S2 with third party lenses

[mtomalty]

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When using Mamiya 645 lenses, as an example, on the S2 does one end up with stop down metering-

meaning that the viewfinder darkens progressively as the lens is stopped down.

 

Again, using Mamiya as the example, can the most current lenses such as the 45D and 150D

(obviously without autofocus) be used with the S2 ?

 

Thanks,

Mark

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[Dougg]

Hi Mark - I'm using some Pentax 67 lenses on my S2. Clearly not AF lenses, but the S2's focus confirmation light helps nonetheless. Metering is indeed stop-down, and fortunately the Pentax lenses have a handy stop-down switch. I usually check metering only as necessary, as one might do with a hand-held meter. Not being familiar with the Mamiya lenses, I don't know if a brief stopping-down is more or less convenient there.

[mtomalty]

Thanks for the feedback,Dougg

 

Mark

[dfarkas]

When using Mamiya 645 lenses, as an example, on the S2 does one end up with stop down metering-

meaning that the viewfinder darkens progressively as the lens is stopped down.

 

Again, using Mamiya as the example, can the most current lenses such as the 45D and 150D

(obviously without autofocus) be used with the S2 ?

 

Thanks,

Mark

 

Mark,

 

The 45D and 150D both have electronically controlled apertures meaning that they have no aperture rings. The M645 adapter is a mechanical adapter with no electronic pass-through, so you would not be able to stop the lens down. Older Mamiya 645 lenses like the 80mm f/1.9 or the 300mm f/2.8 have aperture rings and can be used on the S2.

 

And, as Doug already mentioned, focus confirmation in the viewfinder makes using alternative lenses pretty easy.

 

David

[reflectedlights]

Works nicely with Hasselblad (Zeiss) Lenses too.

[kanzlr]

And the 80/1.9 and especially the 200/2.8 APO are amazing lenses

 

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[reflectedlights]

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And the 80/1.9 and especially the 200/2.8 APO are amazing lenses

 

Gesendet von meinem Galaxy Nexus mit Tapatalk 2

 

 

Have to agree...the 80/1.9 is awesome. Takes a few shots to get the DOF just right.

[kanzlr]

the 200/2.8 APO already shines on the D700 (for example).

[Rolo]

Mark,

And, as Doug already mentioned, focus confirmation in the viewfinder makes using alternative lenses pretty easy.

David

 

Your comment made me wonder ....

 

I have a 5 Hasselblad V lenses: 50FLE, 80CFe, 110FE, 60-120 zoom, 150CF, in addition to 203Fe and SWC bodies. Using these lenses on an S2 with one S lens, perhaps, would make the S2 much more affordable for me and a great deal of pleasure of ownership.

 

What's vital though to prefer the S2 to a CFV back is that the focus confirmation is fast to operate and accurate. I've had an R lens with a Leitax adapter on a Canon 1D4 and it's not reliable enough to use for portraiture, or wedding shoots. I'm not talking grab shots here, nor formal portraiture, but quickly taken images whist a couple are walking and stopping to kiss before moving on again; or street portraiture, for example. I'll also be returning to shooting urban landscape on a tripod.

 

So, my questions:

 

- Are the V lenses on the S2 too much of a compromise to be worthwhile in terms of ease and accuracy of focus ? and also,

 

- IMExp, these lenses are still fabulous on Hasselblad film bodies, and also with the CFV backs, although no longer cutting edge designs unable to equal the latest S and H lenses. Is it right to assume that on the S2 they will deliver superior quality images to any Canon/Nikon and M9 solutions ?

 

Many thanks.

