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Well Stuart, Leica has proved that they are not constrained to CS specifications with two lenses so far … the 24 and this 100mm. I seriously doubt the 70mm would have been all that much smaller even if it had been a non-CS capable lens, but that speculation is a moot point now.Well, this is certainly another example where you can't please everyone. Presumably they made this lens for photographers who wanted a lighter, faster telephoto lens for environmental portraits and field work, and in that sense they left out the central shutter...the 120 is quite close in focal length and speed and is available in CS, and this is surely what Leica would recommend to photographers who want a similar lens but with a central shutter. The 100mm Hasselblad with the adapter is probably an even more comparable option...not sure how the two will compare in ergonomics and performance though. But for photographers who are doing travel, landscape or portraits without flash the 100mm f/2 might be better suited. While I appreciate that other photographers rely heavily on the sync speed of the central shutter, my own personal work makes no use of it at all. So personally, the S system would be better for me if the lenses did not suffer the design constraints of the central shutters. As Peter mentioned, many of the lenses would be smaller (particularly the 70mm) if it weren't for the design they had to use for the central shutters. I recognize, however, that having the central shutters is very useful to certain kinds of photographers and that makes the system as a whole more attractive, and consequently it sells better, more lenses come out and so on.
The 100mm f/2 would suit my work quite well, and I would appreciate its speed and size. That said, the 120mm I already have is already so good as to make me skeptical as to whether another lens so similar in focal length would be necessary. As I said in the other thread, I wish they had made this a 45-50mm f/2 instead! You can't always get what you want...
It isn't really clear, you're right. But they do mention a new algorithm... So I would assume it's across the board. Whether or not the performance is equal might be another matter...It' not very clear to me wether the firmware update for the S2-P also includes the optimised AF performance, or not.
True but you can regularly find Hassleblad 100/2.2 in the $3000-3800 range and adapters in the $1500 range. The Leica S 100/2 I though was going for $8500 as well but I could've read wrong.At B&H
1800 dollars for S adapter H,
4260 dollars for 100mm f2.2 H series
8000 for the 100mm f2 S
So going for the S is about 30% more expensive when buying new. You can't buy used, as it is not released yet. Personally, I would much rather have the 100mm f2. It's faster, it focuses closer, it is weather sealed and it is native to the system. Having consistent color, bokeh and overall image quality is often underrated, and the 100mm S would be more consistent with the other S lenses. This is also leaving aside performance, which is likely to be better on the S lens (not to say it is bad on the Hasselblad, but the S lenses are newer and developed to an unbelievable standard). So yes, personally I wouldn't even consider the Hasselblad lens. Flash is irrelevant to me, however. Clearly if a central shutter is a requirement, this lens is not for you. We have been over this already, however!