Leica Sf 24d Manual

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Tisham Candella

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Aug 3, 2024, 5:27:15 PM8/3/24

to perecoza

If you contact Leica they should also be able to send you a smart hard copy version (approx A6 size) like you used to get automatically in the box. I got them for the Q2 and SL2-S, though the Q2 vesrion is now out of date as the online version has been updated substantially to reflect the various firmware updates.

Just got my Q3 today and ordered the hard copy manual. I hope they corrected the index in this version. Not sure if anyone noticed, but the index in the Q2 manual was messed up. When it was translated from German to English they did not re-alphabetize the index, so it was very hard to find anything. I see in the PDF version for the Q3 it is alphabetized correctly so hopefully this carries over to the written copy.

Hi all! I'm regular on the M10 forum, having used Leica M cameras for years. I THINK I am interested in purchasing a Q2 but have some questions that I could not locate answers for in either in the forum or in reading the Leica Q2 manual. Both could easily be the result of my failure to find the info as opposed to the info not being there.

1. When in manual focus using the viewfinder, what are you looking at that confirms focus - an M has a rangefinder patch to align. What does the Q2 have? The only reference I found refers to focus peaking (same as the M display). Is that what the Q2 EVF uses as well?

2. When you put the camera in manual focus with the button on the focus ring, will the camera go back into autofocus "automatically" if you turn the focus ring all the way toward the "A" or do you need to press the button again to put it in auto?

The magnified area (which you can select to be 3x or 6x) is always a magnification of the central part of the EVF. So if you want to focus on an object off to one side you do exactly as you would with a rangefinder - focus with it in the central part of the EVF and then recompose

If you do this at close focusing distance wide open, you risk of getting the wrong focus point. You get perfect focus by moving the focus point using your d-pad. Although I find it difficult to do this when your eye is on the viewfinder. I wish Q2 comes with joystick for this.

1. Focus peaking is the same as in the M10 with the benefit of being in the EVF, which is not optical, so you get a bright and clear electronic screen as a viewfinder instead of an optical viewfinder. No rangefinder, but focus peaking.

2. On the focus gear, when you turn it to all the way to infinity, you hold a button on the focusing tab and it will latch when you turn the focus gear further beyond towards infinity. You will get a better idea when you try it yourself, but it is pretty simple.

Thanks all, appreciate the replies. I totally agree, Nico, that I should look at one "in person," but it's not convenient at all and I felt like the answers to the questions I had would determine if I wanted to go any further. I don't care for the focus peaking that the M10 uses though, since I almost never use the display for composing, that really doesn't matter. Of course, with the Q2, that IS the focus method (on manual) But I suspect I'd get used to it and it would be perfectly OK.

I will remind you again that the focus gear on the Q2 is not mechanical and in my opinion, manual focus on the Q(2) does not feel as satisfying as a fully mechanical lens. More often than not, I suspect you will find yourself using AF, which is one of the biggest selling points for getting a Q(2).

I agree with this. I've used (and loved) M cameras and lenses for decades, but I recently picked up a Q2 to complement my M10-R. The manual focus on the Q2 is different than manually focusing a rangefinder M camera, but one of the principal benefits of the Q2 is the AF capability. I have found the Q2's AF to be quite good and, frankly, I rarely use manual focus on the Q2. If it's manual focus you want, why not stick with the Leica M?

I shoot my Q using manual focus well over 95% of the time. The difference between using it and my M is zoom/focus peaking on the Q vs the M's rangefinder split image. I do not find that to be fundamentally different.

I use the Q2 full manual (focus, aperture, speed and ISO) almost all of the time. And I really love it. I cant do the same with the SL2, unfortunately, but to me the Q and the M are really close, much more than what I thought initially.

With manual focus I see a big handicap in the fact that the button on top that I have normally set to change the ISO does not work as that any more . . . It just shows the zoomed image even though that same image I can see when turning the focus-wheel. There are a few things that are not well thought through with this camera whereas with my M10 I am 120% happy.

others may disagree, but for me using Q2 buttery smooth manual focus wheel together with magnification and peeking is a joy. I only use AF when shooting moving street scenes. For all other shots, stationary and/or standing still portraits I go with manual focus.

The Leica Q has been billed as having a true manual focus lens with auto capabilites unlike other mirrorless cameras that have a focus by wire manual mode. As Leica Q owners know, the lens has a small button on it that takes it out of auto focus and allows for "manual focus"...but I think it may actually not be a true manual focus we are experiencing. I suspect it is just a better fly by wire interface focusing system.

Here's why. I had the camera on a tripod and was doing some shots with the Leica Q app using my cell phone as a viewfinder so to speak. Well I attempted to adjust the focus on the camera.....but you CAN NOT focus the lens even if it is in MANUAL focus! The app/cell phone sure as heck can still focus the camera while the lens clearly is in "manual focus". This indicates this lens may actually be focus by wire and it has me scratching my head as to why they even put that little button on the lens. So which is it?

I see. All the videos I have watched on it say it is a true manual focus lens once you took the lens lock button out of its engaged point. I guess if its on the internet its not true after all. Well this new development changes the game up considerably for me. Thank you.

I suppose it comes down to whether you want to use a camera to make striking images, or you just get off on using the gear... in which case, it's the buyers choice as to whether it's the most technically advanced, or the most purist approach available that they get off on.

From my perspective, anyone who is considering this camera should be looking at the Q Image thread... the camera isn't the limiting factor... as can be seen from the strength of the images there... some of the best documentary or reportage work, or some of the most beautiful landscape work on the whole forum is in that thread...

Does it realy matter? No, as far as I am concerned it works beautifully when in 'manual' focus mode. It is accurate, smooth and responsive. To title the post 'Manual focus lens a lie' is just really another .....

If this stops you buying the camera then that is your loss and one of the stranger reasons I have heard of for doing so. IMO the Q is the best digital camera Leica has so far made and by far the best implementation of full 'manual' focus with accurate DOF scale etc I have come across on a fully electronic lens. Fuji have come close with such lenses as the 14/2.8 and the Sony FE 90/2.8 macro but still none of them have the real manual feel of the Q.

I would also add that the iPhone app is also one of the best implemented camera control app's I have used easily beating those I have used for the Sony A7 and Fuji's (when I had them). No you can't control the camera from the camera when the app is being used (which I agree in certain circumstances could be useful) but the level of control possible from the app is very comprehensive.