Wildlife with the Leica SL

Tigers and the forests of India, photographed on the Leica SL3 system

I photograph wildlife in India with the Leica SL system: the SL3, SL3-S and SL3-P. Most of my wildlife pictures are made with the Sigma 300–600mm F4 DG OS Sports in L-mount, and the rest mainly with the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70–200 f/2.8 ASPH. I also use the Vario-Elmar-SL 100–400 f/5–6.3, the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–70 f/2.8, the Sigma 200mm F2 DG OS Sports and the 1.4x L extender.

The SL3-P feels like the most capable all-round SL camera I’ve used. The autofocus is noticeably faster and more confident than previous SL bodies, especially for wildlife. Animal eye detection tracked tigers well, even through vegetation, and continuous shooting held up for action sequences. High ISO performance and dynamic range helped on early morning and late afternoon safaris, and 44 megapixels leaves plenty of room to crop while keeping detail. The familiar SL ergonomics made it comfortable through long safari drives. I first used the SL3-P as a pre-launch camera from Leica, and bought my own the day it was released.

Legacy, my series on three tigresses of one Ranthambhore bloodline, was photographed entirely on Leica cameras between April and June 2026. Seven of my pictures have been chosen for the LFI Gallery Selection by the editors of Leica Fotografie International.