[Stuart Richardson]

Hi Rolo,

I use the S2 with Leica lenses, but also with a few V lenses. They are useful for rounding out the system, but I am not sure I would be totally happy working with them as primary lenses. They work best in more static situations where you can take the time to focus carefully, then stop down to middle apertures. If you want to work the way you describe, I think you would be better off using a well chosen S lens for any work where you need to be more spontaneous. The focus confirmation does work well, but it is not instantaneous in its response, and sometimes it will give varying readings before stabilizing, particularly if the light is low. Furthermore, the hasselblad lenses are easiest to shoot quickly while they are wide open, but their performance is not up to the S lens standard. For example, I found that the S 120mm at f/2.5 was sharper across the frame than the 110mm f/2 FE was even at f/5.6 or f/8. But some of the lenses are better than others, and when stopped down a bit, the V lenses still offer really good results on the S2. At their best apertures, they are sharp across the frame, and usually have low aberrations. Wide open, however, they do make the S lenses look all the more impressive!

For the work you describe, I would suggest an S2 with the 70mm, which is very versatile. You can use that for most situations, and then pull out the V lenses for anything else. I think you would also benefit greatly from the microprism screen if you want to shoot manual focus lenses...if nothing else, it will make it much quicker to get close to where you want the focus to be...I would think it would be quicker and more sure than the AF confirmation (don't get me wrong, it works well, particularly with the S lenses, but I think there is no substitute for pure optical confirmation).

 

Just to give you an idea, I use the S2 with the 35, 70 and 120 lenses, and I have used the Hasselblad 50mm FE, 80mm CFE, 110/2 FE, 180/4, 250/4 FE and 350/4 FE lenses on the S2. The ones I use most are the 250 and 350, as they offer fields of view that I cannot get with the S2 lenses, no matter how much I run backwards or forwards!

 

But for your final question, the answer would be a resounding yes! When they are used correctly the Hasselblad lenses can make use of all 37.5 MP of the S2 and you get an image that nothing on an M9 or standard DSLR could match. The D800 and D800e are a different matter, but based on reviews I have seen, I think while it comes very close in terms of resolution, it still does not surpass the S2 in overall image quality...certainly not in lens quality of the S lenses, nor in the joy of use (not for me anyway...some might greatly prefer it! To each their own).

Your comment made me wonder ....

 

I have a 5 Hasselblad V lenses: 50FLE, 80CFe, 110FE, 60-120 zoom, 150CF, in addition to 203Fe and SWC bodies. Using these lenses on an S2 with one S lens, perhaps, would make the S2 much more affordable for me and a great deal of pleasure of ownership.

 

What's vital though to prefer the S2 to a CFV back is that the focus confirmation is fast to operate and accurate. I've had an R lens with a Leitax adapter on a Canon 1D4 and it's not reliable enough to use for portraiture, or wedding shoots. I'm not talking grab shots here, nor formal portraiture, but quickly taken images whist a couple are walking and stopping to kiss before moving on again; or street portraiture, for example. I'll also be returning to shooting urban landscape on a tripod.

 

So, my questions:

 

- Are the V lenses on the S2 too much of a compromise to be worthwhile in terms of ease and accuracy of focus ? and also,

 

- IMExp, these lenses are still fabulous on Hasselblad film bodies, and also with the CFV backs, although no longer cutting edge designs unable to equal the latest S and H lenses. Is it right to assume that on the S2 they will deliver superior quality images to any Canon/Nikon and M9 solutions ?

 

Many thanks.

[Rolo]

Thanks for your extended response, Stuart. Much appreciated.

 

If you have a RAW file for an image taken with one of he lenses on my list, I'd appreciate you uploading it to me so I could inspect it closely. The 50 FLE & the 110mm are of most interest.

 

I did have a CFV-16 that provided splendid files, but I didn't enjoy using just half he screen area. Pushed me further back than I wanted to be, making critical focussing so much more difficult.

 

Adding more than 1 S lens would require deep re-structuring and I'd rather additional S lenses come as a result of satisfying experience than a punt in the dark. If the S2 V files are sensational then that's good enough for me as I don't need them to be 'best on the planet', just much better than M9 perhaps. If there are weak, that's a different matter.

 

Cheers again.

[Stuart Richardson]

Hi Rolo,

I have been out of town for the past few days, and just got back today. When I have a minute I will try to find some files for you. I will pm or email you and we can figure out a way to share them.

