Leica made a special Panaramic S2 for Josef Koudelka...

[jsrockit]

May be of some interest here:

http://leicarumors.com/2015/06/03/l...ic-camera-for-josef-koudelka.aspx/#more-35236

 

[mfogiel]

I believe they have only "modified" the VF to help with the panoramic aspect. S2 B&W has always been quite good, but the real motive is money saved on film.

 

[jsrockit]

Well right... it's a cropped MF sensor, but still... I just find it interesting when long time film users start using digital and give their thoughts on it.

 

[x-ray]

My D800 has letterbox ( panoramic aspect ratio ) as an option along with 1.2x, 1.5x and 1x FF modes and you can capture in B&W. Leica's a little behind the curve.

 

[jsrockit]

My D800 has letterbox ( panoramic aspect ratio ) as an option along with 1.2x, 1.5x and 1x FF modes and you can capture in B&W. Leica's a little behind the curve.

The difference is in the sensor size...

 

[Calzone]

John,

Thanks for this thread.

Now I have something new to obsess about: a camera that will likely remain out of reach. LOL. :bang:

Cal

 

[x-ray]

The difference is in the sensor size...

There's not that much difference plus the nikon has 14.5 stops dynamic range and 36mp not to mention more reliable. If you want to talk sensor size phase has a monochrom 80mp back that fits several cameras. Mark the screen and shoot away.

 

[BillBingham2]

...Leica's a little behind the curve.

I think they hit it in the sweet spot.

Someone asked and they answered sure......

Two thumbs way up!

B2 (;->

 

[jsrockit]

There's not that much difference plus the nikon has 14.5 stops dynamic range and 36mp not to mention more reliable. If you want to talk sensor size phase has a monochrom 80mp back that fits several cameras. Mark the screen and shoot away.

I'm not sure why you are pooing on the article because there might be better options. The guy is a film guy who had a need... Leica delivered it to him. It really is that simple.

 

[jsrockit]

Now I have something new to obsess about: a camera that will likely remain out of reach. LOL. :bang:

Well, you could sell a lot of stuff and get one Cal! (but is it worth it? probably not).

 

[FrozenInTime]

Adding guide lines in the VF seems like a good idea.
But why crop the sensor ?
If the object is to get a 3:1 aspect image then doing this in post from a 3:2 image is more versatile; sliding the 3:1 slice up and down gives the equivalent of front lens rise / fall .

 

[jsrockit]

Many like to see exactly what they are framing in the VF. It makes total sense to me.

 

[crosseyed-cricket]

Something that Koudelka said in a NYT article is (paraphrased): change the technique and change the vision. He was talking about his move to a Leica with 35/50mm lenses, but I think the same applies to a panoramic camera.

That struck a chord with me, because it was my reasoning behind acquiring an XPAN. I found that cropping a digital image after was not the same as seeing and composing in widescreen when taking the picture.

All that is basically to say, I can understand why someone might want to have the output match the vision...without hedging it.

 

[Calzone]

Cropping visually in a VF'er is pretty hard to do.

My only attempts were with my Leica Monochrom with a 50 Lux ASPH where I used the indentation made by the 75mm framelines as a guide to utilize my 50 Lux to shoot the square like a digital Rolliflex.

Even with a visual aid (75mm frame indents from the rectangle) it is not easy. Also know that on my Wetzlar M6 and MP I had Sherry remove the 75mm frames because like many M2 and M4 owners I just like the 50 frames without any clutter.

Cropping generally comes after image capture during either enlargement or post. Kinda un natural when looking in a VF'er.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Cropping visually in a VF'er is pretty hard to do.

I agree... I mean, there are multiple ways to work, but I'm not going to question someone as talented as Mr. Koudelka's ways of working. Apparently, some think they know better.