multi-shot, and with 0.1 pixel sensitivity, it ought to work great:.

The X2D 100C is equipped with an in-house-developed IBIS system for medium format cameras that currently is the most compact in the industry.* It can detect camera movements down to 0.1-pixel. These movements can then be compensated for by employing the 5-axis 7-stop image stabilisation to make shooting more effortless in low-shutter-speed scenarios.

Back in 2022 I asked these question:

DIGLLOYD: Does the X2D support any version of pixel shift or multi-shot?
Hasselblad: No. Multi-shot and/or pixel shift are not planned for the X2D 100C.

DIGLLOYD: Does the X2D support any form of frame averaging?
Hasselblad:The X2D 100C does not support frame averaging.

Here in 2024, there is no pixel shift and there is no frame averaging support. Why?

Hasselblad did not promise, but still it’s disappointing.

The frame averaging thing is particularly baffling—so easy to implement, yet only PhaseOne offers it. At least for some cases, frame averaging is a 'killer'feature, making the whole ETTR thing moot.

Hasselblad X2D 100C

Built-in 1TB SSDinsanely fast and very nice if your work allows for plugging the camera in for connectivity. And with USB 3.0, transfers should be very fast. If it allows also writing to a card as a backup (or alternative download solution), it's A-OK with me, but the specs say that a CF Express Type B card is limited to 512GB... why the limit on capacity?

OLED EVF with 5.76 megadots. Not as nice as the Sony A1, but on par with the Leica SL2 and superior to the 3.69m-Dot OLED EVF of the Fujifilm GFX100S. The 1.0X magnification means extraordinarily nice viewing.

WiFi support great for some though of no value in the field to me.

Flash sync speed up to 1/2000 second via the lens leaf shutters or 1/4000 with electronic shutter, compatible with various Nikon flashes.

Startup time — the CPU in the X2D needs to be 2X faster to just to support twice the megapixels. But the X1D and X1D II were already slow as molasses, making them a frustrating choice for quick shots: those cameras had to boot-up like some old Windows 3 PC. The desired image was often gone by the time the camera was ready! With high battery drain, it was not feasible to leave the camera turned-on in the field. This single issue is IMO a major consideration. Has Hasselblad made the camera startup in 1 second or less? IMO a camera MUST be ready within 1 second once turned on, or it is a marginal choice for many types of photography.

Controls— no 4-way controller, no direct AF control, paucity of useful buttons, buttons that are troublesome in the dark or with gloves, etc. IMO, the emphasis on attractive design is all good, but a serious flaw when it means the lack of crucial operational controls. I despise camera design that makes simple things harder and slower.

Thank you for ordering your Hasselblad X2D 100C and new lenses through the links on this site.

Hasselblad X2D 100C

Hasselblad X2D 100C: Step Size for its Focus Bracketing Feature

Approximation of Airy Disc
vs sensor photosite size

re: Hasselblad X2D 100C: Best Focus Bracketing Support Yet of Any Brand?

The Hasselblad X2D user manual apparently contains an error regarding the step size: the figures are the same as for the 50-megapixel Hasselblad X1D II 50C. Of course, it could be that the the manual is correct and the firmware is buggy. Presumably not.

CLICK TO VIEW: Hasselblad X2D System

Hasselblad X2D 100C: Step Size

Pixel pitch (PP) = linear dimension of a sensor photosite eg 3.76 microns on the Hasselblad X2D, Fujifilm GFX100*, Sony A7R IV/V, and 5.3 microns on Hasselblad X1D.

Most cameras offer 10 step sizes. Hasselblad went with 5 steps. This is probably OK.

Discussion in the X2D manual is really good with respect to its pictures/diagrams, in terms of helping photographers understand the general idea. But in terms of actionable choices vs aperture choice, it is not helpful.

Discussion ignores a key issue: Airy Disc size (see Resolving to the Sensor Resolution), and talks only to Circle of Confusion (CoC). The Airy Disc is the minimum resolvable spot size whereas CoC as used in the manual apparently defines a cutoff for how much out of focus blur is acceptable, eg depth of field.

Behavior of a Bayer matrix sensor is sloppy compared to both both CoC and Airy Disc; the sensor cannot actually resolve a single pixel (pixel shift mode might do it). And real lenses often don’t behave nicely for the maths, what with focus shift and field curvature and aberrations that smear things.

Both Airy Disc and CoC must be considered for optimal images. Were that not true, f/22 would be the aperture to use for every landscape photo. But at f/22, you get a massive loss of contrast and resolution: a very deep zone of mashed detail (very large Airy Disc eg no fine detail) and grayed-out contrast... garbage.

There is a sweet spot for depth of field vs Airy Disc size vs sensor pixel pitch which boils down to f/5 to f/9 range for the X2D and similar and 35mm cameras. And only that range.

Below, the table is defining the cutoff criteria is for the Circle of Confusion used to determine the scaling factor based on aperture for the step size. But it is ignoring Airy Disc.

For any Step Size, use of f/11 vs f/5.6 means steps 2X as deep with 1/2 the frames. Given that, these numbers have no practical utility for the photographer. They are useful only in the context of the Airy Disc, which Hasselblad does not discuss.

Cutoff values as per Hasselblad user manuals
Step Size X1D II 50C X2D 100C
Extra Small 1 * PP = 5.3 1 * PP = 3.76
Small 4/3 * PP= 7.1 4/3 * PP = 5.0
Medium 2 * PP = 10.6 2 * PP = 7.5
Large 4 * PP = 21.2 4 X PP = 15.0
Extra Large 6 * PP = 31.8 6 X PP = 22.6
The step size is related to the depth of field (DoF) produced by the camera at a given aperture. this means that the actual focus shift in the subject will be larger with a higher aperture number. E.g. f/4 will give a smaller step than f/11. However, before each exposure, the camera will automatically calculate the actual step size using the current focus position, focal length of the lens, aperture and pixel dimensions of the sensor.

