Leica S2. Worth a try in 2025?

[throwaway]

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Hello!

I’m guessing this question was asked dozens or maybe even hundreds of times, but well, here we go again.

I have an opportunity to buy used Leica S2 with 120 mm Summarit lens and multifunction handgrip for around 2 200 USD (this money is not my last money, but it will be very disappointing to just loose it for smth that’s going to break on me in less then a year). 

The body itself looks kinda meh in my opinion. No marks/scratches or dents, but rubber is peeling off in multiple places. The infamous CCD sensor looks intact (I am yet to see it in person and test it, but from pictures looks good enough). I’ve contacted Leica support for information about this camera and they answered that it was made in 2010 and was once in Leica workshop for calibration in the same year. 

Of course, strong side of S system is colour rendering (to my eye, even after all those years, images from this camera looks on par or even better than most cameras I’v seen). But then you open up new browser tab and ask google about camera and lenses reliability and… well, let’s say you will have a lot of second thoughts to say the least. AF motors breaking down, expensive and unreliable lenses in general, sensor corrosion, no way to tell shutter count number, costly repairs (if you even lucky to find service workshop) and non existent official service for S2 in this day and age. I understand that maybe in terms of reliability, Leica is not that bad in comparison with other brands, maybe Leica users are just more vocal about it, but let’s face it, finding information about Leica’s cameras problems is depressingly easy. 

So my main question for those of you who have this camera or had it in the past: was it worth it? 

Now, when we know everything (maybe almost everything) about Leica S system weak sides, would you buy it again? Even knowing that you can’t get service and maintenance anymore, the camera is used and there are no way to know how long it will last, technology itself is dying and getting replaced by mirrorless cameras. 

Thanks a lot for your inputs and thoughts on this subject. 

P.S. 80-90% of the time camera will be used for fashion and art photography. 

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[John McMaster]

2200USD is about the used price just for the 120/2.5.....  So you get a free camera, sensor corrosion is the main thing. 

Will you be using studio lighting or available light?  S2 does not go to what are considered normal higher ISO these days.

john

[throwaway]

1 hour ago, John McMaster said:

2200USD is about the used price just for the 120/2.5.....  So you get a free camera, sensor corrosion is the main thing. 

Will you be using studio lighting or available light?  S2 does not go to what are considered normal higher ISO these days.

john

I’m well aware of low ISO capabilities of S2. I would say that maximum for this camera would be around 600 ISO (maybe 800 in a pinch but image quality will go downhill even at 800). That’s enough for my user case. I’m more worried about reliability of this camera and how long it could last. 15 years is no joke after all (technically 14, it sitting still for at least a year now).

Edited January 26 by throwaway

[Pieter12]

I don't find the S lenses to be unreliable. The only issue I have had is with the AF mechanism. I believe Leica is still servicing lenses for a somewhat reasonable price. Turnaround times can be long. Did you inquire about the lens and body service history or just the body? If the AF has not been serviced, it could well need it in the near future.

As far as the CCD sensor goes, Leica no longer replaces those, so if it develops corrosion you would have to go to Kolari for service. Posts here indicate their service is quite good.

Many early S cameras had the body armor rubber covering replaced by Leica when they came in for service, it seems a somewhat common problem and I am unsure if there is a simple DIY solution. But that shouldn't affect the camera's performance. 

I don't know where you are located, but I have seen many S 006 cameras listed for sale online, but not at the price you cited with a 120mm lens. That seems like a good deal, but I would figure it would be wise to be prepared for the possibility that some service might be needed down the line. Also, I would get a spare battery. The newer batteries for the S3 should work with the S2, they work for the S 006.

Having said that, I have 3 S bodies and 4 S lenses for the last few years, and only needed service once for the AF on the 120mm lens. Two of the bodies are S 006 and both had the sensor replaced before I purchased them.

Lastly, I personally shoot digital as I would film, only exceeding ISO 400 on rare occasions. So the ISO limitations of the CCD sensor are less of a concern for me.

Lecia S2 Corrosion test.pages

Edited January 26 by Pieter12
typo

[Tirpitz666]

Hi, I recently bought a S-E body and so far I’m VERY happy about the overall IQ and of course from the colors I can get straight out of camera, and especially skin tones I find really likeable. S-lenses are of course pretty amazing and with a very pleasant rendering.

Since I basically went through the same route you are now considering, here are my pointers:

- I would look for a 006/S-E rather than a S2, since not only they are usually newer, they should be a bit more refined too, with a slightly better ISO performance that could come handy in some occasions and an overall snappier operating experience. IQ at low iSO would be of course the same

- I would not buy one camera that hasn’t had its sensor replaced, unless it is really cheap (more on that later regarding the offer you found). Here in EU they are probably a bit easier to be found, I paid 2000 Euro for mine with replaced sensor, but looks basically like new

- The 120 F2.5 is an exceptional lens, totally worth the purchase; for what I’ve seen, a non-CS version can be found around for 1300-1400 Eur/Usd with some patience (and luck). There is of course the issue of older models that don’t have the fixed AF motors, but as long as you use them on pre-007 bodies, this should be a bit less of an issue to my knowledge (will see how it goes on my four lenses, of which I certainly know that only one has the newer motor, crossing fingers)

- So considering that a used MF grip can be found around 200 bucks, if you account the lens, you will be end paying around 600-700 bucks for the S2 body, so if you can ascertain that the sensor is absolutely free from corrosion, you can maybe run the risk and with some luck you should be able to shoot it for quite some time without issues.

