New camera time. What?

The Summer is almost over. It's time to refresh our camera bags and our enthusiasm for photography. What better way than to pull a new and different camera into your orbit? A few weeks ago I did a day of environmental portrait shooting and I used three different cameras. I did another half day of portraits just before and used a fourth camera. Why? Just to see what the real differences were in handling, quality of files, image quality and to analyze the fun quotient. The winner? Had to be the Leica SL, a camera I loved so much I ran out and bought two. But in-depth analysis says that there are two things lacking the would make the SL perfect. One is the addition of really, really good image stabilization. The second is really, really, really good high ISO performance. The ability to shoot at 12,000 ISO, or even  higher, without noise rearing up like a bitter dragon and demanding an additional layer of post production magic. Further research led me to believe that the camera I would want would be the Leica SL2-S. 

So when the right opportunity came along to throw away more money I jumped at the chance. The guys at Leica Store Miami had just what I realized I wanted. A pristine, used camera body, complete with a second battery, for a price no one would have passed up. I've bought enough cameras from the guys in Miami that I've come to trust their ratings of used cameras. The ones that make it all the way to my front door are always way better than the way they are described. This one was no exception. 

The SL2-S is basically an SL2 but with a few tweaks and a sensor with about half the resolution of the SL2. And that's one of the features I wanted. Smaller files. 

I did my shopping without human intervention and I forgot for a moment the frustrations I previously encountered with the "free" UPS ground shipping. I should have foregone one layer of automation and clicked on "next day." It would have cost me $100 more but it would have saved me a Thursday of frustration. UPS rescheduled the delivery three times in one day and they almost made good on their promise (third go round) to make it here by 8:15 p.m. I guess 9 p.m. is close enough in their books. 

The packing was the usual perfection. Packed like a Ming vase that might be subjected to a bout with a sledgehammer. Amazing work with cardboard. 

As usual, the inner box contained yet another box which was the original packaging for the SL2-S complete with manuals, and all the accessories. The camera looked as though it had never been touched by human hands. I sat on the couch last night, watched the Democratic Convention on PBS, and went through the ritual of putting on the strap, adding a new 256GB ProGrade SD card, and going through every menu setting to customize the camera to my taste. Goodbye audio alerts. Goodbye touch screen. Goodbye AF illumination. Etc. Etc. I tossed both batteries on the charger and headed to bed. 

When the new day broke and swim practice was over I rejoiced to find out that the weather had changed. Gone was the threat of a 108° day with its attendant 113° heat index. Today the high was predicted to only hit 100° and the humidity moderated as well. Hallelujah! Finally, a day comfortable enough to allow for an afternoon walk in our historic business district to try out the new arrival. 

Amazing finder. Even better overall build than its sister camera, the SL2. Slightly heavier than the SL2. Better I.S. than the SL3! Slightly different color palette than previous Leica digital cameras (SL, SL2, Q2). Still much heavier than the M cameras and the Q cameras. Good power management when using the newer SCL-6 batteries. Mediocre included strap... but usable.

I used the new (to me) camera with a 45mm Sigma i-Series lens and found the combination of the full frame and the near normal focal length comfortable. A 256 GB memory card, used in conjunction with large Jpeg files is nearly impossible to fill up. The "files remaining" indicator tops out at 9999. 

The day was refreshing with cool temperatures in the middle 90s. It was a good walk. It's a very good camera. Can't wait for the next job.

Who would have thought that Tesla was interested in birth control? 

Why else would they make a vehicle that just screams: "Total Loser"?

Don't follow one too closely when you are out driving; the trim tends to fall off

unexpectedly. Just nasty.

New beauty secrets for Texans. Beef Fat on your face also makes you much 

more attractive to bears, cougars, dogs and.......

Men hanging out on a crane. Catching the breezes.

When green is your signage.

Loving the SL2-S. Now considering upgrading my lens collection by a bit. Thinking of gathering together the ever increasing and unintentionally fast growing 50mm lens collection and going all in on the Leica 50mm APO ASPH Summicron SL. Best ever?  

Hope Saturday turns out to be fun for you. I needed some down time after a week of heat induced relaxation and comment moderation.