Gentleman Villain Posted October 19, 2008 Share #1 Posted October 19, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've got a feeling from surfing forums that the S2 might hit a demographic outside of the current Leica users. It's probably gonna pull buyers that were top end Canon/Nikon and Hasselblad shooters and never considered Leica. That's just my guess though and I could be wrong So...any lurkers out there care to chime in? Anybody plan on buying this camera? I don't mind being a guinea pig and picking up the first version....This camera is darn exciting...I really want it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 19, 2008 Posted October 19, 2008 Hi Gentleman Villain, Take a look here I want an S2...Anybody else gonna buy one?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wildlightphoto Posted October 19, 2008 Share #2 Posted October 19, 2008 As an amateur of limited means, using the S2 is more fantasy than "will buy". What interests me most about the S2 is the technological direction Leica takes with it, since Dr. Kaufmann and Ms. Harbert have both indicated the technology will be used in the R and M lines. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimF Posted October 19, 2008 Share #3 Posted October 19, 2008 Medium format digital is something I'm seriously considering - and finance is definitely top of the tree in that. However, despite the obvious attractions of the S2, I have to say that Hasselblad or Phase One still have a greater appeal, if for no other reason than that the back is removable, and usable on a view camera if that route should appeal at some time in the medium to longer-term future. Hasselblad's recent hefty price reductions have merely increased their appeal on that front. The S2 is more of a digital Pentax 67. Medium format has always been a question of selecting a given camera according to one's specific needs as a photographer far more than 35mm ever has been (and yes, I include the old rangefinder vs SLR argument there). With that in mind, I hope there is a substantial market for it, as Leica have thrown a whole lot of their eggs into this basket. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooky Posted October 19, 2008 Share #4 Posted October 19, 2008 I would love to have an S2 (assuming the hype is correct) as I shoot most of my 'landscape' work with Pentax 67, and everything else with Leicas. It's the first time I have actually considered a 'big time' digital camera. It would be a huge expense that would chop deep into my pocket(s!), but the idea of a big sensor Leica with wide angle lenses will be very tempting. It's also important that coming out of the blocks the S2 will be more than adequate to compete with MF film, even though I'm hopelessly addicted to big transparencies. So, yes, the fact that this seems like a long term camera that I wouldn't really have to worry about sensor upgrades or becoming out of date, I will seriously consider it; and save all my lose change, because that's what it will take. Which by the way, is what it took for my SL2 mot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arminw Posted October 19, 2008 Share #5 Posted October 19, 2008 I would be very interested in this camera if they get the price right . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman Villain Posted October 19, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted October 19, 2008 Yeah, the real trick (as always) is probably going to price.. When I was a student in film school (before digital)....Hasselblad and Sinar had deals for the students to get invested in their systems. It was expensive...but do-able for a young person that really had the drive. SO that meant there was always a fresh customer base helping to keep the system alive. What's always bothered me about medium and large format digital is that the cost is way too prohibitive for newbies. So the future of it is always in question The good thing about the S2 is that it's a natural step-up from 35mm...so the actual camera itself won't be intimidating for the newbies that cut their teeth on Canons and Nikons...only the price tag is scary. On the other hand, a high price tag isn't necessarily bad...It keeps the riff-raff from getting their grubby hands on the system We'll see....time will tell....I'm willing to take the risk...c'mon Leica...get them cameras rollin' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted October 19, 2008 Share #7 Posted October 19, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) ... the fact that this seems like a long term camera that I wouldn't really have to worry about sensor upgrades or becoming out of date, I will seriously consider it IIRC, Ms. Harbert, interviewed in this video, says the sensor is upgradeable. I can't review the video now, it stalls on my computer here at home, can someone look at it and verify? WEBB-TV: Leica S2 and R10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooky Posted October 20, 2008 Share #8 Posted October 20, 2008 IIRC, Ms. Harbert, interviewed in this video, says the sensor is upgradeable. I can't review the video now, it stalls on my computer here at home, can someone look at it and verify? WEBB-TV: Leica S2 and R10 Okay, it's similar to the interview I saw elsewhere (I've forgot where) but Ms. Harbert states as I understand it, that the S2 sensor will be upgradeable to higher count pixels, but not, (obviously) a bigger sensor. I guess by 'inventing' the Leica Pro sized sensor, they've planned ahead to make it 'take' more pixels if needed. If the S lenses are as good as the Leica 35's, I can't imagine needing much more. She also said that there will be 2 S lens lines - one with leaf shutters, and the other without - which I assume would be less expensive? Too, she was very clear about being price competitive with Mamiya and Hasselblad and it sounded as though the pricing hadn't been finalized. She was very clear with her responses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplomley Posted October 20, 2008 Share #9 Posted October 20, 2008 Not really interested...for my landscape tool I'm sticking to my Arca Swiss, Velvia 50, and Tango drum scans. For street work the M8. To be honest, I would be very nervous hauling a 30K camera system into some of the environments I travel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted October 20, 2008 Share #10 Posted October 20, 2008 Have you guys realized that the S2 sensor's pixel pitch is already pretty close to that of the Nikon D300, Sony A900, Canon 