Here are a couple of things I’d most like to see in an S3 body —
(1) Improved processing speed for a shorter delay between shots
(2) Significant leap in ISO range
(3) High-resolution fingerprint-resistant touchscreen retina LCD
(4) Fast, convenient focus verification — perhaps image magnification to 100% by a double-tap on the LCD screenDoubtless many of you have additional thoughts?
Dave
(1) Improved processing speed for a shorter delay between shots
yes, why not, but it’s not mandatory
(2) Significant leap in ISO range
would be nice, but I will not buy an S3 for this alone
(3) High-resolution fingerprint-resistant touchscreen retina LCD
hm ……… what for?
(4) Fast, convenient focus verification — perhaps image magnification to 100% by a double-tap on the LCD screen
same.
For me the focus is incredible reliable, I have almost no missed shots because of misfocussing. The best camera so far.
Personally, I don’t need an S3, except maybe some better ISO-performance would be nice. But to be honest I prefer to take a D800 when I need high ISO. And even on the D800 high ISO are not bad, but not brilliant either. When you want top quality, you have to stay at 100 or 160 anyway.
What I would enjoy is a 100 mm portrait lens and a decent flash(-system)
Higher ISO would be nice to 2500 – but a new noise algorithm for the S2 would be even better!
Double tap on the scroll wheel for 100% mag – could be a software upgrade for the S2
Higher res screen would be nice, not that important to me.
Faster buffer = higher frame rate
Basically happy with the output and feature set of the S2. Don’t know what an S3 would give me aside from a lighter wallet.
Dear all
Very hard to say.
The real need is high ISO, but the reality is that the S2/3 will never challenge the D800E or the D4.
Long lenses? But again, MF will never really come into competition with 35 mm.
For me the killer development would be a genuine 1:1 macro lens. I bought into the system inter alia for the macro capability. The 120 macro is one of the best lenses I have .. certainly equivalent to the 100 makro planar on the Nikon. But I really want 1:1.
I think this means that I am happy with the system as is. I am currently going through an enormous mental agony regarding the portability of one system (Nikon D4 + 800E) or two (Dx? plus S2).
S system adapters for Nikon would be very interesting!
Ed
Having recently purchased an 800E my views have changed as to what I would want in an S3. There is the only one thing that would interest me in buying an S3.
-More pixels (I’m sure I’m in the minority on this one)– I never thought I would say that but I’m printing very large images now and I would like more megapixels if they are of the same quality and they do not sacrifice the ISO range. I use to say I needed 1 more stop in ISO range but with the 800E it has become my higher ISO option.
The other things that would improve my satisfaction with my S2 are firmware update related – particularly a one button 100% view. I would like a zoom lens in the 30-90 range. I frequently shoot in tough conditions and would like to have the option of not having to change lenses.
First, I would not like an S3 introduced for at least another year. Let’s let technology in sensors and hardware do a bit of a leapfrog. Otherwise, i will wait for an S4.
So my first feature request is DELAY.
I would like more ISO sure, and a better bigger buffer would occasionally be more useful. I would like an electronic ND filter, i.e. a lower ISO too, but not required.
Might as well give me more sensor resolution as I do huge enlargements, and since unlike Nikon, the lenses can handle it.
Yes I would like a finer display for ability for focus checking on zoom.The amazing thing about the S2 is that so much has already improved with firmware updates, and the camera is so good as it is, that an S3 would not require me to buy an upgrade. Oh, I guess others would want a price drop, but Leica doesn’t seem to need to do that, and so they won’t.
So, if they want existing owners to buy a S3, they will probably need quite an upgrade of items. But I don’t believe Leica thinks like that. They will merely introduce an S3 when there are enough improvements to make it worthwhile for Leica to change, rather than a need to have a better camera. For new purchasers of the S system, they might as well remove the issue of ISO and resolution. For the studio pros, the CS lenses, and more lenses, even if via adaptor will make a bigger difference than an S3, and that comes in Oct. so they say.
Hey, the camera as is, will be incredible for years, thanks greatly to the lenses.
JackTotally agree with Jack.
