My Leica S2 Review Is Up!

[stevem7]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Just some hands on experience for 5 days or so...

 

The Leica S2 Camera Review | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[LeicaS2]

Thanks for the hard work.

You are so right about needing a big computer. But are you sure about a four times increase in file size for the S2 versus M9, or did I misunderstand?

[dfarkas]

Thanks for the hard work.

You are so right about needing a big computer. But are you sure about a four times increase in file size for the S2 versus M9, or did I misunderstand?

 

The M9 has two DNG settings: compressed and uncompressed. The uncompressed DNG files are ~36MB and the compressed DNG files are ~18MB. The S2 currently only offers uncompressed DNGs, which are ~72MB apiece. So, yes, an S2 file is four times the size of a compressed M9 DNG. Of course, comparing apples to apples, they are twice the size, which makes sense considering the resolution increase from 18MP to 37.5MP.

 

BTW, nice write-up Steve.

 

David

[Julian Thompson]

Excellent review Steve. Loved the heart on the sleeve perspective which helped me to rationalise the product in terms of how it would work for me if I bought one. Very well done.

[stevem7]

Thanks guys. I really enjoyed shooting with it and writing about it

[Balivernes]

Thanks for the review Steve, and for your web site in general. Always a nice read. On the S2 (which I will not be able to afford unless I win the lottery), I am not sure there is that much interest in scrutinizing 100% crops in your comparisons.

 

This camera, and MF in general, produces extremely rich files that are mainly meant to be enlarged to gigantic print sizes. What would be interesting would be to compare the output of a m4/3, an APS, a FF and a MF on A1 prints. I am sure, at that print size, and obviously at larger than that, the S2 (and similar MF systems) will beat FF and the others in a spectacular way, even at 1250 ISO. Would be nice to see that assumption demonstrated or contradicted in reviews such as yours.

 

Another purpose of the S2 would be full pages of glossy mags or art books, and at those circa A3 formats we'd need to compare tonal depth and gradation rather than resolution, as even m4/3 will deliver more than acceptable full pages at such format. Again I am pretty confident that S2 files will beat smaller formats on the tonal gradation and depths of tones criteria quite visibly (depending on subject), and would not be seen as "noisy" at higher ISO settings.

 

Finally, the larger the format, the more you are allowed to crop the image, and the S2 provides a mega "cropping reservoir" : that 70mm can effectively be cropped to a 210mm or 280mm and still produce high quality full size magazine pages.

 

Pixel peeping (comparison of 100% crops) is of minor interest these days, except when you compare same format sensors at 100%, and remember the final print size the system is aiming for.

 

Thanks again for your work and for the straightforward honest reviews!

[ohnri]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Very nice review. I especially liked all the photos you posted and found the 100% crops to be very interesting.

 

In contrast to another poster I doubt the S2 at ISO 1250 would come close to equaling, much less bettering, a D3x at any image size.

 

Frankly, resolution aside, I doubt the S2 or the H4D40 or the equivalent would print any better than a D3x at base ISO.

 

I'll have to rent one and see for myself. That kind of information is difficult to find on the web.

 

Best,

 

Bill

[ptomsu]

Great review! Indeed! Many thanks!

 

After reading through this, I am even more sure now not to buy into the S System, at least not at it's current maturity level.

 

Great IQ, great resolution, superb camera obviously, but still not there WRT higher ISO quality and missing too many lenses.

 

And the price might be a no go for me forever - who knows.

[rosuna]

Today I have seen a S2 in Fotocasión, Madrid. It confirmed my first impression on this camera: a superb machine. Impressive.

 

It is out of my reach... but anyway, this camera is an unique engineer success. As the ex-CEO of Hasselblad said, "this is the camera we would have liked to do".

[ptomsu]

Today I have seen a S2 in Fotocasión, Madrid. It confirmed my first impression on this camera: a superb machine. Impressive.

 

It is out of my reach... but anyway, this camera is an unique engineer success. As the ex-CEO of Hasselblad said, "this is the camera we would have liked to do".

 

I think many others would have liked to build this camera indeed!

 

Let's wish Leica really the BEST for selling huge numbers of S2s and the S System lenses! Maybe this then can introduce a new path in professional DSLR systems.

[LuxBob]

It reminds me of how I felt when I got my R8 many years ago. Start saving.

Just one small thing though, somehwat OT. Whenever I am literally on the road, first off, I don't get much chnace to look around for shots but when I do see one, either stopping the queue of traffic behind me is unsafe or, I cannot find anywhere to stop for a few miles. I would never have been able to get AA's famous moonlight shot.

Thank you Steve for a review that portrayed something of the feel of the camera.

[mhoersch]

Just what Leica needs: a unique camera that everybody admires and nobody buys.

[Gentleman Villain]

Great work on the review and sample pics. Thanks very much for sharing

[c6gowin]

Just because there are people on this forum who say the won't or can't buy the S2 doesn't mean other people are not buying them. I know for a fact that some people are buying the S2.

[pattypatty2010]

Steve, your the man! Thanks for the review! This camera reminds me a lot of the Pentax 67.

[rosuna]

Leica has been using (and abusing) the M user base for surviving.

 

The M8 sold very well just because it was the first M digital, in spite of its flaws (too many, too severe).

 

The M9 is selling well just because it is full frame, in spite of its flaws (too many, too severe).

 

The S2 is the first Leica camera up to the expectations, up to Leica standards (in digital), up to "pro" standards (in digital). It is designed to be state of the art in every and all dimensions. It is very well designed, well finished, use the best components, it is adapted to the photographer needs (and not to the needs of Leica, needs for short development cycles, need for money, need for shared components M8-M9, etc.).

 

It is very important for Leica 1) a profitable S line, 2) a new M camera designed with the user in mind, based on the same principles of the S2 camera. The point 1) is a condition for 2). The M8/M9 cameras were a condition for 1).

 

The point 2) implies a camera miles ahead of the current M9: better rangefinder and/or focusing assistance; sealed body; better processor and electronics (reliability! reliability!); easier and faster technical support (easier and faster access to the guts of the camera for repairing); better LCD and controls; better software (firmware); etc.

 

I see the S2 camera and I can't avoid comparing it to the M8/9. The S2 sets the standard for future Leica digital products. The current ones (M9, X1) aren't there yet.

 

The S2 is an interesting camera for all Leica users.

[wildlightphoto]

... The S2 sets the standard for future Leica digital products...

 

Which is why I'm so upset there will be no R10

[ezc203]

Hey Steve,

 

Just read the review. I love your style of reviewing and have read almost everything you wrote on Leica M gear. The S2 review is in line with all your previous work (which are great!). Only problem is now, I want an S2.... Haha.

 

Thanks for the review!

 

PS: That self-portrait at the end of the review with you and the S2 is a GREAT photo. Love that smurk on your face. Then again, if I was shooting with an S2, I'd probably have a similar expression

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[wildlightphoto]

... if I was shooting with an S2, I'd probably have a similar expression

 

I would too.

[Julian Thompson]

I love your style of reviewing

 

Me too - Steve's reviews are friendly and humble, even though he's actually very good. It makes a change from reading reviews where it feels more like a lesson!