jlehrer

I may be embarrassing but at least the content is free!

I care!

As the guy in the video I can say that the installation process, while straightforward, definitely requires patience and a light touch. The focusing screen can scratch easily if you let it touch the metal "holding tray" but once you get seated and pressed up into the mirror box, it should never fall out unless the camera has a serious impact or there is some defect. On our store demo S bodies (S2-P and S 006) I've never had the focusing screen holder fall down, but I have seen it happen with other users who've either installed it improperly or not fully latched it back up. We actually did a mini-review of this screen, and on the same page there's a little video of the screen in action: http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2011/09/first-look-at-the-leica-s2-microprism-focusing-screen-153/ If there's one thing I mention to people interested in purchasing the microprism, it's that with the 30-90mm zoom lens at the 90mm position, it can be difficult to use it for manual focus as the split prism itself does need a minimum amount of light to work properly. At f/5.6 it's straining. Also, if you're looking for a flip-up 2x magnifier, there's always this: http://leicastoremiami.com/collections/s-system-camera-accessories/products/leica-s-right-angle-finder For users who like to manual focus, or who just enjoy the look of a split prism, I would definitely recommend giving the microprism screen a try.

I was lucky enough to test out the new Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11-23mm lens for a weekend of shooting in Miami Beach. Needless to say I was impressed. You can check out my full review with plenty of sample images here: Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11-23mm Lens Review Now I can't wait to try out the Leica APO-Vario-Elmar-T 55-135mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH! Soon I hope, once a generous customer lets me play with one before I ship it off to them.

I make no secret about my affiliations, and my post on Red Dot Forum was meant to be informative. Whether or not the purchase is worthwhile is a decision purely in the hands of the user. I do my best to present valid, logical information about the products they spend their hard-earned money on. I did compare the startup times and they were identical. Because the cameras use the same firmware that's not a big surprise. The extra RAM only allows for more images to be shot before the buffer fills. Since I never turn my camera off when I'm using it, (extra batteries are easy enough to stow in a pocket), I've yet to have startup time be an issue in my photography. I suppose my comment about the frame line lever was meant more for dramatic effect then detailed historical accuracy. I apologize if anyone or their cameras was offended!

I spent a weekend with the M-P and have written up a thorough hands-on preview. Check it out here: Leica M-P (Typ 240) Hands-On Preview If anyone has any questions or thoughts please let me know!

The "Adapter 1:1 for Leica R ELPRO to S-120mm Macro" as it's officially known is made by Michael Leibfritz in Germany. We offer it for sale here in the states for $130. It's a small ring that allows one to mount the ELPRO-R (product code 16545) onto the Leica S-120mm lens. We don't have it online yet but we will in about one week, and I will post a link here.

If you own or rent the S, or are just curious how it works, we have finally finished and posted our instructional videos for the new Leica S (Typ 006). You can see the full set here: New Instructional Video Series on Leica S (Typ 006) from Leica Store Miami Enjoy!

The S (Typ 006) has the advantage of being recalibrated to shoot at ISO100 as base ISO, versus ISO160 on the S2. This gives you a file that's a bit cleaner, but thanks to the reworking of the CCD's supporting electronics, you also get more dynamic range (especially in the highlights). Is it a massive difference? I don't think so, but it does depend on what you shoot. I have no problem going to ISO800 or even ISO1600 on the new S when I need to. Combine that with the increase in auto focus speed, dramatic improvement of the rear LCD, ergonomic enhancements thanks to the new rear joystick, integrated GPS, and much bigger buffer the new promotion is actually quite a deal. Keep in mind as well that purchasing a new S gives you Leica's full 3 year protection package that is fully transferable.

I haven't heard anything about the Multifunction grips...that's usually how it is. With the standard grips, we didn't hear a thing until we received our invoices from Leica two days before the shipment arrived.

As requested, more images of the Leica R-Adapter-M with the tripod foot.

The adapter has a removable tripod foot. When the foot is off, there is a small plastic cover that hides the attachment point on the adapter. The adapter includes a small Allen wrench for installing the tripod foot. I'll post some images on Monday when I am back in the office. The best part about the adapter over the Novoflex is the foot. Why you ask? Well, because thanks to the new design of the bottom plate, if you have the M attached to a tripod the entire camera needs to be removed to access the memory card or battery. With the Leica adapter attached I can use that to attach to my tripod, leaving the bottom plate easily accessible. This is especially handy if you are shooting video, and need to frequently remove the SD card to review footage.

Been using it for a bit and I am used to the way it operates. No complaints here! Works like a charm, and built like a tank.

Wilson: That is how our R adapter behaves (both Leica and Novoflex) but the behavior that I was expecting was that the M would automatically bring up the R lens selection menu as soon as I mount the adapter. Yes it remembers the last lens, but if I am changing R lenses I would not want to have to dive into the menu each time to select the proper lens.

An update. Now that I have the Leica R Adapter M here to test against the Novoflex LEM/LER I can confirm that both adapters bring up the 28/90mm frame lines when mounted on an M. Neither adapter automatically pops up the R lens profile menu on our M with the new firmware installed, I still need to go into the Lens Detection menu, select Manual, and then the list of R lenses is brought up for me to choose from. We just received more adapters from Novoflex, and I noticed that they updated their 6-bit coding to be higher quality and more closely match the Leica coding. In the image below the Leica adapter is on the left and the Novoflex on the right. The differences are apparent, and I'll be posting on Red Dot Forum with my full assessment this week!