dave lackey
Veteran
Here is an article that just intrigues me about the Leica S2.
http://www.overgaard.dk/leica_S2_dSLR.html
http://www.overgaard.dk/leica_S2_dSLR.html
Leica S2
- Thread starter dave lackey
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gavinlg
Veteran
Superb camera. I would use one if I could afford it.
dave lackey
Veteran
Why do I get the feeling that the M9 is the highest aspiration on RFF? Or is it that those who have an S2 just don't feel a need to discuss it here?
One would think that the S2 is not even real because few people in my area even know what a Leica is, much less the flagship models. I still would aspire to one.
Oh, well, shoot for the moon. If ya don't make it, at least it was fun!😛
One would think that the S2 is not even real because few people in my area even know what a Leica is, much less the flagship models. I still would aspire to one.
Oh, well, shoot for the moon. If ya don't make it, at least it was fun!😛
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
We aren't really the regular hangout of the camera rental guys or large studio operators. That is, I don't suppose there are that many in private hands - and obviously none amoung us. But then I haven't heard of anyone here who owns a digital Mamiya or Hasselblad either.
Sevo
MCTuomey
Veteran
Medium format resolution in a dSLR, there's only the S2. Just like the M9 in its class. Impressive achievement from a company many thought would have to close its doors only a few years ago.
awilder
Alan Wilder
If rumors are true, won't the 36 MP Nikon D800 provide similar imaging? Granted, the Leica lenses will be a tad better corrected and constructed but not much better than Nikon's top guns.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Well, no, there isn't. Off-hand I can count at least five other currently or recently available digital medium format SLRs - and there are even more obsolete ones, plus digital backs adaptable to most MF film bodies. The S2 arguably is closest to a small format body layout - all others are closer to a regular MF SLR cube shape...
MCTuomey
Veteran
Sorry I wasn't clearer, what you say above quite well is what I meant. I'd much rather handle an S2 than an dMF back mounted on a Hasselblad or Mamiya body. The latter are much more studio/tripod cameras than the Leica.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
But it IS a tripod or studio camera - if you really intend to shoot handheld in available light, a M9 will do no worse, or maybe even a bit better. You can only employ a sensor of that scale to its full extent without losing more than half the resolution to motion blur if you either use a tripod or all-flash lighting.
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
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Mike Ip
Vagabond Light Collector
Well no... Granted you're using all the newer G lenses, the S2 lenses would still probably blow them away. The D800 will have a 24 mm x 36 mm chip while the S2 has a 30mm x 45 mm. So the pixel density on the D800 would be much higher.
Also the S2 has 16-bit color vs the (assumed 14-bit) on the D800.
Those two factors would still put the S2 in a completely different class than the D800.
awilder
Alan Wilder
No doubt the image quality is better given the chip size but I noticed the ISO tops out at only 1250. Are they being ultra-conservative in noise levels or is the noise higher than Nikon's? Sure, it's great for studio but it would be realy nice to have the high ISO for super tele work assumming they have or will have one.
RObert Budding
D'oh!
Huh? What about Hasselblad? Or Mamiya?
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Well, I have used a RZ67 as my only camera, and have known people with a Speed Graphic or Super D carry-everywhere. That doesn't make either a point-and-shoot...
MCTuomey
Veteran
I know a wedding photographer who uses an S2 - I don't believe he has a problem with motion blur working handheld.
MCTuomey
Veteran
Sorry, Robert. I meant to say close to the form factor of a 5D II. Digital backs mounted on a Hassie or Mamiya body don't compare to the ease of use one enjoys with a small form dSLR like a 5D - that's what I'm trying to say.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
Leaf has videos of photographers working very fluidly with their Mamiya-based bodes and I know the Hasselblad H-series is very good as well. The Pentax seems pretty similar to a 35mm format too, and I imagine the weight and bulk of a D3/1Dx is pretty comparable.
I think the areas they don't compare as well to Canikon DSLRs are in auto-focus speed and higher ISO noise. But they certainly are as handhold able. In fact they maybe easier to handhold in a lot of cases. They probably are easier to manually focus too.
The S2 is very appealing. It also looks like the nicest model to shoot verticals with. Keeping ISOs under 800 isn't that hard.
I think the areas they don't compare as well to Canikon DSLRs are in auto-focus speed and higher ISO noise. But they certainly are as handhold able. In fact they maybe easier to handhold in a lot of cases. They probably are easier to manually focus too.
The S2 is very appealing. It also looks like the nicest model to shoot verticals with. Keeping ISOs under 800 isn't that hard.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
It has no more or less motion blur than any other camera that does not have image stabilization. Motion blur is a general issue when hand-holding 16MP+ cameras - the amount of shake needed to have significant motion blur in relation to the pixel pitch (and hence a resolution loss) is quite tiny.
In hand-held situations, FF press cameras with stabilized lenses will often be at an advantage, as neither the S2 nor any other digital medium format will reach their full resolution, due to their lack of stabilization.
V
varjag
Guest
Use shorter shutter speeds. At 1/2000 with a normal or wide you don't really need a tripod or IS.