Recommendations for Step Size for Hasseblad X2D

Based on consideration of both CoC and Airy Disc size for the aperture along with considering how the X2D Bayer matrix sensor behaves, along with long experience focus stacking.

Choose shooting aperture, then choose the Step Size that keeps the CoC + Airy Disc consistent with each other.

For example, it rarely if ever makes sense to use Extra Small at f/11 because the Airy Disc is huge at ~14 microns, so an cutoff off 3.76 makes little sense—the Airy Disc is 14X larger in area than the cutoff size.

However, it’s not always just numbers. Additional overlap in real-world images can be important when focus stacking. For example, two things at very different distances can cause blur haloes which make it nearly impossible to achieve a quality result. Tighter spacing can help in such cases. Another case is a scene with motion, where subject matter in one frame is more acceptable than another, and both are reasonably sharp.

Symmetric mode (single-shot intent for best actual focus): go with Extra Small to achieve fine-tuned focus positions, along with 4 to 6 frames. One of those should be just right for the 3D subject you are capturing.

All of this assumes perfection in execution by the camera. Accordingly, these trecommendations are tentative pending my field use of the X2D. The best way to be sure is to shoot the same stack once at with Small and another time with Medium, then stack them and check all resultings aspects.

Recommended Step Size vs Aperture
f/# Airy Disc Size Recommended Step Size Comment
2 2.54 Extra Small, CoC = 3.76 Not advised for focus stacking
2.8 3.55 Extra Small, CoC = 3.76 Not advised for focus stacking
4 5.08 Small, CoC = 5.0 Not advised for focus stacking
5.6 7.11 Small, CoC = 5.0
Medium, CoC = 7.5
Peak brilliance but more frames at f/5.6.
8 10.15 Medium, CoC = 7.5 Brilliance is dulling, but fewer frames.
11 13.96 Large, CoC = 15.0 F/11 impacts resolution and contrast noticeably.
16 20.3 Large, CoC = 15.0 Not advised for any situation.

Airy Disc size by aperture

Helps explain the above recommendations.

The Airy Disc size rapidly overwhelms the pixel pitch. For example, at f/8, the Airy Disc size is around 10 microns, so a Step Size of Medium makes sense. But at f/5.6, you’d perhaps want to use Small, and at f/4, Extra Small. This idea is NOT explained well.

Airy Disc size rapidly overwhelms the pixel pitch of the X2D . Thus the choice of Step Size really comes down not to depth of field as stated, but resolvable detail. And that depends only on aperture. Thus it becomes an exercise of choosing a step size that is symbiotic with the shooting aperture.

Airy Disk diameter microns ~= 2.44 × wavelength × FNumber / 1000

Even though the Airy Disc size of 7.11 microns at f/5.6 is already 4X larger in area than the 3.76 micron photosites, there is very little detectable diffraction loss. Hence I take 2 * pixel pitch as the cutoff for acceptable Airy Disc size.

Airy Disc vs Aperture
f/# Airy Disk Diameter at 520nm (microns) [Edmund Optics]
2 2.54
2.8 3.55
4 5.08
5.6 7.11
8 10.15
11 13.96
16 20.30

 

Hasselblad X2D: focus bracketing support

Hasselblad also does an excellent job of explaining step size.

Hasselblad X2D: focus bracketing support

 


CFExpress Type B Card: 2TB for only $564

OWC 2TB Atlas Ultra CFexpress 4.0 Type B Memory Card
OWC 2TB Atlas Ultra CFexpress 4.0 Type B Memory Card

Cameras that take CFExpress Type B: Fujifilm GFX 100 II, Hasselblad X2D, Nikon Z8/Z9,

Awesome speed and awesome capacity. No camera can come close to utilizing its full speed, which matches the fastest USB4 SSDs.

The OWC 2TB Atlas Ultra CFexpress 4.0 Type B Memory Card card is just $564 after coupon applied in card.

The OWC 1TB Atlas Ultra CFexpress 4.0 Type B Memory Card card is just $413 after coupon applied in card.

The 2TB is the smart move, given the modest price difference.

You will use it for many years to come and it will always be full factory-fresh speed with OWC Innergize.

It also makes a terrific wallet backup. Carry all your really critical stuff (encrypted too!) right in your wallet. I do!


Hasselblad X2D 100C: Best Focus Bracketing Support Yet of Any Brand? Symmetric Mode for Just-Right Focus

Stellar support by Hasselblad vs non-support of the Leica SL3.

Hasselblad X2D

When I reviewed the Hasselblad X2D back in October 2022 it wasn’t ready for prime time—full of bugs, beta quality really. And it lacked a focus stacking feature.

I do want to try out the X2D’s stacking support, but what also intrigues me is the best support I’ve ever seen for getting the focus just right.

CLICK TO VIEW: Hasselblad X2D System

Hasselblad focus stacking support

Near-to-far and far-to-near — all good and there with other cameras.

But what intrigues me is a very smart feature over and above what Fujifilm, Sony, Nikon offer.

Often when making an image, it is not clear what the idea point of focus should be. Given field curvature and focus shift, sharpness may land not quite where one hopes. A very small change in focus can yield a far superior or inferior image when shooting at distance eg landscapes. This matters hugely even at f/5.6 and even with relatively short focal lengths.

