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S2 with Hasselblad Zeiss 110/2


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I just thought that I'd post a link to some shots that I've taken as I'm testing out the S2 this week.

 

One of the major reasons that I have an interest in the S2 is for the combination of ergonomic design provided by the camera combined with its large sensor. I'm a photographer that likes to make large prints and still wants to pursue hand-held photography and natural lighting as much as possible.

 

Quite simply, I've been looking for a medium format size sensor in a camera that I can carry around with me most of the time. I want to be able to utilize such a camera in situations where I would have previously taken the M9 or a DSLR. I like the image characteristics a larger sensor provides with a narrower depth of field especially with faster lenses.

 

Until last summer, I owned a P45+ Phase back and Phase One medium format camera that I had for about 18 months.

 

While shooting with the P45+ back, I was able to utilize a Hasselblad Zeiss 110mm f2 lens via a third party adapter. It is a lens that I absolutely adore (some would call it the Noctilux of medium format). So when I found out that a third party Hasselblad to S2 adapter was available and that my Leica crack dealer, David, at Dale Photo and Video, just happened to have one (and was willing to lend it to me during my S2 test drive), I was elated.

 

An f2 lens, the Zeiss 110/2 lens is wonderful for available light photography. It is a relatively small lens (manual focus lens design) when compared to the larger AF lenses in the S2 line-up, making it easily hand-holdable on the S2.

 

The Zeiss 110/2 has a distinctive lens signature that provides rich, high-contrast images and smooth bokeh. It is a match well-made for larger medium format digital sensors including the S2's.

 

I was delighted to discover that the S2's large viewfinder makes manually focusing the 110/2 no more difficult than manually focusing any other fast lens on an M body.

 

My conclusion ... I'm having a blast. The gallery I've linked includes shots I've taken with the 110/2 and S2. Many were taken at the Wisconsin State Fair over the weekend. I walked around the fair for a little over three hours on Saturday with just the S2, the single lens and a hand strap.

 

There are a few more lenses that are "available" for use with the S2 than you might realize. It's another reason to consider using the S2, especially if you have a few manual focus medium format lenses gathering dust.

 

Here's the gallery ...

 

http://www.kurtkamka.com/galleries/s2/

 

 

Kurt

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Kurt,

Nice pictures on your website and good to see you are having fun with the S2 and hope you will find enough joy to decide to purchase it. I also like the 110/2 on my S2 as well as my other Hasselblad lenses which are relatively cheap compared to the S lenses and work fine. Just picked up a superachromat 250/5.6 and will try it once it gets delivered. I am very curious to see how the legendary sharpness of that lens will come through on the S2.

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Thanks Arif .... there are certainly some interesting alternative lens choices to try out on the S2. With the tweaks to the color in the most recent version of Lightroom, I'm giving the S2 serious thought.

 

Ed, here's a link to where the adapters are coming from: Leica S2 DSLR Lens mount ADAPTER FOR Hasselblad to S2 - eBay (item 260642335791 end time Aug-27-10 09:16:50 PDT) So far, everyone that I've heard about that received an adapter from this source has been more than pleased with the results. $750 is a high price ... but when you are the only supplier, you can charge a premium. Plus, the cost of an adapter and three older lenses might get you close to the price of a new Leica S2 lens.

 

Thanks Rich and Jack. A lot of it also has to do with the fact that I really like the 110mm focal length on the S2. I liked using the 80lux on the DMR and like the 75lux on the M9.

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Kurt,

 

Very nice images. Do you have further details on the adapter? I have been looking and cannot find a commercial source.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Ed

 

Kimcamera sells them on eBay. Just search: Leica S2 DSLR Lens mount adapter for Hasselblad

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Thanks Kurt and Tim. I'd eventually found that link, but would not be confident with an bay transaction to Korea without your endorsement.

 

When this arrives I'll start posting real macro with the Hassy 120.

 

Ed

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Thanks Kurt and Tim. I'd eventually found that link, but would not be confident with an bay transaction to Korea without your endorsement.

 

When this arrives I'll start posting real macro with the Hassy 120.

 

Ed

 

I took that leap of faith when I saw David Farkas do it. Was quite happy with what I received. Quality was very good and it worked well i.e. focussing was spot on.

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Kurt

 

Thats quite a portfolio. I really like the HB 110/2 on the S2 and you are right it looks like the Noctilux 1.0 and you seem to have the color working better than I have seen in the past .

 

This reminds me of the Noctilux 1.0 on the M8.2 which would have been a 67mm FOV so the perspective and even the DOF (since its 1.0 verse 2.0) is similar.

 

But is it better than your M9 with the .95 Noctilux ? I bet the IQ would be close.

 

I know ..never satified ..the constant quest for "magic gear". :D

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Thanks Kurt and Tim. I'd eventually found that link, but would not be confident with an bay transaction to Korea without your endorsement.

 

Ed

 

My transaction with him was fast and very professional. The adapter is very well made. I have used my Zeiss 100 f3.5 Planar lens with the S2 and was pleased with how easy it was to use. I must say, however, that the image quality of even this venerable Hasselblad lens, which was made to match 120 film, is nowhere near the IQ of the Leica S lenses. I got the adapter so that I can use my 100 while I wait impatiently for the 120 Summarit-S.

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The Zeiss 110/2 has a distinctive lens signature that provides rich, high-contrast images and smooth bokeh. It is a match well-made for larger medium format digital sensors including the S2's.

 

 

Thanks for the brillant pictures!

 

I'm just a amateur using the Zeiss 2/110 together with a 2000FC/M. I like the cube design very much (and the square format).

 

Have you any experience with the CFV backs, e.g. 39MPx? This is still expensive, but more affordable than a S2 is.

 

Thanks!

 

Martin

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Well, I decided not to go for the adaptor/Hassy combo.

 

And guess what.

 

A very nice black box arrived by post today with a ..... 120 Summarit Makro in it.

 

I've no tripod in the office but will post some test macro shots as soon as I get home.

 

First thought ... this is a lense that really needs a tripod. Second thought .... extension tubes/bellows for true 1:1?

 

And for anyone else that gets one, don't be surprised when it appears "not to work" at first. The lense seemed to arrive locked at infinity and with no response to shutter button. All systems had been updated previously. Lens cap off, switch off and on again. Happy whirring noise and happy me.

 

More later ... hopefully with side-by-side with D3X and Zeiss 100 makro

 

Ed

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Ed,

 

I'm very curious to see any shots you might be willing to post with the 120 macro. From anecdotal claims so far, I've been hearing good things about the lens.

 

If you have a chance, also let us know how the bokeh on the lens looks wide open. I'd be very curious to find out how easy it would be to use the lens as an extended normal lens ... albeit a somewhat large and heavy normal lens.

 

Kurt

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This lens is bad news ..... for the pocket!!

 

Wide open, LR3, -1EF and then pulled back in LR3

 

I'll try to get some insects tomorrow night and comparison with the D3X

 

Ed

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This lens is bad news ..... for the pocket!!

 

Wide open, LR3, -1EF and then pulled back in LR3

 

I'll try to get some insects tomorrow night and comparison with the D3X

 

Ed

 

+1, would love to see the comparisons. crops for 24" or larger prints would be most welcome. i too, like large format prints.

 

regards

 

cornelius

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Cornelius

 

There is a link to some fungi pictures in the "120mm samples" thread. Very boring unless you like fungi, but they show the results you can get. The little orange jelly fungi are about 2mm.

 

I'll try to get time this weekend to do some real comparisons with the D3x

 

Ed

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