Edited January 26 by Tirpitz666

[throwaway]

1 hour ago, Pieter12 said:

I don't find the S lenses to be unreliable. The only issue I have had is with the AF mechanism. I believe Leica is still servicing lenses for a somewhat reasonable price. Turnaround times can be long. Did you inquire about the lens and body service history or just the body? If the AF has not been serviced, it could well need it in the near future.

As far as the CCD sensor goes, Leica no longer replaces those, so if it develops corrosion you would have to go to Kolari for service. Posts here indicate their service is quite good.

Many early S cameras had the body armor rubber covering replaced by Leica when they came in for service, it seems a somewhat common problem and I am unsure if there is a simple DIY solution. But that shouldn't affect the camera's performance. 

I don't know where you are located, but I have seen many S 006 cameras listed for sale online, but not at the price you cited with a 120mm lens. That seems like a good deal, but I would figure it would be wise to be prepared for the possibility that some service might be needed down the line. Also, I would get a spare battery. The newer batteries for the S3 should work with the S2, they work for the S 006.

Having said that, I have 3 S bodies and 4 S lenses for the last few years, and only needed service once for the AF on the 120mm lens. Two of the bodies are S 006 and both had the sensor replaced before I purchased them.

Lastly, I personally shoot digital as I would film, only exceeding ISO 400 on rare occasions. So the ISO limitations of the CCD sensor are less of a concern for me.

Lecia S2 Corrosion test.pages 1.44 MB · 4 downloads

Thanks for the instruction file. Unfortunately I won’t be able to inquire Leica CS about lens (and I totally forgot to ask for serial number from the lens), because the owner send camera to me for testing but I can use it for about a couple of hours before making the decision, I doubt that CS can answer in such short period of time. 

[throwaway]

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1 hour ago, Tirpitz666 said:

Hi, I recently bought a S-E body and so far I’m VERY happy about the overall IQ and of course from the colors I can get straight out of camera, and especially skin tones I find really likeable. S-lenses are of course pretty amazing and with a very pleasant rendering.

Since I basically went through the same route you are now considering, here are my pointers:

- I would look for a 006/S-E rather than a S2, since not only they are usually newer, they should be a bit more refined too, with a slightly better ISO performance that could come handy in some occasions and an overall snappier operating experience. IQ at low iSO would be of course the same

- I would not buy one camera that hasn’t had its sensor replaced, unless it is really cheap (more on that later regarding the offer you found). Here in EU they are probably a bit easier to be found, I paid 2000 Euro for mine with replaced sensor, but looks basically like new

- The 120 F2.5 is an exceptional lens, totally worth the purchase; for what I’ve seen, a non-CS version can be found around for 1300-1400 Eur/Usd with some patience (and luck). There is of course the issue of older models that don’t have the fixed AF motors, but as long as you use them on pre-007 bodies, this should be a bit less of an issue to my knowledge (will see how it goes on my four lenses, of which I certainly know that only one has the newer motor, crossing fingers)

- So considering that a used MF grip can be found around 200 bucks, if you account the lens, you will be end paying around 600-700 bucks for the S2 body, so if you can ascertain that the sensor is absolutely free from corrosion, you can maybe run the risk and with some luck you should be able to shoot it for quite some time without issues.

Unfortunately all S-006 in my area goes with hefty price tag. But if this camera turns out to be defective I will definitely consider trying to find 006 next. Thanks for your advice! 

[BernardC]

Here's my procedure for testing the sensor. Open a blank document on a computer screen (you want the screen to be all white). Take a picture of the screen from a close distance, so the screen is out of focus, at a smaller aperture. F:8 or F:11 should do. You want the whole image to be white.

Check the image at maximum magnification. A corroded sensor will show-up as dark smudges. A sharp black spot could be dust, but sensor corrosion looks more like bacteria in a microscope.

[throwaway]

6 hours ago, BernardC said:

Here's my procedure for testing the sensor. Open a blank document on a computer screen (you want the screen to be all white). Take a picture of the screen from a close distance, so the screen is out of focus, at a smaller aperture. F:8 or F:11 should do. You want the whole image to be white.

Check the image at maximum magnification. A corroded sensor will show-up as dark smudges. A sharp black spot could be dust, but sensor corrosion looks more like bacteria in a microscope.

Thanks for your help. I thought about same thing. 

[Arif]

I am still using the S2. For photographs in the right lighting (limitations mentioned above), the sensor is still outstanding and I personally prefer over the later versions.

[throwaway]

3 hours ago, Arif said:

I am still using the S2. For photographs in the right lighting (limitations mentioned above), the sensor is still outstanding and I personally prefer over the later versions.

 Yeah, I kinda dig old colours more myself. How long do you have your S2? 

[Arif]

Since 2008/9, was one of the first to get it in Japan.