X2D Symmetric mode

Symmetric mode first takes a picture as focused, but with capture sharpness deviating from plan due to both focus shift and/or field curvature—the bane of all high-res cameras.

And/or a slight focusing error. And/or serious difficulty in determining the best place to focus in a 3D scene eg the intersection of the subject as a whole with the zone of sharp focus of the image. It doesn’t matter how skilled you are or how much experience—that can be very difficult with some scenes.

However, the X2D then takes additional images at both closer and more distant focus. One of those could be significantly better than the others.

Assuming this works the way it sounds, this means that for purposes of optimizing depth of field in a single shot (no focus stacking), you could set the camera to takes 2/3/4 exposures, then select the one that incorporates the best sharpness for the scene, probably on the computer but possibly even on the camera.

To my knowledge, no other camera offers this mode. Good work Hasselblad!

Step size

See Hasselblad X2D 100C: Step Size for its Focus Bracketing Feature.

Hasselblad X2D: focus bracketing support

Hasselblad also does an excellent job of explaining step size.

Hasselblad X2D: focus bracketing support

 


Botched Design: Leica SL3/Leica SL2 has no Focus Stacking / Focus Bracketing Support?

re: botched design
re: please fix this Leica

re: Botched Design: Leica SL3 *removes* High-Res Multi-Shot Mode
re: Botched Design: Leica SL3 is sRGB Only and Lacks RGB Histogram

Leica SL3

Sometimes the obvious is just staring you in the face and you can’t see it because you just know something that unforgiveably stupid couldn’t (not) be there.

I've searched the Leica SL3 and Leica SL2 user manuals, and as far as I can tell, there is no support for focus stacking on the SL3/SL3 aka Focus BKT on Fujifilm and “focus shift” on Nikon and “focus bracket” on Sony, etc etc.

Meanwhile, every other brand has focus stacking support and Hasselblad X2D rocks.

This ludicrous botched design makes sense in a way—consistent with other botched design problem with Leica cameras.

Especially without focus stacking support, I am wavering on whether to review the Leica SL3. Focus stacking is the #1 way I take pictures nowadays. If a camera cannot do it, game over.

I’m thinking it makes more sense to revisit the Hasselblad X2D which is a better camera for a similar price, and which now has focus stacking vs the original firmware I tested back on autumn 2022.

The Panasonic S1R not only supports focus stacking, it can do so in multi-shot high-res mode—awesome. Note well that the Leica SL2 is closely related to the Panasonic S1R, with shared lens mount and firmware algorithms(eg multi-shot high-res mode). But Leica has seen fit to omit these key features.

A camera so brain damaged that it does not support focus stacking, has sRGB only for JPG, has no RGB histogram, and that removes the only usable/good pixel shift/multi-shot feature in the industry... that’s camera design by morons. It takes serious jackassery to screw up even one of those things. But to shit the bed with all four wins the prize for incompetent dilettantism.

Roy P writes:

AFAIK, the SL2 never had automated focus stepping of any kind.

DIGLLOYD: wow.

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica Cameras and 60MP stuff and 50mm lenses

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica Cameras and 60MP stuff and 50mm lenses

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica L-Mount lenses


Leica has Lost Its Way — Dead-End on the M Series, Heavy and Expensive Leica SL

Voigtlander VM 35mmf/2 APO-Lanthar
Voigtlander VM 35mmf/2 APO-Lanthar

It’s curious and disappointing that Leica with its long and storied rangefinder history is unable to muster any lenses similar to the Voigtlander FE 35mm f/2 APO Distagon and Voigtlander FE 50mm f/2 APO Distagon and Voigtlander FE 65mm f/2 APO.

Stuck in a rut with M lenses which suck at 60MP (or half that) on Leica M11 and Leica SL3... and with only one lens (the 35/2 APO) remotely approaching the reference grade Voigtlander VM APO lenses, and nothing of similar caliber for SL at less than 5X the price + 4X the size.

CLICK TO VIEW: Top Picks for Leica SL3 Lenses

And yet Cosina Voigtlander can deliver the 35/2 and 50/2 and more for Nikon Z, for Sony FE, for Leica M. Maybe Voigtlander can do an L-Mount version. Did I mention that to my hands, the Voigtlander haptics are way better Leica’s, and I prefer the build quality too?

If you want large and heavy and exceptional, Nikon gets the job done with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct and Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S and Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena. You do not need a Leica SL3 for that style shooting, and those Nikon lenses produce gorgeous images (as do many Sony lenses).

So on the Leica SL3 we’re left with large heavy expensive lenses, and the non APO ones are not likely to be standouts vs the Voigtlander offerings and they are larger and heavier. All for autofocus and maybe that’s worth it for the red dot mystique.

I see NO POINT to buying Leica non APO SL lenses for $2K when you can do better with Sony lenses for less. SL APO or hang up your jock strap: why would you buy a $7K camera so you can shoot entry-level lenses that any comparable Sony or Voigtlander lens can match or beat for a fraction or the price?

What happened to Leica? The M series has failed to evolve to what could be a seriously interesting camera usable by those with aging eyes and with far more accurate focusing eg an M-mount with EVF instead of rangefinder, plus modern lens designs to match à la Voigtlander.

Alas. Wandering aimlessly in bygone days on the M-front, while producing buffalo scrotum leather special editions for dilettantes when so many good ideas could be implemented.

Meanwhile, for 1/5 to 1/8 the cost the Voigtlander VM APO lenses mostly trounce the derelict Leica M designs (one exception, the Leica 35/2APO, the Leica 50/2 APO sucks though).

