The GetDPI Photography Forum
Great to see you here. Join our insightful photographic forum today and start tapping into a huge wealth of photographic knowledge. Completing our simple registration process will allow you to gain access to exclusive content, add your own topics and posts, share your work and connect with other members through your own private inbox! And don’t forget to say hi!
Leica S2 compared to MF bigger brothers
- Thread starter Guy Mancuso
- Start date
carstenw
Active member
Actually, it is even worse (for you): They announced a 100mm lens, not a 110mm. The aperture is still unknown. So, they have a 70mm, 100mm, 120mm, and a 180mm. There is a bit of a gap between 120 and 180, but for you the 180mm would probably be the one.
Guy Mancuso
Administrator, Instructor
Thanks Carsten yes than the 100mm is completely wrong than, just way to close to the 70mm. The 180mm I can certainly put to good use though
PeterA
Well-known member
I have been playing with the RZ kit I recently bought. I have never used an RZ or RB system before. The number one surprise for me is just how much I enjoy three things:
1. The BIG bright waist level finder WOW what a joy
2. The rotating back - neat when combined with a big viewfinder
3. The bellows focusing.
The system was an indulgence for me as even after ditching a few 35m systems I still now find myself with too many cameras and lenses. Each camera can pretty much do what the other can - and I hasten to add pretty much as well as each can.
These discussions get down to personal preferences, sunk costs, and at the margin working preferences for those who have to earn a living from them and time is money.
The word 'dead' was probably a bit harsh for some to hear - but I had the opportunity to buy two as new Contax bodies and a complete lens kit ( except not that long glass) I saw in the camera porn post above!
I have to say that the only reason I didnt go with Contax but instead bought into Mamiya as my second system - was the fact that IF down the track something went wrong with the bodies I felt I would/could be in trouble as no one services them down here in Australia. Oh yes the auto focus was slower and the non rechargeable battery system BUGGED me :ROTFL:
I wish I knew that Capture Integration could have kitted me out with a couple of new bodies. Maybe Lance can put together a full Contax kit for me ? - yes I want all that exotic glass.
I think that the Contax ergonomics are much better than my Hasselblad H and Mamiya Phase body I have for my hands - I look forward to the Mamiya vertical grip so that I can hold the Mamiya better - my hands are too large for existing grip..even the H balances precariously on one hand...
So I am now surprising myself and thinking that the Hy6 is something I am interested in - purely because I am so much enjoying the waist level finder in the RZ and the rotating back :thumbs: but I would like to be able to use my existing MFD back(s) on it ..I have had enough buying backs :ROTFL:
Which brings me to the S2 and I am surprising myself - thinking - actually Leica or no Leica - I dont think that I have any use for this in between system. I am thinking that this in between will be perfect for 35mm shooters wanting more and maybe new MF shooters wanting a DSLR type shooting experience - smaller body etc. I think it could sell very well for these reasons and I am hoping it does - because I am a big fan of Leica and wish them well.
1. The BIG bright waist level finder WOW what a joy
2. The rotating back - neat when combined with a big viewfinder
3. The bellows focusing.
The system was an indulgence for me as even after ditching a few 35m systems I still now find myself with too many cameras and lenses. Each camera can pretty much do what the other can - and I hasten to add pretty much as well as each can.
These discussions get down to personal preferences, sunk costs, and at the margin working preferences for those who have to earn a living from them and time is money.
The word 'dead' was probably a bit harsh for some to hear - but I had the opportunity to buy two as new Contax bodies and a complete lens kit ( except not that long glass) I saw in the camera porn post above!
I have to say that the only reason I didnt go with Contax but instead bought into Mamiya as my second system - was the fact that IF down the track something went wrong with the bodies I felt I would/could be in trouble as no one services them down here in Australia. Oh yes the auto focus was slower and the non rechargeable battery system BUGGED me :ROTFL:
I wish I knew that Capture Integration could have kitted me out with a couple of new bodies. Maybe Lance can put together a full Contax kit for me ? - yes I want all that exotic glass.
