Leica SL2 Camera Instructions

Leica SL2 Camera

FIRMWARE

NEW

• Continuous shooting with activated Perspective Control SL2: for 2 fps and 6 fps, SL2-S: for 2 fps and 5 fps
• Added lock function for white balance settings Auto ISO and Auto.
  This function ensures a constant ISO value and automatic white balance during video recording until recording is stopped, or settings are changed via menu settings.

EXTENDED FUNCTIONALITY

• New submenu item Flash Mode under Flash Settings

• The menu item AF Quick Setting only was added to the menu Touch AF in EVF
  In Touch AF mode, this will prevent accidental movement of the AF frame, but still allows the Touch AF functions to be used.

• Newly added menu items for the Favorites menu

• Thumbwheel: New functionality as function button

• Joystick: More assignment options

IMPROVEMENT

• GPS accuracy of the shooting location was significantly improved
• Revised Play menu: The option Delete All was replaced by Delete Unrated
• The Continuous Shooting settings in the menu item Drive Mode were renamed
• The menu item Self Timer is now a main menu item, and can be combined with other shooting modes
• Bugfixes in the firmware

FIRMWARE UPDATES

Leica is continuously working on the further improvement and optimization of your camera. Since many camera functions are entirely controlled by software, some of these improvements and additions to the functional scope can be installed in retrospect. Leica offers firmware updates at irregular intervals, which you can download from our website.
Leica will notify you of any new updates, once you have registered your camera. Users of Leica FOTOS will also be automatically notified about firmware updates for their Leica cameras.

There are two options for installing firmware updates.

• Conveniently via the Leica FOTOS app
• Directly via the camera menu

Finding the currently installed firmware version

• Select Camera Information in the main menu
• The current firmware versions are displayed.
  

More information about registering, firmware updates and how to download them to your camera, as well as any amendments and additions to this manual can be found in the customer area of our website at: https://club.leica-camera.com

EXECUTING A FIRMWARE UPDATE

Any interruption of a running firmware update may cause serious and irreparable damage to your equipment!
You will therefore have to take particular note of the following, when carrying out a firmware update:

• Do not switch off the camera!
• Do not remove the memory card!
• Do not remove the rechargeable battery!
• Do not detach the lens!

Notes

• A warning message will appear if the battery is insufficiently charged. Recharge the battery and then repeat the process described above.
• You will find additional device and country-specific registration marks and numbers in the Camera Information submenu.

PREPARATION

• Fully charge and insert the rechargeable battery

• The second SD memory card (where applicable) must be removed from the camera

• Any stored firmware files on the memory card must be removed

  • We recommend saving any images on the memory card and reformatting it before the update.
    ( Caution : Loss of data! All data stored on the memory card will be lost during formatting.)

• Download the latest firmware version

• Save the download to the memory card

  • The firmware file must be stored in the main directory of the memory card (not in a sub-directory).

• Insert the memory card into the camera

• Switch the camera on

UPDATING THE CAMERA FIRMWARE

• Preparation
• Select Camera Information in the main menu
• Select Camera Firmware Version
• Select Start Update
  • A prompt with information about the camera is displayed.
• Check the version information
• Select Yes
  • The prompt Save profiles on SD Card? appears.
• Select Yes/No
  • The update will start automatically.
  • The lower status LED will flash during this process.
  • Once the process has completed successfully, a relevant onscreen message and prompt to restart the device will appear on screen.
• Switch the camera off and on again

Note

• Date & time, as well as the preferred language will have to be set up again after the restart. Relevant prompts will appear on screen.

UPDATING THE LENS FIRMWARE

Where available, firmware updates can be performed for Leica SL lenses and for all other lens types by L-Mount Alliance.
Firmware updates for Leica SL lenses are generally uploaded alongside the latest version of the camera firmware and will not have to be implemented manually. Provided an SL lens is attached during the camera update, it will automatically receive the latest firmware version. Where that is not the case, a relevant prompt will appear when a lens is attached to a camera with updated firmware for the first time.

The instructions provided for camera firmware updates apply.

• Preparation
• Select Camera Information in the main menu
• Select Lens Firmware Version
• Select Start Update
  • A prompt with information about the camera is displayed.
• Check the version information
• Select Yes
  • The update will start automatically.
  • The lower status LED will flash during this process.
  • Once the process has completed successfully, a relevant onscreen message and prompt to restart the device will appear on screen.
• Switch the camera off and on again

FLASH MODES

Select one of the three available operating modes.

