I've read every single post in this thread without skimming ... (how un-busy am I :ROTFL
There's almost nothing I do not agree with despite some polar opposite opinions. They are based on various personal needs and requirements which will never line up synergistically).
Jeff, I looked at your work and marveled at how you wrangled each image to express a similar signature look and feel regardless of what gear or media was used.:thumbs:
I have an S2P and all four current lenses, as well as a pair of M9s and slew of M lenses. When I first demo'ed the S2 over 1.5 years ago I wasn't yet persuaded, not to mention that only 2 lenses were available then. So, I waited to see what happened with the IQ as more people started using it, and what other lenses became available. It changed enough to warrant a second look at the end of last year.
My dealer provided a S2P to extensively test, which included some hiccups with the demo camera which were promptly resolved. Here is what I found:
IQ: It is fairly easy to see the S2's family resemblance with the M9 files. I could easily make my M9 and S2 files look to be cut from the same cloth. The only visual difference was the physical size of the S2 files. However, it is true that the discipline of Medium Format shooting has to be observed, so obviously the shooting experience is different ... and things like DOF are also obviously different. I found that fairly easy to adapt to since I have always shot some form of MF.
MFD Comparisons: At the time of the S2 demo, I also had a Hasselblad H4D/40. I bench tested and field tested both cameras with as close to the same focal lengths as I could manage ... I primarily used the HCD 35-90 on the H4D/40 because it is widely acclaimed as one of their best lenses yet even outperforming primes in those focal lengths. IMO, the S2 35 and 70mm edged out the H4D/40, and I think did so primarily based on the optical performance ... even using the DAC corrections in Hasselblad's Phocus software. I sold the H4D/40 and moved to a H4D/60 for my studio and various commercial assignments that I often use on a view camera with digital view lenses.
Take with and handling: compared to the H4D kit, the S2 is much easier to transport. While some of the S lenses are just as big as some HC lenses, they easily stand upright in my transport bag and the 35mm S lens is narrower compared to the HC35 or 35-90. The S2 body is like any pro-spec DSLR and takes up much less space then the H4D does. Handling is simply the same as most 35mm DSLRs, except that I've found the interface of the S2 to be faster. It is NOT a 35mm DSLR in terms of having to adhere to the previously mentioned MF disciplines.
The Back-Up issue: This is a dilemma with any high-end gear. Guy is right, there is no substitute for a back-up. But the back-up will be a compromise to what you determined the application of the higher end gear was intended for. I sure the heck don't have two S2s, nor 2 H4D/60s to take anywhere, and I sure the heck wouldn't carry either as a back-up for the other on an extended trip out of the country without an entourage of grips and PAs. In reality, even when shooting a commercial job locally, there isn't an immediate replacement available unless I rent something well in advance to cover my bum (not that any client I have would pay for that anyway). So, while I have back-ups, any of them would be a compromise to the original intention that warranted a MFD camera. That said, I go nowhere without a back-up ... which is more than evident when shooting weddings where even having a camera store right across the street wouldn't be fast enough to avert chaos and disappointment. On my recent trip to shoot a wedding in Boston, I carried 2 M9s and 2 Sony A900s with relatively redundant lenses ... and was able to take all of it on board with me.
Lens availability: Your guess is as good as anyone's. I have a standing order for the S24 mm, but am beginning to doubt my need ... the 35 feels pretty wide ... perhaps because of the aspect ratio of the S2? The few times I've needed wider I did a stitch of 2 or 3 frames like Guy suggested ... (what I like about the S lenses is that the Nodal point is etched on each lens).
-Marc
There's almost nothing I do not agree with despite some polar opposite opinions. They are based on various personal needs and requirements which will never line up synergistically).
Jeff, I looked at your work and marveled at how you wrangled each image to express a similar signature look and feel regardless of what gear or media was used.:thumbs:
I have an S2P and all four current lenses, as well as a pair of M9s and slew of M lenses. When I first demo'ed the S2 over 1.5 years ago I wasn't yet persuaded, not to mention that only 2 lenses were available then. So, I waited to see what happened with the IQ as more people started using it, and what other lenses became available. It changed enough to warrant a second look at the end of last year.
My dealer provided a S2P to extensively test, which included some hiccups with the demo camera which were promptly resolved. Here is what I found:
IQ: It is fairly easy to see the S2's family resemblance with the M9 files. I could easily make my M9 and S2 files look to be cut from the same cloth. The only visual difference was the physical size of the S2 files. However, it is true that the discipline of Medium Format shooting has to be observed, so obviously the shooting experience is different ... and things like DOF are also obviously different. I found that fairly easy to adapt to since I have always shot some form of MF.
MFD Comparisons: At the time of the S2 demo, I also had a Hasselblad H4D/40. I bench tested and field tested both cameras with as close to the same focal lengths as I could manage ... I primarily used the HCD 35-90 on the H4D/40 because it is widely acclaimed as one of their best lenses yet even outperforming primes in those focal lengths. IMO, the S2 35 and 70mm edged out the H4D/40, and I think did so primarily based on the optical performance ... even using the DAC corrections in Hasselblad's Phocus software. I sold the H4D/40 and moved to a H4D/60 for my studio and various commercial assignments that I often use on a view camera with digital view lenses.
Take with and handling: compared to the H4D kit, the S2 is much easier to transport. While some of the S lenses are just as big as some HC lenses, they easily stand upright in my transport bag and the 35mm S lens is narrower compared to the HC35 or 35-90. The S2 body is like any pro-spec DSLR and takes up much less space then the H4D does. Handling is simply the same as most 35mm DSLRs, except that I've found the interface of the S2 to be faster. It is NOT a 35mm DSLR in terms of having to adhere to the previously mentioned MF disciplines.
The Back-Up issue: This is a dilemma with any high-end gear. Guy is right, there is no substitute for a back-up. But the back-up will be a compromise to what you determined the application of the higher end gear was intended for. I sure the heck don't have two S2s, nor 2 H4D/60s to take anywhere, and I sure the heck wouldn't carry either as a back-up for the other on an extended trip out of the country without an entourage of grips and PAs. In reality, even when shooting a commercial job locally, there isn't an immediate replacement available unless I rent something well in advance to cover my bum (not that any client I have would pay for that anyway). So, while I have back-ups, any of them would be a compromise to the original intention that warranted a MFD camera. That said, I go nowhere without a back-up ... which is more than evident when shooting weddings where even having a camera store right across the street wouldn't be fast enough to avert chaos and disappointment. On my recent trip to shoot a wedding in Boston, I carried 2 M9s and 2 Sony A900s with relatively redundant lenses ... and was able to take all of it on board with me.
Lens availability: Your guess is as good as anyone's. I have a standing order for the S24 mm, but am beginning to doubt my need ... the 35 feels pretty wide ... perhaps because of the aspect ratio of the S2? The few times I've needed wider I did a stitch of 2 or 3 frames like Guy suggested ... (what I like about the S lenses is that the Nodal point is etched on each lens).
-Marc
