Thanks to everyone who is following the blog and my time here at Photokina. Your positive comments are all appreciated and keep me blogging into the wee hours in leiu of sleep or food.
You've probably seen video now of Justin and Christian with the S2. You will notice that they are making a point to clear up as much confusion as possible regarding the still developing Phase deal. According to Christian this will all be sorted out shortly after the show. Just hang tight for now.
Mark, the focal length is just that. Medium format lenses are measured the same way 35mm or 4/3 system lenses are. Just divide the focal length by 1.25 to get the 35mm FF equiv. for S system lenses. So the 70 is a 56. The 35 is a 28. The 180 is 144. And the 120 macro is a 96.
Guy, the handstrap is already in the works. You know what a fan I am of the DMR hand strap. Of course I asked this yesterday.
Regarding the S&S: Leica hasn't released any details on this yet. I wouldn't even try to assume what the warranty is like or how they will handle pro support. What I do know is that the camera seems to be very robust and reliable. Christian just told me today that since the show started none of the 20 prototypes brought to show have frozen, failed, or freaked out. They are being handled by hundreds of people who have no qualms about taking the battery out while powered on, dismounting lenses, playing with every concievable menu option and custom button, etc. And not one has had a problem. And the camera still has 8-9 more months of development. This is a seriously solid product and Leica deserves some credit.
Remember, Leica didn't design all the internals of the M8 - Jenoptik played a very large role in this. The blame for initial sensor board issues, sudden death, etc. don't rest solely on Leica's shoulders, but an established MFDB company as well. I remember at PMA quite a few years ago playing with a prototype DMR just a few months before release. It was buggier than a roach motel. The back kept dying and had to be reset, the images were a joke, and it was super slow. Again, Imacon (an established MFDB manufacturer) designed the DMR. So, I see partnerships with two experienced MFDB companies producing cameras with issues. Then, I see a very stable (5 day old, to boot!) prototype designed and built 100% by Leica. Oh and not just one, but 20! All working perfectly. Let me say this again: give Leica some credit here. They've certainly earned it.
I spent a considerable amount of time today with Peter Karbe and you can tell he is super pleased with the S lens performance. He gets this smirk everytime he talks about them and can't stop saying how the new 120 APO macro blows away the 100 APO R macro and how Leica used every trick in the bag from exotic glass with anamolous partial dispersion, to floating elements, to brand new mechanics, etc. to put the S lenses in a whole new class. He also keeps muttering that they are so much better than the M lenses, half of which he designed himself! Leica is making a statement with their lenses, that is for sure.
I have to finish up my blog and get to bed early tonight.
Thanks again for all the support. I really appreciate it and will keep working hard to bring you guys the most in-depth info available.
David