S2 and Hyperdrive UDMA

[jplomley]

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I'll be receiving an S2 shortly and will be travelling with the system for about two weeks. I would like to avoid the hassles involved in taking along a laptop since I will also be carrying a 4x5 LF system and probably just squeak by the allowed carry-on. I used a pair of Hyperdrive UDMAs in Cuba for the M8 and M9 and they were brilliant. Has anyone tried these yet with the S2, or am I going to have to leave a few LF lenses at home in order to accomodate a laptop

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[dfarkas]

I'll be receiving an S2 shortly and will be travelling with the system for about two weeks. I would like to avoid the hassles involved in taking along a laptop since I will also be carrying a 4x5 LF system and probably just squeak by the allowed carry-on. I used a pair of Hyperdrive UDMAs in Cuba for the M8 and M9 and they were brilliant. Has anyone tried these yet with the S2, or am I going to have to leave a few LF lenses at home in order to accomodate a laptop

 

Jeff,

 

I haven't used the Hyperdrive UDMA, but I know in the past with devices like the JOBO GigaVu Evolution only a 160x120 thumbnail would show up for Leica DNG files from the M8. When you used the Hyperdrive with your M8 and M9s did a full-res image display without having to use DNG+JPG?

 

I believe that if you were able to see DNG only files from the M9, you shouldn't have any issues with the S2 files.

 

David

[jplomley]

Cheers David. With the M8/M9 I could see the image full screen, but the zoom function was inoperable on either unit. So no critical assessment of sharpness etc was possible, just that the files were successfully saved. If it works in a similiar fashion with the S2, than this will suffice.

[JMacD]

Why not try an iPad with memory chip reader attached to see what you need to review, then you have a nice big screen. Only challenge is getting the chip reader attachment in time for your trip, as they are not in stock in the Apple store I visited.

[c6gowin]

Jeff, I may still have some S2 DNG file available on my mediafire account. I will check when I get home from work. That way you could download some files and see it they work for you.

[jplomley]

Mark, that would be terrific. Many thanks.

[Jamie Roberts]

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Why not try an iPad with memory chip reader attached to see what you need to review, then you have a nice big screen. Only challenge is getting the chip reader attachment in time for your trip, as they are not in stock in the Apple store I visited.

 

If the iPad is like the iPod then it won't have bus mastering / UDMA as part of its design, and so while it might read a card, it won't do it very quickly. I can't imagine how bad it would be to try to download S2 files that way!

[c6gowin]

I just checked and the S2 files have been purged from my mediafire account. I am in the process of uploading some more S2 DNG files and will give you a link when the files are uploaded. It is going to take a while to upload the files (only 4) due to their large size.

[jplomley]

Hi Mark, one file should suffice to test the concept. I really don't want you having to go to too much trouble.

 

On another topic, which plates are you using to couple to an Arca Swiss clamping system? I checked RRS and Kirk, and as of yet there are no dedicated plates for the S2.

[c6gowin]

I have uploaded 4 S2 DNG files for you to try. Of course others are welcome to download the files if they are interested in the S2. All I ask is that the the files be used for personal evaluation only. The images are nothing special so don't get too excited. Here is a link to the files.

 

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[jplomley]

Cheers Mark. I can back up the files to the Hyperdrive, but it is unable to perform the RAW conversion in order to generate a preview image. I'm not too worried about this, the main thing is that it backs up and I'm able to download the file from the Hyperdrive to my hard drive without file corruption. Damn is that 70mm lens sharp! The Coca Cola image on that brick wall is just terrific. Good test subject.

[c6gowin]

I use the RRS B9 plate. It is the same one I previously used for the M8. It fits the 1/4" hole with the lip in the front. I leave it on the camera all of the time - since it is so small it doesn't interfere with camera handling. I called RRS to get the threaded stud to lip dimension of the BP-CS plate to see if it will fit the S2. I was looking at this plate because I was thinking of trying a handgrip and this plate will allow that. Unfortunately, the stud to lip dimension is very close to being long enough, but I am afraid it might be a tad short.

 

I am glad you are able to back up the S2 files on the Hyperdrive. Personally, I am not sure I would be satisfied with not being able to review my images each night. I learned that the hard way in Venice, Italy last year. I was only there for three days and I was out too late the first night and too tired to review images. It wasn't until reviewing the images on the second night that I realized the set of circumstance (e.g., sun position relative to camera, subject, and canals) which produced the best results. Well, as luck would have it, the weather that last day was nowhere near as good as the first two days. After that experience, I make every effort to review images each day when shooting a new location. I typically copy the files to the laptop for reviewing and make another copy the files on a portable hard drive.

[c6gowin]

Yes, the 70mm is sharp. I am very happy with its performance and versatility. FWIW, the white streaks visible in the Coca Cola sign photo is snow. I need to stop by there again for a photo now that the vine is full of leaves.