Thoughts on the S-Line (006/M2-P)

[analog-digital]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Thoughts on the S-Line

For some time now, I have been thinking about (buying) the Leica S (006) or S2-P. Both with CCD sensors.

I am looking for experiences to other medium format cameras (advantages and disadvantages).

• If NOT going to use original lenses with these Leicas, what comes into question?
• What are the main differences between the Leica S (006) and the Leica S2-P?

Edited May 2, 2021 by analog-digital

[tom0511]

I believe to remember:

S006 had slightly improved sensor, little better skin tone, maybe a little less noise at 400 and above, and a couple of small improvements which should help to make it a little more reliable camera. I would rather go for a S006, if possible with exchanged sensor.

If you don't use S lenses (I recommend you use S lenses) You can adapt all kind of Hassy V lenses, Mamyia; Contax (AF-adapter is expensive though) etc.

 

[davidmknoble]

@analog-digital, I used both the S2-P and the S006 before trading in the discount on an S007. The S2-P occasionally locked up on me with CF cards, which didn’t have problems in the newer one.  Also, note that the the display on top of the S006 can be misleading as it will take into account the EV+/- when displaying the shutter speed, so it may not match the dial (I accidentally adjusted mine by 2 1/3 stops once and thought it was broken because nothing matched).

That all said, you will get better dynamic range on the S006 and since I do landscape work primarily, that is most important to me.  I got the S007 all for dynamic range and I think it still outweighs the SL2’s dynamic range albeit only a little.

I love the S lenses - they are incredible in terms of color and lack of distortion - what you see is what you get.  While I like the SL lenses, the image is modified even through viewing in the EVF. I prefer native viewing.

Hope this helps some...

[BernardC]

I originally bought my 006 "body-only," as I planned to use it with a variety of Hasselblad and Mamiya lenses. It worked quite well, except that I  got a deal on an S 70mm, and all of a sudden most of my old lenses seemed hopelessly outdated.

Here's my history with medium format interchangeable lens: I first had a Pentax 6x7, which I sold because it was too bulky to carry around. I then got a Hasselblad, which I loved (and still do). For digital I got a Mamiya that I used with a combination of Hasselblad and Mamiya lenses.

I tried the S at a time when I was thinking of getting a better digital back. The S was much better integrated than the Mamiya solution, and the price was similar. It was an easy choice. I sold my two Mamiya AF lenses (they will not be missed), kept the older Mamiya MF lenses and the Hasselblad lenses.

Right now I only use two non-Leica lenses. The Hasselblad 110/2.0 and the Mamiya 200/2.8 APO. I rarely use the 200, but only because I rarely want to go that long. The 110 has a unique look which is great in a lot of situations. Everything else is shot with S lenses. Not only are they sharper, they can handle flare and backlight like nothing else.

 

The difference between the S2 and 006 comes-down to one word: responsiveness. The later camera is a lot more responsive (and the 007 even more so). It also gives you an extra half-stop of sensitivity, which may or may not be relevant to you.

[analog-digital]

I have a mess right now. For me there are (sorted by publication date):

 

• Leica S2, CCD
• Leica S, CCD
• Leica S-E, 006, CCD
• Leica S 007, CMOS

I se also the following:

• S2, CCD
• S, 006, CCD
• S, 007, CMOS
• S3, CMOS

All from Wikipedia, Which list is OK?

Edited May 2, 2021 by analog-digital

[John McMaster]

• S1 was the original and unlikely to be ever seen 😉
• S2 / S2-P (CCD)
• S(006) (CCD)
• S-E : variation of S(006) (CCD)
• S(007) (CMOS)
• S3 (CMOS)

john

[analog-digital]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

vor 7 Minuten schrieb John McMaster:

• S1 was the original and unlikely to be ever seen 😉
• S2 / S2-P (CCD)
• S(006) (CCD)
• S-E : variation of S(006) (CCD)
• S(007) (CMOS)
• S3 (CMOS)

john

Thank you John

S1 was the original and unlikely to be ever seen

Why?

OK folks, which CCD-S would you recommend and what are the prices you would pay?