You either get a throwback rangefinder with its error-prone focusing or you get huge and heavy SL stuff. I think Leica is missing two boats here.

CLICK TO VIEW: OWC Atlas Ultra/Pro and Card Reader at BHPhoto

CLICK TO VIEW: OWC Atlas Ultra/Pro and Card Reader at OWC

The One Lens I’d Want First for the Leica SL3

Leica 35mmf/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH
Leica 35mmf/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

The 60MP sensor of the Leica SL3 even shorn of the MULTISHOT mode of Leica SL2 still needs top performance for full resolution captures.

What is going on with Leica lens design?

Were I to pick just one lens as the best all-arounder, it would be the Leica 35mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH. With outstanding performance, near-nil distortion, and minimal focus shift, none of its siblings can quite compete with its combination of goodness and highly useful focal length.

I’d also be keen on the Leica 21mm /2 Super-APO-Summicron-SL ASPH though it might be worth trying the Leica 14-24mm f/2.8 Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL ASPH just for the range and flexibility.

If your budget is not blown from that, then explain to The Wife about how nice the lenses are, get her a Leica Q3, and things should work out OK from there.

CLICK TO VIEW: OWC Atlas Ultra/Pro and Card Reader at BHPhoto

CLICK TO VIEW: OWC Atlas Ultra/Pro and Card Reader at OWC

Recommended Camera Cards for Leica SL3, Nikon Z8, Fujifilm GFX100 II, etc

The Leica SL3 now has a CFExpress Type B slot. That’s the one to use for maximum responsiveness and/or burst shooting.

Sony uses the much smaller CFExpress Type A. Expect more selection and a price drop this year. The industry will mostly move to Type A within a few years.

At speeds far faster than most SSDs, the OWC Atlas Ultra cards are perfect for the SL3.

For that 2nd card slot, the OWC Atlas SDXC cards are excellent, but I like to use a 1TB SDXC card as a secondary.

You’ll want the OWC Atlas CFExpress 4.0 Type B Card Reader USB4 for ultra-fast downloads. The OWC Atlas FXR is a bit smaller and thinner though, and still good for ~1.5 GB/sec.

These recommendations also apply to Nikon Z8 and Fujifilm GFX100 II and any camera with a CFExpress Type B slot ().

Click to see additional substantial discount on 1TB and 2TB Ultra and others (as of March 8).

OWC Thunderblade Thunderbolt SSD

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Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm f/2.8 ASPH

Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm f/2.8 ASPH

The about $2495 Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm f/2.8 ASPH is a wide angle zoom extending the range a bit wider vs the Leica 16-35mm f/2.8 Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL ASPH.

  • Full-Frame
  • f/2.8 to f/22
  • Fast Ultra-Wide Zoom
  • Three Aspherical Elements
  • Multi-Layer & Aqua-Dura Coatings
  • Dust and Moisture-Resistant Design
  • Fixed Metal Lens Hood

I’d like to review the Leica 14-24 on the new Leica SL3, and against the Leica 21mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH and Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN.

The Leica 14-24 sure looks a tad similar to the Sigma... at twice the price but half the warranty. Seems like good value to me. As well as worth examining in an A/B test.

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica L-Mount lenses

Manufacturer’s description

As per Leica. See also the datasheet.

The Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24 f/2.8 ASPH. is the first SL lens to feature a 14 mm focal length, introducing a versatile and fast super wide-angle zoom lens to the SL range.

Designed with 18 lens elements—3 of which are aspherical—distributed in 13 groups, it masterfully negates distortions and chromatic aberrations, delivering sterling imagery and video quality at any aperture and focal length.
[DIGLLOYD: distortion charts are not offered to substantiate that claim]

Its range of applications extends from architecture and interior shots to street, astro and landscape photography. Its integrated metal lens hood not only minimises unwanted flare but also serves as a protective shield for the strongly curved front lens. Furthermore, an integrated holder on the bayonet connection allows the use of filters.

  • Compact and fast ultra-wide-angle zoom lens with a wide range of applications for photo and video
  • Especially suitable for landscape, architecture, interior, street and astrophotography
  • Working range from 0.28 m to ∞
  • 18 lens elements distributed in 13 groups — 3 of which are aspherical
  • Full-metal aluminum housing
  • Integrated lens hood and metal lens cap
  • AquaDura ® coating for dust and spray protection for use in everyday photography under extreme
    conditions
  • Largest scale: 14 mm: 1:11.4 │ 24 mm: 1:7.4
  • Length: 131 mm
  • Weight: 855 g
  • L-Mount bayonet

Specifications

Leica Super-Vario-Elmarit-SL 14-24mm f/2.8 ASPH
Focal length: 14-24mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 - f/22
Optical design: 18 elements in 13 groups
Entrance pupil position before bayonet: 14mm: 96.2mm | 24mm: 91.6mm
Working range: 14mm: 280mm to INF
24mm: 280mm to INF
Largest reproduction ratio: 14mm: 1:11.4
24mm: 1:7.4
Angular field, diag./horiz./vert 112.4° / 102.4° / 79.3°
Filter thread: rear slot
Weight (as actually weighed): TBD
Weight, nominal: 855g
Dimensions: 131mm X 85mm
Includes: Front Lens Cap
Rear Lens Cap
Lens Bag
Limited 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty

Optical design

Optical designs compared

The design is strikingly similar to the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for Leica L.

Both lenses have 18 elements in 13 groups, 3 aspherical elments, and 6 ED elements, have the same lens hood design, rear filter slot, etc.

Actuall, the optical design is identical.

You do get the Leica ergonomics and “yes... my precious” red dot, and a grossly inferior lens case to Sigma’s outstanding one, so there is that.

