The slightest negative thing in an image is likely to blow out of all proportion.
Certainly this would be one consideration but with the number of
prototypes and Leica allied testers of the S2 in circulation surely there
must be a handful of RAWs Leica could be willing to release to
satisfy those curious and/or considering the system.
These files could hardly do any more damage than adamantly declaring
the product shipping in the summer of 2009,then the autumn, and now
the winter. No?
They've been announced but not delayed yet.
Mark
I was fortunate to see about 50 images taken with a prototype S2 and the 70 and 180 lenses. These were shot in Germany during a period when Sean Reid, Michael Reichmann, David Farkas and Phil Askey were invited to shoot with both a M9 and the S2.
The files I saw were in all cases uniformly good and in several shots just amazing. I was particularly impressed with a shot of a model, head and shoulders, and I blew it up to 200% to see some reflections in her eye. Sure enough there was a focused image of the photographer, kneeling on the ground. I could not believe the quality of the file even at 200%. Not to say that other MF backs like the P65+ couldn't do the same thing. However the resolution of the S2 is wonderful in my opinion and makes one believe that the lenses of this new machine may be as good as advertised. For that we will obviously have to wait and see.
I know I am pretty fired up about this camera even if it is out of my price range. Wish I was rich! LOL
Woody