S2 new documentary and reportage camera?

[peterv]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I hear what you're saying, and I have a lot of respect for your attitude. But do you think potential theves will be more tempted by the S2 than say a DMR or the R10? I have my doubts.

 

Cheers,

 

Peter

[R10dreamer]

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).

 

and you feel that these same people DON'T consider the R9/DMR combo with R glass worthy of being lifted? A discerning and savvy group I would say.

[ptomsu]

The more I see and read about this camera the more I get attracted by it.

 

My first impression was - well, why not compatible to R, why no changeable back etc, etc

 

But I must say it really coms down in a nice way! Seems to support all I would ask from a top digital camera. And the 37MP seem to be enough for a while to come.

 

Would be great to see ISO performance can handle also 3200 with very low noise (please make that happen) and that there would come some more zooms - more in the tele range I hope.

 

But over all this is VERY interesting. Price needs to come into a region which is debatable for me and my bank

[mgcd]

and you feel that these same people DON'T consider the R9/DMR combo with R glass worthy of being lifted? A discerning and savvy group I would say.

 

I never once alluded to anything being lifted or stolen. You're projecting your own stuff into what I said, you may want to read my post again.

[mgcd]

I hear what you're saying, and I have a lot of respect for your attitude. But do you think potential theves will be more tempted by the S2 than say a DMR or the R10? I have my doubts.

 

Cheers,

 

Peter

 

Thanks Peter. I don't see any difference in those items with respect to attracting potential thieves. The same rules would apply to any items of value.

 

Cheers,

[thrid]

What are your thoughts on the kind of photography this camera might be used for?

 

Peter

 

Why not? It's relatively compact for what it is. Apparently it's a tad bigger than a D700 or similar to an R8 with Winder.

 

Back in the good old days many PJ's lugged around a Rolleiflex in addition to a Contax or Leica.

 

When I go on a shooting trip, I sometimes take along a Hasselblad 50x with the 2.8/80 or a Rolleiflex, in addition to two M bodies (35/50). There a lot of subjects out there that really benefit from the increased resolution and tonality of a larger format.

 

I believe the trick would be to limit yourself to one focal length for the S2. Maybe the standard 2.5/75 would be a good and versatile candidate.

[wildlightphoto]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I believe the trick would be to limit yourself to one focal length for the S2. Maybe the standard 2.5/75 would be a good and versatile candidate.

 

I could get by with just the 350

[lxlim]

I could get by with just the 350

 

That's your "standard" lens.

[guywalder]

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,

 

while on 1 level I can understand this, it is surely the case that an R/DMR/R-lens combination is already obscenely expensive. That an S2 system will be more so will be a total irrelevence to the people you photograph. In my experience people who are concentrated on eeking out an existance dont pay much attention to camera brands or prices.

Now if you are saying you can carry on with a DMR, and the money that could buy an S2 is better invested in a local community improvement scheme, that is another matter..

[paulmoore]

a little black tape and 99.9% of the world will not know the difference btw an s2 and a whatever.. the guys you have to look out for don't really care what brand you have they just want it. it is us photodudes that notice what people are carrying around.

I was selfconscious at first carrying the dmr out but as you said soon forgot about it and noticed that most other people did not care either.. and I didn't use tape.

[mgcd]

Now if you are saying you can carry on with a DMR, and the money that could buy an S2 is better invested in a local community improvement scheme, that is another matter..

 

That is indeed what I'm saying. That said, I'm still more and more tempted by the S2.

[mgcd]

a little black tape and 99.9% of the world will not know the difference btw an s2 and a whatever.. the guys you have to look out for don't really care what brand you have they just want it. it is us photodudes that notice what people are carrying around.

I was selfconscious at first carrying the dmr out but as you said soon forgot about it and noticed that most other people did not care either.. and I didn't use tape.

 

I was never self-conscious with the DMR because I had acquired my R8s and various lenses a long time before and used them constantly for years with respect to my work. I don't believe in tape, the equipment is what it is. I wrote down my original thoughts (which have been misinterpreted) when it was (erroneously) widely circulated that the S2 body would be priced at around €20,000 thus close to CAD$30,000. Where I work some people make $1000 or far less for their entire year, so to me that amount for the S2 appeared obscene within the context of my work with populations in danger. I was simply musing but the issue for me was simply an ethical one that I alone had to resolve with respect to the kind of work that I do. This is not about what my subjects would think about the equipment - neither here nor there, most of them could not care less about brand although I was surprised that a number of people know about brands in the most remote places (for another discussion). A heightened risk of theft was never a part of my concerns in this discussion since that's why we have professional equipment insurance + the usual precautions that we have to take wherever we go. It was about the fact that "I" would know what this money could have done for them, that would have been the dilemma for me.

[stevelap]

..........It was about the fact that "I" would know what this money could have done for them, that would have been the dilemma for me.

A fair point, but in reality a dilemma faced by many in similar circumstances I suppose. I'm thinking off all those documentaries filmed in remote locations, to highlight various very worthy causes or the plight of the oppressed. Each crew with many tens of thousands of dollar-pounds worth of equipment, not to mention the cost of the helicopter that may have taken them there.

 

As to the thread title, I see no reason why it shouldn't be, assuming the specifications are delivered as advertised, or better. This is the sort of photography that I'd be buying the camera for.

[tomasis7]

maybe I should not talk where are limits.

 

but just now 40mpx for reportage and documentary camera can be overkill. If one shoots some great life time pictures and prints out billboard sized prints, it would be different matter.

 

For reportage, R and M serve very well since S2 is concentrated for studio, fashion when they earn a lot money there and need very big sized posters.

 

Imagine for reportage, documentary, we take a lot of shots, many thousands. How many 40mpx files we need to save? Which laptops can process such big files? All that cost a lot money (backup etc.)

 

The studio which is used to H3D, can be used by S2 nicely. But after 5 years, it would be a bit different if S2 is a success so everybody could shoot outside with €7000 worth equipment and far more powerful computers. Like future Nikon Canon D7, 5D XII But question is how big differences it can make for lenses and sensors in the future? I believe on Leica though my wallet will tell anything.

[guywalder]

but just now 40mpx for reportage and documentary camera can be overkill. If one shoots some great life time pictures and prints out billboard sized prints, it would be different matter.

 

If I understand the TED website correctly, the 'unveiling' of James Nachtwey's TED funded project today will involve several projections onto the sides of buildings... just the job for a 37Mp reportage camera I'd say

[tomasis7]

If I understand the TED website correctly, the 'unveiling' of James Nachtwey's TED funded project today will involve several projections onto the sides of buildings... just the job for a 37Mp reportage camera I'd say

 

any MF, 4x5" (Hasselblad €10000 31mpx or Phase One 22mpx) cameras could do that. It is more documentary thing, I think. S2 would do nice job in smaller 1ds body, I agree.

 

The point Im trying to bring up that unless you're very good or famous photographer like Nachtwey, you have question yourself if you need big prints or not. That's all. If you spend €2-30000 to get A4 prints, I would not try to do something It is what most reportage prints look like.

[mgcd]

...

As to the thread title, I see no reason why it shouldn't be, assuming the specifications are delivered as advertised, or better. This is the sort of photography that I'd be buying the camera for.

 

Totally agreed.

 

Cheers,