• Automatic
• Manual
• Long-term exposure

AUTOMATIC FLASH ACTIVATION

That is the default flash mode. The flash unit will fire automatically if poor lighting conditions would mean slower shutter speeds, which could result in blurred images.

MANUAL FLASH ACTIVATION

This mode is suitable for backlit pictures in which the main subject does not fill the entire frame and is in shadow, or in situations where a fill-in flash will moderate sharp contrasts (e.g. in direct sunlight). The flash will fire each time a picture is taken, regardless of prevailing lighting conditions. The flash intensity depends on the metered ambient brightness: in poor light it is the same output as in automatic mode, with output decreasing with increasing brightness. The flash will then work as a fill-in light, e.g. to light up dark shadows in the foreground or backlit objects, and to create more balanced overall lighting.

AUTOMATIC FLASH ACTIVATION AT SLOWER SHUTTER SPEEDS (LONG-TERM SYNCHRONIZATION)

This mode ensures appropriately exposed, brighter dark backgrounds and bright foreground. The shutter speed is not extended beyond 1⁄30s in the other flash modes to minimize the risk of blurring. This may mean, however, that pictures with flash exposure can end up with objects in the background not illuminated by the flash and therefore being underexposed. In this mode, slower shutter speeds (up to 30s) are permitted to avoid this effect.

• Select Flash Settings in the main menu
• Select Flash Mode
• Select the desired setting
  • The currently active mode is displayed on screen.
    

PLAY MENU

DELETING IMAGES

DELETING UNRATED IMAGES

• Press the MENU button

• Select Delete Unrated in the play menu
  

  • The prompt Do you really want to delete all not rated files? appears.

• Select Yes

  • The LED will flash during the deletion process. The process may take a few seconds. The next marked image appears once deletion is complete. The message No valid picture to play appears if no other images are saved on the card.

Note

• The message No valid picture to play. appears after successful deletion. The same image is displayed again if deletion was unsuccessful. When deleting several or unrated images, a notification screen may appear for the time needed to process the data.

ISO SENSITIVITY

(IM VIDEO MODE)

AUTOMATIC SETTING

The camera automatically adjusts the sensitivity to ambient brightness and/or to the configured shutter-speed/aperture combination. In conjunction with aperture-priority mode, this function extends the range for automatic exposure control. The automatic setting of ISO sensitivity occurs in increments of 1⁄2EV or 1⁄3EV, depending on the selected EV Increment setting.

• Select ISO in the main menu
• Select Auto ISO

Note

• This function is not available in Cine mode

LIMITING SETTING RANGES

A max. ISO value can be set, which will then limit the automatic setting range (Max. ISO value). A max. exposure time can also optionally be configured. There are automatic settings and fixed max. shutter speeds 1/30 s and 1/2000 s available for that purpose.

LIMITING ISO VALUES

All values from ISO 100 are available.
Factory setting: 6400

• Select Auto ISO Settings in the main menu
• Select Maximum ISO
• Select the desired value

LIMITING SHUTTER SPEED RANGES

Factory setting: Auto

• Select Auto ISO Settings in the main menu
• Select Shutter Speed Limit
• Select the desired value
  (Auto, 1/2000, 1/1000, 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30)

ISO VALUE LOCK
Factory setting: Off

• Select ISO in the main menu
• Select Auto ISO – Lock

Notes

• During video capture, the ISO value can be modified via the FN button or the thumbwheel.
• You can toggle between Auto ISO and Auto ISO – Lock, or switch to another fixed ISO value. However, you cannot switch from a fixed ISO value to Auto ISO – Lock during video capture. In that case, the Auto ISO – Lock will be grayed out.

DYNAMIC ISO SETTING

The thumbwheel and front dial can be configured to allow manual ISO settings in real time. The factory settings include that function for the modes S , A , and M. Turning the dial will cycle through all setting values available in the ISO menu. That means that Auto ISO can also be selected.

FLOATING ISO

This function complements Auto ISO. Light strength changes with many zoom lenses when the focal length is changed. Floating ISO will in this situation adjust the sensitivity in fine graduations and will simultaneously ensure that the selected settings of aperture value and shutter speed remain constant in (semi) automatic exposure modes. This will specifically in video shootings prevent visible jumps in brightness.
Factory setting: On

• Select Floating ISO in the main menu
• Select On

Notes

• Floating ISO can work only if the original ISO setting allows scope for change, i.e. the highest/lowest ISO setting is not already being used. The Floating ISO warning icon will be displayed in that case.
• This function is not available in Cine mode.
• Floating ISO will be deactivated during shooting if Auto ISO – Lock is enabled. The ISO value will locked in during shooting.