I heard some S3 rumors for quite some time now, but I did not heard anything which will let me spent money for a S3. Only minor improvements and therefore I’m not that sure that there will be a S3 in the next couple of months.
When I bought the S2 I was sure that this is the camera I could work with for the rest of my live and this is still true. In general I do not need and do not want to have all the other functions and buttons. It’s a Leica, it is simple and awesome. Just for me the camera could stay like it is. Leica should continue to optimize and improve the firmware and to extend the system. (I really would love to see a 350mm 3.5! – the only thing I’m really missing.)
I would appreciate, as all of us, better ISO performance, thats all. Would I by a new camera for that? No way!
But truth to be told. There will be a S3 sooner then later and the changes will be minor. I think this is a camera-market rule, as there are not that many people who invest into “old” gear. So Leica has to do something. But if they release such a S3, they will have a hard time, as in my opinion people expect more than a few minor upgrades in this league.
So I hope for Leica that they will wait another year and release something bigger. Bigger sensor, faster AF, Live View, better ISO performance plus an upgrade path. That would get all the attention it diserves.
But then we are back to the truth to be told… 😉
We’ll see…
it will be interesting what upgrade-options Leica will offer to existing customers, Hasselblad is very active in this regard.
Personally, I won’t invest in a S3 anyway, not only because the price is somewhat to high to justify it, but also because I’m more than happy with the S2 (also compared to the newer Nikons).
What I could imagine, is maybe a kind of S-monochrom. This will need almost no investment from Leica, using the same sensor as for the S2, giving all the benefits of pure B&W.
And there are probably some serious B&W-photographers who will apreciate this variant. I certainly would, but I’m not sure if I can handle a second body (financially). But what a great picture this can be then!
Given Leica’s history with the S system (i.e. Introducing the CS lenses years ago and actually upgrading their specs prior to actual release), I suppose it is actually possible the they could announce an S3 with some new specs but not deliver it for a year to take advantage of some new tech. I find the “announce and deliver in a year” process irritating and would appreciate Leica spending as much time on their supply chain and fulfillment as they do on their engineering.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the S2 and the S lenses! While I shoot other 35mm systems as well as a Phase IQ180, the S2 has given me the most satisfying photography experience. However, I would rather see “cleaner” S2 images up to 2500 ISO than an S3 with ISO up to 10000 and lack tonal range and detail between 1250-10000.
In any event, only a few more weeks and we will know where Leica is heading with the S system.
Unfortunately Leica s product decisions are being driven as much by “what can we deliver” than by customer requirements /desires . In the short term (before the new plant) Leica is capacity constrained especially on lenses . This will not change until at least this time next year .
We debated at some length whether Leica would introduce an S3 that would create demand for new S bodies . Favoring this strategy would be the boost to demand for the S line ,the ability to transition to CMOS (supplier driven) and the low investment required . The other point of view stressed the constraint on R&D resources . The “tell” could be keeping the same 37.5MP sensor size . This could mean a lot of things but points to an evolutionary product rather than a major model change . CMOS of course complicates the situation . Announcing a new camera with evolutionary specifications without the ability to deliver it …..would do little positive for Leica .
Transitioning to CMOS hardly seems a benefit to me or most MF shooting requirements . I am sure the fashion shooters want a larger and fast buffer ,maybe better AF etc and the landscape shooters want Live View . But this will not compel many existing S2 owners to trade up at what is certain to be a $10K + upgrade.
Personally I was hoping for an S2-70 so that the S2 would have two models a 40Mp and 70Mp + alternative .
Hope I am surprised and Leica learns from the Mono. A clever niche camera that maybe eclipsed by the M10 before any of us actually receive a camera .
