The camera I keep coming back to for work.

 I have owned and used a Leica SL2 for work since the fall of 2019. About five+ years now. Newer cameras have come out that have "better" specifications such as more pixels and better high ISO/low noise performance. Newer Leica SL models have come to market that weigh less and are (slightly) more compact. The biggest "improvement" seems to be the idea that phase detect autofocus is infinitely better than the contrast detect autofocus in the older camera. So why is it that I am loathe to change from the SL2 to something..."better"? Newer?

Over the years camera buyers have talked about hitting "the sweet spot." Which basically means a combination of parameters beyond which there are ever diminishing returns for future improvements. I conjecture that for me the SL2 and the SL2-S have hit the sweet spots I value. But the SL2 is the model that magically finds its way into every camera bag I pack for work. 

The camera is big and comparatively heavy but then again this profession doesn't promise a "no sweat" career. Carrying around whatever camera does the best job for you is part of the working equation. If you don't do this for a living you can toss whatever pixie weight camera you like in the pocket of your Dockers... 

There are several things I like a lot about the SL2. The first is the "goldilocks" resolution. It's 47 megapixels. Enough for any size project I've done since the camera launched. But a secondary benefit of the 47 megapixels comes when I'm shooting something that requires a longer lens. I mostly use the camera with the Leica 24-90mm f2.8-4.0 zoom but sometimes I need a bit more reach. An example would be photographing a keynote speaker at the podium at an event, from the audience. 90mm is the long end of the zoom when the camera is used in its full frame configuration but I can hop into the menu and select the APS-C format instead which then gives me a 22 megapixel file at 135 mm. I also have a Leica 135mm lens which, in the APS-C mode, gives me a 202.50 mm focal length. More than tight enough for event work of all kinds. So with two lenses I can pretty much cover everything --- as long as I remember to use the crop mode where necessary. 

It's the same idea in other applications as well. I might show up to a fun event and have just the camera and a 50mm lens. But I find that I want a tighter composition; more like a portrait perspective. Again, switching from full frame to APS-C gets me a 75mm lens instead. It's very convenient and, for most of the stuff we do with cameras, 22 megapixels is just fine. Absolutely fine. 

While some find the SL2 big and dense/weighty the flip side is that the camera is nearly indestructible. And highly weather resistant. The camera, when used with weather resistant, L mount lenses provides incredible confidence when you need to use the combo in harsh environments like pouring rain. Or the occasional west Texas dust storm (just don't change lenses until you've gotten home and cleaned everything off). 

The EVF finder on the SL2 is still highly competitive with all the top cameras from other brands. While some boast higher resolutions in their finders there are always caveats. Like, the finder resolution on one brand drops dramatically as the camera is shooting. Not so with the SL2. And unlike nearly every other top of the line competitor all the lens elements in the Leica EVF are made of high precision, optical glass instead of press-molded plastics or resins. All in all, coupled with a very east to set diopter adjustment, the view through the EVF is superb. 

Reliability? I've had my original SL2 for over five years and have never had an issue. No downtime. No round trips to the factory. Nothing glitchy. And I have shot well over 100,000 frames on this particular sample. 

When I first got the camera I was using an inexpensive Panasonic camera as a back-up. Last year I picked up an SL2-S; the 24 megapixel BSI sensor counterpart to the original SL2. It's a great camera and when I need to shoot in near dark conditions it's a wonderful tool. But for some reason I mostly still reach for the SL2. It's a security blanket for a photographer who lives in fear of ever not being able to deliver to a client because of a camera issue. So much so that when prices dropped on used SL2 bodies during the introduction of the SL3 camera I didn't hesitate to source a mint, used SL2 to add to the kit. Now I have an identical back-up to my favorite work camera. System complete.

The only minor quibble I had and still have with all the Leica SL variant camera models is the short battery life. The cameras do a lot of processing and high res finder optics also take their toll. The original SCL4 batteries were introduced back in 2015 with the original SL body. Batteries have gotten better. Now we can add between 20-25% more power to the mix with the new SCL6 batteries --- which are fully backwards compatible to all SL variants (As well as for the Q2 and Q3 variants). I have about ten of the SCL4 batteries and four of the SCL6 batteries and I find the new batteries to be a nice step up. Along with power conservation updates in firmware extended run time is no longer an issue. At least not compared to the way the camera consumed power at its introduction. 

In all I am pleased not only with the SL2 but with the ecosystem of the L mount products in general. There are lenses from Sigma that are fantastic. Like the new 85mm f1.4 Art. Or the contemporary series 35mm f2.0. And the 45mm f2.8 continues to impress me when I least expect it.

Currently very good condition SL2 bodies are selling used for around $2200 to $2400. A couple of bodies and a handful of lenses could make the basis of a superb studio and location advertising system for a price of around $6,000 to $7,000. A little more if you want all fast glass. 

Here's the one last and, for me,  very compelling reason to own the SL2 and SL2-S cameras: The sensors are designed to work well with rangefinder/M mount lenses. There are even profiles for nearly all the post-1970's Leica M lenses built into the camera menu. Even if you are not using a Leica lens you can still program in the focal length of the M mount lens you are using in order to get the best performance out of the camera's very good image stabilization. What you'll get when using a typical, wide angle M lens on a Leica body, as opposed to a competitor's body, are sharper details in the corners and on the edges of the frame. Less or no color artifacting across the frame. And better color. Much better color. 

The SL2 just works for me. I know the menu forward and backwards now. I've built an ecosystem of lenses, flashes, batteries and peripherals for the system and I can't imagine that other current products would make a difference in my final products. Especially now that nearly everything we shoot is destined for the web. 

Prices on new Leica stuff can be tough to swallow. $9,000+ for a new Leica M11. Nearly $7,000 for a Leica Q3 43. $7,000 for a new SL3. And, incidentally, the SL2 is still a current product and it too has a seven thousand dollar price tag if purchased new. But if you really want to shoot with a Leica on a budget the used market is currently filled with lightly used SL2 and SL2-S bodies along with the older but still mostly great, original SL body. And you don't need to sell a kidney to get lenses...if you are willing to dip into some of the really great glass offered by Sigma and Panasonic (the 85mm f1.8 is currently on sale for $397, new, at B&H). 

A great strategy is to splash out for the Leica lens in your favorite focal length. The FL that you use almost all the time. And then fill in the blanks with fun and great lenses from the L mount consortium partners. Over time you'll find the other spots in which you'll want to splurge and buy "up" on lenses. 

They say you "date the cameras but marry the lenses". I find that to be deceiving. A mostly  monogamous relationship with a favorite and comfortable camera can be just the thing. At least that's my perspective five years in....