I want an S2...Anybody else gonna buy one?

[AlanG]

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...I think the more viable option will be the cameras such as Alpa MAX and Sinar ArTec or like the Linhof 679 with updated lenses that to deliver the optimized result from latest digital sensor.

 

Yes, I know this. At the PPE show I spoke with the man from Linhof and he told me that none of my Grandagons, Super Angulons, and Symmars from my 6x9 and 4x5 format would cut it with the digital backs. And as I have written, I've checked out the various wide angle cameras (Artec, Alpa, Linhof Techno) and have decided that shooting 35mm and stitching via a pano head when necessary was the way to go for me.

 

I guess I finally have no choice but to sell my Linhof, accessories, and 10 lenses as I really can't see going forward with this gear. Although I noticed that Red is planning to come out with a 6x17 camera, so how tough would it be to make a 6x9 back?

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[charlesphoto99]

I meant that digital 35 is hopeless in terms of providing image quality at a reasonable cost when compared to digital medium format. If film grain is your thing then that's awesome.... grain is cool if that's your thing. But I have never considered grain or noise to be good image quality. But grain and noise can certainly be beautiful effects when used properly.

 

What I object to is blanket statements such as this. Talk about rejecting the entire history of contemporary photography.

 

And what is reasonable cost? My $5k D3 or M8 provides me with the image quality I and my clients need. Will I really get better pictures with a $20K MF camera? Different, but not necessarily better. That's up to the photographer and what his purpose is.

 

And not everything needs to be shot with 20 plus mp - in fact most things don't though many people (esp those with too much $ and severe G.A.S.) in some sort of quest for ultimate resolution (vs actually making interesting photos) would make one think so.

 

Anyway, silly argument. All formats have their use, film and digital (yes film is still a viable medium for many) and their proponents. To say that one is hopeless over another is rude.

 

Alex Majoli, of Magnum, shoots with Olympus digital p&s (four or five at a time so he can dispose of the ones that break). Oh yeah, I guess he's just a hopeless amateur until he steps up and starts carrying a P65+ to the war zones he covers. Give me a break.

[Gentleman Villain]

charlesphoto99

 

I don't wanna argue because the root of the misunderstanding is that your definition if IQ is completely different than mine. Photojournalism can be the opposite side of the universe from a studio.

 

HOLY SHEAT! - Nirvana and Johnny Cash! OH man I'd love to have a beer with you sometime! The internet is amazing...here I am arguing with a guy that took pictures of the music heroes of my youth. Layne Staley playing live in the early days...Rollins Band..that is just awesome!!!!

 

I'm pretty sure my best friend from high school has your book in his living room...but I've gotta double check on that But I've definitely seen your book before.

 

Anyhow man...In terms of photography we're exact opposites. I am a studio shooter and heavy into location lighting....meanwhile your entire book doesn't have a single studio image (to my knowledge) So we're just looking at completely different things.

[Gentleman Villain]

What I object to is blanket statements such as this. Talk about rejecting the entire history of contemporary photography.

 

so glad that you got ticked...cuz otherwise we wouldn't have met. The internet is awesome. because I get to meet the guy that photographed some of my favorite musicians during their prime.... simply amazing....I love the internet

[charlesphoto99]

charlesphoto99

 

I don't wanna argue because the root of the misunderstanding is that your definition if IQ is completely different than mine. Photojournalism can be the opposite side of the universe from a studio.

 

HOLY SHEAT! - Nirvana and Johnny Cash! OH man I'd love to have a beer with you sometime! The internet is amazing...here I am arguing with a guy that took pictures of the music heroes of my youth. Layne Staley playing live in the early days...Rollins Band..that is just awesome!!!!

 

I'm pretty sure my best friend from high school has your book in his living room...but I've gotta double check on that But I've definitely seen your book before.

 

Anyhow man...In terms of photography we're exact opposites. I am a studio shooter and heavy into location lighting....meanwhile your entire book doesn't have a single studio image (to my knowledge) So we're just looking at completely different things.

 

Hey thanks. Yeah, if I was a studio shooter I'd be all over medium format digital and not look back. As it is I own a Mamiya 7, two Mamiya 6's, a Hassie SWC, and a Rollei TLR. My newest book on breakdancers was all shot with the SWC and Mamiyas. I took the route of investing in an Imacon years back and it's paid for itself over and over again so film MF works handily for me.

 

Anyway, the S2 looks like it could cut both ways. Too bad about the price and the service though (I serioulsy doubt Leica will ever get their act together on this front, esp NJ).

 

BTW I think my book actually has one or two studio shots - old school Hassie 500CM.

 

Nice discussing with you!