I think that the Contax ergonomics are much better than my Hasselblad H and Mamiya Phase body I have for my hands - I look forward to the Mamiya vertical grip so that I can hold the Mamiya better - my hands are too large for existing grip..even the H balances precariously on one hand...
So I am now surprising myself and thinking that the Hy6 is something I am interested in - purely because I am so much enjoying the waist level finder in the RZ and the rotating back :thumbs: but I would like to be able to use my existing MFD back(s) on it ..I have had enough buying backs :ROTFL:
Which brings me to the S2 and I am surprising myself - thinking - actually Leica or no Leica - I dont think that I have any use for this in between system. I am thinking that this in between will be perfect for 35mm shooters wanting more and maybe new MF shooters wanting a DSLR type shooting experience - smaller body etc. I think it could sell very well for these reasons and I am hoping it does - because I am a big fan of Leica and wish them well.
Peter,
I think your last paragraph sums up my feelings re the S2 too. On the surface I think it may not suit me, OTOH I've learned from past experiences to never say "Never" -- at least until I've actually played with one
PS: If you decide to off the RZ camera and lens kit, let me know what I'll owe you for it.
Serious,
I think your last paragraph sums up my feelings re the S2 too. On the surface I think it may not suit me, OTOH I've learned from past experiences to never say "Never" -- at least until I've actually played with one
PS: If you decide to off the RZ camera and lens kit, let me know what I'll owe you for it.
Serious,
Carsten,
There seems to be some different info on the S lenses floating around. As far as can be told from the images of the lenses (?prototypes) there looks to be a 35mm, 70mm 120mm macro and 180mm all done as CS (Central Shutter/leaf) with the 35, 70, 120 all coming in at f2.5. Separately, they show a 100mm lens that is NOT CS, but also does not say FPS (focal plane shutter), plus the 24mm, a 30mm Tilt/shift, a 30-90mm zoom. (I thought I saw someplace talking about a 350mm also, but cannot seem to find that link.)(Found a reference in the DPReview of the S2, where they also say all lenses are leaf shutter, but we know that is not the case.)
So, it looks like the 24, 35, 70, 100, 120 macro, 180 are the steps, plus the 30 T/S and 30-90 zoom to round things out. This is based on the images posted, stuff others have reported, etc. Interestingly, DPReview say the 100mm is a CS, but on their photo of the prototype, it does not have the CS marking as the other CS lenses do, so I would guess it really to be an FPS lens in the line-up, and among the second batch reported to be released after the S2 and CS lenses come out.
The 120mm macro is still not the 140-150mm length that Guy is discussing, but at f2.5, it may still turn out to be a pretty good portrait lens, although maybe a bit sharper than some would like. Guess we will find out as it gets closer to release. Hope they do start to post some shots taken with the various lenses for folks to start getting a feel for them.
LJ
ptomsu
Workshop Member
DEAD systems - what a life like discussion
Never thought this could heat up so much
Just to clarify, I myself owned a complete Contax 645 system and I preferred that to my Hasselblad system. No question. And I still think it is one of the best systems you can shoot with today.
But I consider a system a dead system, if there is no further development from the original equipment manufacturer or at least a second manufacturer. And thus I consider the Contax 645 a dead system. One could argue that well there are still digital back vendors building backs for this system. Yes there are, but the system itself will never be improved or expanded, in best case repaired. So if I would like to buy a new body, with say a faster AF or more AF points or improved light metering etc.... I will never be able to do this, as there is no further development.
And I also consider a DMR a dead thing, no further support from Leica, not even new firmware updates. Taken out of the program - period. Which BTW does not mean the R system is dead, as you still can buy this and obviously Leica intends to drive it further with an upcoming R10 (hopefully earlier than in 2 years from now).
Contrary a M8 is not dead, as it will be also supported for a while and will get new FW updates.
My logic here is, as long as a vendor still improves or updates a system, as long it is not dead. If this is not the case then it is dead. Which does not mean you cannot continue doing great work with it. And some may like to do so and some others may not.