PERSPECTIVE CONTROL

This assist function displays a frame showing the expected cropped section of the image after a correction of the perspective of vertical falling lines. Perspective Control helps to achieve a generally straighter vertical line and straight horizon, which ensures a natural image effect, specifically in architectural images.
The function “Perspective Control” calculates the image section and the required distortion correction based on the actual panning angles of the camera and the lens used. In effect, the camera orientation during shooting (determined by internal camera sensors) is the decisive factor and not the lines visible in the image object.
The function is therefore unlike automatic perspective control features used for post-editing, which are generally based on the image content.
The functionality depends on the image file format used (JPG or DNG). For JPG format images, the correction occurs directly in the camera and the corrected image is stored. For DNG format images, the relevant information is written to the meta data of the original image. Image correction is done later on using a program like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom® or Adobe Photoshop®. Factory setting: Off

Notes

• In case of large panning angles, the distortion correction needed for a complete perspective control would be too extreme. That is why this function is automatically skipped or only partially used where angles are too large. In that case, we recommend creating DNG format images and effecting the desired corrections in a post-editing step.
• While Perspective Control is active, the auxiliary displays for Level Gauge, Histogram and Grid, as well as the function Auto Review will be temporarily disabled.
• Multi-Shot is unavailable in Perspective Control.
• Continuous Shooting options: with SL2 for 2 fps and 6 fps, SL2-S for 2 fps and 5 fps.
• All data edits will be written to the meta data of DNG images, even if the function is deactivated. A special tag will be added if the function is enabled, which will recommend corrections for supported image editing software.
• Select Perspective Control in the main menu
• Select On
  

WHITE BALANCE

(IM VIDEO MODE)

In white balance ensures neutral color rendering in any light. White Balance relies on the setting made in the camera, which light color is to be rendered as ‘white’.
Five methods are available:

• Automatic control
• Automatic control with lock function
• Fixed presets
• Manual setting via metering
• Direct setting of the color temperature
  Factory setting: Auto
  

Notes

• During video capture, the white balance can be modified via the FN button or the thumbwheel.
• You can toggle between Auto and Auto – Lock, or switch to another fixed color temperature. However, you cannot switch from a fixed value to Auto during video capture. In that case, the Auto – Lock function will be grayed out.

Notes on white balance during HDMI output

• Automatic white balance cannot be applied to HDMI RAW outputs. White balance will automatically be set to Daylight if HDMI RAW output is activated, while automatic white balance is enabled.

TOUCH AF

(IN EVF MODE)

Touch AF is deactivated by default when EVF is in use to prevent accidental repositioning of the focus frame. Touch AF can, however, also be used in EVF mode.

Factory setting : Off

• Select Camera Settings in the main menu
• Select Touch AF in EVF
• Select On/AF Quick Setting only/Off

3 size increments for the focus frame are available.
Double tap:
Moves the focus frame back to the center.
AF Quick Setting only| Long press:
3 size increments for the focus frame are available.
Off| Double tap:
** Moves the focus frame back to the center.

Note

• The settings described in this chapter apply for both photo and video mode.

JOYSTICK FUNCTIONS

(IN SHOOTING MODE)

You can assign various functions to the joystick in photo mode.
The settings for AF and MF mode are done separately.

AF MODE

• Select Customize Control in the main menu
• Select Joystick
• Select AF Mode
• Select the desired setting
  (AF-L, AE-L, AF-L + AE-L)

MF MODE

• Select Customize Control in the main menu
• Select Joystick
• Select MF Mode
• Select the desired setting
  (AFs, AFs + AE-L, AFc, AFc + AE-L, AE-L)
  

BUTTON LOCK

• Select Customize Control in the main menu

• Select Joystick

• Select Button Lock

• Select the desired setting

  • Double press

  • Depending on settings, the first tap on the joystick activates
    AF-L, AE-L, or AF-L + AE-L. Successful AF metering is indicated by a green focus frame. If AE-L is selected, the icon appears in the footer line.

  • This metered value remains saved until the second joystick tap.

• Press and hold

  • Depending on the setting, AF-L, AE-L, or AF-L + AE-L will be locked as long as the joystick is pressed and held.
  • When the joystick is released, the relevant metering type will be unlocked.

Customer Support

Download the full scope instruction manual here:
https://en.leica-camera.com/Service-Support/Support/Downloads
Please register via the following link if you would like to receive a printed copy of the full scope instruction manual:
www.order-instructions.leica-camera.com

References

• Leica Order Guide - Leica Camera AG
• club.leica-camera.com

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