Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/05/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]First impression: I truly wish I could afford any "medium format" digital solution. I've spent only an hour with a CFV39 on my 500CM and three lenses. This is my only hands-on reference to what the reviewers talk about and show. Add'l impressions: I see the S2 as being in a class by itself; neither a D[35]SLR nor a medium format modular back; yet a very interesting specialized hybrid. Personally, short of winning a lottery allowing me to own both S2 and CFV39, I'd go for the modular back because I'd like to also make use of my view camera system. The work that people currently pay me to do would make far better use of the modular back. I do product (including macro), architectural interiors, as well as portrait and event work. I'm sure I could make the S2 work in those venues - but it wouldn't be ideal. I'm not aware of Leica's plans re: tilt/shift for the S2 - but I'd not want to spend $30K and wait. Maximum flexibility of the system is what my "jack of all views" photography requires. If I were a dedicated fashion, wedding or wildlife (again waiting for long glass) shooter interested in providing medium format quality, I'd have to seriously consider the ergonomics of the S2 as being better suited to that work than the modular back systems. As far as the relative image file quality the reviewers discussed: it seems most of that was very much about firmware, post processing software and glass comparison. The Leica glass is apparently top shelf. Regards, George Lottermoser george at imagist.com http://www.imagist.com http://www.imagist.com/blog http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist On May 20, 2010, at 9:22 AM, John Nebel wrote: > George, > > I too read them a while back and just reread them. What are your > impressions? > > John > > George Lottermoser wrote: >> Thanks John. >> I'd read those reviews back when they first posted them. >> Yet, happy to review them again. >> Regards, >> George Lottermoser >> george at imagist.com >> http://www.imagist.com >> http://www.imagist.com/blog >> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist >> On May 19, 2010, at 7:39 PM, John Nebel wrote: >>> Here is the link: http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php? >>> t=12243 >>> >>> George Lottermoser wrote: >>>> Thanks John. >>>> I definitely understand scale, slowness and "thoughtfulness" >>>> as they relate to the use of different size camera systems. >>>> Do you find that the S2, while definitely not an R, >>>> is also not a 'blad with digital back. >>>> I'd assume that it lies somewhere between them; >>>> probably slightly closer to the 'blad >>>> in terms of longer focal length and slower lenses. >>>> I'd love to read the reviews you've mentioned a couple times >>>> if you can locate the links. >>>> Regards, >>>> George Lottermoser >>>> george at imagist.com >>>> http://www.imagist.com >>>> http://www.imagist.com/blog >>>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist >>>> On May 19, 2010, at 6:48 PM, John Nebel wrote: >>>>> George, >>>>> >>>>> Yes, any camera requires quite a bit of thought, but one >>>>> selects the things that are worth thinking about. S2 makes the >>>>> cut. >>>>> >>>>> I appreciate looking into a big photo and seeing lots of >>>>> detail, it's life. Howard's trolley picture comes to mind. >>>>> >>>>> Until recently that was more in the large format realm. >>>>> >>>>> The idea that a hand held camera can routinely do this is >>>>> pretty intriguing. One wants to use it like an R, but it is >>>>> much slower to work with, however, it doesn't require a Jeep >>>>> load of equipment like a P2. With thought and practice one >>>>> could achieve some pretty good flexibility with the S2. >>>>> >>>>> I did notice that two pros who wrote an S2 review used a >>>>> tripod, so I'm not going to feel too clumsy for being a slow >>>>> learner. >>>>> >>>>> It is not a cheap camera, but given its possibilities it is not >>>>> an expensive camera. >>>>> >>>>> John >>>>> >>>>> Have you seen D. Medvedev's short presentation on photography? >>>>> >>>>> http://en.rian.ru/video/20100211/157843279.html >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> George Lottermoser wrote: >>>>>> okay John, >>>>>> yet so were all the other Leicas. >>>>>> I assume you're having some fun with the question. >>>>>> Yet, I wonder if you find some of the daimons' design choices >>>>>> actually "?requires quite a bit of thought," >>>>>> compared to other cameras. >>>>>> Regards, >>>>>> George Lottermoser >>>>>> george at imagist.com >>>>>> http://www.imagist.com >>>>>> http://www.imagist.com/blog >>>>>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist >>>>>> On May 18, 2010, at 5:47 PM, John Nebel wrote: >>>>>>> It was designed by camera daimons and one must think the way >>>>>>> they do to use it properly. >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>>>> information >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>>> information >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Leica Users Group. >>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>> information >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information