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S2 is a Dream


roguewave

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After chekcing the images on an Eizo at work I realized that I had processed the files pretty badly on my laptop screen. So, they were oversharpened, noisy in the shadows and off-color.... other than that....

 

Anyway, I reprocessed the files using the desktop with a calibrated Eizo and replaced the picutes. You may want to check them out again.

 

David

 

well, not bad certainly. still no reason for raving, beats the D3x but HD3II 50 and P65 show more res. in portraits. well the mpx advantage cannot be denied. if it did pixel pinning for high iso as the P65 (maybe also the H3DII 60, which i shall get in a few weeks) it would be interesting. as it stands i shall not get back on the order list with my dealer again.

p

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After chekcing the images on an Eizo at work I realized that I had processed the files pretty badly on my laptop screen. So, they were oversharpened, noisy in the shadows and off-color.... other than that....

 

Anyway, I reprocessed the files using the desktop with a calibrated Eizo and replaced the picutes. You may want to check them out again.

 

David

 

Thanks, David! I am working with digital imaging since 1981, and I am aware what can be achieved with imaging software. I would rather like to see an unprocessed photo in order to see what the camera can.

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I'm not in the market for the S2, but I was impressed with the model photo, and 100% crop, in the attached commentary by Michael Reichmann at LL...

 

Leica S2 First Impressions

 

I'm not sure the model would like the results without some touch-up, but the detail is amazing. Look, for instance, at the eye in the crop with the photographer reflection.

 

Jeff

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If you guys are interested, you can download a P40+ full size jpeg below which is quite similar to the 100% studio crop David has posted in his blog.

 

This was shot by Japanese photographer Koji Ueda.

 

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/img/dcw/docs/313/117/019.jpg

 

Since I already have a full set of Mamiya lenses so the choice is quite easy, this wasn't my first post so you all know about my bias toward a detachable back due to its immense flexibility.

 

But, as many people have pointed out, it's all about the Leica lust ... LOL I don't think that I can get any chance to do anything David has tried ... not even close, but I'll report back in any case. :)

 

 

what has a phase one to do with the leica s2?:confused:

 

grtz, Alex!

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David, while the S2 shot on your blog is very sharp etc, can you please upload an image which shows a good tonal gradation and other IQ properties?

 

I recently shot with Hasselblad H3DII [i think 39, with 180mm lens at a demo session] and was very pleased with the outcome. The photos had almost a film-look. The RAW files required very minimum adjustment in PS. [a sample is attached]

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i dont know about "s2 is a dream"... it can become a dream if it is actually as good as it is promised to be in leica press and presentation. personally, so far, i have a feeling and expectation that it might be really competitive to phase40 and hassi39. better than those two in image quality and handling would be a too much optimism until some real and trustable material is available. actually, this kind of camera is a serious commitment, both financial and practical, so best to experience it firs-hand.

 

so far on paper, s2 seems to be more compact than phase/hassi. s2 doesnt seem to be a small camera and phase/hassi are not huge either (i know well the mamiya system). but on the other hand, phase/hassi are backs, which means: (a) can be used with other tech and wide cameras, (B) can be exchanged with film magazine for back-up or for b/w film.

it is just a belief at the moment but, if the leica lenses are really as great as they supposed to be, this will close the gap of bigger sensor size on phase/hassi (which have very good lenses in the front too).

 

as for comparing it on websites ... it is a bit ridiculous... i would not do it even with the M9, now with full-frame and improvements... the s2 is a completely different game - it is for prints - how rich the files actually are, not how a photographer can see himself in the eye of the model, this thing looked to me more like computer game geeks playing with new game and joystick.

only for serious print it has justification for its price and pace limitations compared to smaller dslr. and if taking this camera seriously, this how it should be tested and compared to other competitors.

 

 

!!! so much questions about this camera... probably it is part of great expectations !!!

 

BTW, it also looks seductively beautiful, like no other dslr. maybe it is not the key point, but photographers wanting to make good photos probably already have a good taste, so it touches :-)

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BTW, it also looks seductively beautiful, like no other dslr. maybe it is not the key point, but photographers wanting to make good photos probably already have a good taste, so it touches :-)

 

Agreed. These things shouldn't matter but the S2 is a beautiful piece of industrial design. It also has a viewfinder to die for (at least by SLR standards).

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ian ... the viewfinder is a substantial element for decision. i always have troubles with SLR viewfinders for some reason, and really dont like almost all d-slr viewfinders.

what is it from your experience ? very bright and clear ? roomy ? how it feels compared to a good mamiya645ii if u r familiar with ?

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I'm loving this thread. I'll put my cards on the table and say I don't know how I'd afford this camera in the next year or three but I'm still interested. I do wonder if we are at a stage now where several larger format digital cameras produce sufficient quality for most people's applications (advertising, brochures, fine art etc)? In that case, the form factor of the S2 sets it apart from most - add weather sealing and dreamy lenses and it might find its own niche quickly. And it won't be internet pixel-peepers! I agree this is all about prints.

 

Don.

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I'm loving this thread. I'll put my cards on the table and say I don't know how I'd afford this camera in the next year or three but I'm still interested.

 

Likewise. I think SWMBO wants to replace her aging minivan first :D

 

In a few years I'll be looking at a demo/used S2, particularly if there's no acceptable R solution and if my DMR dies.

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My head has trouble getting around the fact that you could buy two new minivans for the price of one camera body! It's not as if minivans did not have some precision engineering in them - and most are weather proof, even if, like the S2, they rarely zoom....

 

Don.

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My head has trouble getting around the fact that you could buy two new minivans for the price of one camera body! It's not as if minivans did not have some precision engineering in them - and most are weather proof, even if, like the S2, they rarely zoom....

 

Don.

 

I figure that if my car is worth more than my camera, my priorities are out of order :D

 

I'm fine with the old pickup truck, not sure if SWMBO would be.

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Actually, that's really funny. My main camera is worth more than my car, heck even two of my lenses cost more than my car! And if I do get the money for something like an S2, I wouldn't be upgrading my car first either. But then I haven't got a "SWMBO" just yet. Which makes me think I'd better save harder now!

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