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Hi guys,

i have a question. Is it still worth to buy a used S 006? IT has the CCD sensor. But some say the body is technically a dinosaur compared to newer medium format systems... but is it still worth to buy?

I am looking for a Leica S because I have seen wonderful pictures. I do portrait photography. I just own a M10 and Monochrom. I mostly use the Monochrom for B&W Portraiture. I think the Leica S could be a good additional tool for my work... Maybe you can give me some advices?

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My thoughts, as a complete amateur:  in good lighting it is superb. So, studio work and outdoors and tripod.  Maximum ISO is 1600, but really best used at no more than 800.  Colors are superb.  Prices in USA may well be less than $4K so they can be quite nice bargains.

Make certain you find one with a replaced sensor, as there were problems and if Leica does not take care of it under warranty it is a $5K repair.

I traded mine for a S 007, as it is much more versatile with better ISO performance.  My old one is still available at Leica Miami and is absolutely pristine. Replaced sensor, light use, and extra batteries. Speak with Josh there. 

Rob

Edited by ropo54
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The S 006 is an ideal camera for portrait photography. The body is not "technically a dinosaur." It is fast (compared to competing medium format cameras), and it has a great viewfinder. Colour response and skin tones are awesome.

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agree with above... As long as u are sure that it is for portraits alone, then the 006 is perfect.

Do make sure that the sensor has been replaced however as this was an issue with many users.

Should get a nice deal. I use Leica Miami and they are very meticulous and honest.

 

Albert 😋

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Yeah. For God's sake. Don't use it for landscape or architecture:

🙄

 

Matt

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3 hours ago, albertknappmd said:

agree with above... As long as u are sure that it is for portraits alone, then the 006 is perfect.

Do make sure that the sensor has been replaced however as this was an issue with many users.

Should get a nice deal. I use Leica Miami and they are very meticulous and honest.

 

Albert 😋

BTW, I don't disagree - the 006 is a great studio camera, and the 007 is no better for that use case. OTOH, the 006 can do a mean landscape!

--Matt

Edited by mgrayson3
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56 minutes ago, Jan1985 said:

Thank you all for your advices... I have also a nice offer for a 007.... but its 2.000€ more.... and I dont know if it worth the extra money...

S006 is really nice, great files and ergonomics aren't really any different to the 007, 2k more for the 007 is a nice offer if you want the ability to shoot in lower light and use live view.

Edited by RVB
typo
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What are the warranties on the 006 and 007 you’re considering?  Leica Miami lists an 006 with one year Leica warranty, recent service and new CCD (and another similar one with just 30 day dealer warranty).  Both about $4k.

I always find a test drive to be the best approach for camera decisions.  I did just that with the 006 through a dealer about 18 months ago, but found it constrained for my handhold-ability in less than ideal light.  The files, however, were superb and fit nicely into my print workflow.  The 007 likely would have better served my goals, but costs were high at the time and I’ve since held off pending tests of other alternatives.

Only you can decide.

Jeff

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Jan,

In my experience, mirrorless is less efficient for portraits. There's a slight delay in the viewfinder, and it is harder to pinpoint the focus (if you focus manually). I recommend that you test both systems. The current GFX should perform about the same as the new cheaper model, so there's no need to wait for the new one to be available.

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13 hours ago, xiaubauu2009 said:

I will opt for the 006 as it is unique with the CCD solution. Well, things to aware of have been well stated by fellow S users. 

007 is a CMOS and there are too many choices with other brands and the high DR doesn't necessarily mean it's better. Just my 2 cent.

Hmm, wasn't saying  higher DR was better, just pointing out a difference, and given he has an M10 already....

As for me, I currently own both,  006 and 007. Each serves a different purpose.

Edited by rsmphoto
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vor 3 Stunden schrieb BernardC:

Jan,

In my experience, mirrorless is less efficient for portraits. There's a slight delay in the viewfinder, and it is harder to pinpoint the focus (if you focus manually). I recommend that you test both systems. The current GFX should perform about the same as the new cheaper model, so there's no need to wait for the new one to be available.

I personally tend to OVF as I love it on the rangefinder even if they are different concept to the S. I am not really sure about the Fuji. I have looked for some files and rendering. Its renders not bad and looks amazing in resolution and so on. But I am not sure about the handling of the Fuji... From the experience with my Leica M I can only expect that the S will be a wonderful ergonomic design and handling... 

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vor 2 Stunden schrieb rsmphoto:

Hmm, wasn't saying  higher DR was better, just pointing out a difference, and given he has an M10 already....

As for me, I currently own both,  006 and 007. Each serves a different purpose.

Yeah... But I can only afford one of them hehe... 🙂 And this is my problem. I had the M9 and yeah CCD renders really nice. But above ISO 800 the M9 sucked. 

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I will not recommend to buy a used S006 for only one reason ... the potential corrosion issue with the CCD.

Mine is affected and Leica is asking me to pay $3,500 to get it repaired. They also confirmed to me that new CCD is the same as the old one. Leica did not redesign the CCD like they have done for the M9 or MM.

Buying the S006 (or S2P and S2) is like having a ticking bomb. It may be fine today but it may show some corrosion tomorrow. 

Mine is now a brick because of the corroded sensor.

If you can, you should wait next year when the S3 will be available. I'm sure that most of the first S3s will be sold to current S users. Therefore, you may see a good number of S007 on the second market for a good price.

 

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To answer your question re the camera, you have to expand the query towards the lenses. The S system comes with some of the finest portrait/people lenses on the market, period. The 120 is in a league of it's own for example. Go the Contax route, and the 80 Planar f2 will give you something rather very special, too. I got my 006 earlier this year, coming from the M, I highly recommend you try it out. Re sensor corrosion, que sera sera as they say - I had it happen to my M9, so I sold the camera as is after it had given me plenty of pleasure and moved right along, without regrets. 

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