[aksclix]

Few months ago when I was considering an S camera, I had similar questions.. 

s006 has a far better LCD screen compared to S2/S2-P. dynamic range on S006 is not great.. I upgraded to S007 soon after that and although it was released in 2015, it’s still a very good camera and not too outdated..

price for a used s006 with replaced  sensor should be around 2 to 2.5k depending on condition and included items from my recent experience. 

[darylgo]

S006 (S-E) has leveling indicator, S2 does not.  

Be aware of sensor corrosion, my S-E has two spots and is off to Germany for this fix.  

 

[alan.y]

006 has GPS and the S2 doesn't.

[John McMaster]

9 hours ago, analog-digital said:

S1 was the original and unlikely to be ever seen

Why?

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/S1 - less than 150 thought to have been made

john

[Stuart Richardson]

The S2 is a great camera, but the S006 is a noticeable improvement in handling, so therefore worth the extra cost, in my opinion. Especially since it is a buyer's market. The S006 has a more modern menu system, better screen and a joystick button that makes it far more natural to inspect photos at 100% and move the image around. Even if this is not something that one does all the time, the strange method for doing it in the S2 (holding a button locks the scroll wheel in a certain axis) is awkward and a bit hard to get used to. The other significant difference is that the S006 runs from ISO 100-1600 and the S2 160-1250, if I recall correctly. I had both and did not find any significant differences in image quality, but others may have. If you truly tend to shoot like film, where you don't look at the screen at all except when you need to change a setting, then the S2 is not a huge difference. But I think for most people, they will appreciate the better screen and menus in the S006. As for pricing, I could not say...I would prioritize a body that has had a sensor replacement over the price, if I were looking to get into the S system. The bodies are so cheap these days and repairs/sensor replacements are not going to be available forever, so I would spend a bit more now to avoid heartache later. You are still likely going to pay 1/10th of original retail.

Edited May 3, 2021 by Stuart Richardson

[analog-digital]

Am 3.5.2021 um 07:38 schrieb John McMaster:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/S1 - less than 150 thought to have been made

john

About the S1, I do not understand the word "Scanning camera"......

[helged]

1 hour ago, analog-digital said:

About the S1, I do not understand the word "Scanning camera"......

It was a camera where the image was scanned line by line, only suitable for static subjects: 

https://www.apotelyt.com/camera-review/leica-s1

[analog-digital]

vor 21 Minuten schrieb helged:

It was a camera where the image was scanned line by line, only suitable for static subjects: 

https://www.apotelyt.com/camera-review/leica-s1

Like the horizon??

 

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!

 

 

Interesting is this: 36 x 36 mm² CCD sensor

Edited May 4, 2021 by analog-digital

[Stuart Richardson]

I am not sure if the above is meant as a joke (no emotional cues online!), but no, it isn't. It is like a scanning back or desktop scanner, but instead of having a glass platen or some sort of lens and fixed plane of focus, it has a focusable lens. It was used for high resolution reproduction of stationary objects, primarily artwork and books in archives and museums etc.

[analog-digital]

Why should it be a joke?

The Horizon (film camera) has a rotating lens. In the broadest sense, a scanner also has one .......

[Sarnian]

On 5/3/2021 at 6:38 AM, John McMaster said:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/S1 - less than 150 thought to have been made

john

There’s an S1 for sale on eBay.co.uk at the moment. Item number 224241157014. 

I’m pretty sure that I also saw another one listed last week from a different seller. Both were listed at just over £2,000. 

Edited May 20, 2021 by Sarnian

[Marc Andrew Williams]

I've used the S2 to start with and then acquired the S(006). Used both for commercial advertising, portrait, and weddings.

As an early adopter of the S2 I went through a lot of issues that needed to be fixed by Leica. 

I sold the S2 and got a S(006) when it came out. Eventually, I had to have the S(006) sensor replaced by Leica due to corrosion. No issues since.

I have a lot of S lenses from 35mm to 180 all CS (leaf-shutter able) lenses except for the 100/2. The dual shutter is a main reason why I moved from Hasselblad H to Leica S.

The other key reason was the optics especially when coupled with the CCD sensor. 

The S(006) is a better camera operationally. 
 

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!

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[analog-digital]

In the meantime, I have an S2-P and an S 006.

Conclusion: The S 006 is clearly the better camera. It is, for me, more intuitive and the AF is much better. It simply gives me a better feeling.