Somewhere down the road I hope to see a mirrorless S body with a somewhat smaller form factor. No mirror slap, enabling sharper images with long lenses such as 350mm and no advantage for a CS lens. Right now, it’d likely take a major feature such as that to have me set aside the S2 and lay out the required funds for a new body…
Dave
I want to see Leica stop boosting the base ISO. The TrueSense (formerly Kodak) and Dalsa sensors typically have a base ISO of 50 or 100, so when Leica starts the ISO at 160, the sensor is already amplified 1 to 2 stops. The S2’s quality at ISO 160 does not come close to the file quality of my Phase One P65 at its base ISO (50). If I shot the P65+ at ISO 200 (a two stop bump in speed), then the file quality is about the same. The S2 has the sharpness and acuity, but not color depth or gradients. The file quality at base ISO is my number one pet-peeve. The other stuff I like to see changed are pretty much the usual suspects –
1) Improved ISO performance at 640, 1250 and 2500
2) ISO stepping in 1/3 increments
3) Improvements in auto-focus speed and target acquisition (it’s accurate, but slow to get there)
4) ISO shown in the viewfinder
5) The addition of a another control wheel or thumb-stick
6) Five auto-focus points would be awesome, or something like Hass’ TruFocus
7) Updated rear display, touch display could be interesting
8) An info screen like the M9 (more detail info on the battery, memory card, etc)I have mixed feelings about “more” pixels. Having 60 MP’s with the P65+ is nice, but pushing 300 MB TIFF’s around result in huge Photoshop files and really puts a strain on the computer processing power. I would also like to see full compatibility with Phase One C1 software. I’m trying to like Lightroom… C1 runs much faster than LR on my Mac’s (one of is a 12-core 2.66 GHz machine w/ 32 GB of RAM) and there are things C1 does better (compared to LR4.1), like purple fringe removal.
Leica has taken the big step and put the S2 out there. I expect its updates to be mostly evolutionary and there certainly is some merit in waiting for a S4. If the S3 happens and its changes are subtle, then I will probably skip the S3 and wait for a S4. Alot of this will depend on whether or not Leica offers a good trade-in program. I like the S2, but I think the platform has much more potential, so an S3 is a good idea IMO.
I’d sure like to see a lower base ISO too, even 35 as in the IQ180. Shooting with the S lenses wide open often requires an ND filter at ISO 160 because of their superb speed — definitely an annoyance for landscape work. As broad an ISO range as is practically possible would be great!
Dave
Nothing, S2 is perfect like this…I don’t have need of another things…
Simply camera, no gadgets, just pure Lens…Bravo! I agree in that I am extremely happy with the S2. That said, I think there is always room for improvement.
One of my only pet peeves with the camera is the 4 button interface. Is it a vestigial remain of the early cooperation with Phase One? Whatever it is, even after a year of use I still do not get on with it. The interface in the M9 is only slightly less “clean”, but it is SO much quicker and more intuitive. And the scrolling on the S2 is really poorly implemented. A simple scroll wheel and four button interface like on the M9 works so much better than the S2, which is like plotting a graph on some ancient machine (First you need to find the exact place on the X axis, then the Y axis etc). Even after a year of using it, I still will hit the wrong button and have to start over again. I don’t think this is because I am technologically challenged, I think it is because the ergonomics of the interface were crippled by a desire to keep the layout as simple as possible. Keeping it simple is nice in principle, but they went too far.
The programmable buttons (where you hold down a button and it brings up a menu of your choice) are very useful, and the only saving grace of the current interface. Even so, it can be hard to remember exactly which button was ISO and which AF behavior in a stressful or quick shooting situation. I have kept mine in the same positions for the year I have had the S2, but since there are no labels, it is still easy to bring up the wrong menu when you are scrambling to get a picture. Leica has always been really good about designing seamless interfaces that just allow the photographer to do their work, and I think the pinnacle of this is the M9, while the S2 really went off the rails on that front.
At least the interface only comes into play if you need to change a setting. When it comes to the actual act of photographing, the S2 is perfect to shoot — the shutter release is great, the aperture is great (thought I would love to be able to change the direction of the wheel), and the combination of the shutter dial and clicking to change shooting modes works very well.
On the technical side of things, I am sure they can improve the high ISO, add resolution, make it faster etc. All of these things are already good enough for me, and would probably not compel me to upgrade. If they fixed the interface, however, I might be tempted (if it was not 20,000 to upgrade!)
