JMacD Posted January 21, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 21, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) A short review of a still elusive lens is here Leica S2 professional medium format DSLR • reghardware VISIONISTS: Leica S2 120mm macro test - smoohkah Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 Hi JMacD, Take a look here S120mm review . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Constable Posted January 22, 2011 Share #2 Posted January 22, 2011 I love the 120 Ed Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/142202-s120mm-review/?do=findComment&comment=1566103'>More sharing options...
Anthony Flores Posted January 23, 2011 Share #3 Posted January 23, 2011 Nice images! This is my second choice for a lens after the 70mm, just amazing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plevyadophy Posted January 24, 2011 Share #4 Posted January 24, 2011 Lovely rendition. Unfortunately, for me, the S lenses aren't ready for show time until they all have Central Shutter. It's my understanding that this year will see the first CS lens. At the rate Leica moves, only God knows how long it will take for them to have a complete line up of CS lenses. But whilst we/I wait for CS lenses at least we can see from the current crop of lenses what the optical quality will be, and it looks lovely. Regards, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpwhite Posted January 29, 2011 Share #5 Posted January 29, 2011 Thank you for the images, Constable. Do you remember the lens opening for the first two? I take it from the vignetting that the tree in snow image is wide open. Have you also used an M9 with the APO Telyt? I know the format is worlds apart from the S2, but I was just wondering if you had any comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted January 29, 2011 Share #6 Posted January 29, 2011 Do you remember the lens opening for the first two? Yes, good question! I'd very much like to know too. I especially like the first photo, the one with the 'steel carrot' really has beautiful colors. And the winter landscape, love the atmosphere in this photograph. Thanks for posting Constable. I take it from the vignetting that the tree in snow image is wide open. I also find that interesting. Looks like added vignette. I think, hope... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilliamsphotography Posted January 29, 2011 Share #7 Posted January 29, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Lovely rendition. Unfortunately, for me, the S lenses aren't ready for show time until they all have Central Shutter. It's my understanding that this year will see the first CS lens. At the rate Leica moves, only God knows how long it will take for them to have a complete line up of CS lenses. But whilst we/I wait for CS lenses at least we can see from the current crop of lenses what the optical quality will be, and it looks lovely. Regards, I'm having my Leica dealer confirm this ... but from what I understand, you can secure the normal FPS lenses and when the CS versions become available, can trade them in for the difference in pricing between the two. Sounds to good to be true, which is why I'm having it "officially" double checked. However, it could make some sense I suppose, since there are probably more than a few like you that are holding back from buying into the S2 system while waiting for the CS lenses. -Marc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constable Posted January 29, 2011 Share #8 Posted January 29, 2011 dear all Apologies, I hadn't realised the EXIF data wasn't embedded. ISO 160, 1/60 s, f 4.5 ISO 160, 1/45 s, f 2.8 ISO 160, 1/350 s, f 6.8 All initially taken into LR3, sharpening, colour, saturation etc adjusted in LR3 then opened in CS5 for final working. Fine tuning the sharpening mainly. The vignetting is deliberate and part of the b and w conversion that I did. I rather liked the look. It says nothing about the abilities of the lense! Thanks or the comments. I didn't have the M9 with me - sorry Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfarkas Posted January 29, 2011 Share #9 Posted January 29, 2011 I'm having my Leica dealer confirm this ... but from what I understand, you can secure the normal FPS lenses and when the CS versions become available, can trade them in for the difference in pricing between the two. Sounds to good to be true, which is why I'm having it "officially" double checked. However, it could make some sense I suppose, since there are probably more than a few like you that are holding back from buying into the S2 system while waiting for the CS lenses. -Marc Marc, The trade-up program from non-CS lenses to CS is still in effect, and is exactly as you describe. Purchase a non-CS now and when CS lenses are released, box up the old lens and pay the difference in price. Pretty straightforward. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted January 29, 2011 Share #10 Posted January 29, 2011 I wonder how good the HSS works for fill flash in daylight??? If HSS works would the central shutter offer any important advantage if one does not use studio strobes?