The S2 by David Farkas (of Dale Photographic in the US)

[TimF]

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Amazing to think this camera is similar in size to the D700 or 5D II.

[LargeFormat]

It's is a wonderful camera and I'm so pleased that Leica is again producing something that is at the top of the tree. The M8 seemed to stutter somewhat although the M9 is a true Leica but the S2 is in a league of its own.

Never done the Euro Lottery so not much chance.

[Clive]

WOW!

[TimF]

The M9 is, I agree, a whole lot better than the M8 (which is a decent enough camera let it be said, despite the well known issues).

Unfortunately, there are some problems with it (as there are with so many digital cameras). Mine has got to go to Solms to sort out a front-focusing problem - which appears to be quite common I think. Stopping down would likely hide the issue, but one buys Leica glass partly in order to be able to use it freely at maximum aperture.

When, and I'm sure it'll only be a matter of time, the maestro technology in the S2 makes its way to the M line, I don't doubt it'll be a real killer instrument.

[parisian]

While the BJP article was just a quick look, the results and the write up were very positive I felt.
I assume that they are waiting for a full production model before committing themselves but on first glance it does appear that Leica have a chance to do really well in the MF market.

[TimF]

Indeed, 'tis to be hoped Peter. Chatting with Ivor at Red Dot the other week he wondered whether Leica are perhaps not targetting the right market at present, as they seem to be concentrating on studio/fashion photographers when perhaps, he thought, they should be looking at landscape and wildlife togs.

I think there's something in that, as the S2 certainly has the potential to be a modern day Pentax 67 if all goes well with it. It's a matter of getting the lenses out there first though I suppose, and that will take time - there's only 70mm and 180mm for now, with 35mm and 150mm macro (or 120mm depending who you read) coming next year (and leaf shutter versions of the first two at least). A PC lens is planned I know.

[Clive]

Yes, the system will need expanding if it is to take a significant share of the digital MF market. But so far, so good.

[Malcolm_Stewart]

Well, I hope a firmware fix can allow the EXIF data to tell the user whether the AF was in use or not! To me, it seems a rather important omission.

[Benchista]

Indeed, 'tis to be hoped Peter. Chatting with Ivor at Red Dot the other week he wondered whether Leica are perhaps not targetting the right market at present, as they seem to be concentrating on studio/fashion photographers when perhaps, he thought, they should be looking at landscape and wildlife togs.

I think there's something in that, as the S2 certainly has the potential to be a modern day Pentax 67 if all goes well with it. It's a matter of getting the lenses out there first though I suppose, and that will take time - there's only 70mm and 180mm for now, with 35mm and 150mm macro (or 120mm depending who you read) coming next year (and leaf shutter versions of the first two at least). A PC lens is planned I know.

I think it's simply too expensive for landscapes or wildlife, TBH.

[Clive]

Indeed, 'tis to be hoped Peter. Chatting with Ivor at Red Dot the other week he wondered whether Leica are perhaps not targetting the right market at present, as they seem to be concentrating on studio/fashion photographers when perhaps, he thought, they should be looking at landscape and wildlife togs.

I think there's something in that, as the S2 certainly has the potential to be a modern day Pentax 67 if all goes well with it. It's a matter of getting the lenses out there first though I suppose, and that will take time - there's only 70mm and 180mm for now, with 35mm and 150mm macro (or 120mm depending who you read) coming next year (and leaf shutter versions of the first two at least). A PC lens is planned I know.

I think it's simply too expensive for landscapes or wildlife, TBH.

Even for studio/fashion the lenses available may not yet be adequate. Some pros may consider it too expensive for this market. In the end it will find its (Leica) niche followers, but its main advantage to pros may be its size, for whatever use it is put.

[parisian]

They certainly won't be adequate for the more 'artistic' studio or fashion workers and the 'newer' lenses won't light many fires either.
Despite zooms being, in essence, anathema to Leica they will need to embrace the technology more than they have at the moment. The 35 - 70R is the only zoom lens that I would be happy to use wide open and is a true Leica performer in that respect. It has only a 2:1 ratio and is quite slow at f4 but I am sure that Leica have the ability to push those parameters further if they wished.
It would be horribly ironic if, of all things, the lenses let down a Leica model.

[TimF]

The 35 - 70R is the only zoom lens that I would be happy to use wide open and is a true Leica performer in that respect.

Them who knows more than me say the 35-70mm/2.8 and 28-90mm are both superior. Either of those costs a whole heap more though. The 28-90 seems to go used for around £1400 give or take, and the short-lived 35-70mm/2.8 (another of those "cost more to make than we could sell it for" Leica products) attracts prices well over £3000.

[TimF]

Even for studio/fashion the lenses available may not yet be adequate. Some pros may consider it too expensive for this market.

If judged in "35mm" terms, yes. However, by medium format standards it's par for the course frankly.

[Clive]

Even for studio/fashion the lenses available may not yet be adequate. Some pros may consider it too expensive for this market.

If judged in "35mm" terms, yes. However, by medium format standards it's par for the course frankly.

That is true, Tim. But the crucial factor will be the availability of lenses (and their prices), I think. They may well be in serious competition with Hasselblad and their array of H Lenses.



The Leica S2 may persuade some to change from H, and its size and weight might be the deciding factor perhaps.