Anyone still buying into/investing in the S system at this point?

[Pieter12]

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You can read the serial number in the last photo. Send it to Leica to see if the sensor has been replaced. Cosmetically, the camera looks very good.

Edited December 17, 2024 by Pieter12
typo

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Tirpitz666]

Yes, someone interested could actually do that, if it's confirmed that has a substituted sensor it would be quite a good price for the "old glory" IMHO 🙂

[Tirpitz666]

Well, apart that the S line is the only "modern" MF line that consists of DSLRs and not ML, and for someone looking into a bright huge optical viewfinder is still much better that looking into an EVF, I think the main pull until today would have been the wonderful S glass, that could be utilized only on the S cameras, basically until next month when the Kipon adapter for Fuji GFX will become available.

That could somewhat weaken the allure of a dedicated S body of course, although my understanding is that the CS won't work on this adapter.

[Sarnian]

5 hours ago, Tirpitz666 said:

my understanding is that the CS won't work on this adapter.

My 70mm is the CS version so I'll report back when I get the adapter. 

[Pieter12]

6 hours ago, Quarterpounder said:

Loving analog MF just because of the iiconic cameras (500CM etc) I wonder whats the point "in 2024" as they nowadays say. The S cameras are bulky and as pretty as the R8/9. Given the advancements in technology and the capabilities of contemporary cameras, the question should be:

"Who switches from another system to the S range deliberately, despite all the other options, and why?"

Analog is a different experience altogether. I am hooked on it. That doesn't stop me from having the S system for MF digital, the images are stunning and that is reason enough. I don't just have one system, I have and use several, both analog and digital for different reasons.

[Tirpitz666]

12 hours ago, Sarnian said:

My 70mm is the CS version so I'll report back when I get the adapter. 

Good thank you, I also have the CS version therefore I was interested; regarding the Kipon adapter, currently I'm planning to wait to find one used in a few months, given the high cost, but if it turns out to work really well as promised, maybe I'll pounce earlier.

On the Kipon website among the adapter "features" there is no reference to the CS, which made me infer that it shouldn't work, otherwise they should have advertised it I think, but you never know.. 🙂

Edited December 19, 2024 by Tirpitz666

[John McMaster]

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How would the lens know to use CS rather than FP?  It is a lever on the S body after all....

john

[Tirpitz666]

There should be a button on the adapter itself I guess, like the Hasselblad H to GFX adapter, which allows to use also the CS of the H lenses

[Sarnian]

On 12/19/2024 at 7:31 AM, Tirpitz666 said:

On the Kipon website among the adapter "features" there is no reference to the CS, which made me infer that it shouldn't work, otherwise they should have advertised it I think, but you never know.. 🙂

I've asked Xiaoming Zhang (the owner of Kipon). I'll let you know his response.

[Sarnian]

On 12/20/2024 at 8:07 AM, Sarnian said:

I've asked Xiaoming Zhang (the owner of Kipon). I'll let you know his response.

He says "Leaf shutter of CS lens controlled mechanically, doesn't work."

[Tirpitz666]

As expected then, pity, considering also the high adapter cost.

Thanks for checking!

[BernardC]

3 hours ago, Quarterpounder said:

Why would someone buy a S system today, instead of a SL3 ? 

What an odd question. They are very different cameras.

If you have a project where an S system is the right choice, then it makes sense to get an S. Same with the SL3.

There are arguments for either (or both!) even if you are just shopping/collecting.

[BernardC]

31 minutes ago, Quarterpounder said:

so i want the highest quality and a SLR-like handling. Which one would I choose?

Only one of two cameras is an SLR. If that's what you want, your choice is easy.

The quality part is up-to the photographer. They are both extremely capable systems if you are willing to put-in the work to get the best out of them.

[Pieter12]

2 hours ago, Quarterpounder said:

SO what is the advatage of the S system today over, say, the SL4?

There’s an SL4? The S system advantage is the optical viewfinder and killer lenses.

[Tirpitz666]

Apart from the optical viewfinder, the S3 has a 64MP "mini MF" sensor which is 40% (or even 50%) larger than the 60MP SL3 FF sensor, so you will likely get higher dynamiuc range, better ISO performance and shallower DoF at the same F stop (if that's your thing), so in terms of sheer image quality you will probably still be better off with the S3, while the SL3 is for sure a much more flexible and versatile camera (and while you can use S lenses on it, you can't use the their CS).

[Jeff S]

5 hours ago, Quarterpounder said:

SO what is the advatage of the S system today over, say, the SL4?

Hmm…for one, the S (multiple versions) actually exists.

Maybe one day you might be similarly confused about an S4 vs an SL4.  At least both of them might be mirror-less cameras.

Jeff

[Einst_Stein]

S has larger sensor, optical finder. You have Choices of CCD/39MP, CMOsS/39MP, and CMOS/64MP.

SL has FF CMOS sensor, EVF. You have choices of 24MP, 47MP, or 60MP. You can use all Leica lenses, including M mount, R mount, L mount, and S mount. If you go with SL2 or newer, you get in body  image stabilization for all lenses. 

Best quality? S. But only if you would use all (large) apertures. But SL has the best flexibility. 

Oh, the biggest disadvantage of SL4 is, it does not exist yet. 

Edited December 22, 2024 by Einst_Stein

[Stuart Richardson]

8 hours ago, Quarterpounder said:

SO what is the advatage of the S system today over, say, the SL4?

What is the advantage of a Quarterpounder today over say a Big Mac?

It's kind of like that.

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[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, Einst_Stein said:

S has larger sensor, optical finder. You have Choices of CCD/39MP, CMOsS/39MP, and CMOS/64MP.

 

37.5 MP, actually.  But there was much more to the sensor design than MP…

https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2014/11/why-leica-is-staying-at-37-5mp-for-the-s-typ-007/

Jeff

[Einst_Stein]

1 hour ago, Jeff S said:

37.5 MP, actually.  But there was much more to the sensor design than MP…

https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2014/11/why-leica-is-staying-at-37-5mp-for-the-s-typ-007/

Jeff

Thanks for correction.

I am not saying high MP is better. I merely mentioned the options.  But I did buy the S3. Not really for its higher MP, just wanted the newer version to feel better, since it happened to be available.  

I am sure I would be equally happy with S007, but not sure about S006.  

Edited December 23, 2024 by Einst_Stein