Leica SL2-S firmware update – the pain and the joy!
A few weeks ago Leica released a firmware upgrade for their SL cameras, specifically v6.1.0 for the SL2-S. One of the principal issues this update addressed was the ‘Magnification via joystick’. I had missed this very useful function, and this was re-enabled in the update. It’s a big improvement to how the camera operates, particularly when using manual focus lenses, which I do all of the time.
Installing firmware updates are something of a nuisance but I had no hesitation in immediately downloading the new version and proceeded to update the camera.
Unfortunately in my haste I forgot to save the profile for all my camera settings. Whoops – I knew straightaway that I would need to reconfigure all my favourite settings, and the configuration of the function buttons etc, etc. I couldn’t help thinking ‘What a pain…….!’
However this mistake did give me the opportunity to review how my camera was set up. As a result I configured the camera quite differently and in my view it is all the better for it. Whilst muscle memory plays a part and will have to be re-learned, the new setup will soon become familiar. It should speed up the operation and give me easy access to almost everything I need without needing to enter the main menu. ‘What a joy……!’
For reference I did spend a little time preparing an ‘idiots guide’ which I could refer to in the future should the need arise. Of course I didn’t need to label the aperture ring or on/off switch but there is a little OCD in all of us! Should I change any of the settings in I’ll update the chart.
I should add that I shoot ‘fully manual’ so my settings won’t suit everyone, but they work me and being selfish that’s all that matters.
How a camera is set-up will differ from one photographer to another and no two set-ups will be same. All I can say is that it is well worthwhile investing some time into how you want to configure your camera. After all to get the most pleasure from your photography you don’t want menus and poorly laid out controls to get in the way of making a good photograph.
Happy shooting……
alan frost photography 
2 Responses to “Leica SL2-S firmware update – the pain and the joy!”
Your last paragraph says it all.
…….” you don’t want menus and poorly laid out controls to get in the way of making a good photograph.”
My Sony a6000 mirrorless camera I bought in 2015 has the most convoluted menu I’ve ever experienced (well, compared to myCanon DSLRs and little Point & Shoot).
It’s like a maze.
Since I’m a bit OCD and like order and ease of use, it’s one camera I could never change settings while it was up against my eye. I had to put it down and carefully go through the various menus to change from bird to flower photography settings. It did take the most extraordinary sunsets on the Intelligent Auto dial setting though.
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Thanks Vicki.
I’ve never owned a Sony camera, but I know several people who use them and the menu structure seems very complicated. I have a couple of Fuji cameras and they aren’t too bad, but without question Leica is the simplest to use in my view. Perhaps I’m old fashioned but all I want to do is set the aperture, shutter speed and ISO, then focus and press the shutter. Almost everything else is superfluous!
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