S2 Release Date.

[stevelap]

A response to a recent enquiry made to Leica UK supports what others have reported in various threads. Non-committal really, but I wouldn't expect anything more, officially, at this stage:

"To the best of my knowledge the LEICA S2 is on schedule and due for
launch Summer 2009. The only information available is on the Leica
website."

I also asked about progress with the London Leica Store, unsurprisingly their comment was... 'no comment':

"I regret we are not able to make any statement regarding the Leica
Store."

[stevelap]

Something or nothing perhaps, but according to a reliable source Leica UK have recently hired a dedicated S2 marketing man.

[R10dreamer]

Originally Posted by stevelap

Something or nothing perhaps, but according to a reliable source Leica UK have recently hired a dedicated S2 marketing man.

They need a dedicated public relations and customer relations/communications/marketing consultant.

[SteveYork]

A recent article posted on the LUG is quoting someone from Leica w/ a September date.

[R10dreamer]

Originally Posted by SteveYork

A recent article posted on the LUG is quoting someone from Leica w/ a September date.

Personally, I am waiting to find out the price. Depending on what it is the release date may not make any difference to me. I am hoping for < $13,000.00 as I think that price would move some bodies quickly.

[c6gowin]

I agree - I need to know price before I worry too much about release date. I also agree that Leica would move some bodies at a price <$13k, but I am afraid that is wishful thinking. They would move a S2 my way at that price. I don't know how much more I could seriously consider. I guess it depends on if Leica offers any package pricing specials or, really, the total cost of the body and a couple lenses. It won't be long to they announce pricing.

Mark

[SteveYork]

The pricing of the S2 could of been part of their reason to dump the R10 -- that it would be low enough to grab potential R10 buyers. But I doubt it will be that low. It will be around $20K, and that's just crazy for the nonprofessional.

[wildlightphoto]

Originally Posted by SteveYork

The pricing of the S2 could of been part of their reason to dump the R10 -- that it would be low enough to grab potential R10 buyers. But I doubt it will be that low. It will be around $20K, and that's just crazy for the nonprofessional.

If there are no lenses longer than 350mm it won't grab this potential R10 buyer at any price, unless my f/6.8 Telyts can be successfully adapted to it.

[mooky]

Pricing and the global economy being so wacked out has left any companies in the middle of, or final stages of new high-end products in a huge lurch.

Part of me wants to believe the the S2 is going to be cheaper than 10K, or the lenses will be relatively 'affordable'. My guess is the body will be more reasonable than the lenses - Leica may have to drop the intro price to get it out there. So far, there are no big reasons to think the launch will be too much off what they have been leaning towards.

I still want one.....haven't a clue how I'll do it.....

[carstenw]

Originally Posted by wildlightphoto

If there are no lenses longer than 350mm it won't grab this potential R10 buyer at any price, unless my f/6.8 Telyts can be successfully adapted to it.

Doug, you could practice your sneaking ability with the 350mm And if you can't get close, if you crop to a 700mm, you would still get a 10MP image!

[giordano]

Originally Posted by wildlightphoto

unless my f/6.8 Telyts can be successfully adapted to it.

That should just be a matter of making a new rear tube to suit the S2 mount. A fairly simple machining job if you can obtain an S2 bayonet, simpler still if you can sacrifice an existing rear tube or 14182 extension tube.

Not all the the additional sensor area may be usable, though.The achromat's curved field and other off-axis aberrations may become too prominent, and there's a possibility of mechanical vignetting. Has anyone used the f/6.8 Telyts on medium format?

[wildlightphoto]

Originally Posted by giordano

That should just be a matter of making a new rear tube to suit the S2 mount. A fairly simple machining job if you can obtain an S2 bayonet, simpler still if you can sacrifice an existing rear tube or 14182 extension tube.

Not all the the additional sensor area may be usable, though.The achromat's curved field and other off-axis aberrations may become too prominent, and there's a possibility of mechanical vignetting. Has anyone used the f/6.8 Telyts on medium format?

The 400mm f/6.8 has been adapted to 6x4.5cm but I don't know how usable the outer regions of the picture are. Another unknown is how well the camera works with non-electronic lenses.

[wilfredo]

Whatever the price, I don't have the cash for it. I'm going to have to sit this one out... I'm one of those non-professionals who don't make a six figure salary. Nevertheless, I look forward to the unveiling and to what those fortunate to afford this new system will do with it. I expect nothing less than extraordinary!

Cheers

[like_no_other]

Originally Posted by wilfredo

Whatever the price, I don't have the cash for it. I'm going to have to sit this one out... I'm one of those non-professionals who don't make a six figure salary. Nevertheless, I look forward to the unveiling and to what those fortunate to afford this new system will do with it. I expect nothing less than extraordinary!

Cheers

No, a clearly outspoken NO! Extraordinary pictures are not made due to the equipment.
Even with the income category you describe you can make these pictures withe the same probability a millionaire can make these pictures, You know that.

[zapp]

Originally Posted by wildlightphoto

The 400mm f/6.8 has been adapted to 6x4.5cm but I don't know how usable the outer regions of the picture are. Another unknown is how well the camera works with non-electronic lenses.

Come on, it is rather unlikely to start a new camera line with the introduction of a 560 mm (like) lens. For your purpose a 350 mm plus converter will be the only solution for some time to come. And it will be a heavy solution. A wide open tele lens will probably be first before the introduction of a moderately wide open tele lens. The good thing is that you will know by the introduction of such lens whether the system has some future.

[wildlightphoto]

Originally Posted by zapp

Come on, it is rather unlikely to start a new camera line with the introduction of a 560 mm (like) lens. For your purpose a 350 mm plus converter will be the only solution for some time to come. And it will be a heavy solution. A wide open tele lens will probably be first before the introduction of a moderately wide open tele lens. The good thing is that you will know by the introduction of such lens whether the system has some future.

I was thinking of having my existing lens modified to fit the S2, not suggesting that Leica will make it in a native mount. Leica has stated that they have no plans for S lenses longer than 350mm

[adan]

Totally off the S2 delivery date subject, but:

Doug, it should be relatively easy to adapt Visoflex versions of the long Telyts to S2-mount - they already have a shortened rear tube to allow for the extra depth of the Viso + M compared to an R body. At least 1/2 inch available to insert an adapter. I'd figure one could work around the field curvature by subject placement just as one does in normal 35mm use.

[leicanut2]

Wonder if a 1.4x would be possible??

Jan

[wildlightphoto]

Originally Posted by leicanut2

Wonder if a 1.4x would be possible??

If the 350mm APO-Telyt-S is the longest lens Leica plans to make available I'd consider a 1.4x extender quite important if I were to use the S2. It certainly is possible to make one, it's only a matter of making the investment and pricing it to be profitable. I wonder if a focusing module for the Modular APO-Telyt heads could be made?

Originally Posted by adan

Doug, it should be relatively easy to adapt Visoflex versions of the long Telyts to S2-mount - they already have a shortened rear tube to allow for the extra depth of the Viso + M compared to an R body. At least 1/2 inch available to insert an adapter. I'd figure one could work around the field curvature by subject placement just as one does in normal 35mm use.

Another issue is the constricted throat of the visoflex-mount lenses. Even on 35mm film there can be some mechanical vignetting with the long-focus lenses, and the extension tubes I'd need would also be a question. The 14182 extension tube for the f/6.8 Telyts is an option, but it's cumbersome to attach and remove quickly. Maybe Novoflex could be convinced to bring back the 400mm T-Noflexar, this time in Leica-S mount. They used to make follow-focus lenses to fit medium-format cameras.

[wilfredo]

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