Iceandfire;2684 wrote: Nothing, S2 is perfect like this…I don’t have need of another things…
Simply camera, no gadgets, just pure Lens…It’ll have to be a surprise upgrade to make me part with that much cash again. It was the lenses I was after.
I don’t have any issues with the box as is … I prefer they do not add a tap screen, or a joy-stick or more wheels. The 5 custom quick sets worked perfectly for me on day one … I just set them up in a counter clock-wise fashion starting top left, in order of importance and frequency of use. Easy to remember.
IMO, the S2 doesn’t need the ISO jacked up much higher, just tweaked and cleaned up a bit via firmware (like Hasselblad did) … high ISO should be mandatory with the M10.
Wouldn’t mind it if Leica allowed the option of reversing the direction of the wheel. 1/2 stop ISO increments wouldn’t hurt either.
So, IMO, the real measure of Leica’s commitment to the S “Pro” franchise is whether they continue improving the S2 once the S3 is here.
-Marc
Probably a “good” ISO 2500 would suffice for most people’s needs. Leica said they could do this with the existing S2 by changing the read-out configuration (do-able via firmware) and the result would be around a 2-stop improvement. If they would take it a step further and add a binning option (i.e. – like Sensor+ on the Phase gear), then we’re probably at ISO 2500 without re-inventing the S2.
Another reason I’m itching for higher ISO is so that Leica could release something like a 50mm F4 S. The chief design goal should be “compact”. I’d love to have a lens in the 10-12 ounce weight range that could be used for snapshots, casual walking about, etc. The S2 itself as a camera is pretty light; it’s the 70S that bulks it up – and then of course the hood… 45mm would probably be the preferred focal length since that would equate to a ~35mm FOV. I would prefer 50mm, but that’s just me.
As for the second wheel – I want EC adjustment on the fly without having to press any buttons. A second wheel is the most common way. I’m sure Leica would make it programmable and some people may assign ISO to it. My biggest gripe with the interface is all the various button taps to move around and review parts of an image on the rear LCD. Touch screens are a mixed blessing, but the one the Phase IQ backs is awesome for reviewing images. I don’t need a wheel, thumb-stick and touchscreen – just one of them. Leica can choose and I’ll adapt.
While the S2 is expensive, running a 2nd kit to fill the gaps is expensive too. If the S3 would improve in ISO (both lower and upper), AF speed and some minor ergo tweaks, then I think the S could be my only camera. I would still want something small and some of these new compacts like the Sony RX100 look impressive. If Leica just warms up the S2 with a minor ISO tweak and calls that an S3, then I wouldn’t upgrade either. But if they hit most of wish list then I would seriously consider upgrading. A good trade-in program would make that decision easier.
From Lloys Chambers Blog (posted today):
http://diglloyd.com/index.html
Leica S2
From what I hear, the situation is carnage on the Leica S2 front.
My multiple sources suggest that brand-new Leica S2 bodies might be being sold as “demo” or “display sample” units at quite significant discounts. This could only be done if Leica were discounting aggressively to dealers— I am speculating here but I doubt I’m completely off the mark.
Furthermore, used Leica S2 bodies seem to be dropping towards the $10K mark ( somewhat higher prices still, but discounting for the lens…), and I predict that we will see used S2 body prices drop towards the $8K mark by later this fall, especially if a higher resolution model (S3?) becomes available.
With the Leica S lenses the best in the world, a deeply discounted S2 body could be an attractive proposition for some photographers. While my D800 comparison to the Leica S2 looked pretty darn competitive for the D800, the fact is that the S glass is hard to even approach in quality, with only a few exceptions.
Trade in program? Please. that’s wishful thinking as Leica has never needed that. Nor will they need it now. Frankly a trade in program undermines Hassy values in my mind.
New users to the S system require a more modern body, even if the S2 outperforms their abilities. Most existing users who want an S3 will either sell their S2 used without a trade in program, or keep it as a backup. I invested in the system for the glass and the idea of a body built from the ground up. If a S3 come along, fine, the concept is still a MFD in a small body with digital lenses built for the next 10 years. So what if used S2 bodies sell for half what I paid almost three years ago? No surprise, my car depreciated more than that, and the S2 paid for itself in the meantime, via revenues and pleasure. My M8 depreciated more, and there was no trade in program for the M8.
