Once you add a modern day digital back, it aint less expensive anymore.
Digital backs are still way too expensive for what they do and what they are.
The S2 is a more attractive body, simple and beautiful, and more compact for travelling.
Having spent time with the Contax and S2 systems, I thought I would share my experiences. Your mileage may vary! :ROTFL:
Actually, I tried the S2 four times, total of over a month and was very impressed with the package. Beautiful IQ, and the 70mm was every bit as satisfying as my 80mm on the Contax.
I had the Contax 645 since it came out (pre-ordered even from Penn in DC area) and had ALL the lenses. They are great... Use on all backs from Kodak through IQ 180.
Then I sold everything...
Including eight cameras, close to 100 lenses and six different systems (I'm thinking of starting "GA" Gearheads Anonymous!)
Was considering a lot of things over the last six months, including Hassey, P1, S2 Pentax even etc.
What I concluded in my deliberations was to go with what was most convenient in my hand, for treking, and carrying a lot of stuff (I actually to Mt Blanc took two contax/P30 and P65 systems), And so now I am back to Contax 645 with P65+ and Contax lenses.
Why?? BALANCE. Not true for all but I just couldn't get used to the lens on the S2 dominating the ergonomics. With the Contax and a back, though heavier, it is MORE compact than the S2, and balanced, even with the 210mm lens. And Ive trekked with them all (but the 350, that I could never get into. I may just buy a 250 or 350 SA again. Sorry but I found the 350mm a bit soft, and WAY heavy)
Would I add an S2 with an adapter? In a heartbeat. I actually considered buying the S2 and using the hassey 80mm 2.8 on it. That's how far I tried to go to get balance on the S2. With the small 80mm Contax, the S2 may just be a competitor for the Contax/Phase setup from a balance POV. But heavier lenses? Not sure; the 45mm 2.8 and 140 are way more compact than their Leica equivalents, so these are the ones to have, at least for my puporses.
I chose the Contax over the S2 largely to get the 60MP and the balance. Would I go for an S3 60MP? now, with the Contax, Hassey, Pentax, Mayia adapters, why not... as long as I get a combo that feels comfrotable to me.
The Contax AF is slower, but unfortunately the Leica, until it gets spot focus, still suffers from the high frequency search; if you have a tree in back of your subject, that's what it will focus on...same as the !#$#$%% Contax LOL
But of all the systems I tried, the one that would wean me away (and that's probably the right term
) from the Contax would be the S2. So those of you who have the S Leica are in the enviable position to add a sweet set of lenses, with AF (and it could be faster, as I am sure some AF delay in the Contax is due to its older processor) and I may even rent an S2, once again for my France shoot in September (too late for the Dolomite trip next week.)
If you are comfortable, or never had the Contax, or found it heavy, you will go S2 rather than COntax.
Hope these thoughts are useful
Regards
Victor