urban_alchemist
Well-known
I think that's a bit of a dim prophecy, but I agree, updates to their digital M-line aren't a priority. Hell, even I as an ardent rangefinderista (is that a word) accept that this is probably a much cleverer move than a new digital M...
infrequent
Well-known
i still think there will be an M9. they will keep the M8.2 for the purists. sort of like the M7/MP combo.
mcgrattan
Well-known
I used to work for [and in a sense still do in a different role] a photographic studio that specialised in photographing manuscripts and rare/fragile books.
I'd be interested in how the S2 compares in terms of price/performance to the standard kit we were using:
Mamiya 645AFDIIs with Phase One P45+ backs.
Autofocus medium format cameras with large sensors are great for this sort of work -- the only thing that compares are 5x5 cameras with scanning backs which still produce better results but are significantly slower.
If Leica can bring in the S2 at a price that's comparable to the Mamiya + PhaseOne or Hasselblad based digital systems, they might have a market.
I'd be interested in how the S2 compares in terms of price/performance to the standard kit we were using:
Mamiya 645AFDIIs with Phase One P45+ backs.
Autofocus medium format cameras with large sensors are great for this sort of work -- the only thing that compares are 5x5 cameras with scanning backs which still produce better results but are significantly slower.
If Leica can bring in the S2 at a price that's comparable to the Mamiya + PhaseOne or Hasselblad based digital systems, they might have a market.
Rico
Well-known
Personally, I like it... especially when I blank on the price 
From a company perspective, it makes sense, too: they get bragging rights and visibility; the engineering has trickle-down potential; patent on a new lens mount protects revenue; all the components are off-the-shelf and proven. It's about time that Leica broke free from the dusty legacy of M and R. Just keep that supply of M repair parts flowing!
From a company perspective, it makes sense, too: they get bragging rights and visibility; the engineering has trickle-down potential; patent on a new lens mount protects revenue; all the components are off-the-shelf and proven. It's about time that Leica broke free from the dusty legacy of M and R. Just keep that supply of M repair parts flowing!urban_alchemist
Well-known
€20K - at present prices, that's a good $5-7 less than a Hasselblad H3D39. It's smaller, quicker and lighter as well...
The more I see of the S-system, the more excited I am about it...
aizan
Veteran
in 10-20 years, this camera will be mine.
and i bet its design will stand the test of time. (hey, i made a rhyme. and another!)
and i bet its design will stand the test of time. (hey, i made a rhyme. and another!)
tmfabian
I met a man once...
indeed...
While some may argue it's insanely overpriced...this is certainly marketed towards people considering digital medium format equipment and it's very competitively priced if that 20k euro is accurate.
waileong
Well-known
This is a seminal moment in Leica history. A company that is rooted in rangefinders for the past 60 years decided to break from its history and tradition strike into completely uncharted territory.
Years from now, people will appreciate how bold and big a step this is for a small company such as Leica. A truly bet-the-company moment.
And I think they have a better than 50% chance of succeeding. MF users understand photography well enough that they just need the most essential of controls-- aperture priority, Program mode, manual override, TTL flash, plus controls for exposure compensation and flash compensation. Autofocus is essential to compete, but some kind of manual override (like Canon's L lenses) would certainly be welcome, esp. if the autofocus is slow due to heavy lenses.
Years from now, people will appreciate how bold and big a step this is for a small company such as Leica. A truly bet-the-company moment.
And I think they have a better than 50% chance of succeeding. MF users understand photography well enough that they just need the most essential of controls-- aperture priority, Program mode, manual override, TTL flash, plus controls for exposure compensation and flash compensation. Autofocus is essential to compete, but some kind of manual override (like Canon's L lenses) would certainly be welcome, esp. if the autofocus is slow due to heavy lenses.
cam
the need for speed
Kevin
Rainbow Bridge
37 Megapixels at 20.000 Euro reminds me of that 33 MHz Pentium I used to program with back in the early 1990s. It was such an expensive machine back then.
gavinlg
Veteran
I think the final production camera will be really beautiful!
Leica may have found a niche worth pursuing...
Leica may have found a niche worth pursuing...
Mael
Established
I'll wait for the 4X5 inch 400 MegaPixel sensor that will not be bigger as a sheet film holder, then I'll move to Digigraflex®.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Did you *have* to post this, Tim?
No way can I justify or afford this system, and now you have made me go back to my old 645 slides of African wildlife and refresh my memory of how good they were....
alan davus
Well-known
The more I look at this beast the more I like it. No I'm not going to buy one but it's gotta be great news for Leicaphiles. Surely it's in our best interests for Leica to grow and prosper. Onya Herr K. and up yours to all those who have flooded this forum for months with "Leica is dead from the neck up" posts. Where the bloody hell is Roger Hicks when you need him. Smiling like a Cheshire cat somewhere no doubt.
infrequent
Well-known
@alan davus - well roger hicks was skeptical about this particular move. something about "faeries coming out of arse". ; )
cam
the need for speed
it is one of those that is so ugly that the more you look at it, the more handsome it gets
Roger is at Photokina and, no doubt, smiling as you say...
Last edited:
mcgrattan
Well-known
Well, if that's an accurate price it's competitive with the Mamiya + PhaseOne system. It's not cheaper, but it is competitive.
mcgrattan
Well-known
I'll wait for the 4X5 inch 400 MegaPixel sensor that will not be bigger as a sheet film holder, then I'll move to Digigraflex®.
Those exist. In fact, there are 5x4 backs that go higher than 400MP. They aren't 'one shot' backs, though. Instead, they are scanning backs. They take a couple of minutes for a shot.
Still, for architectural work, product photography, manuscripts, reproduction, that sort of work, scanning backs can't be beaten on quality.
Especially when combined with top-end flat-field lenses.
kshapero
South Florida Man
I like it. If for nothing else, the simplicity of it compared to other DSLR's.
TJV
Well-known
I think this is brilliant and really wish Leica luck and good fortune. It looks to be a brilliant mix of technology and functional ergonomics. I'm especially excited to hear that Phase One may help with servicing and distribution. Could be a way forward to fixing all those Leica repair dept horror scenarios.