1Ds3's? How could they pack more pixels than 37MP into the same area and maintain its quality? In my very humble opinion, if you are seriously thinking of medium format, go get a serious medium format. Give me a R10 then I'll stop making noise in the S2 forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman Villain Posted October 20, 2008 Author Share #11 Posted October 20, 2008 IIRC, Ms. Harbert, interviewed in this video, says the sensor is upgradeable. I can't review the video now, it stalls on my computer here at home, can someone look at it and verify? WEBB-TV: Leica S2 and R10 Thanks very much for the interview link. I like that they are openly stating this camera is designed for professionals. She also said that there will be 2 S lens lines - one with leaf shutters, and the other without - which I assume would be less expensive? From what I understand, the CS lenses are the central leaf shutter lenses capable of fast sync speeds. According to Farkas blog, the CS lenses will probaby be the first ones released with the camera: # Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 CS ASPH # Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 CS ASPH # APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 CS # APO-Elmar-S 180mm f/3.5 CS These non-CS lenses are scheduled to be released a few months later: # Elmarit-S 24mm f/2.8 ASPH # APO-Tele-Elmar-S 350mm f/3.5 # Vario-Elmar-S 30-90mm f/3.5 ASPH # Elmar-S 30mm f/3.5 Tilt-Shift # Elmarit-S 100mm f/3.5 ASPH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted October 20, 2008 Share #12 Posted October 20, 2008 # Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 CS ASPH # Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 CS ASPH # APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 CS # APO-Elmar-S 180mm f/3.5 CS These will be the first ones released. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatter Posted October 20, 2008 Share #13 Posted October 20, 2008 Not really interested...for my landscape tool I'm sticking to my Arca Swiss, Velvia 50, and Tango drum scans. For street work the M8. To be honest, I would be very nervous hauling a 30K camera system into some of the environments I travel. Besides... where would you charge the batteries?? :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted October 20, 2008 Share #14 Posted October 20, 2008 Obviously this camera is priced outside of the reach of even the most dedicated enthusiast. It really is a pro camera and unless you are independently wealthy, difficult to justify or even afford. That said, if I was very well off or needed one for my business I would like to have one. I like the idea of an over sized sensor in the 3x2 format, in a compact, rugged body. The simplicity of the design also appeals to me and without a doubt the glass will be stellar. But for the moment I will stick with my film based Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras. If I was going to lay out a large sum of money at this point it would be for a top of the line Imacon scanner, which would come in at about half the cost of the S2 body... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevelap Posted October 20, 2008 Share #15 Posted October 20, 2008 ....Give me a R10 then I'll stop making noise in the S2 forum. Be patient, the R10 will be here...eventually. In the meantime, since you're offering;) yes, please stop making noise here....there's more than enough negativity elsewhere on the forum, without starting it off in the S2 section months before the camera even arrives:eek: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevelap Posted October 20, 2008 Share #16 Posted October 20, 2008 .....So.......Anybody plan on buying this camera? Yes, me for one. Although as I've said in other threads, it will depend on the camera being delivered with the specification as promised, or better, together with IQ, build quality, reliability and support all demonstrated to be as good as we would expect. And then of course there's pricing..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted October 20, 2008 Share #17 Posted October 20, 2008 How could they pack more pixels than 37MP into the same area and maintain its quality? Technology doesn't stand still. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooky Posted October 20, 2008 Share #18 Posted October 20, 2008 Besides... where would you charge the batteries?? :-) My exact concerns in the beginning and it is still - if the S2 is not really what I like to call a 'wilderness camera' then I'd have to pass on buying one. I've mentioned somewhere in the Forum about a fella with a medium or large format digital camera and how he brought along a portable generator for battery recharging. There is no way I could ever burden myself with all that. I really don't like being encumbered with anything that takes away from the process of photography. Too, in reference with a comment about going to a 'real' MF sized digital; why? If the DMR is any indication, the S2 will be more than adequate. I'm just curious what of kind 'look' or 'signature' the images will have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted October 20, 2008 Share #19 Posted October 20, 2008 ... if the S2 is not really what I like to call a 'wilderness camera' then I'd have to pass on buying one. Battery charging is an issue for the DMR because each battery pack lasts only a couple hundred photos (depending on chimping). When car-camping I use the vehicle's 12-volt outlet overnight to charge batteries. I'd also look into solar chargers and AA-powered chargers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentleman Villain Posted October 20, 2008 Author Share #20 Posted October 20, 2008 Yes, me for one. Although as I've said in other threads, it will depend on the camera being delivered with the specification as promised, or better, together with IQ, build quality, reliability and support all demonstrated to be as good as we would expect. And then of course there's pricing..... right on... I agree and would like to know that the first reports are good before making the final commitment. But, it sure would be fun to be one of the first to post pics and maybe make some folks drool I'd also look into solar chargers and AA-powered chargers. I wonder if any photographers have had luck with solar panels like these: Brunton Solaris 52 never tried it myself...but have always been curious Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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