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Viewing 15 posts - 31 through 45 (of 51 total)
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  • October 26, 2011 at 4:34 pm #1288
    Kurt Kamka

    If they need any beta testers, just let me know … I'd volunteer in a heartbeat. 😉 If they are/were able to introduce this as a firmware update, it'd be a great additional selling point.

    Kurt

  • October 26, 2011 at 4:10 pm #1284
    Kurt Kamka

    I posted this on another thread as follow-up but don't know if you saw it. Has there been any more discussion from Leica on what you mentioned earlier? As S2 users continue to increase the range of applications in which they engage the S2, I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that adding the extra stop or two would be incredibly useful for those S2 users.

    Originally Posted by David Farkas
    Okay, here is a big one I left off that I've written about before…

    Dr. Zimmer, head of digital R&D, explained that noise could be reduced by either dropping the sensor readout from 24Mhz to 12Mhz or by using a dual readout vs. a quad readout from the sensor. Either of these options would cut the continous frame rate in half and double the time from capture to review, but also would deliver a one stop improvement in noise performance. He indicated that it should be possible to make these changes on the fly in firmware. So, here's my suggestion:

    Allow the user three modes to choose from:
    Regular
    Reduced noise
    Lowest noise

    The regular mode would operate like it is now.

    The reduced noise mode would cut the readout rate. ISO 1250 would look as good as 640, 320 would look like 160 and base ISO 160 might been look a little better, too. The trade-off is that the continuous shooting rate would drop to 0.75 fps.

    Lowest noise mode would cut the readout rate AND switch the sensor to dual output. The effect should a be 2-stop improvement in noise performance. An extended ISO of 2500 or even 5000 could be offered. ISO 2500 would look as good 640. The drawback to this setting would be a reduction in frame rate to 0.375 fps and probably a good half second to display on the LCD. Pretty slow, but could mean the difference between actually getting a shot and getting nothing.

    Compared to pixel binning options like Phase's Sensor+, this solution would offer full resolution not 1/4 res.

  • October 26, 2011 at 4:03 pm #1283
    Kurt Kamka

    Thanks, David.

  • October 26, 2011 at 4:02 pm #1282
    Kurt Kamka

    Pete, thanks for posting these … it's great seeing images from others (especially excellent images that illustrate the versatility of the system.)

    Kurt

  • October 21, 2011 at 8:07 pm #1233
    Kurt Kamka

    David,

    Will the newest version also fade over time? I'm not certain if that is nature of these types of panels or if it was because of a component from a particular supplier, but I thought that I'd see what you've heard.

    Kurt

  • October 20, 2011 at 1:08 pm #1213
    Kurt Kamka

    I've had mine replaced … and the difference is dramatic.

  • October 19, 2011 at 2:04 pm #1190
    Kurt Kamka

    I went with the S2P and have not regretted my decision at all. As my camera was still under warranty, I recently sent my S2 to Germany to have the top LED replaced as it wasn't as bright as it should be.

    Having a replacement camera ready (it arrived before I shipped my camera to Leica for service) allowed me to not miss a step in being able to shoot a couple of paid assignments with the loaner Leica provided. The S2 has become such an integral part of all that I shoot, that the extra expense has been worthy of the peace of mind it has offered me.

  • October 15, 2011 at 2:33 pm #1151
    Kurt Kamka

    David,

    I thought that I'd follow-up and see if you've heard any more about the possibility of this becoming a reality. Although I've been using a flash for more lower light situations, an extra stop or two would open quite a few more creative shooting options without the flash.

    Kurt

    David Farkas;190 wrote: Okay, here is a big one I left off that I've written about before…

    Dr. Zimmer, head of digital R&D, explained that noise could be reduced by either dropping the sensor readout from 24Mhz to 12Mhz or by using a dual readout vs. a quad readout from the sensor. Either of these options would cut the continous frame rate in half and double the time from capture to review, but also would deliver a one stop improvement in noise performance. He indicated that it should be possible to make these changes on the fly in firmware. So, here's my suggestion:

    Allow the user three modes to choose from:

    1. Regular
    2. Reduced noise
    3. Lowest noise

    The regular mode would operate like it is now.

    The reduced noise mode would cut the readout rate. ISO 1250 would look as good as 640, 320 would look like 160 and base ISO 160 might been look a little better, too. The trade-off is that the continuous shooting rate would drop to 0.75 fps.

    Lowest noise mode would cut the readout rate AND switch the sensor to dual output. The effect should a be 2-stop improvement in noise performance. An extended ISO of 2500 or even 5000 could be offered. ISO 2500 would look as good 640. The drawback to this setting would be a reduction in frame rate to 0.375 fps and probably a good half second to display on the LCD. Pretty slow, but could mean the difference between actually getting a shot and getting nothing.

    Compared to pixel binning options like Phase's Sensor+, this solution would offer full resolution not 1/4 res.

  • October 7, 2011 at 4:28 pm #1072
    Kurt Kamka

    Arif;840 wrote: Another vote for Bali or somewhere exotic in Asia 😉 Wish I was there but my S2 is at Solms in any case (seems Leica Japan cannot replace the LED on the top 🙁
    Looking forward to the great pictures,
    Arif

    Arif, we'll have to try to arrange our own Asia S2 gathering. (I'll be moving to the Philippines in November for the next two years.) Also, I just received my S2 back from Solms so that they could replace the top panel with a brighter LED. In my opinion, it is definitely worth having it replaced if you sent it in because it wasn't bright enough. There is a significant difference in top panel LED brightness now that mine has been updated.

    Kurt

  • October 5, 2011 at 7:17 pm #1053
    Kurt Kamka

    I too wish that I was there. Thanks for starting the thread Jack so that we can all vicariously participate. Beautiful shots and colors, Jack and David. Maybe I'll be able to make it next year … or the trip can be moved to Bali or somewhere else exotic in Asia. 😉

  • August 22, 2011 at 10:06 pm #831
    Kurt Kamka

    Thanks Jack.

    Stuart, no flash. I just made certain that I didn't shoot into the sun for once. 😉 The S2 worked great on AF-C. It was a very bright day, so no problem with shutter speed. The only issue was how bright the sky was to shoot against. Working with S2 files in such a scenario is great because of the ability to pull the subject back in raw.

  • August 22, 2011 at 9:58 pm #830
    Kurt Kamka

    Thanks David and David.

    Jack, just sitting down on the job.

    This was over at the Harley Museum … they had this troupe of stunt riders called ‘Bikes over Baghdad' perform on souped up kid's bikes. They put on a series of tricks including jumps off of ramps. They travel overseas to entertain the troops with some high adrenaline stunts in war zones.

  • July 29, 2011 at 5:59 pm #677
    Kurt Kamka

    Hi Jack,

    You are certainly correct that it's a crop. Here's the original. 1-1 is too close for bees in my book anyway. 😉

    Kurt

  • July 23, 2011 at 7:49 pm #646
    Kurt Kamka

    Wonderful shots, Woody! Gorgeous colors. The S2 is certainly a very fine landscape camera.

  • July 4, 2011 at 12:51 pm #514
    Kurt Kamka

    Wow … this would be a fantastic option. Seriously, how do we start our S2 user group Three Noise Mode Petition?

    Kurt

Viewing 15 posts - 31 through 45 (of 51 total)
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