Jump to content

Photokina: No S news ?


erlingmm

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Radio silence from Photokina re: the S system so far - no lenses, no upgrades (well, new firmware a week ago), no T/S, no new cameras (well, Kaufmann had a picture on FB of a red S007), no news about how to handle the AF issues.

 

The only news remotely S related is the Sinar back that seems to use the S sensor, and S CF lenses.

 

I find this very strange, actually a bit upsetting. Especially given that Leica PK should be about the pros.... (I will not even joke about the Sofort...)...

 

Ah, I forgot ! A new issue of the S Magazine !!!!

Edited by erlingmm
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Patience is a virtue...

I would rather have nothing new presented in 2016 and wait patiently for something in 2017... 

I am particularly waiting for a 300-350mm lens...

Let's see..

Albert  ;)  ;)  ;)

 

Well, if it comes in 2017, that would only be 6 years from David's post, which made it seem imminent....  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/152419-waiting-for-the-350mm-lens/?p=1683211   :rolleyes:

 

It will be interesting to see what becomes of the S system.  The expectations for wide T/S lenses, tele lenses, longer zooms, etc have quieted for years.  The price point on earlier models has plummeted, particularly after the Pentax 645Z entry.  The lens reliability and service delay issues have been front and center.  The mirrorless MF market has heated up intensely with Hasselblad and Fuji.  And Leica seems to have put a lot of emphasis on the SL, already with longer focal lengths than the S.

 

Jeff

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

It's difficult to determine what Leica's thoughts are on the S system, M system, Q and T.  Overall the S had the least speculation, a new M240 replacement was expected by many, an interchangeable lens Q or new Q fixed lens were Leica's own words.  The T has been discontinued prior to photokina, that was a slam-dunk but no new body materialized.   Other manufacturers such as Nikon didn't upgrade their D810 or introduce an answer to the 5Ds.  I can't remember a more uneventful photokina.  If I had to make a wild guess it appears the major manufacturers are trying to diminish photokina.  The other change in the industry is the attempt to make availability  close to announcement, photokina may not be the best timing if the product is unavailable.  

Edited by darylgo
Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I am invested in the S and in the T and in the case of both cameras it sure would be nice to know where Leica is going with these... if anywhere at all...

 

If they have a strategy they certainly are keeping it well hidden...

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Radio silence from Photokina re: the S system so far - no lenses, no upgrades (well, new firmware a week ago), no T/S, no new cameras (well, Kaufmann had a picture on FB of a red S007), no news about how to handle the AF issues.

 

The AF issue is being addressed with a 'technical improvement' which is currently being tested/verified according to senior Leica execs. That ties in with Neil D's comment on new batches coming in October without the dreaded AF problem, Whether there will be an upgrade program or not is unknown, I assume they will continue to fix and replace with the new technology.

In the same conversation I mentioned the long turnaround time on repair. The advice was to send lenses straight to Wetzlar, they would have had it back to me in two weeks instead of two months.It's anybody's guess as to why there would be additional 6 weeks delay when going through regional dealers (in my case Singapore).

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

With all this new mirrorless movement, I'm not sure if the current S system would stay relevant for another year or two. My thinking would be that they will use similar EVF technology in SL on the future S if they plan to continue the S line for pro market. In addition they need to drop their prices drastically to compete with other brands in medium format space which might not be possible based on their production quantity.

 

My biggest wish for Leica medium format is the upgrade path similar to what PhaseOne and Hasselblad offers. Last year I moved from Hasselblad H4D 50 CCD to P1 IQ350 CMOS platform (including the lenses) easily and in addition I got 5 years warranty + next day air loan / exchange plan which makes total sense for pro shooters.

Link to post
Share on other sites

With all this new mirrorless movement, I'm not sure if the current S system would stay relevant for another year or two. My thinking would be that they will use similar EVF technology in SL on the future S if they plan to continue the S line for pro market. In addition they need to drop their prices drastically to compete with other brands in medium format space which might not be possible based on their production quantity.

 

My biggest wish for Leica medium format is the upgrade path similar to what PhaseOne and Hasselblad offers. Last year I moved from Hasselblad H4D 50 CCD to P1 IQ350 CMOS platform (including the lenses) easily and in addition I got 5 years warranty + next day air loan / exchange plan which makes total sense for pro shooters.

 

 

I don't need EVF for the S, I love the OVF, I actually love the system as it is. I just need a working, reliable system, with good support and service.

 

Good to hear they have a solution for the AF, let's hope there is a smooth upgrade path for existing owners.

 

I hope there will be new models, EVF or OVF, probably 50+mpix, fine, and I would love an upgrade path, but at the same time, it has to be paid by someone. If the system is reliable, used prices will keep decent.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

If the system is reliable, used prices will keep decent.

 

I doubt that.  When 35mm moved into 30+ MP territory the prices of my P30+ just sunk...

 

I believe the same thing happened with the Leica S when 35mm moved into 40+ MP territory...

 

I am not sure which direction Leica will go with the Leica S but IMHO $17K for a 37MP camera is simply not realistic anymore and not commercially viable no matter how good and how reliable the system is...

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't need EVF for the S, I love the OVF, I actually love the system as it is. I just need a working, reliable system, with good support and service.

 

Good to hear they have a solution for the AF, let's hope there is a smooth upgrade path for existing owners.

 

I hope there will be new models, EVF or OVF, probably 50+mpix, fine, and I would love an upgrade path, but at the same time, it has to be paid by someone. If the system is reliable, used prices will keep decent.

 

For sure higher megapixel on the S will be critical to make this line successful (based on the market technology trend).  Hybrid EVF/OVF would be a very nice to have feature. I personally use the S systems for places where I can't not take my PhaseOne system (harsh weather and challenging locations). Weather sealing and solid built of this systems is the main reason I like to use it more often for my location work. S 37mp sensor + S glasses produce great quality imageries when I compare it with P1 50mp sensor and lenses.

Link to post
Share on other sites

The AF issue is being addressed with a 'technical improvement' which is currently being tested/verified according to senior Leica execs. That ties in with Neil D's comment on new batches coming in October without the dreaded AF problem.

 

After some private discussions at Photokina, I am not so optimistic about a solution in October.

 

They are taking it very seriously, but they could not confirm yet, they had found THE solution. In the meantime, they will fix the lenses as long as it takes. :(

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...