peterv Posted September 23, 2008 Share #1 Posted September 23, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, I do fine art and documentary work. Over the past day I've read in a lot of threads that the new S2 would make a good camera for outdoor commercial work, fashion, etc. I was thinking if I could find a reason to justify buying into this system... With the specs we know now - and we know very little still - do you think this new S would make a good documentary camera? - auto focus might come in handy - if 800 or even 1600 ISO would be acceptable that would suffice for me - it does not look too big/heavy/obtrusive (noise?) - files would be big enough to crop What are your thoughts on the kind of photography this camera might be used for? Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 23, 2008 Posted September 23, 2008 Hi peterv, Take a look here S2 new documentary and reportage camera?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Iron Flatline Posted September 23, 2008 Share #2 Posted September 23, 2008 It's a tough call, because (beyond the specs) you're asking a highly personal question. It's really about the way you interface with your subjects, and whether the size of the camera that will be in your hands and in front of your face affects what you're shooting. Some swear by Rangefinders, others have no problems with SLRs. Sebastio Selgado uses a Rangefinder, whereas James Nachtway shoots with a big SLR. In terms of specs it ought to do the trick. Of course, many brand new camera lines have teething problems, so make sure you don't take off to a three-week shoot six hours out of Ulan Bator... might be tough to get a back-up body if yours decides to take a sabbatical mid-project. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 23, 2008 Share #3 Posted September 23, 2008 .... Hey Dr. Kaufmann !!! We know you read the forum !!! You have found the first customer for S2 !!!! Answer him, go on and close the deal !!! Speaking seriously, Peter... I think S2 will be probably a very fine tool for serious pro photography in the fields you quote: personally, I'm simply an amateur as thousands others... but the concept, from these preliminary data, seems to me very nicely tuned. Is a camera that has to be PAID for by work, no doubt... but the price range quoted by the boss (and I think he spoke not just for chatting...) doesn't even seem stellar... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R10dreamer Posted September 24, 2008 Share #4 Posted September 24, 2008 Hi all, I do fine art and documentary work. Over the past day I've read in a lot of threads that the new S2 would make a good camera for outdoor commercial work, fashion, etc. I was thinking if I could find a reason to justify buying into this system... With the specs we know now - and we know very little still - do you think this new S would make a good documentary camera? - auto focus might come in handy - if 800 or even 1600 ISO would be acceptable that would suffice for me - it does not look too big/heavy/obtrusive (noise?) - files would be big enough to crop What are your thoughts on the kind of photography this camera might be used for? Peter How can you tell how big it is or how much it weighs by a photograph? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooky Posted September 24, 2008 Share #5 Posted September 24, 2008 I'm interested in reading more about how (and if) the S2 is designed to perform in extreme conditions. I use R and a Pentax 67 in the field - and the S2 kind of reminds me of a 67 size wise - but obviously smaller. The autofocus would not be needed for most of my work or projects. The problem is, again, could I leave civilization behind with the S2 in hand and reserve batteries? Or, even will there be such things as 'car chargers' - quick chargers, etc... If it could be a 'wilderness camera' I would love a crack at it. I would love to use it for anything! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent M10 Posted September 24, 2008 Share #6 Posted September 24, 2008 My understanding is that Salgado did not use an M, but a pair of R 6.2s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff Posted September 24, 2008 Share #7 Posted September 24, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) How can you tell how big it is or how much it weighs by a photograph? Side-by-side comparison to a Canon EOS 5D over at PhotographyBLOG. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde-SST Posted September 24, 2008 Share #8 Posted September 24, 2008 Salgado uses Nikon digital SLRs now. A friend of mine met him in Ethiopia in October last year. best, Andreas. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted September 24, 2008 Share #9 Posted September 24, 2008 Something interesting in the linked pics... seems that top sensitivity is 1600, that the old "Tele Elmar" name has been revitalized ... the pic of the bayonet mount is not too clear... and the dimensioning rather impossible to guess...so the capability to have a R adapter is undefined; The Canon comparision makes S2 looks large... but the styling is very clean. The link clarifies also that the shown item was indeed, of course, a prototype, but a WORKING one... they speak of mirror and shutter movement and noise.... on the contrary, at least some of the displayed lenses are probably fakes, I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zapp Posted September 24, 2008 Share #10 Posted September 24, 2008 The S2 will do everything it is designed to do. That's it. It will not be a tilt-shift camera for architecture, but can compete with any other SLR camera designed for image quality and not just speed. If it can not do what I say, it won't be long enough in the market to disappoint people. Never forget: The S3 will be close to perfect - M3, R3, D3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevelap Posted September 24, 2008 Share #11 Posted September 24, 2008 How can you tell how big it is or how much it weighs by a photograph? See the blog from David Farkas, there is a link in this forum. There is a side by side shot with a NIkon D700 + 24-70 f/2.8 zoom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnastovall Posted September 24, 2008 Share #12 Posted September 24, 2008 The S2 will do everything it is designed to do. That's it.It will not be a tilt-shift camera for architecture, but can compete with any other SLR camera designed for image quality and not just speed. If it can not do what I say, it won't be long enough in the market to disappoint people. Never forget: The S3 will be close to perfect - M3, R3, D3 But Leica is providing a tilt and shift lens as part of the system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted September 24, 2008 How can you tell how big it is or how much it weighs by a photograph? A wild guess Somewhere I read 1,4 KG (body) David Farkas Photography Blog Photokina 2008 Live Tradeshow Coverage - Video Clips Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlesphoto99 Posted September 24, 2008 Share #14 Posted September 24, 2008 It's a tough call, because (beyond the specs) you're asking a highly personal question. It's really about the way you interface with your subjects, and whether the size of the camera that will be in your hands and in front of your face affects what you're shooting. Some swear by Rangefinders, others have no problems with SLRs. Sebastio Selgado uses a Rangefinder, whereas James Nachtway shoots with a big SLR. In terms of specs it ought to do the trick. Of course, many brand new camera lines have teething problems, so make sure you don't take off to a three-week shoot six hours out of Ulan Bator... might be tough to get a back-up body if yours decides to take a sabbatical mid-project. Actually, Salgado primarily used R6.2 for his last couple of projects (Workers and Migrations). He would have an M along, but only for the most initmate situations. He now uses Pentax 645 for his nature series. I see a great use for documentary work. Not the spot news kind, but the more meditative kind where photogs currently use Mamiya 6/7, Rolleiflex TLR, etc etc. The big question is could any working pj actually afford one of these and 2-3 lenses. I shoot a lot of MF for personal documentary projects (just did a new book on breakdancers all MF b&w film) but the cost of still shooting film is still a lot less than investing in this system (though I do have an Imacon so it makes film simpler for me). I love the look of the S2, but no way I could ever afford. Well, maybe if I sold EVERYTHING, including scanner, which isn't realistic and ain't gonna happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted September 24, 2008 Share #15 Posted September 24, 2008 Salgado uses Nikon digital SLRs now. A friend of mine met him inEthiopia in October last year. best, Andreas. Interesting since Salgado himself has said he will stick to film until he feels a digital camera will give him the same results as B&W film which has yet to happen... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted September 24, 2008 Share #16 Posted September 24, 2008 Interesting since Salgado himself has said he will stick to film until he feels a digital camera will give him the same results as B&W film which has yet to happen... Which is no surprise at all ... some Nikon DSLRs are best at delivering the same results like pushed Tri-X. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elansprint72 Posted September 24, 2008 Share #17 Posted September 24, 2008 How can you tell how big it is or how much it weighs by a photograph? Watch the video- it's big, not much less than a Pentax 6x7. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted September 24, 2008 Share #18 Posted September 24, 2008 Which is no surprise at all ... some Nikon DSLRs are best at delivering the same results like pushed Tri-X. Yes I've heard that some had obtained good results, not sure whether he would consider this "good enough" though, anyway whatever he uses it will continue to generate the best results for him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share #19 Posted September 24, 2008 The big question is could any working pj actually afford one of these and 2-3 lenses. I shoot a lot of MF for personal documentary projects (just did a new book on breakdancers all MF b&w film) but the cost of still shooting film is still a lot less than investing in this system (though I do have an Imacon so it makes film simpler for me). Thanks. I was wondering if you would care to tell us how many negatives you shoot, need, for one photo in a book or exhibition. In short, what's your shooting ratio? I have no idea what is average in photo documentary projects. Back in my days as a cinematographer the average was 15 : 1 for documentary and 8 : 1 for drama. I think mine is 25 : 1 for one project that I have allmost finished now, 20 photo's in a book, on my MP and M7. On MF film this would have cost me ± 2 rolls for one usable photo = 2 X €35 (film, developing, scanning low res) = €70,- This amounts to €1400,- for 20 usable negatives. And I don't have a high res scanner. So, 10 to 15 projects such as this one would make the S2 body 'break even' (if I got the MF-film gear for free... ) Plus: I get to shoot more photo's cheaper 'caus it's digital... Yeah, I know... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted September 24, 2008 Share #20 Posted September 24, 2008 I would love to use the new S system for new documentary projects when it comes out but that may be impractical for me to do so. I've been using Leica R since 1981 and the DMR since 2005. These have proven to be truly excellent tools for my documentary work. Even the DMR with its rather large profile is quickly forgotten as I recede into the background and people forget my presence. However, with the new S system, I may worry about the value of the equipment I would carry, obscenely expensive (in relative terms) with respect to the people I tend to photograph as they meek out a meagre existence. It is from that standpoint that I am uneasy, I have full confidence that the system can tackle anything that would be thrown at it and that it would meet my every requirement (especially if they can move the speed from 1.5 fps to at the very least 3 fps). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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