Buy an S?

[Photoskeptic]

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Hello everyone. I'm principally a landscape photographer. I currently shoot a D800 with Zeiss 21 and 55 with some pretty awesome Nikon glass. However, I'm not really satisfied (what else is new ). I don't print over 24" so this may be a non-starter. I also have shot Leica M since the film days and currently use an M8.2 for travel photography (still the best, imo, and I've shot all the current offerings)

I've seen all the internet comparisons but don't really much care about them! I'm primarily interested in image quality and I believe the larger pixels of the Leica sensor give a better "I'm in the scene" image than 35mm will ever be capable of. Anyway, to make to it short, who else has switched and are you happy with your results and choice?

Thanks for all replies.

 

An after thought: back in the good ol' film days I shot 6 x 6, 6 x 9, and 6 x 17, fwiw. I STILL believe the best images I ever took were with the 6 x 6, the contact prints blew away anything I've ever shot or seen with digital.

[Herr Barnack]

If 24" is the largest print size you make, the S camera is probably overkill IMHO.

 

At 24" and smaller print size, I can't imagine the M240 or M-P and M lenses (or your current D800 with Zeiss lenses) providing you with prints that are lacking in image quality, provided that the files are shot and processed properly.

 

Just my thoughts, YMMV.

Edited October 21, 2014 by Carlos Danger

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[Likaleica]

I love my S, but I also love my M and my XV. For me, it's a matter of the subject and the largest camera I can practically carry/use.

[Photoskeptic]

Thanks, guys. Just toying with the idea...don't believe I'm ready for the men in white coats to come and get me yet .

[stephan_w]

I switches about 2 years ago from the D3x/D800E to the Leica S, and I never regret it (well, my wallet did). The whole system is amazing and also the lens-line-up is complete now, and with some patience you will find used lenses for ridicoulous prices (for Leica).

 

What makes the difference for me:

 

- simple, but extremely reliable AF (never got acceptable results with the Nikon).

- amazing lenses, even compared with Zeiss and the best Nikons

- the bright viewfinder.

- really simple to use

 

The downsides:

 

- missing a really powerful flash system (not an issue for landscapes)

- missing long lenses

- the weight and size is, even compared with a Nikon pro-body, a burdon

- if you want a complete system, be prepared to spend money.

 

About the "film look", I would say that the S-files are very usable, if you stay with lower ISO, abd today there are many options to get a very good print out of digital files.

[Doc Henry]

 

An after thought: back in the good ol' film days I shot 6 x 6, 6 x 9, and 6 x 17, fwiw. I STILL believe the best images I ever took were with the 6 x 6, the contact prints blew away anything I've ever shot or seen with digital.

 

John, If you like "landscape" ,if you have already film cameras (M?) and if you do not need to "expand the entire wall" of a building , keep your film cameras

For me after 5 years of digital M , I go back to the M (2 M7) and R8 analog for the "beauty" of the film specially "faithfulnes" of color (normal three layers of silver RGB)

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/other/286747-i-like-film-open-thread-3.html

Best

Henry

[RVB]

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Here is some mint S glass for sale.. FS: Leica S (type 006) body and lens kit - Mint Condition - The GetDPI Photography Forums

 

Rob