Amazing price on the Leica S-E

[Eastgreenlander]

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I just browsed around eBay for used leica S and found the S-E can be bought for 5000 eur new from a reputable seller. Only for buyers outside EU though. Fantastic price! I had a Leica S2 with 70mm and 35mm back in 2012 but sold this kit when I decided to study in Nuuk university. It was the first time I ever owned a medium format system and it was in many ways a frustrating experience and sold to switch to canon 1X with primes(and cash) but I was never satisfied and I realised that image quality from the S system is unsurpassed in the variety of weather conditions we get here in Greenland. The dynamic range is stunning. Reviews on available online rarely cover the variety of conditions where dynamic range, especially in landscape photography, is important to really make the photo stand out. The line of S lenses is, for lacking a better analytic word, amazing. This should really be the reason to buy the S system. Image quality is the same no matter what F-stop you use!

Thinking back of the time I had the S system, I wanted the system to do more as this system is not for candid situations. It might be do-able with better understanding of the system. Perhaps the new typ 007 is better with the higher ISO performance but the maximum shutter time of 1 minute is a real deal breaker for me. The S-E has two minutes which is important for aurora borealis images. I'm still mesmerised my the images I have taken with this system. Now I will look into selling some equipment I don't use to fund this system again. Sorry for the long message. Just friday night thoughts. Have a nice weekend everybody :-)

Edited May 6, 2016 by Eastgreenlander

[Rolo]

Great news for anyone getting into the S system.  Dreadful news for anybody that is already in there !

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[mgrayson3]

I bought an S(006) for a stupidly low price, but having used an (007), I understand the pricing. The (007) is a much more capable instrument - high ISO, magnified live view focusing, video. But I love the (006) rendering, it was 1/4 the price, and any lenses I get will be usable when the next body falls into my hands, so I'm happy with the tradeoff. In the meantime, a Q, Sony, and a big Canon will cover the other bases.

 

--Matt

[Jeff S]

I couldn't resist after recently finding a new 006 (with full 3 year Protection Plan) at a rock bottom price, and even better packaged with a 30-90 zoom.  A lot of deals aren't advertised, but some diligent research (from reputable dealers, not the web) can turn up some great opportunities.

 

Jeff

[mgrayson3]

Mine also came with the protection plan, but alas, I had to start lens shopping from scratch. So far a 70, but it's a nice start.

Edited May 7, 2016 by mgrayson3

[Eastgreenlander]

I bought an S(006) for a stupidly low price, but having used an (007), I understand the pricing. The (007) is a much more capable instrument - high ISO, magnified live view focusing, video. But I love the (006) rendering, it was 1/4 the price, and any lenses I get will be usable when the next body falls into my hands, so I'm happy with the tradeoff. In the meantime, a Q, Sony, and a big Canon will cover the other bases.

 

--Matt

 

Matt, what do you think of the maximum longest shutter speed of 1 minute? 

[mgrayson3]

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I've never taken an exposure longer than 30 seconds, so I don't feel the limitation. Neither the (006) nor (007) would ever be my only system, and if I specialized in long exposure landscapes, I'd be using something else.

 

Some cameras jump out your hand, some stick like glue and you can't put them down. The S (for me) is in that latter camp.

 

--Matt

[xiaubauu2009]

Well, at least here in Shanghai, the price of a S-E is now cheaper than SL... in the grey market....

[mwilliamsphotography]

 

I'm in the S system for some time now. I think it is great news that such a great image making machine can be had by more people due to lower pricing.

 

I've always looked at any camera gear as an investment in myself, not hardware. You only lose if you do not use the stuff.

 

- Marc

[Photoskeptic]

Mine arrived yesterday. Lord, but it's a beast! Going out today to put in some practice. BTW, I thought maximum exposure was 2 minutes? I don't suppose it matters that much I've still got to order up some 82mm ND's.

[349A]

It is a beast but very comfortable in the hand. I use a Peak Design Clutch hand strap. Walked Italy and Germany with it this month, very nice way to carry it. I highly recommend trying the Peak Design, makes the S rather portable.

[Photoskeptic]

I'm finding it fairly easy to carry with the RRS L-bracket. I just hook my left hand fingers around it - the tendonitis in my right elbow really acts up if I try to carry it the usual way.

Mark recommended a type of strap where the camera rests on your hip. Can't remember the name - I bought, but it's on my D810 and I should probably try it. I tried the same company's hand strap but found it too confining on the Nikon - maybe it will work better on the Leica?

BTW, I really like the microprism screen - just like my old film SLR's.

 

Addition: Oops! Mark's straps won't work with the RRS L-bracket! You need some way to attach it to the bottom or bottom corner and neither the camera body nor the L-bracket have a slot for this (unlike the RRS L-bracket for the Nikon).