And possibly the Leica version is optically tweaked for optimal performance on the Leica SL3 along with superior quality control?

The Sigma gets a 4-year warranty, but Leica doubles the price and cuts the warranty in half. Now that’swhat I call value—for Leica shareholders.

 

 
Leica 21mm f/2 Super-APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

OWC Atlas Ultra CFExpress 4.0 Type B: Faster than most SSDs!

The OWC Atlas Ultra CFExpress Type B card family now supports CFExpress 4.0 for insanely fast speeds.

I’m not sure, but Thunderbolt 5, coming later this year, might enable even faster speeds.

Along comes the OWC Atlas CFExpress 4.0 Type B Card Reader USB4 and you now have camera card and reader that hugely outperforms most external SSDs.

A camera card. See graphs below.

About $100: OWC Atlas USB4 CFexpress 4.0 Type B Card Reader
About $480: OWC Atlas Ultra 1TB
About $680: OWC Atlas Ultra 2TB

Read speed (eg for downloads)

See also: Camera Cards for Wallet Backups — SDXC vs CFExpress Type B, APFS Encryption

Below, read speed is comparable to the fastest external SSDs I have ever tested—WOW!

Regular SSDs cannot even approach these speeds (most USB SSDs cannot even do 1000 MiB/sec).

At this speed, downloading 2 terabytes of video footage should take only 598 seconds (10 minutes). Assuming you have a fast enough SSD on your computer to download to!

OWC Atlas Ultra 1.0TB: 3189 MiB/sec = 3344 MB/sec
OWC Express 1M2 4TB: 3136 MiB/sec = 3288 MB/sec
OWC Express 1M2 8TB: 3294 MiB/sec = 3454 MB/sec

Read speed: OWC Atlas Ultra, OWC Express 1M2

Read/Write speed

See also: Camera Cards for Wallet Backups — SDXC vs CFExpress Type B, APFS Encryption

I brutalized the card by using diglloydTools DiskTester Java (dtj).

No camera or video capture ever remotely approaches this extreme level of write demands. You’d have to shoot 100MP RAW images at 30 fps to make write-speed demands this ridiculous. And yet, the Atlas Ultra shrugged it off.

At ~1600 MiB/sec = 1677 MB/sec, the Atlas Ultra should be able to accept 13-15 100 megapixel RAW images per second. Since no 100MP camera today can do more than about 3-4 fps, that provides a “small” margin.

Below: after 250GB or so unrelenting continuous writing, the Atlas Ultra dropped its sustained speed to “only” ~1600 MiB/sec eg 60% faster than the fastest USB-C SSD. With a camera card. Dang!

Read speed: OWC Atlas Ultra, OWC Express 1M2

 


Leica 21mm f/2 Super-APO-Summicron-SL: Introduction and Comments

Leica 21mm f/2 Super-APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

Not sure when it ships, but I’d like to review it on the new Leica SL3.

...

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica L-Mount lenses

The about $5195 Leica 21mm f/2 Super-APO-Summicron-SL ASPH is a strongly wide angle lens.

  • Full-Frame
  • f/2 to f/22
  • Dual Synchro Drive AF Motor
  • Fast Ultra-Wide Prime
  • 3 Aspherical Elements

Optical performance is ultra-high as per its MTF chart, mimicking its 28/2 sibling but with significantly less consistancy across the frame.

As with its 28/2 sibling the 21/2 most likely has strong distortion requiring distortion correction, which degrades sharpness significantly, unlike its 35/2 sibling which is a ~zero distortion lens. Since Leica hides the optical distortion from us (not included in datasheet, violating decades of precedent), it is hard to assess without field shots. This is surely not an accidental omission, a dog that is not barking.

Manufacturer’s description

As per Leica. See also the datasheet.

A world first

When the minds at Leica set their sights on innovation, they don't just aim to improve: they aim to set new milestones and create masterpieces of photography. That's exactly what they've done with the Leica Super-APO-Summicron-SL 21 f/2 ASPH. — the world's first APO lens with a 21mm focal length.

No compromises on performance

[DIGLLOYD: this appears to be FALSE in two senses: astigmatism is high (not unusual), but mainly this: Leica does not disclose optical distortion in the datasheet, or anywhere, and the dog that is not barking is no mention of distortion anywhere. Which almost certainly means mandatory sharpness robbing software correction. A 21mm f/2 is considerably more challenging than a 28mm f/2 and distortion is high with the 28/2, which means distortion correction, which means substantial loss of micro contrast in areas stretched-apart by the correction].

This high-performance wide-angle lens captures images and videos with superior optical performance. Its broad viewing angle offers stunning perspectives and intricate detail. True to Leica's APO lens pedigree, it delivers exceptional contrast even when the lighting is less than ideal, opening up creative possibilities through exact control of focus and bokeh. Natural skin tones, smooth gradients, and corner-to-corner sharpness come standard with Leica APO-Lenses. They have everything a demanding photographer needs, whether you're shooting landscapes, interiors, architecture, or engaged in photojournalism and studio work.

[DIGLLOYD: isn’t it odd to not mention distortion, a major concern for landscape, architecture, interiors, etc, when all of these can have stricdt requirements for no low distortion?].

Construction in detail

With 14 carefully engineered lenses — three of them aspherical — arranged in 11 groups, this lens offers peak performance right from the widest aperture settings.

What sets it apart is its apochromatic correction, making it the world's first 21mm APO lens designed for full-frame cameras. To eliminate chromatic aberration, most of the lens elements are made of a special custom glass featuring anomalous partial dispersion, made possible by cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and sophisticated workmanship.