Best,

Stuart

[Rolo]

Very much appreciated, Stuart.

[atanabe]

Rolo,

I concur with Stuarts' assessment of the V lenses on the S2. I had a CFV 16 with a brace of lenses and moved to the S2. I did get an adapter and use several V lenses, 80 FE, 110 FE, 120 CF and 350 FE, along with the S 30, 70, and 180. As Stuart mentioned, you do get focus confirmation but the screen is much brighter than the Hasselblad screen so focus is much easier. If you are shooting with the 110 @ f5.6, the screen is still bright enough to focus and confirmation will still work. The ability to use other lenses on the S2 albeit in manual mode, opens up a whole arsenal of lens signatures to shoot with. Now there is even an adapter that will allow H lenses with full AF and leaf shutter to work on the S which is even better.

 

-Al

[gdb]

Rather arrogant reaction of Hasselblad to the new S2 to H lens adapter...

 

http://news.bjp-online.com/c/1p0vyyL4BCmJ5vvckSw8z59WA

 

In my humble opinion, I do not understand Leica's goal very well. Did they forget that Hasselblad ruined the DMR project by buying Imacon ? Of course, H lenses are far from bad, and they are less expensive than the S lenses. But to use a H lens on a S2, you have to spend 1500 $ more for the adapter, which raises the price up to an S2-equivalent lens.

 

So I think it would be more productive to launch those lenses they announced for such a long time, especially the 350mm and the Vario 30-90mm, than making adapters for others.

 

Personally, I am very happy with my 35mm and my 120mm on the S2, and I am not considering another brand of lenses. On the other hand, if I had a Hasselblad lens equipment, I'd rather look after 50 or 60 MP back than after an S2.

 

Just my opinion, of course...

 

Gérard

[wildlightphoto]

In my humble opinion, I do not understand Leica's goal very well. Did they forget that Hasselblad ruined the DMR project by buying Imacon ? Of course, H lenses are far from bad, and they are less expensive than the S lenses. But to use a H lens on a S2, you have to spend 1500 $ more for the adapter, which raises the price up to an S2-equivalent lens.

 

There are many ways to look at the strategy behind the H adapter. One is that the S2 is not as well established in the market and that this adapter may entice owners of an extensive H system to dip their toes in the Leica pond. This is a common motivation for a makers of systems with a smaller market share.

 

Secondly, Leica's current lens production capacity is well below demand. This adapter makes strategic use of Fujiblad's production capacity.

 

IMHO This adapter makes the S2 more attractive to potential buyers because it greatly expands the available lens lineup with a relatively modest investment.

 

My personal opinion is that this adapter is a brilliant addition to the S system. More choices is not a bad thing.

[gdb]

I think I quite agree with your reasons. I do hope it helps Leica. But I had the notion that the S2 was quite a success. Isn't that the case ?

 

Gérard

[dfarkas]

The primary goal of the H adapter is to break into the rental market where rental houses have mountains of existing H lenses and investing in a full set of S lenses would be a large investment. Instead, these rental houses can get into the S system with low risk by purchasing just a body and an adapter. This also allows the H lenses to be used on a more ergonomic and compact body with longer battery life, faster operation and the ability to use a focal plane shutter or central shutter.

 

Makes perfect sense to me and this is a huge, untapped market.

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[GMB]

Given the price of the adapter, it is interesting for folks that either have H lenses (including rental houses) or folks who would like the S2 but are missing a focal length that H offers but not Leica (notably something longer than the 180), For others, it only make sense if you are planning to get at least 2 H lenses.

 

I don´t fall under either category (unless I take the S2 again on Safari). While the H zoom is tempting, I think I´ll wait for the Leica 30-90 (reliable sources say it will come out before the end of the decade ). I may reconsider my decision, once I hear the price of the Leica 350 mm.

[AB007]

Has anybody tried to use the Rollei Schneider lenses for 600X series on S2? Is is possible? Any adaptors available? Thanks & best regards, AB