I made a mistake .....

[colonel]

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I picked up and tried an S .....

It's really a beautiful device and the weight and size is surprisingly in 35mm pro territory

The other thing is that second hand prices have now moved into M territory

 

It prompted some research into photography potential of the S, which is even more tempting. For many types of photography I enjoy, especially landscape, the results look quite special, including all the technical advantages

 

I am going to need Mr W Power to help me out here

[anupmc]

Likewise... Worried that I might break soon though.

[Jeff S]

This discussion might help…or hurt.

 

Jeff

[darylgo]

re: help

 

Purchase...pros....the system is a landscape shooters dream, the lenses are sharp and render detail exquisitely, beautiful color, the menu system is logical.

 

Purchase...cons...the prices are dropping, the new camera is rumored with a cmos sensor. The new cmos S may or may not be an improvement however it does relegate the older models to OLDER-model-digital-camera status with all the implications.

 

Comparing a friends images from a D800 to my images with a Leica S2 his appeared to have more dynamic range, my images were sharper.

 

As the time to Photokina gets closer there could be more information about the upcoming model(s), waiting makes for a more informed decision.

[wda]

Having used one briefly, I concluded the S is happier in a studio environment. It would not be my camera of choice for travel photography but would be superb for certain commissioned work. Does that help you?

[Arif]

Having used one briefly, I concluded the S is happier in a studio environment. It would not be my camera of choice for travel photography but would be superb for certain commissioned work. Does that help you?

I use it very frequently as a travel camera and really like it. The only times I would not use it is if I was shooting a fast action scene or a scene requiring higher ISO or if I wanted a smaller lightweight camera.

[wda]

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Arif, there have been times in my life when I lugged heavy Hasselblad around while travelling; so I know anything is possible. Note that I gave my personal opinion after trying the equipment which I thought was superb. I have just moved beyond wanting to take big systems into the field nowadays.

[LeicaS2]

The S is my all around camera.

 

Yes I bought it for landscapes that I enlarge to huge dimensions.

But I regularly bring it to family gatherings and casual travel too, because:

A. Why not have the best quality available?

B. With one lens I can capture all I need. In the past it was the 35mm. now it is the zoom. Yes I will bring more lenses when on a photo oriented endeavor, but for the first year I owned the camera, I only had the 35.

C. I am used to using it. One more camera system would slow me down. Heve one tool you know very well.

D. I have been able to use the extra resolution to get individual portraits out of a group shot. So even if I had no intention of printing the full photo huge, I end up using smaller crops that are available. Try that with an iPhone.

E. I am competing with friends and family iPhones, I am expected to best their work. Why not have a more capable camera.

 

Yes there are high resolution cheaper options, but I don't like them.

 

My other camera is an iPhone. Used for low light shots just to prove I was somewhere. The iPhone does fit in my pocket, Once your are willing to carry a camera that doesn't fit in a pocket, why not an S?.

[darylgo]

With one lens I can capture all I need.

 

This is my preference also. The Leica S with one lens is smaller than a typical dslr or Leica M and a bag of lenses. However there are times when the S is put away and a Leica M with one lens is sweet.

[Likaleica]

I believe the S is the finest and most elegant camera system ever made since the fall of the Hasselblad V system.

 

However, for me it is not a camera for casual, handheld photography. Except at very high shutter speeds motion artifact is quite apparent.

 

I find the combination of the S and the XVario to be perfect.

[james.liam]

I believe the S is the finest and most elegant camera system ever made since the fall of the Hasselblad V system.

 

However, for me it is not a camera for casual, handheld photography. Except at very high shutter speeds motion artifact is quite apparent.

 

I find the combination of the S and the XVario to be perfect.

 

...and probably the finest lenses ever made in that format (or perhaps any other) and yet I see a surprising number of them up for sale.

[erlingmm]

...and probably the finest lenses ever made in that format (or perhaps any other) and yet I see a surprising number of them up for sale.

 

I think there are a number of non-CS lenses for sale because people upgrade to the CS versions now they are available. I just sold a 30mm and 120mm myself for the 120mm CS. Which means there is a chance to get into the S system at a relative low cost as the non-CS lenses often sell for 50-60 % of new price.

[Constable]

I think there are a number of non-CS lenses for sale because people upgrade to the CS versions now they are available. I just sold a 30mm and 120mm myself for the 120mm CS. Which means there is a chance to get into the S system at a relative low cost as the non-CS lenses often sell for 50-60 % of new price.

 

I think that is correct. I have just invested in the 120 cs and am selling the non- cs version.

 

Not the main point of the post, but if anyone is looking for a good 120 please pm me

 

ed

[Likaleica]

...non-CS lenses often sell for 50-60 % of new price.

 

Sad to say this is true enough. I just took a 50% hit when I sold my 35mm Summarit for the 30-90mm Vario-Elmar. I would expect that with any other marque, but can't say I've ever taken a hit that big with anything Leica.

 

OTOH, the Vario-Elmar is sweet.

[erlingmm]

Sad to say this is true enough. I just took a 50% hit when I sold my 35mm Summarit for the 30-90mm Vario-Elmar. I would expect that with any other marque, but can't say I've ever taken a hit that big with anything Leica.

 

OTOH, the Vario-Elmar is sweet.

 

With the S system many of the users a pros, and get VAT refund for their business use. In Europe VAT is 20-25%, while pro users expect to buy at net price. A 10kUSD lens may be 8 kUSD net, 5 kUSD used is decent for a pro, but a blow for an amateur who has paid full VAT.

 

Agree, the the 30-90 makes the S very versatile, just spent a week in Havana with it, some examples here (some Monochrom, too): https://www.flickr.com/photos/erlingmmoe/

[Printmaker]

With the S system many of the users a pros, and get VAT refund for their business use. In Europe VAT is 20-25%, while pro users expect to buy at net price. A 10kUSD lens may be 8 kUSD net, 5 kUSD used is decent for a pro, but a blow for an amateur who has paid full VAT.

 

Agree, the the 30-90 makes the S very versatile, just spent a week in Havana with it, some examples here (some Monochrom, too): https://www.flickr.com/photos/erlingmmoe/

 

I picked up my S2/70 used but just back from a visit to Leica for a CA, in perfect condition, and with a guarantee. It ran me about 1/2 of new retail. That is still a lot of money. But, because I use this camera to earn my living, the purchase is tax deductible. However, someone took a 50% hit on this camera and lens. I expect that when the time comes to upgrade, I'll take a hit on the body but I doubt I'll take a hit on the lens. (though I would never sell the lens.)

 

The same is true on my M gear. Bodies fall in price but, if you hold on to the glass long enough, most lenses tend to gain value.

 

FWIW: I was also looking into used Hasselblad gear and factory reconditioned H39/40 were going for 1/2 new retail. Apples to apples, the prices were close but Leica and Camera West made it easy where the Blad rep couldn't be bothered with a sale so small. I guess he didn't need the commission.

 

Price, depreciation and deductions aside, the Leica S2 is a wonderful camera to use. The 70 Summarit is simply stunning. I'm amazed at the results every time I shoot.