Edited May 27, 2016 by Photoskeptic

[Jeff S]

For carrying the S and alternating with tripod use, I found the Optech Super Classic Uni-Loop strap most convenient.  The strap itself is comfortable and flexible, and it quickly disconnects, leaving only short connects to the camera that don't interfere with the RRS L bracket.  One can buy additional strap connectors for a longer strap.  The Super Classic Pro strap is another similar alternative.

 

Having said that, I ended up returning the 006 and 30-90 zoom for a full refund.  While I liked the camera and the files, I think there's a better option for my needs....and that might eventually be the 007 and some primes in lieu of the zoom.  I didn't find the 006 combo as practical as I'd like for handheld use in less than ideal light, given the slow zoom (and where the micro prism half blacks out at the slower long end) and the lack of higher ISO capability.  And for tripod use, the LV of the 007 would be of great benefit.  

 

Unfortunately, the 007 is not (yet) discounted enough to justify my switch, especially considering the price of a set of primes compared to the fantastic price I got on the 30-90 zoom (with full Protection Plan).   So I'm back to considering alternatives, including the SL.  Surprisingly (to me), I bonded quite quickly to the S (and the similar SL) interface.  And while the 24-90 SL zoom is also rather large, the combo is much easier to carry than the 006 combo and offers much more flexibility given lens speed, higher ISOs, focus aids, LV, etc.  Of course the files are not the same medium format quality, but still nothing to sneeze at for my typical print sizes.  (A bonus is that the SL could adapt all of my M lenses and, if I eventually get an another S, those lenses as well.  A great alternative and back-up body.)

 

I also eventually want longer lenses for landscape applications, and the S lens line seems dead ended at 180mm (for native weather sealed AF lenses).  I was willing to forego all of that for getting the file quality of the 006, but in the end, the compromises for my style didn't justify the expense, despite the great bargain....at least for now.

 

Choices.

 

Jeff

Edited May 27, 2016 by Jeff S

[Jeff S]

I forgot to mention that the image stabilization (IS) of the SL zoom is another key aspect that facilitates the handheld use of the system compared to the S006 and S zoom.

 

Jeff

[John McMaster]

Indeed, but an S with prime lenses will wipe the floor with it in suitable conditions ;-)

 

john

[Jeff S]

Ah, 'suitable conditions'.....other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?      

 

Yes, I recognize the potential IQ sacrifice.  Tradeoffs.

 

Jeff

[John McMaster]

I have M(240) with good M and R lenses for the other times ;-) I have the S zoom but regard it similarly to my E49 MATE, competent but not inspiring....

 

john

[Jon Warwick]

I've waxed lyrical about S files that I've taken as a test in the past, and i was very close to getting an S-E (or S006) as a complete replacement to my M240.

I certainly thought the files of the S range are far superior to the M240 for very large prints, and still believe that to be obviously the case.

But i hesitated. And i think will stick with the Ms for now. This is due to my preference for form factor (weight, size, no mirror) of the Ms. And also, more particularly, i think i'd miss the higher ISO capability of the latest CMOS Ms vs. the CCD S-E / S006 .... that gap obviously narrows with the greater shooting window of a 007, but an S 007 is beyond what i want to spend.

Furthermore, as a complement to my M240, I have tried the M 246 (Monochrom) and 50 APO, and found those B&W files to be far superior to the M240s in terms of resolution and tonality (which i find important for very large prints). Indeed, whilst i find the M240 quite clearly lacking in image quality vs. the S for very large prints, I thought the difference was a lot more subtle between the S and the M246.

Edited May 27, 2016 by Jon Warwick

[Photoskeptic]

Hi Jon, I find your take very interesting. I'm in the process of ditching my M-P BECAUSE I got an S006. I've never been happy with the M-P, mostly because it seemed to toss the Leica gestalt for people on this forum screaming (literally) for modern innovations such as LV, high ISO, etc. I can't stand the files from the M-P, I was much happier with my M8.2 and I wish I had never sold it. For my style of shooting I only liked the new shutter of the M-P and the battery life. Not so much in the way of improvements after all these years. The high ISO I could take or leave. Give me the 6 micron pixels of the CCD sensors every time over all this CMOS crap. And yes, I also own a D810 which is CMOS-ed out the ass, but it's versatility makes up for it.

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[Jeff S]

Various 006 (CCD) owners here have since adopted the 007 (CMOS).  I haven't heard the term 'crap' used yet for their resulting files.

 

I still have my M8.2.  But it mostly sits on the shelf now that I'm getting better results from my M240.  But of course print results depend on myriad workflow variables beyond the out-of-camera files, and I've incorporated numerous improvements since M8.2 days.   

 

The good thing is that there are loads of terrific gear choices these days....from lots of companies....combined with similarly endless editing and printing options.  Whatever works.

 

Jeff