Okay everyone ... thank you all for all the wonderful and quite civil input (and creative insights on the other thread) ... especially considering how this camera has been a lightening rod for controversy.
As I head for the home stretch, I can say with confidence that the S2 is a terrific camera, even if not quite yet mature for some photographer's needs. It is far from perfect, but it is a one-of-a-kind with many perfectly wonderful things going for it. It is easy to define it as an expansive and capable creative tool for myself.
I have a multi-decades relationship with my Leica dealer, and wasn't considering the S2 due to the cost ... until he made me a rockin' deal. A deal I had to consider because of it being a sort of reward for our extremely long relationship of mutual aid to each other. So, price was and is a factor ... which isn't unusual for any Leica product ... but less of a factor than before.
If I had independently decided to move forward with a normal retail dealing, I would have felt obliged to deal with David Farkas as he provided the first test S2 about a year ago. Thank you David and company.
To clear up a few things ... this is NOT being considered as a replacement for my Hasselblad kit. That isn't going anywhere, in fact it is being upgraded. If I decide to keep the S2P I will sell the H4D/40 and a few HC lenses I tend to use only with the H4D/40 ... and sell some Sony gear. My studio is ruled by Hasselblad, as are certain commercial jobs. However, in semi-retirement, that is less of a consideration now, and personal work is coming more to the forefront.
So, even though the H4D/40 would be sold ... it isn't an indication of anything lacking or some photographic superiority on the part of the S2. It is simply a less bulky kit in a form factor more conducive to some of, not all of, my creative directions. However, the two are close enough in balance that it makes the decision a bit more difficult.
The S2 ISO performance is fine for what and how I shoot. I did some very low interior light shots in a dimly lit church @ 1250 and the 17"X 22" prints were fine.
The S2 AF seems to be okay, and I will be giving up some advantages of the H4D True Focus as a compromise to gain other advantages.
I will also be giving up a bit of hand-hold ability (initially until I get a hand strap etc.) and lose a bit of flash work versatility compared to the H4D/40 with mirror delay set and leaf shutter lenses that sync to 1/800th ... but gaining the much higher shutter speed of a focal plane shutter camera in bright light with fast aperture lenses. Which is why this is a nice compliment to the Hassey kit rather than a replacement.
Input here on sharpening was helpful, and as I work with the files they are beginning to feel in the Leica family of color and contrast, etc. ... which is a plus.
The challenge of the new is always a plus because it is fun.
Finally, it isn't all logic ... the seductive design and tactile feel of this camera is not to be underplayed ... we are visual people after all.
My dealer has given me more time to sort through the last few things I need cleared up. If the shutter button freeze is a camera issue rather than a user issue ... the camera is gone. That is a simple decision.
-Marc