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plevyadophy Posted January 30, 2011 Share #11 Posted January 30, 2011 I wonder how good the HSS works for fill flash in daylight???If HSS works would the central shutter offer any important advantage if one does not use studio strobes?? Yes. Speedlights have a flash sync speed of around 1/300 secs at full power, so the closer you can get to this speed before relying on HSS the better. When using HSS, as you may know, the flash output is reduced in power by a considerable amount. And the faster the shutter speed you use with HSS the more power (light output) you lose. So it's best to have your camera shutter sync natively as fast as possible so that you can use your flash at full power at much faster shutter speeds. Thus, having a Leica CS lens with a sync speed of 1/500 is much better than relying on HSS from as slow a shutter speed as 1/160 as you would with the FP lenses(having said that though I do think 1/500 is rather lame when you consier the sync speeds of Phase/Mamiya and Hasselblad gear). Regards, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilliamsphotography Posted January 30, 2011 Share #12 Posted January 30, 2011 I wonder how good the HSS works for fill flash in daylight???If HSS works would the central shutter offer any important advantage if one does not use studio strobes?? I would assume that HSS would work as it does with any HSS flash ... decent for fill at closer distances. The central shutter would offer up to 1/500th sync speed with full flash ... IF the SF58 recognizes the use of the CS and doesn't employ HSS until you exceed 1/500th. I'd mostly want CS in a few lenses for use with battery powered strobes while shooting outdoors. -Marc BTW, is there an off-camera cord for use with the SF58? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpwhite Posted January 30, 2011 Share #13 Posted January 30, 2011 dear all Apologies, I hadn't realised the EXIF data wasn't embedded. Thanks or the comments. I didn't have the M9 with me - sorry Ed Thanks, Ed. I covet a S2 more and more.... Have you used the 180 APO Elmar? I don't know if it is even really available, but my interest is for the 120 and 180 on an SLR to complement my M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constable Posted January 30, 2011 Share #14 Posted January 30, 2011 GP The 180 is the lense I had most trouble coming to terms with. I thought originally that I had AF issues with it. This is discussed at (great) length elsewhere in the forum. In my case, I am now happy and think that it was a combination of (i) not recognising how narrow the depth of field was when reasonably wide open and (ii) learning the technical details of the AF (and using manual focus for tack sharp images). The last firmware update also made a difference. The real question, is what the 180 is for. At a 142 mm SLR equivalence it is not really long enough for nature photography. I have been using it for architectural and art work and am exceptionally pleased. But for nature, I reach for the D3x (or increasingly the D7000). Hope this helps. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted January 30, 2011 Share #15 Posted January 30, 2011 Ed, isnt 180 also a good focal length for head and shoulder portraits and for compressed landscapes...and then maybe for subjects where you want a little more reach? I am debating myself if I would prefer 120 or 180 (35 and 70 is pretty clear) if I get into the S2 system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constable Posted January 30, 2011 Share #16 Posted January 30, 2011 Tom I find the 180 a little too long for portraits (the 120 is better, closest to the 105 or 85 on an SLR). Compressed öandscape - yes, it is perfect provided you have lots of light to get the depth of field. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
c6gowin Posted January 30, 2011 Share #17 Posted January 30, 2011 The choice between the 120 or 180 is a tough one and one that I haven't been able to decide. I got to use the 180mm for a week recently in South Florida thanks to David Farkas and it served me very well. I have only briefly used the 120mm, but really liked the closer focusing distance as compared to the 180mm. Both lenses offer exceptional image quality. Its a tough call. I wish I could have both. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constable Posted January 30, 2011 Share #18 Posted January 30, 2011 Sorry ... I can't resist this one from this morning. i tried using the S2 + 120 as a walk around for half an hour. Not real macro, but getting that way. Hand-held ISO 640, 1/500, f 3.4 Pp in CS5 Ed Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/142202-s120mm-review/?do=findComment&comment=1573723'>More sharing options...
c6gowin Posted January 31, 2011 Share #19 Posted January 31, 2011 Marc, I believe the Leica SF-58 flash will sync at all shutter speeds when mounted on the S2 using normal non-CS lenses. Also, I recall reading somewhere on the forums the Nikon SC-17 or SC-28 off-camera flash cord will work with the S2 and SF-58. Hopefully someone else with first-hand knowledge can verify. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfarkas Posted January 31, 2011 Share #20 Posted January 31, 2011 Marc, I believe the Leica SF-58 flash will sync at all shutter speeds when mounted on the S2 using normal non-CS lenses. Also, I recall reading somewhere on the forums the Nikon SC-17 or SC-28 off-camera flash cord will work with the S2 and SF-58. Hopefully someone else with first-hand knowledge can verify. Mark, You are correct on all counts. Using TTL-HSS the SF58 will sync up to 1/4000th on the S2 with the focal plane shutter (FPS). And, if you use the Nikon cord, high speed sync and TTL are maintained. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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