A visit to the Leica factory...

[egrossman]

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A Leica Factory Visit

[egrossman]

Interesting takeaway from Stephan Schulz, Leica's Head of Professional Imaging, (more geared to S2 but interesting nevertheless)..

 

Will we ever see LiveView on the S2 or future models?

Not with a CCD sensor. It is not possible. However, CCD sensors will not be used for ever, so future models may be able to have this.

 

Given that other brands are continually increasing their megapixel size, will Leica be following the same trend?

No, no more megapixels. It is enough we think. Future development will be concentrating on shooting rates, lower noise, higher Dynamic Range and higher ISO abilities.

[AlanG]

Given that other brands are continually increasing their megapixel size, will Leica be following the same trend?

No, no more megapixels. It is enough we think. Future development will be concentrating on shooting rates, lower noise, higher Dynamic Range and higher ISO abilities.

 

Is this under their control? Won't they have to buy the sensors that are available? If those go up in pixel count and the others are discontinued, they will have no choice.

 

I am not proposing that more pixels are so important, but it may not be an either/or situation. Consider that the Canon 5DII has better high ISO capability than the 5D and it has a much higher pixel count. My old 1Ds only has 11 megapixels but is very noisy at its maximum ISO of 1250. And the new Sony Nex 7 has 24 megapixels but can shoot at 10 fps.

 

I would think that the smart thing for Leica to do is eventually have as many pixels as are necessary to get the most resolution out of their very best lens when used at its best aperture. Why spend so much for a lens if you are leaving out some of that detail?

[adan]

Well, "the best-laid plans of mice or men gang aft aglay..."

 

But I presume their plan is that they stay with Kodak, who is essentially making sensors for Leica that are exclusive to Leica. (Who else uses a 30 x 45 sensor, or a 24 x 36 sensor with offset microlenses particular to rangefinder lenses?)

 

So Kodak is unlikely to change the specs except in mutual agreement with Leica (no other customers for those sensors that I know of) and Leica is unlikely to ask for a major redesign unless they feel a pressing need.

 

If something should interfere with that relationship, well, then Leica will have to reconsider their options.

[jaapv]

I would think that the smart thing for Leica to do is eventually have as many pixels as are necessary to get the most resolution out of their very best lens when used at its best aperture. Why spend so much for a lens if you are leaving out some of that detail?

 

Well if we apply the Zeiss norm, also subscribed to by Erwin Puts and presumbly Leica - that anything over 40 lp/mm is meaningless for image quality- 18 Mp is more than sufficient to reach that goal.

The moiré occurrence on the M8 and M8 prove that the resolution of the lens and the sensor is well matched.

[AlanG]

But I presume their plan is that they stay with Kodak, who is essentially making sensors for Leica that are exclusive to Leica. (Who else uses a 30 x 45 sensor, or a 24 x 36 sensor with offset microlenses particular to rangefinder lenses?)

 

 

 

Well the quote above was that Leica may someday use CMOS chips on the S2 (or whatever it will be called then) and other models in order to have live view. If that is the case, they will probably shop outside of Kodak for suitable sensors. I don't know if the M is also included in this comment.

 

Since APS cameras now go to 24 megapixels and can utilize the central area of full frame lenses, won't there be a market for full frame sensors that get the full view of these lenses at even higher total resolution? This would translate to around 48 megapixels. For architectural and interior photography, I certainly would prefer a higher res 24x36 camera over a faster frame rate, more dynamic range, or better high ISO results. And I doubt if 37.5 megapixels is the limit for the S2 lenses.

 

I'm not sure what most people "need" in an image. But as some people shot 8x10 while others shot half frame film, there is a range of needs out there. I really don't know what the limit - reasonable or unreasonable will be. But clearly the S2 is not targeted to people who desire to limit the resolution in their images.

[Guest #12]

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...anyone have the link?...It was an article about a trip to the factory, but rambling--all about the M8 and the early history of Leica. I thought it was from the NYT but can't find it.

 

thanks

[Rinse]

The link to the article.

 

A Leica Factory Visit

[Fotofanatiker]

For architectural and interior photography, I certainly would prefer a higher res 24x36 camera over a faster frame rate, more dynamic range, or better high ISO results. .

 

I see your point, I personally would rather prefer to go lower than 18 megapixels for an increased dynamic range and better high ISO performance... I don't care about the framerate though...

[Guest #12]

Thanks Rinse,

I was asking about a newspaper article.