 

Charles

[zlatkob]

Guy, thanks for posting those wedding examples. Good point about dynamic range.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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Your welcome the hard cold fact is nothing in 35mm is yet to get to that level although the DMR is pretty close which i think still has the edge over the M8 which is very good. The real secret here is pliable files, you can bend MF files quite a bit. Truth be told on some stuff i have to add a stronger black point. MF is certainly not for everyone and certainly not for every occasion. For me that is all i shoot now but believe me it is not always the exact tool for the job. It's overkill on some things for sure but i have been burned by clients doing things never intended in the first place, Like banners the size of houses. LOL Now no excuses. Obviously 35mm is the most popular format and even for many Pro's the tool of choice, I like to rise above that level now if I can. I am still avoiding buying a Nikon as long as i can and it seems to be okay but there are times you just need one. If that time comes it is much easier for me to rent a DSLR than a MF so that is the route I took. I can get a DSLR in 20 minutes to rent for pretty cheap if that need arises. MF I would have to call in Samy's in LA 400 miles away at about 350.00 or more per day. So for me it is a better choice to own the MF and rent the DSLR but obviously for some the better choice is the other way around. The S2 has the potential to solve both ends of this at least it does on paper today. This is what a lot of folks will be looking at, I know many people have these thoughts churning in the head right now which is good to be planning their future. Be nuts not to be looking at this to be honest. If all the stars and moons align this maybe the perfect tool or damn close.

[udoleisten]

I had the chance to touch the S2 during the "Leica Event Days in Wetzlar, Nov 15th, 2008", and it fits perfect. Compared to the Hasselblad H3D2 I tried during Photokina it was an absolut pleasure to shot free hand with the S2.

Also the lens development chief of Leica showed some pictures he took with the S2 over the weekend. And they were just stunning. Sharp to the point, projected to a big screen, with high potential to zoom in.

So far I did not consider to buy a digital camera, but this system is just great.

[Jack MacDonough]

Yes I will buy.

I have an M8 with many lenses. It has never failed. It paid for itself quickly. The quality due to the lack of an AA filter, a WATE, and stitching has allowed me to shoot my stuff with a smaller sensor than what is available from Canon or Nikon.

I have a Canon 1Ds system that is sitting unused as the lenses can't do what I need for increasingly large prints. I don't have lenses for an R so I won't buy into that when I comes available. I am faced with needing new lenses for any system other than my M8. I can justify a larger format system and was starting to think MF digital. So I can justify the S2 because I need new lenses anyway with no legacy issues. For me, I shoot landscape and architecture and the water resistant portable S2 is the right step now that I shoot ever larger prints. The owner of Leica can afford to build it right, (and knows he can't afford to build it wrong.) I don't expect the M8 beta problems. I will buy it right away and if it turns out to be a "beta" hopefully I get discounted lenses again! My problem will not be the price of the body, it will be my inability to buy used lenses. I hope Guy is right that in MF you don't need as many. Frankly, I see the only other choice is a RED epic, but that is coming later.

[Guest darkstar2004]

I'm going to buy one and several of the lenses.

 

Just as soon as a laundry bag full of $100 bills falls out of the sky and lands at my feet.

 

Till then, I'll stick with my MP...

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Better chance it falling off a truck. My bet is on that one. LOL

[leicanut2]

I have to wait for the R10 I would have to sell my home to get that. Even the R10 I hope comes in at under 7,000 I have picked up a few R lenses like the newest version 1:4/280 mm and a old 560mm but I do not own a R yet. I hope it comes out soon.

Cheers Jan

[TimF]

I hope it (the R10) comes out soon.

About a year is what I've been told. The same dealer would agree its a good time to stock up on the glass though!

[ptomsu]

In the beginning after the S2 was introduced at PK I was actually very convinced to buy one. I think technically and system wise and IQ wise it is just the perfect system.

 

Then I had troubles with my M8 and CS and had to wait for over 7 weeks to get the camera back. This was the time when I felt I would not like to buy a S2 because of the lousy and slow service at Leica.

 

Now, after this time passed and I am reading and thinking more about the S System I came to the following conclusion:

 

I will buy one and some lenses, if Leica can proof that they come up with a real professional and fast service behind this system. This means that one can get a replacement camera or lens in case of a failure for repair time for a decent rent. And I want to watch this all and the reliability and quality of the system and it's results during a period of a year.

 

This gives me from now on another almost 2 years to save hopefully enough money, so I can buy the S2 and 3 lenses then.

 

If I would ever go back to the R System I doubt, as I have now Canon and Nikon for FF DSLR photography and am pretty happy with those. And of course I hope for a FF M Digital (M9) as well, to be able to use my M glass on FF.