Sounds good. Am I’m sure it’s very very good. But the distortion rankles.

Leica 21mm f/2 Super-APO-Summicron-SL ASPH
Focal length: 21mm
Optical design: 14 elements in 11 groups
Entrance pupil position: 22.9mm before bayonet
Working range: 8.3 in = 21cm to INF
Largest reproduction ratio: 0.19X = 1:5.3
covers 127 × 191 mm
Angular field, diag./horiz./vert 91.7°/81.2°/59.5°
Filter thread: 67mm
Weight (as actually weighed): TBD
Weight, nominal: 1.7 lb = 789 g
Dimensions (with caps): 2.9 x 4 in =73 x 102 mm
Includes: Front Lens Cap
Rear Lens Cap
Lens Bag
Limited 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Leica 21mm f/2 Super-APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

Botched Design: Leica SL3 is sRGB Only and Lacks RGB Histogram

re: botched design
re: please fix this Leica

Bad enough that we lost multi-shot high-res mode with the SL3...

Leica SL3

On the “hold my beer” how-stupid-can-it-get dilettante front:

Leica SL3/SL2 also offers only sRGB for JPEG. Thus destroying vibrant reds and other colors for JPEG shooters. See Leica M11 sRGB-only Color Gamut Creates Dull and Lifeless Images for JPEG Shooters.

Leica SL3/SL2 has no RGB histogram.

RGB histogram is my #1 tool for evaluating exposure. The color part is critical in very blue light or other conditions. We can bitch and moan about the lack of essential tools like this, but...

There can be no argument that crushing colors is ever acceptable.

It doesn’t get any stupider when designing a digital camera.

But at least added more choices to self timer.

CLICK TO VIEW: CFExpress Type B

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica Cameras and 60MP stuff and 50mm lenses

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica L-Mount lenses

Botched Design: Leica SL3 *removes* High-Res Multi-Shot Mode

re: botched design
re: please fix this Leica

re: Leica SL2 Multi-Shot High-Res Mode vs ACR Super Resolution Mode

Leica SL3

According to the Leica SL3 user manual, Leica has removed the 8-shot “MULTISHOT” mode from the Leica SL3. Or at least there is no mention of it in the user manual. So disappointing.

On the “existence proof” front, the Olympus E-M1 Mark II (circa 2020) has 3.33 micron pixels vs 3.76 microns for the Leica SL3, so this does not seem like a technical issue.

Meanwhile, there are outright destructive design choices in Leica SL3/SL2/M11.

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica Cameras and 60MP stuff and 50mm lenses

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica L-Mount lenses

Drive Mode

Multishot is gone witih Leica SL3.

Why would Leica remove the one and only feature distinguishing the camera from the competition. Mind boggling!

   
Leica SL2 vs Leica SL3: Multishot mode REMOVED
   
Leica SL2: Multishot mode

Leica SL3: 60 Megapixels, 8K Video, etc

re: botched design and color space and gamut
• Leica has the most brain dead camera on the market for color rendition. Inexcusably stupid: "Color space Photo: sRGB". No AdobeRGB. So ALL your bright/saturated reds and greens will be mashed/trashed. JPEG = garbage color for images that won’t fit into sRGB (any bright red!). Your RGB histogram will be extra misleading... oh wait, it doesn’t have one. Design by dilettantes.
• The Leica SL3 apparently REMOVES the multi-shot high-res mode of the Leica SL2. See: Thoughts on Ultra High Resolution Imagery with Multi-Shot High-Res Mode. I can find no mention of it in the manual.

Leica SL3

All good, glad to see a 60MP Leica SL camera body. A little late to the party, the Sony A7R V having been out for 15 months already, but still nice to see. Still, that beats Canon and Nikon, still trailing at 45MP.

These Leica cheapskates charge 80% more than a Sony A7R V, but do not include a battery charger—a hassle whether at home or on the road for multiple reasons. You need to spend another $220 for the Leica BC-SCL6 USB-C Dual Charger, which brings the effective camera price (with one $200 spare Leica BP-SCL6 battery) to $7415.

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica L-Mount lenses

Get $6995 Leica SL3 at B&H Photo.

Should I review it? Along with some of the newer lenses.

Leica SL3 camera manual download.

  • 60MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Sensor
  • Maestro IV Image Processor, 8GB Buffer
  • Hybrid AF System with PDAF & Contrast AF
  • 5.76m-Dot 0.78x-Mag. EyeRes OLED EVF
  • 3.2" 2.3m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • 8K, C8K, 4K, C4K & FHD 10-Bit Recording
  • ProRes 1080p & Apple MFi Support
  • ISO 50-100000, Up to 15 fps Shooting
  • 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
  • CFexpress Type B & SD UHS-II Card Slots

Description

Coupling a powerful 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with the Maestro IV image processor, the SL3 promises swift focusing performance and excellent image quality with 15 stops of dynamic range and 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization.

Improvements to the camera body include a 3.2" 2.3m-dot tilting touchscreen LCD for dynamic viewing options while capturing imagery, a CFexpress Type B slot and SD UHS-II slot for file-saving versatility, and a reduced weight of 1.7 pounds. Also noteworthy is the SL3's hybrid autofocusing system, which integrates Phase Detection AF with Contrast Detection AF and Object Detection AF, resulting in reliable performance in a multitude of shooting scenarios. These critical improvements to the camera's hardware and body have positioned this iteration to leap ahead of its predecessors.

60MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Sensor and Maestro IV Processor

At the front and center of the SL3's notable upgrades are its 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor and Maestro IV image processor. This duo combined with 8GB of buffer memory allows for incredible capturing speeds as well as superb image quality. This is double the amount of buffer memory available in the SL2-S, which means you'll experience noticeable speed improvements for all operations, including startup time. Additionally, this improved processor provides a wide ISO sensitivity range from 50-100000.

Triple Resolution Technology

Choose between 60, 36, or 18MP output while still utilizing the full sensor area with Leica's Triple Resolution Technology. This unique pixel binning process allows you to capture DNG and JPEG files at smaller sizes while still benefiting from the sensor's rich 14-bit color depth and 15-stops of dynamic range.
[DIGLLOYD: inferior to downsampling with ACR and can't make use of AI Denoise +Enhance Details at full-res. Dumb idea]

Hybrid AF System with PDAF

Utilizing a hybrid AF system for optimized focusing, the SL3 features Phase Detection AF with Object Detection AF and Contrast Detection AF, ensuring speedy shifts in focus as well as reliable performance in low light scenarios. With this improved focusing system, the camera tracks eyes, faces, bodies, and animals much more effectively.
[DIGLLOYD: great idea if it works (CDAF)]

8K Video Recording & ProRes 1080p

Take full advantage of the SL3 with its impressive video capturing capabilities. All video resolutions, including 8K, frame rates, and quality settings can be recorded internally or externally without limit. ProRes 422 HQ recording can be done with Full HD resolution at frame rates up to 60p. HDMI 2.1 Type A and USB-C ports provide greater access to accessories like external recorders, gimbals, and power banks, making the SL3 a great tool for video creation.

5-Axis Image Stabilization

Complementing this camera's powerful sensor is a 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization system that provides up to 5-stops of shake reduction, allowing you to capture sharper handheld images.

Body Design Updates & Additional Features

  • One CFexpress Type B slot and one SD UHS-II slot are available for added versatility for file saving, allowing you to separate JPEG and raw files to different cards or save duplicate files to each card.
  • A USB-C port allows for fast file transferring and tethering with full support for Capture One, Adobe Photoshop, and Lightroom. Also supports high-speed in-camera battery charging.
  • A full-size HDMI 2.1 Type A port benefits video applications and a 3.5mm microphone and headphone jacks for advanced audio recording needs.
  • Its durable magnesium and aluminum construction withstands tough weather conditions and is splash and dust protected with a rating of IP54.
  • Video recording capabilities: Video recording capabilities: 8K, C8K, 4K, C4K, FHD, MP4 + MOV, H.265, and ProRes 1080p.
  • Leica L2 technology allows for a vast selection of L-mount compatible lenses.
  • Mechanical shutter speeds up to 1/8000 of a second.
  • Flash sync speeds up to 1/200.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi 5 (MIMO) and Bluetooth 5.1 work in conjunction with the Leica FOTOS app for wireless file transferring and remote camera control.
  • New graphical user interface with new icons and custom font for a more modern design and increased menulegibility.
  • Support for Live View portrait and landscape shooting with orientation auto-detection.
  • Photocentric menu settings are highlighted in red, while video centric settings are highlighted in yellow, aligning with the design language of the Leitz Cine lenses.

Multi-Shot High-Res mode

Sony and Fujifilm and Nikon pixel shift suck for field use—not usable in practice. Hasselblad doesn’t even have pixel shift.

But like the Panasonic S1R, Leica SL3 has the multi-shot high-res mode, which is very usable, sometimes even on moving water. Or does it? I do not see mention of it in the description.

See also: Thoughts on Ultra High Resolution Imagery with Multi-Shot High-Res Mode

Versus...

Some of the $5K or so APO lenses are an argument in favor of the Leica SL system and and also weigh against it ($5000 or so each). I particularly like the 28mm and 35mm and 50mm f/2 designs. But I’m not sold on non-APO Leica lenses since even their APO ones are not as APO as they ought.

  1. Why not a Hasselblad X2D-1ooC (even prettier) or Fujifilm GFX100 II? By the time you buy lenses, there is little system-cost difference and 100MP on a 44 X 33mm sensor rocks. Actually lens cost on Fujfilm is a lot less.
  2. Sony A7R V is half the price and with a lower-res EVF (5.76 Leica vs 9MP Sony) and AF that is unbeatable and a better grip too. And there is no shortage of superb Sony FE lenses including the compact ultra high performance Voigtlander FE 35/2 APO and Voigtlander FE 50/2 APO.

Yes, I know that Leica fans love their Leicas and there doesn’t have to be logic involved. But I think that a Sony A1 or Sony A7R V plus a medium format kit makes a lot more sense.

Roy P writes:

Absolutely.  In my head to head comparisons at the same f-stops between the Leica 50 f/2 APO Summicron-SL and the Sony 50 f/1.2 GM, the two things that really stood out were (a) the Sony 50 GM is as sharp as the Leica, and (b) the Sony actually has a shallower DOF than the Leica.  So the transition into out of focus is actually noticeably better with the Sony, if shallow DOF is your goal (e.g., people, subject isolation). 

OTOH, if max DOF is your goal (landscapes, cityscapes), then the Voigtlander FE 50 f/2 APO Lanthar (for Sony E mount) is as good as the Leica, perhaps even a tad superior.  So much so that when I first tested the CV 50 f/2 APO, I suspected Cosina might be cheating, pushing an f/2.8 or f/3.5 lens as an f/2, so I actually took test shots at the same ISO with the CV and another 50mm lens to verify that both lenses took the same exposure times!  (I think I had mentioned this to you a few years ago).