Again, an S3 is required to motivate new buyers entering the franchise, not because existing users need an S3. Net, please don’t expect a trade in program.
JackAndrew;2754 wrote: From Lloys Chambers Blog (posted today):
http://diglloyd.com/index.html
Leica S2
From what I hear, the situation is carnage on the Leica S2 front.
My multiple sources suggest that brand-new Leica S2 bodies might be being sold as “demo” or “display sample” units at quite significant discounts. This could only be done if Leica were discounting aggressively to dealers— I am speculating here but I doubt I’m completely off the mark.
Furthermore, used Leica S2 bodies seem to be dropping towards the $10K mark ( somewhat higher prices still, but discounting for the lens…), and I predict that we will see used S2 body prices drop towards the $8K mark by later this fall, especially if a higher resolution model (S3?) becomes available.
With the Leica S lenses the best in the world, a deeply discounted S2 body could be an attractive proposition for some photographers. While my D800 comparison to the Leica S2 looked pretty darn competitive for the D800, the fact is that the S glass is hard to even approach in quality, with only a few exceptions.
LOL! Do not believe everything you read on the internet … including your own wishful speculations. Lloyd has had a bug up his snout over Leica for sometime now, so I’d even read what he has to say with a grain of salt.
While there are always those in a hurry, or distressed sellers of almost anything, they are an anomaly, not the trend as implied. These “the sky is falling” price posts are common in the months close to Photokina. it has to be hard to sell a new anything, or a used version of it, just before the next model comes out.
Counter speculation:
My multiple inside sources tell me the new M10 will be close to $10,000. and CMOS which will leave the M9P the last great FF CCD image rangefinder … speculation: prices of the M9/M9P will stabilize to pre-launch levels after the initial offering and cacophony about the M10 dies down. The impatient and their money will soon be parted … LOL!
Same for the S2 once the rumored same sized sensor CMOS S3 is launched and the novelty wears off, and people realize what was lost.
It will be interesting to see if Leica will fire sale S2s. Not exactly in keeping with their newly minted and aggressive luxury and prestige strategic stance. $28,000 Rolex watch, now 50% off … really? If I can get a S2 for $8K, I’ll grab one for sure, mount the H to S adapter to it, and put it in my Hasselblad roller as back-up to the H4D/60, or for more mobile use. I know a bunch of Hassey users that’ll do the same thing in a New York heart beat.
So, why would anyone shell out $28K, when the last model with the same size sensor is available for $8K?
Also, my sources tell me that some of the initial D800 people looking to replace MFD are already disillusioned and are dumping out of the Nikon to return to MFD … reports that the lenses just do not cut it, and that the sensor is doing odd things to the imagery no matter how you process the files. Lemmings and their money are soon parted.
-Marc
Let me say up front Leica will not be offering a trade in program. Back when Leica provided better margins to the dealers ..it was the dealers that often supported the used prices. I had a dealer that called me as he was filling out his order to Leica …always got a very good trade in value . This dealer inturn always had great used gear available .
I don t understand how providing a good trade in value hurts used prices. The dealers need stuff to sell and S2 s at half of new with a factory warranty for a year sounds pretty good. Must be missing something ?
I don’t understand your post Roger.
Are you saying factory new S2s with 1 year warranty at $11,000? Or used S2s with a 1 year warranty?
Either way, using the rough 1/3-2/3 dealer buy pricing model, that would place the value of the S2 in our hands at $7,500 or less. That would be the worst value ratio of any MFD brand to date based on having moved through 9 models of Hasselblad cameras in past, and tracking the value guarantee of Phase One systems for as many years.
If this bears out, this will be the last Leica S camera for me … I’ll use it as is which is fine, and keep upgrading my Hasselblad using their trade-up program, and my dealer loyalty incentives.
Photokina with be the determining factor. Hasselblad is rumored to be on the move under the new management and deep pockets owners, so it’ll be interesting.
