Leica SL3 and 50mm lens | kit check
Funky chunky The SL3 is a heavyweight unit in terms of its size and price, but oozes class with its minimalist design. Great lens, too
there are better options, including Leica’s cheaper, lower-resolution but faster and more video-centric SL3-S sibling. A big improvement on the SL3 is the hybrid autofocus system, blending phase detection, contrast detection and depth mapping to give tracking performance using AI-assisted subject recognition for humans and animals. In practical terms, it has far more reliable subject tracking and better overall responsiveness. This doesn’t turn the SL3 into a super- speedy sports cam but it does reduce the feeling that it is something you have to fight against. If your work depends on capturing fast action with maximum hit rate, there are better tools available. Body conscious In use, the robust all-metal body gives the camera a professional feel. Dual card slots, full-size HDMI, mic and headphone sockets and IP54 weather sealing reinforce its credentials as a serious tool. However, it isn’t lightweight, especially with a Leica lens on the front. We used the SL3 and a 50mm prime and the weight is noticeable. It also takes a while to get used to the camera’s handling quirks thanks to Leica’s minimalist design philosophy. The control layout is clean, with fewer buttons than most rivals and a strong reliance on the touchscreen interface. The menu system has been refined and is now one of the
most intuitive around. But it still takes menu-digging rather than having clearly marked controls for the most important settings like ISO and shutter speed. You can map custom buttons to your most- used settings, though. The 5.76-million-dot EVF is excellent, offering a bright, detailed view that makes composition a pleasure. It encourages deliberate, considered shooting rather than rapid-fire, run-and-gun work. This is not a camera designed to do everything for you, it expects you to be involved.
PMM rating: 8/10 The Leica SL3’s firmware 4.0 removes some of the friction that held it back, and adds features like open gate and Frame.io Camera to Cloud. The autofocus is more usable, the responsiveness is improved and the overall experience is smoother. But oh, that price… Lean back The rear screen tilts to help in composition but doesn’t fully articulate. The buttons on the back are minimal but functional
87
promoviemaker.net
Powered by FlippingBook