S2 vs Hasselblad H3D II 39

[Printmaker]

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I have the opportunity to purchase either a S2 with a 70 mm lens or a H3D II 39 with an 80 mm lens. The Hassy is factory certified, guaranteed and around $3,000 less expensive. The S2 is $13,000 with lens, low milage and returnable within 60 days. The camera chosen will live it's life in the studio, sitting on a tripod tethered to a computer and be used to photograph about 10 paintings a day. In other words, weight, size and weatherproofing are not a consideration.

 

I've used Leicas since 1968, so my heart says S2, but my budget sure would like to save that $3,000. Has anyone on this forum used both cameras and can give me their opinions and the benefit of their experience?

[erlingmm]

I have the opportunity to purchase either a S2 with a 70 mm lens or a H3D II 39 with an 80 mm lens. The Hassy is factory certified, guaranteed and around $3,000 less expensive. The S2 is $13,000 with lens, low milage and returnable within 60 days. The camera chosen will live it's life in the studio, sitting on a tripod tethered to a computer and be used to photograph about 10 paintings a day. In other words, weight, size and weatherproofing are not a consideration.

 

I've used Leicas since 1968, so my heart says S2, but my budget sure would like to save that $3,000. Has anyone on this forum used both cameras and can give me their opinions and the benefit of their experience?

 

Does square or 3:2 matter?

(The 70mm for the S, albeit being the cheapest lens in the line-up, is extremely sharp)

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[Printmaker]

Does square or 3:2 matter?

(The 70mm for the S, albeit being the cheapest lens in the line-up, is extremely sharp)

 

The sensor on the H3D II 38 is 33x44 or 3x4 where the sensor on the S2 is 30x45 or 2x3 proportions. The Hassy format fits better for most of my work because artists tend to paint in 3x4. Though not always. And I can run my color bars and gray scale on the sides to better utilize the 2x3 format. In other words both will work but the Hassy format is a slightly better fit most of the time.

 

I have to assume that sharpness will probably be the same, especially with the mirror locked up. What I'm really looking for is, in your experience, is one camera more dependable than the other? Does one have a better dynamic range? Are the shadows detailed in one or the other? How are the factory supplied color profiles? For that matter, how accurate is the color right out of the box? Is the software better? Are they both good choices or is one better in one way or another? Is one a bad choice? Why?

 

Thanks though. I need all of the input I can get as this is a decision I'll have to live with for the next 5-10 years and capture represents a healthy portion of my studio billings. Not only that, but I'll have to print the captures over and over again at sizes that average 30x40 inches. I want to be able to shoot, apply a profile and print without having to make second and third exposures to bring out lost shadow or highlight detail.

[Printmaker]

Only one response... oh well. I just took the chance and ordered the S2 with a 70. At a little less than half the price of a new one, I figure the Leica will be a good bet. When it is up and running, I'll post a comparison of the S2 vs a BetterLight Super 6K scanback.

[rsmphoto]

Saw your post late, but to help you with this...

 

I made the switch from an H3DII-39 to an S2 and could not be happier. After years of dealing with Hasselblad's FW800 connection issues AND lens connection issues which required disassembly of the camera and reboots, I am ecstatic with my S2 and plan on adding an S. Superior color engine, rock solid connections, brilliant viewfinder, Leica Image Shuttle 2.0 works perfectly with LR5 tethered, amazingly good lenses - arguably some of the best - but if too expensive, you've got an array of others to use including Contax and Hasselblad. I have zero regrets about the switch and I was a dedicated H user for many years. I've used the S2 now for a solid year on approx. 100 shoots with nary a hiccup - just a pleasure to work with in so many ways. I don't do studio work, I'm a location guy, architecture, but I think you'll be very happy with your choice.

 

Richard

Edited February 13, 2014 by rsmphoto

[Likaleica]

There is no question in my mind you made the right choice. S2 is infinitely more intuitive in my opinion, and the lenses are vastly superior. Hasselblad relies heavily on post-processing to sharpen their images and remove aberrations. Photons that pass through Leica glass are good before they hit the sensor. MTF curves are probably the best of any lens produced in any format.