-Marc
The thought of a trade in program by Leica is pretty far fetched for a company that has never done it in their history. Add to that the thought of a price lowering of a camera again an event that has never been done. Two speculations that have very low probabilities to come to fruition.
However, stopping in a Leica shop in Honolulu, the sales guy said that the S2 price is going down. He searched his computer but could not find the document. So this might hold some water.
As far as holding value, high end digital tends to have the greatest depreciation so I did not expect the body to hold much residual value. Even the Hasselblad H4D 40 has dropped precipitously, from $20k new with 80 to $18k new to $15k for a demo. I have seen the H4D 40 stainless for as low as $10,500 for a 600 cycles body. Gone are the days of buying a camera shooting it for 7 years and selling it for 50% of the original cost. Now it is 7 months of use.
Or keep it for the reasons you bought it, and don’t worry about it.
-Marc
Marc
You are right…..let me start again(I screwed up my example). Lets assume that a new S3 base model is $25K . (there is plenty of margin in that number for Leica ). What would be a fair price for a used S2 sold by a dealer with a one year factory warranty . Say $14 to 15K ….so the dealer could pay you $11.5 to 12K or 50% of what was originally paid for the base model. . (there is no model that seems to work with a 1/3 -2/3 split because the used S2 can only sell for FMV) .
Since Leica sells the warranty at $1700 ( I think this is right ) . The dealer would have $13K invested the trade in . They would make a profit on both the resale of the S2 as well as the sale of the new S3 .
But use any numbers you want …the question is “how would a (subsidized ) trade in program hurt the fair market value of a used S2? “ .
As I stated before ..I don t think any of this will happen . Rather I expect that we (as S2 owners ) will get the short end of the stick . The S3 will be a transition to CMOS and will have some improvements …but may appear evolutionary . The S2 s will continue to drop in value and the difference (what we pay maybe hard to justify ). Maybe thats just the nature of the MF world.
Al
Take all your assumptions ….doesn t look promising for the S3 . Retained value is an important factor in how many people will trade up to the S3. Leica controls all the levers in pricing,availability, special programs .
Marc s point is relevant ..if you have to take a unusual high loss on you S2 ….many will just not upgrade and equally important will not want to buy in the future .
roger
It appears the drop in S2 used product continues below what I speculated .
Roger,
I think the biggest problem that the S2 had was poor product planning. Lenses were not readily available, lens family was not revealed, accessories kept secret. Now that it is older and some lenses available, the S3 has to hit a homerun in features in order to convince the public to buy into the system. The market for MFD can go with a complete system in Phase or Hasselblad or use the crystal ball to predict the S system. A complete system approach is far more desirable in the long run. Those waiting on the sidelines have many more choices today at less cost than the S system, you can only live on legend for a short time before you have to produce.Vagueness and turtle slow output is a bit unsettling to be sure. One of the chief attributes of the S system is the dual shutter capability and a key reason I bought the S2 … which is a very attractive one at least from a professional photographer’s POV.
I’ve owned the camera now for quite some time and have been unable to use the CS shutter feature that I paid for. Now it will be October or later before supply of the CS lenses are available, and it is still somewhat vague how the original swap-up program will be implemented as I was assured multiple times … another reason I bought into the S2 with FP lenses earlier than I probably should have. The H to S adapter I should get sometime later this week will help soften this issue, but few S2 owners have a full compliment of HC/HCD CS lenses like I do.
Also, IF Leica does make good on the CS trade-up, what happens to the S FP lenses you turn in? What will that do to the value of FP lenses if they are resold as warrantied referbs?
IF Hasselblad does field a dual shutter integrated H mount camera as I suspect (or hope :-), I’d be hard pressed to not go there and leave the S2 system as is. Hasselblad is not only a more comprehensive system, with True Focus it has the best MFD AF system to date, and other useful features like in viewfinder spirit level, and a T/S unit, etc.
However, IF Leica fields a S3 that does increase ISO to a clean 3200, and substantially improves the AF with multipoint and speed closer to that of some prosumer 35mm DSLRs, I would get out of 35mm altogether (for my applications). I originally bought the S2 with AF Leica optics to take over more 35mm DSLR work than MFD applications, and in many cases it has done just that. So, I would fund a S3 by selling off most or all of my 35mm stuff, and keep the S2 as back-up rather than taking a ferocious loss.
