Jack and Guy
I think the value of you guys shooting the comparisons is that we have been watching your work for almost three years now. We have a good idea of how you work and what you value. That is especially true of those of us who have attended workshops.
So while others of us may value different things and shoot and process somewhat differently, we have your previous work and then what you shoot with the S2 and your comparison choices to get some realistic understanding.
Ultimately the choice of cameras comes down to how i shoot and what I value. No way I would spend the money to purchase a S2 or for that matter any other MF digital camera without the ability to use it for a couple of days. I don't mind paying the rental fees (assuming they can be applied to the purchase if I decide to buy right away)
Just my thoughts and opinions
Woody
Not sure I came across clearly.
Point being is that we know your shooting styles and standards from three years experience watching your work.
My hope is that what we will now see is what you two can do with this tool, already knowing what your goals are (or at least close to it)
My plan is to view your work and to see what you pros can wring from this body and the lenses. If you are not able to do better than Phase or Mamiya standards, then we amateurs are pretty much in no man's land with great expenses to get there.
If you are able to do really well, then I would take the next step to get a demo of the S2 and a couple of lenses for a day or two and then see what my shooting style will produce for me.
If both experiences prove to get results that are salable and fun, then I might plop for the bucks to acquire this system.
I have heavy hopes for this based on previous experiences with Leica, and want very much for this platform to be all it is intended to be.
But at this price, seeing is believing.
Hope I made some sense with this clarification
Best
Woody Spedden