So I would not go any further in this obviously religious discussion an I wish everybody who is happily shooting with a Contax 645 system and also digibacks a good time and great success.
But it will never stop any of these new promising systems like S2 or the Nikon MX (still to be announced) become the future of high quality MF photography, bringing enough new input to this area, to make also Hasselblad and many others rethink their product lineup and pricing.
Great time for us shooters of these systems :thumbup:
Never thought this could heat up so much
Just to clarify, I myself owned a complete Contax 645 system and I preferred that to my Hasselblad system. No question. And I still think it is one of the best systems you can shoot with today.
But I consider a system a dead system, if there is no further development from the original equipment manufacturer or at least a second manufacturer. And thus I consider the Contax 645 a dead system. One could argue that well there are still digital back vendors building backs for this system. Yes there are, but the system itself will never be improved or expanded, in best case repaired. So if I would like to buy a new body, with say a faster AF or more AF points or improved light metering etc.... I will never be able to do this, as there is no further development.
And I also consider a DMR a dead thing, no further support from Leica, not even new firmware updates. Taken out of the program - period. Which BTW does not mean the R system is dead, as you still can buy this and obviously Leica intends to drive it further with an upcoming R10 (hopefully earlier than in 2 years from now).
Contrary a M8 is not dead, as it will be also supported for a while and will get new FW updates.
My logic here is, as long as a vendor still improves or updates a system, as long it is not dead. If this is not the case then it is dead. Which does not mean you cannot continue doing great work with it. And some may like to do so and some others may not.
So I would not go any further in this obviously religious discussion an I wish everybody who is happily shooting with a Contax 645 system and also digibacks a good time and great success.
But it will never stop any of these new promising systems like S2 or the Nikon MX (still to be announced) become the future of high quality MF photography, bringing enough new input to this area, to make also Hasselblad and many others rethink their product lineup and pricing.
Great time for us shooters of these systems :thumbup:
carstenw
Active member
The big lens in the photo is the 350/3.5: Leica Camera. One would hope and presume that they will add a 1.4x TC for that.
Keep in mind that of all these lenses, Leica only has specs on the 70/2.5 and 180/2.5 finished, because those are the only two they have built. The rest were all mockups, and as such, the specs could change. The 100/2.5 or 100/3.5 depending on who you believe, for example, doesn't make much sense. As a portrait lens, it really ought to be a CS lens, and if Leica wants to make a splash with this, they should match the f/2 of the Hasselblad 110mm f/2. The macro will be really sharp, so few will use it for portraits. It is nice and fast for a macro though.
The 35, 70, and 120 Macro are all f/2.5. The 180 is f/3.5. These are the first four lenses that will launch with the S2 system and they are all CS lenses. These are all completed designs and will not change. I've seen the MTF charts on these four and they are nothing short of stunning.
The 24 f/2.8, 30 T/S f/3.5, 30-90 f/3.5, 100 f2.5, and 350 f/3.5 are all FPS lenses, and will be introduced later. No, the specs on these are not finalized yet. So focal length or max aperture could change.
David
The 24 f/2.8, 30 T/S f/3.5, 30-90 f/3.5, 100 f2.5, and 350 f/3.5 are all FPS lenses, and will be introduced later. No, the specs on these are not finalized yet. So focal length or max aperture could change.
David
Guy Mancuso
Administrator, Instructor
Good throw out that 100 and make it a 130 or 140mm F2 .
Guy Mancuso
Administrator, Instructor
I did speak with my friends today at leica this morning and we chatted about the S2. Nothing to specific that we did not already hear but it was very encouraging about new Pro service will be developed for there pro systems in the future and that they are getting ready for production and such 4 lenses on launch with more to follow and the system will grow beyond that. They will still be in Solms working on the S2 the new building is not completed yet and won't be for awhile but they did add more employees and more space at Solms with trailer containers for employees and are moving things around to accommodate the production of the S2. But they are very excited about this new line and really are preparing for it in a big way. I was encouraged with our discussion and i think we are looking at a new leica with new goals to be a top producer of Pro gear and service.Thought i would share.