At any rate, a Sony A7R V + one extra Sony battery + Sony 50 f/1.2 GM + a CV 50 f/2 APO Lanthar VM for a total of about $6760 is $5,500+ less than the cost of the body of the SL3 ($6995) + BP-SCL6 battery ($170) + $5095 for the Leica 50 f/2 APO Summicron-SL, which add up to $12,265.  That $5500 can buy a slightly used Sony A1 in 9+ condition in the B&H Photo Used department, or finance more than two thirds of a Fuji GFX 100 II ($7500).

DIGLLOYD: yep.

CLICK TO VIEW: Leica L-Mount lenses

Leica SL3

Big Discounts on Voigtlander Lenses For Sony Mirrorless, Nikon Mirrorless

The Voigtlander APO lenses are my reference lenses—world class.

Best value on the market nothing else comes close.


Hasselblad XCD 28mm f/4 P

Hasselblad XCD 28mm f/4 P

I think I’ll take up the Hasselblad X2D-100C later this spring, along with the 28/4P and 45/4P. X2D firmware has lots of fixes and the new focus stacking support too.

...

I share my thoughts on the applicability of the 28/4P vs the Hasselblad XCD 30mm f/3.5 for landscape photography on the 28/4P MTF page.

The Hasselblad XCD 28mm f/4 P is equivalent to a 23mm f/3.3 as compared to a 35mm full frame camera (long dimension of frame).

Due to ship in May 2024.

  • Hasselblad X System
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
  • Central Lens Shutter, 1/2000 Sec Sync
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.3'
  • Internal Focusing with MF Override
  • Front Filter Thread: 77mm

The exceptionally low price (among XCD lenses) along its diminutive size make it an interesting option.

Manufacturer’s description

The XCD 28mm f/4 P Lens from Hasselblad is the lightest and smallest of the Hasselblad X System lenses and has been optically designed for outstanding image quality and precise focusing technology for instant shots.

Capturing a classic concerto of light and shadow begins with the lens. The XCD 28mm f/4 P adopts an optical structure of nine elements in eight groups, including two aspherical elements and one ED element, which ensures excellent imaging while effectively suppressing chromatic dispersion. This wide-angle lens has a 22mm full-frame equivalent focal length and an f/4 aperture that makes it easy to capture nature, street culture, and urban architecture.

With a thoughtfully crafted design, the lens has a compact size and a powerful performance to meet the resolution requirements of 100 million pixels. The lens yields sharp images with precision and high resolution from the center to the edges, achieving stunning image quality across the entire image area. It offers a 3.5" minimum focusing distance and 1:6 magnification ratio, rich close-ups of flowers, cuisine, and much more are effortlessly captured.

A linear stepping motor is combined with a lighter, smaller focusing lens group in this compact lens. When used with the PDAF technology of the X2D 100C, the lens can quickly reach the focusing position and achieve a precise stop. This results in fast, accurate, and responsive focusing, so your scene is captured before the click of the shutter. Full-time manual focus override is also available.

A compact yet powerful leaf shutter supports shooting with flash synchronization at all shutter speeds and with a maximum flash synch speed of up to 1/4000s. Shoot with flash in strong sunlight to capture dynamic subject juxtaposition, highlighting your subject while darkening the background.

Hasselblad XCD 28mm f/4 P
Focal length: 28mm
Aperture range: f/4 - f/22
Optical design: 9 elements in 8 groups
2 aspherical
1 ED
Entrance pupil position: 51mm in front of image plane
Iris blades:  
Shutter type: leaf shutter
Focusing range: 3.5 in = 9 cm
covers 26 X 20 cm
no f-stop loss
Magnification: 0.06X = 1:6
Angle of view: 89°/76°/60°
Filter thread: 72mm
Weight, nominal: 245 g
Dimensions: 3 X 1.7 in = 75 X 43.5 mm
Includes: Front Lens Cap
Rear Lens Cap
Lens Shade
Lens Pouch
Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty

Full Frame Camera with Lens only $998: Sony A7II

Just $998 for Sony A7 II + 28-70mm lens and accessory kit. Or the Nikon Z5 for $997 but without a lens OTOH maybe the Z5 is better... dunno.

And then there is the 100-megapixel Fujifilm GFX100S for only $4399. We really are in the golden age of photography. BTW, what’s the long delay on the Fujfilm tilt/shift lenses? I’ve been hoping to review them since last November. But there may be other lenses that also work.

Below, some other great deals including my favorite noise-canceling headphones.


TLS/SSL Certificate Updated (had expired)

Thanks to users who reported a “cannot establish a secure connection” issue this morning / last night.

There was never a real security issue. It was an expired SSL/TLS certificate (these are forced to expire every year, thank you Apple for the make-work security theater)

Now fixed. Certificate good until next January, and I will put that date into my calendar.

SSL/TLS certificate for diglloyd.com, etc

Best Configuration for Evaluating ETTR Captures on Fujifilm Medium Format?

Fujifilm GFX100S

ETTR at ISO 100/50, Histograms and More established that camera metering ("+0" metering) can underexpose a stop or more, making ETTR worthwhile for maximum quality.

It concluded that the tools the camera provides make it difficult to determine optimal ETTR. Also that ISO 50, which would be useful if only for better JPEG brightness, is not especially viable given the requirement for mechanical shutter and a misleading histogram.

This page looks at what can be done at ISO 100 to render a better histogram and better JPEG (RAW+JPG) in order to more easily determine the optimal ETTR exposure.

Fujifilm GFX100S: Configuring for ETTR Captures

Includes screencast video walkthrough.

The same ideas apply to the rest of the GFX100 series.

What is the best configuration for evaluating ETTR captures on Fujifilm medium format?


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