-Marc
Would Leica guys listen to us or we are just daydreaming?
Andrew
Day dreaming of course .
Sure, Leica is listening to us, but their bigger market is Asia, and I don’t see many users from Asia on this site other than Kurt. Perhaps over there, it seems, buyers purchase the S2 as a luxury good, more than just a very fine tool?
JackJack MacD;2819 wrote: Sure, Leica is listening to us, but their bigger market is Asia, and I don’t see many users from Asia on this site other than Kurt. Perhaps over there, it seems, buyers purchase the S2 as a luxury good, more than just a very fine tool?
Most people I run into in Tokyo who use Leica are older people and they like the autofocus but do not like the weight of the camera (Asian physique is a little different). I see more people also dropping out of Nikon and Canon and going to the lighter Sony and Micro 4/3 cameras. I spent the whole day covering a parade and running around with a few lenses in 100 plus heat does get to you after a while.
I’d like:
• 5:4 crop mode for verticals
• USB 3.0 for faster tethering
• Wi-Fi for JPGs directly to iPadUpdate,
Since actually getting the H to S adapter and using it with H lenses on a number of assignments as well as some personal work … I’m even more happy with the S2 as is.
However, that POV is tainted by being a H4D/60 user with a full compliment of H lenses. I have the 100mm portrait lens some wish for … and it is the fastest aperture lens I have for the S2. I have the 1:1 Macro with the HC120/4 … I have T/S ability with five H lenses from 28mm to 100mm @ 1.5X
The S2 is the right sized sensor and perfect amount of pixels to allow for more spontaneous hand-held photography … take the meg count up to 60 or more and that whole gestalt will be altered significantly.
What I want from Leica is continued support for the camera I already have … via firmware refinements .. and if the software keeps improving, that should help with the higher ISO performance.
-Marc
Dear Jack MacD
At least, there’s another one from Thailand. I bought S2 since 2010 and still enjoy shooting it. We have a lot of photographers in Thailand but the problem with Leica camera here was the agent. Apparently, there’s changes in agent during 2010-2011 and it made Leica fans a little back off, including the shortage of inventory. Now we have new agent and I hope this new agent can fill in the needs of Leica fans in Thailand with enough stock.
For sure, Leica is considering one of the luxury brand but it’s worth the value for people who wants quality.
In addition, I think it’s quite normal for Asian people to look and see but not expressing a lot. This might be the reason that you did not see a lot of comment from Asia.
Cheers
VeerachaiWelcome Veeracha,
Your perspective is much appreciated on this forum.
And I would enjoy seeing some photos from Thailand when you can post them.So it appears that your most desired feature was for a new Leica agent to be appointed in Thailand and it appears you got your desire. Anything else in an S3?
Jack
JackDear Jack
Thanks for your encouragement, I have posted one old picture, from Sep 2010 at the Image to share post. I’m not professional, therefore, i will have only limited time to take pictures during these few years. When you have time in the past, you have no wealth to buy Leica. Now you can buy Leica but you have not enough time to enjoy it fully.
And this is the reason that I don’t care much about S3 as I think I’m still not utilized S2 enough. However, it will make more sense if S3 can make some improvement in high ISO + a little high bursting. In addition, I’m really looking forward to wireless shutter provided by Leica.
I’m more concerns with Leica service as the service level in Thailand is still not up to what Leica provide to Singapore. If Leica happened to listen to this and make some improvement, I’ll be more than happy to tell Leica that it will be the only camera brand that I will buy.
It’s been my pleasure to know you.
Veerachai
veerachai;2983 wrote:
And this is the reason that I don’t care much about S3 as I think I’m still not utilized S2 enough. However, it will make more sense if S3 can make some improvement in high ISO + a little high bursting. In addition, I’m really looking forward to wireless shutter provided by Leica.Veerachai,
With regards to wireless shutter release, have you seen this: Wireless Triggering the Leica S2?
David Farkas
Red Dot Forum
Leica Store Miami
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