Leica SL2-S Use and care manual

LEICA SL2-S
Firmware update

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FIRMWARE
Camera model Firmware version
Leica SL2-S 3.0
PHOTO & VIDEO
_NEW: Direct setting of ISO sensitivity via thumbwheel/front dial
_NEW: Configurable time before automatic WLAN shutdown ( Wi-Fi Sleep Mode )
_NEW: Photo and video tagging via joystick
_ADVANCED: Additional function support for L-Mount-Alliance lenses
_ADVANCED: Additional functions for direct access via FN button
_IMPROVED: AF metering method Person Detection allows the selection of the primarily focused eye
_IMPROVED: ISO settings in finer increments (1⁄2 EV or 1⁄3EV)
_IMPROVED: Power saving mode can be completely deactivated (no AF system shutdown when recording via
HDMI)
_IMPROVED: Bugfixes in the firmware

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PHOTO
_NEW: Quick change of AF metering position between most recently used position and image center
_NEW: Exposure and depth of field preview
_IMPROVED: Geotagging (via Leica FOTOS)
VIDEO
_NEW: RAW format output via HDMI for external device recording
_IMPROVED: Aperture setting in T-stops (1⁄2 and 1⁄3 increments) in Cine Mode
_IMPROVED: HDMI output compatibility with Leica FOTOS
_IMPROVED: HDMI output compatibility with USB connection

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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 noti-
fied about firmware updates for their Leica cameras.
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 remove 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.

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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 on-
screen 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.

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THUMBWHEEL AND FRONT DIAL ASSIGNMENT
The thumbwheel and front dial can be configured to allow manual
ISO settings in real time. The two control elements can furthermore
have functions assigned independently.
FUNCTION ASSIGNMENT
▸ Switch to the desired mode (photo or video)
▸ Select Customize Control in the main menu
▸ Select
Wheel Assignment (AF Lenses) / Wheel Assignment (MF Lenses)
Selecting the desired exposure mode
▸ Press the joystick up/down
• Currently available assignment options are highlighted in red.
Assigning a function to the thumbwheel
▸ Turn the thumbwheel
• The available thumbwheel assignment options cycle through.
Assigning a function to the front dial
▸ Turn the front dial
• The assignment for the front dial cycles through the available
functions.
Saving the assignment and exiting the menu
▸ Press the joystick to the left
or
▸ Tap the shutter button
or
▸ Press the MENU button

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SETTING WHEEL ASSIGNMENTS
(IN SHOOTING MODE)
The function of the two setting wheels depends on the active ex-
posure mode. Wheel assignments can be specified independently
for photo and video mode and for every exposure mode.
WHEN USING AF LENSES
The available functions are listed in the tables below (the factory
setting is highlighted in bold).
Photo mode
Thumbwheel Front dial
PProgram shift
Exposure compensation
ISO
Program shift
Exposure Compensation
ISO
SExposure Compensation
Shutter speed
ISO
Exposure compensation
Shutter speed
ISO
AAperture
Exposure compensation
ISO
Aperture
Exposure Compensation
ISO
MAperture
Shutter speed
ISO
Aperture
Shutter speed
ISO
Video mode
Thumbwheel Front dial
PMicrophone Gain
Exposure compensation
ISO
Microphone Gain
Exposure Compensation
ISO
SExposure Compensation
Shutter speed
ISO
Exposure compensation
Shutter speed
ISO
AAperture
Exposure compensation
ISO
Aperture
Exposure compensation
ISO
MAperture
Shutter speed
ISO
Aperture
Shutter speed
ISO

