Could we see a bulletproof Leica SL2-S Reporter edition in the future? I think we could!
Leica SL2 Reporter (mockup)
Could we be seeing a Leica SL2-S Reporter on the way? The latest reports suggest that the armor-plated, bulletproof, limited edition could be coming to Leica's advanced mirrorless SL camera line.
The Reporter edition is of the same style as the limited edition Leica Safari colorway, though it doesn't include a specific lens in collaboration.
However, the matte olive-green finish features bulletproof Kevlar – which is a hint to Leica cameras being used in warzones, and for intense reportage work, where the photographer needs to blend in with the surroundings. This Kevlar grip will wear over time and its weaves will become fibrous, meaning the more you use the camera the better the grip will become (according to Leica).
This is the only style difference to a 'normal' Leica camera; no internals are changed, so this is a purely cosmetic upgrade (or side-grade, depending on how you look at it).
This also begs the question; why just the SL2-S? Leica has two models of this amazing camera: the Leica SL2, which features a 47MP sensor, and the SL2-S, which is more video-orientated and has a lower megapixel count of 24MP.
The Leica Q2 Reporter (Image credit: Leica)
In my opinion if the Reporter edition were to be announced, Leica would do it for both cameras – which wouldn't be a bad thing. I just can't see the manufacturer doing it for one model variant, but I have been wrong before.
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So will this actually happen? Looking back, Leica kept it very quiet when it announced that the original Reporter edition was coming to the Q2 series (which I loved when reviewing it), so it is possible that this could be the case here?
Personally, I think it would be a great bonus for Leica to add a Reporter to the SL line-up, whichever camera that might be – but it would all depend on price for immediate uptake of the body.
We've seen the Reporter variant on the Leica Q2 increase the price by extra few hundred just for a cosmetic this upgrade; factor in that the SL2 is larger than the Q2 and it would not surprise me that you might have to pay an extra $500 / £390 / AU $700 on top of an already high-priced camera…
For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.
