Sean Reid's review of S2 prototype

[guywalder]

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It's a beauty in simplicity...would you expect anything else?

But I think in all fairness, M8 was not designed to replace DSLR, it was the digital version of M, for M users. M8 for me is perfectly fine, except I do hope it is a little thinner as the traditional M. The S2 is more targeted to DSLR (of the budget non issue) and the medium format digital, except it somewhat lacks the detachable sensor unit flexibility. I do agree with what Leica is trying to do with S2 and I think it will be the most competitive product they put into production for years, or since the M6.

 

I didnt say the M8 should, or was intended to, replace a DSLR. I said that not having better access to setting the ISO value is a weakness. That is a digital specific issue and has nothing to do with any other M.

As for the S2, I think it's success will depend, to an extent, on how well it is implimented. Just ask Contax or Kodak if headline grabbing spec numbers are enough to ensure success.... The devil is in the detail

[AlanG]

... Also I always use a dedicated AF on button, which is only possible if its ergonomically designed. I havnt held an S2, but the distance to the top right button looks far too far for my thumb.

 

I would be a bit surprised if, at the potential price point of the S2, potential customers are more bothered by the look of the camera than its usefulness.

It wouldnt be the first time I've been wrong though.....

 

I handled the camera and I think the thumb can hit that button pretty easily. I am not sure how comfortable this will be for an extended period of time. I am not sure if the button will be programmable to initiate focus. But Maike Harberts told me that it will work to lock focus. (I asked her at the PPE show if there was a method of focus lock and she said it would be though that button, but it wasn't implemented yet.)

 

I do think a camera should have enough buttons and dials so that as many functions as possible can be achieved without removing the camera from your eye.

 

As for live view... I am not sure if any MF backs have this. For a studio shooter, live can be much more useful than just checking focus. If you are a still life shooter, you can set up the monitor so that you can observe the image while you are arranging the items on the set. This saves you from having to go back and forth between the set and the camera. (Or needing an assistant to move the objects, lighting and light modifiers such as mirrors or cards, around.) In the old days of film, some photographers used video camera systems that focused on their ground glass for this.

[Alberti]

Hi Alberti,

 

People have been using colour temparature and lightmeters for that... Besides, if you really want to use your camera for that, the M8 (manual white balance on a Whiball and reflected light metering on a gray card) will get you close. I guess the S2 will be able to do the same. If that's not accurate enough, buy a meter.

 

Cheers, Peter

Peter, I do not intend to use a manual WB myself but rather let Sandy's 'Cornerfix' handle such kind of data:

- the estimated lens aperture setting, is decoded from the DNG image's MakerNotes by C1 and is also used by CF for 'fixing' the image; I expect similar things to happen in the S2 files;

- but not to rely on an internal electronic coupling (like from an EPROM in the lens + the actual diaphragm value that goes to EXIF) I'd just think an estimated value for not automatic lenses would be nice.

- Same goes for WB. Why not capture an estimate? Just a thought, this... Again, people like Sandy are really knowledgable.

 

albert