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CUSTOMIZING THE SETTING WHEELS
The two setting wheels can have function assignments independent
of each other. Available functions depend on the selected exposure
mode.
▸ Switch to the desired mode (photo or video)
▸ Select Customize Control in the main menu
▸ Select Wheel Assignment (AF-lens)
▸ Implementing the desired assignment
WHEN USING MF LENSES
The available functions are listed in the tables below (the factory
setting is highlighted in bold).
Photo mode
Thumbwheel Front dial
AMagnification
Exposure compensation
ISO
Magnification
Exposure Compensation
ISO
MMagnification
Shutter speed
ISO
Magnification
Shutter speed
ISO
Video mode
Thumbwheel Front dial
AMagnification
Exposure compensation
ISO
Magnification
Exposure compensation
ISO
MMagnification
Shutter speed
ISO
Magnification
Shutter speed
ISO

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CUSTOMIZING THE SETTING WHEELS
The two setting wheels can have function assignments independent
of each other. Available functions depend on the selected exposure
mode.
▸ Switch to the desired mode (photo or video)
▸ Select Customize Control in the main menu
▸ Select Wheel Assignment (MF-lens)
▸ Implementing the desired assignment

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SETTING OPTIONS FOR WLAN SHUTDOWN
DISABLING WLAN AUTOMATICALLY
(Sleep mode)
The factory settings provide that the Wi-Fi via the camera is disabled
after a short period of inactivity to save power. The timing of the
automatic disconnect can be adjusted manually. Camera access will
then be available at any time during the selected time span.
Factory setting: After 5 min
▸ Select Leica FOTOS in the main menu
▸ Select Wi-Fi Sleep Mode
▸ Select the desired setting
– After 5 min : Shut-down after 5 mins of inactivity
– Tomorrow : no auto power saving today
– Never : Wi-Fi remains active permanently

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PHOTO AND VIDEO TAGGING VIA JOYSTICK
Photo and video recordings can now be tagged in playback mode
using the joystick.
TAGGING/RATING
Recordings can be marked as favorites to find them quicker or to
simplify the later deletion of multiple images. Tagging can be done
in regular view mode or in the overviews.
Tagging
▸ Press the function button 4
or
▸ Press the joystick up
• The recording is marked with ★. The icon will appear in the
header line on the far right when viewing images in full size,
and in the top left corner of the thumbnail in overview mode.
Removing a tag
▸ Press the function button 4
or
▸ Press the joystick down
• The ★ marking disappears.
Note
• In the overview, recordings can only be tagged via the function
button.

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EYE DETECTION
PERSON DETECTION (FACE DETECTION)
Person detection is an expansion of the face detection feature. In
addition to biometric patterns of faces, the camera also detects
body patterns and uses them for focusing. Tracking will therefore
continue, once a person is detected and measured, even if the
face may not be in view at some point. This feature prevents inad-
vertent “jumps” to other faces if several persons are in the frame.
When face detection detects an eye, the focus will be on that eye.
Should more than one eye be detected, then the user can choose
the eye to focus on. The currently selected eye will be highlighted.
Additionally, the desired face can be easily selected if there are
several faces in the frame.
Switching between faces
▸ Press the joystick in the relevant direction
Switching the focused eye
▸ Press the joystick

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FINE-TUNING ISO SETTINGS
In video recordings in particular, it is very important to have
small-increment ISO settings to prevent exposure jumps. That is
why Leica SL2-S supports automatic ISO settings in increments of
1⁄2 EV or 1⁄3EV, depending on the selected EV Increment setting.
In video mode, the same increment will also be used for the manual
setting. In photo mode, the manual ISO setting is done in full EV
increments.

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POWER SAVE FUNCTIONS
AUTOMATIC LCD PANEL AND EVF SHUTDOWN
The LCD panel and EVF deactivate automatically to save power.
The time until power off can be set.
This setting also affects autofocus; the AF system will be deactivated
at the time of automatic shutdown as well. We therefore recommend
the Off setting if autofocus is to be used in HDMI recordings.
Factory setting: 1 min
▸ Select Camera Settings in the main menu
▸ Select Power Saving
▸ Select All Displays Auto Off
▸ Select the desired setting
( Off , 30 s , 1 min , 5 min )
Note
• The top display is not affected by the automatic shutdown.

