why not modular like the S1?

[manolo]

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You could put M, R or the new S lenses in it with different viewfinders, lens-mounts etc...

 

http://www.fotomoto.de/reprobit/S1_Produktinformation.pdf

 

and at the same time satisfy all the M & R users that now have to wait for their version of these new sensor, procesor, etc...

 

It goes with the Leica way of using all lenses of the past.

 

The idea was so obvious since these S1 had it and this is the S2.

 

Now you have all the R & M waiting? for how long? for what? for how much?

 

If modular, you could buy this S2 camera and use whith your existing lenses and buy (maybe) with time some S new lenses.

 

Could Andreas ask this question at the fair? mr. Kaufmann?

 

I think they can and should do it stil.

 

Geronimo

[stunsworth]

Well for a start the sensor is too large for most, if not all, of the lenses. Also M lenses wouldn't be practical on an SLR.

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[manolo]

You can have a very thin back and a separate M finder and an M mount.

 

or an R mirror box-viewfinder & lens mount.

 

You can later crop the image with the format and shape that you took the picture with.

[luigi bertolotti]

Nice dream, a supermodular camera... but a complex mechanical design, and, above all they have DECIDED to enter the Medium Format Digital (small, but highly professional) arena: M/R lenses simply don't fit , unless by cropping the native sensor format... and they would lose the (relative) compactness and simplicity that seem to be a plus of S2.

I'd say... such a modular camera probably could make happy M & R amateurs... but is clear they are targeting another market with S2.

[adan]

1. Leica says they based the S2 on a whole lot of surveying of pro photographers. Presumably the pros preferred "compact" to "modular".

 

2. The S is a whole system - there will eventually be other bodies in it - a modular one may turn up, lower/higher pixel ones may turn up.

 

It's interesting that Leica gets hassled for not going after new users - and then when they produce a whole new product line FOR new users (based on asking them what they want) they get hassled for not feeding the established customer base (or at least the R base)instead.

[manolo]

a supermodular camera...

 

 

Supermodular sounds good.

 

The S1 looks profetional enough. As does the S2 & lenses. They had to just to separate the components and say that they are working on the ones for the R & M.

[peterv]

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Have to agree with Luigi here. I too would have liked to have been able to use my M glass, and slowly buy new S lenses. But Leica wanted to built from scratch, and I suppose the lens versatility of the S1 would have compromised the new S system.

[manolo]

1. Presumably the pros preferred "compact" to "modular".

 

2. The S is a whole system - there will eventually be other bodies in it - a modular one may turn up, lower/higher pixel ones may turn up.

 

 

I don't think the modular should be any larger.

 

I think #2 also.

[manolo]

I too would have liked to have been able to use my M glass, and slowly buy new S lenses. But Leica wanted to built from scratch, and I suppose the lens versatility of the S1 would have compromised the new S system.

 

If they just try to separate the S2 into three parts I think they could do it stil.

[john_f]

Steve is right - the M and R lenses were designed to cover a 24x36mm image. The sensor used in the S2 is a much bigger 30x45mm ! Not to mention problems with lens mounts, etc..

 

But there is a "super modular" digital camera: the Sinar m. Go to Sinar and click on "Sinar m". In all honesty, while the concept is interesting, I'm afraid it's not going anywhere. The vast majority of pros who have switched to a "medium format" digital camera have adopted the Hasselblad H system (latest being the H3D II). This camera, more than any other camera system on the market, will be the real competitor to beat for Leica to succeed with its new S2. Considering the S2's size, shape, ergonomics, speed, extraordinary Leica designed lenses (just wait till you see the MTF charts ...), and competitive pricing, I think Leica has a real winner on its hands.

 

BTW, everything I have read on the web so far, including interviews with Leica reps and its CEO, indicate that Leica has NOT yet published an official price for the S2 - but they all have said their pricing will be very competitive.

 

Can't wait to see what they have in store for the R10 !

[stunsworth]

BTW, everything I have read on the web so far, including interviews with Leica reps and its CEO, indicate that Leica has NOT yet published an official price for the S2 - but they all have said their pricing will be very competitive

 

Kaufman was quoted as saying somewhere between 10-20,000 Euros and he hoped to come in under 15,000. They're not going to tie their hands to a fixed price at this stage, why should they?

[luigi bertolotti]

If they just try to separate the S2 into three parts I think they could do it stil.

 

Yes they probably could do... but in industrial terms is really a BIG investiment... I know rather well the tool and die business: three dies instead of one, for parts that must couple and match perfectly are a huge cost... would be fine that if S2 sells well, they think to engineer a modular version in due time... some of their statements (S2 as "basis" for "future products") even can be interpreted in this way.

[manolo]

the M and R lenses were designed to cover a 24x36mm image. The sensor used in the S2 is a much bigger 30x45mm ! Not to mention problems with lens mounts, etc..

 

 

The lens mount problems in the S1 look simple enough and I wouldn't mind having a 55% larger sensor area as reserve (37mp) and for the potential to use the S lenses later. The prosesing of a 24mp file would be much faster also. more frames per second in the M & R lenses.

[john_f]

Steve,

 

Exactly. So far Leica is talking only of a "price range" (10-20K euros) and is very careful not to specify a fixed price - that will come only later when the S2 is ready to ship (2nd or 3rd quarter 2009).

 

BTW, Hasselblad USA has recently added this page: Hasselblad Announces New Pricing for H3DII-31 Camera Kit

Hasselblad must feel they now have a new competitor on the block ...

[manolo]

if S2 sells well, they think to engineer a modular version in due time... some of their statements (S2 as "basis" for "future products") even can be interpreted in this way.

 

Why not say it. They would have all M & R users more secure of what to do. But if they had made it modular then they coud say it.

[luigi bertolotti]

....

But there is a "super modular" digital camera: the Sinar m. Go to Sinar and click on "Sinar m". In all honesty, while the concept is interesting, I'm afraid it's not going anywhere. ...

 

I surfed Sinar some days ago... being not personally interested I never saw it (i remembered Sinar only for their "oldtime" studio cameras) : interesting and really modular, but tend to share the above opinion (but, repeat, I am not a user of such gear): the first thing that came to my mind, looking at the Sinar m system diagram, is that they have rejuvenated the Visoflex system...

[manolo]

I too would have liked to have been able to use my M glass, and slowly buy new S lenses.

 

Wouldn't that be grate?

[john_f]

Manolo,

 

About using R lenses on the S2, it would seem that there might - might - be a possibility, maybe ,,,

 

According to this post from fellow Leica forum member Pascal Meheut (summilux.net :: Voir le sujet - Qques infos sur le S2), the S2 product manager indicated that it might be possible to use R lenses, and the CEO said it might not be possible - to be followed (c'est à suivre ...)

 

Here's the quote: "la possibilité de monter les optiques R sur le S2 n'est pas confirmée. Le PDG [CEO] et le Product Manager semblent ne pas dire la même chose."

 

John F.

[manolo]

the first thing that came to my mind, looking at the Sinar m system diagram, is that they have rejuvenated the Visoflex system...

 

The S2 camera separated looks simple enough.

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[manolo]

About using R lenses on the S2, it would seem that there might - might - be a possibility, maybe ,,,

 

John F.

 

Jhon, It looks less and less likely. a 1.4 extender etc... would make all the R lenses slower & they say you might need 2 or more extenders for diff. lenses. but still I hope.

 

 

Thank you for the answers all.