S2 Lenses

[dhsimmonds]

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Getting back to the original thread........how good do you reckon Bronica lenses were?

 

My understanding is that a Dr Kaufmann owned company bought the tooling from Bronica when that company ceased production. Obviously a new mount system and other leica mods but how else could such a lens range be completed so quickly?

[blakley]

I'm not aware that we've been given the start date of the S2 program, so I'm not sure whether speculations about how long the lenses were in development are very well supported.

[georg]

Bronica used Tamron-lenses which have nothing to do with Leica-lenses and have nothing to offer them as well.

What has the S-System in common with any other system except for the sensor (which is only available in a different version for the H3DII-50) anyway?

We had the rumors about buying Bronica-fabs, reanimating and rebranding the Contax 645 by Kyocera, using Cosina-lenses... What's next? Oh yes, the M9 with Canon-sensor (the first non-Canon ever made with a Canon-sensor!)... ;-)

 

The AFRica-project started about 3 years ago (you can already read in the interviews the "why just full-frame?"-hints) and creating a fairly small set of lenses (four lenses with others to follow next year) does seem impossible for a company which is nearly three times as big as the remaining MF-competition?

[delander †]

What sort of AF will be on the S2 lenses. Canon and Nikon? have spent years developing very sophisticated USM AF over the years. Have they not patented this technology?

 

Where will Leica go to obtain similar up-to-date AF? Surely the only place is Japan.

 

Jeff

[dfarkas]

What sort of AF will be on the S2 lenses. Canon and Nikon? have spent years developing very sophisticated USM AF over the years. Have they not patented this technology?

 

Where will Leica go to obtain similar up-to-date AF? Surely the only place is Japan.

 

Jeff

 

Leica developed the AF tech in-house. If you've ever seen a cross-section cutaway of a Leica lens, you would appreciate just how good thier mechanical design capabilities are. The S lenses use a linear drive motor, not a coreless USM. The linear motor has more torqe for the larger glass. We should have more specifics in the coming weeks as to detailed tech specs.

 

Ultimately, the lenses focus quickly, accurately, and silently.

 

David

[dfarkas]

Getting back to the original thread........how good do you reckon Bronica lenses were?

 

My understanding is that a Dr Kaufmann owned company bought the tooling from Bronica when that company ceased production. Obviously a new mount system and other leica mods but how else could such a lens range be completed so quickly?

 

Leica is primarily an optics company. They've introduced 10 new M lenses in the last 2 years, inlcuding a 21mm f/1.4, 24mm f/1.4, 50mm f/0.95, 18mm f/3.8, and 24mm f/3.8 that are all amazing designs.

 

Leica has no want/need with Bronica. Leica is currently making the most state-of-the-art, highest quality glass out there. A larger image circle, greater flange to sensor distance, and a wider mount in the S2 has allowed the optical designers new possibilties and freedoms. According to the designer of these lenses, "the S lenses are the best lenses we have ever made, for any system."

 

David