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TOGGLE FOCUS POINT
The function Toggle Focus Point allows seamless changes between
two metering positions in photo mode.
The position of the AF metering field is reset to the center of the
image when the function is initially accessed. Whenever the func-
tion is accessed after that, the AF metering field will jump back
and forth between the center of the image and the most recently
used focus position.
The function Toggle Focus Point must be assigned to one of the
function buttons (see detailed instructions).
Note
• This function is available in the AF modes Spot , Field , Zone
and Tracking .

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EXPOSURE AND DEPTH OF FIELD PREVIEW
This function simulates the effects of the current aperture and
shutter speed settings. It allows the user to assess the exposure
and depth of field of the image before shooting. The function is
similar to that of the depth-of-field preview button.
▸ Assigning the function Exposure/DOF Simulation to a function
button
▸ Press the function button
• The display cycles through the display options.
– No preview
– Preview with current aperture
value (depth of field)
– Preview with current aperture
value (depth of field) and shut-
ter speed (exposure preview)
When the exposure information is visible, a green eye symbol
next to the values for aperture and shutter speed will display the
active depth of field/exposure preview. The relevant unit of mea-
sure icon will additionally appear in green.

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GEOTAGGING
LOGGING THE SHOOTING LOCATION
(ONLY IN CONNECTION WITH THE LEICA FOTOS APP)
Location information can be sourced from a mobile device in con-
nection with the Leica FOTOS app. Current location information
will then be written to the Exif data of the recordings (geotagging).
▸ Activating GPS functions on a mobile device
▸ Activate Leica FOTOS and connect to the camera (see chapter
“Leica FOTOS”)
▸ Activate geotagging for this camera in Leica FOTOS
Notes
• The use of GPS and associated technologies may be restricted
in some countries or regions. Violations will be prosecuted by
local authorities. You should therefore contact your travel agent
or the embassy of your destination country for relevant informa-
tion beforehand.
• It will take a few seconds for the Bluetooth connection to estab-
lish. The configured shutdown time should be considered when
choosing a delay time if shutdown is enabled in the camera.
• All recordings with location information are marked with the
geotagging icon in playback mode.
GEOTAGGING STATUS
The status of existing location information is displayed on screen,
provided the info bars are displayed and geotagging is enabled.
The status screen will always show the current geotagging status.
The geotagging status will also be shown in the top display.
The location information is current (most recent geo-
location max. 15 mins prior).
The location information is not necessarily current
anymore (most recent geolocation max. 12h prior).
The available location information is outdated (most
recent geolocation more than 12 h in the past).
No location data will be written to Exif data.
No icon Geotagging is deactivated.
Location information will be continuously updated as long as the
camera is connected to Leica FOTOS. The Bluetooth function of
the camera and the mobile device must therefore remain enabled
to ensure latest information. It is, however, not necessary for the
app to be running in the foreground.

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RAW OUTPUT VIA HDMI
Leica SL2-S supports the RAW format output for recordings using
an external device. The video signal will then have a 12 bit color
depth. This signal is output via the HDMI connection and can be
recorded and processed by an external device (e.g. Atomos Ninja
V+).
The following devices are currently supported:
– Video Assist 12G HDR (by Blackmagic)
– Ninja V (by Atomos)
– Ninja V+ (by Atomos)
▸ Select Video Format / Resolution in the main menu
▸ Select RAW (via HDMI)
▸ Select the desired frame rate
Notes
• With RAW output via HDMI, not the entire sensor area is read out,
but an area corresponding to the size of the Super 35 sensors of
professional cinema cameras.
• The sensor format switches automatically to APS-C for record-
ings in RAW format.
• Please note the operating instructions of the external device.

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T-STOPS IN CINE MODE
The aperture setting in T-stops (Cine Mode) was improved and
now includes settings in 1/2 or 1/3 increments (with compatible
Leica lenses).