Forum Replies Created
I really don't think that the S2 is about digital gadgets, it is just a splendid camera concept, a very well thought tool.
It doesn't make you good photos, but I can tell you about more than 100 photos I wish I made with the S2 during the last 5 or even ten years.
Imagine tomorrow (and it's never to late) you make the picture of your life, then I bet you will regret at least a little you didn't made it with the best posible camera system available.
I'd be interested in what you folks, who spend much more time thinking of these matters, have to say about the longevity of the S2 system and if it will still be a force to reckon with 5 years from now. Is anyone concerned that it will be an irrelevant tool 5 years from now?
2-5 years, wow, who will know if we are still here then? And in 2-5 years, you can make a lot of good pictures with any actual available system. And definitively, in 2-5 years we will probably have a S3 and the value of your S2 will drop to, let's guess, 8 grands? But if the S2 fits you well, you can probably continue about 10 years to make pictures with it.
Also your question implies so many unknown factors, what can we say? The picture quality is amazing, but I would not say it is that far better to justify it's premium for the picture quality itself. But if the ergnomics pleases you, and you feel you can make better pictures out of this system than with any other system, then this is much more important than pixel counting. I bought the S2 for the viewfinder only, I cannot see that much improvement over my other system.
Also, we don't know how you will feel about the money. A camera system that is so expensive for you that it stays all the time in the safe, is almost useless. Better buy something else then.
I'm not surprised. The SU800 is a data transmission tool for iTTL, not just a simple IR-trigger. It probably needs some processing power or data input from the camera to work, even in manual mode.
Does this Schneider Lens come with a Leica-Bajonett or with something else and an adapter?
As far as i know it is a 5.6 lens? http://www.directdigitalimaging.com/product/Phase%20One/Schneider%20Kreuznach%20PC-TS%20Apo-Digitar%20f5.6%20120%20mm%20HM%20/87
Doesnt this make the viewfinder a bit dark and the focus difficult? Anyone tried this on a S2?
I use a Hartblei 120/4 on a D3x and must say that without Liveview it is PIA to focus. Nevertheless it gives very nice results, and shift/tilt is extremely usefull for product-photography. But I agree, thats not exactly what I would call a macro-lens.
Here's a question for those that have touched the real thing … are they bigger fatter longer? How much more do they weigh?
from the documents on the lenses, the CS-Version weights about 150 g more than the non-CS (for the 120 mm lens). The size should be the same
The advantage of CS lenses is only relevant when shooting with lights…you get a faster sync speed…1/500th vs 1/125th for non CS lenses. So if you're just shooting with available light stick with the non CS lenses. But if you shoot with lights the faster sync speed will allow the use of wider apertures with accompanying shallower DOF. David F has an image that will illustrate this point.
is this really so relevant? I never understood why a wide aperture should be usefull in a studio with a white, black or neutral backround? And if so, why not reduce the lights then? Let's say with the 120 @ 5,6 and about 1/150th you should get decent images, or do I miss something there?
TTL should also be possible with SCA 3002 compatible flashes, as the Metz 76.
The point is for me that I'm used to the fill in function of the Nikons, where you can easily manage the flash-output even in TTL. You set the camera in manual and fill in with TTL, which works great. So now I'm looking for something similar for the S2 and M9
Yes, SB900s will only work in AA or M mode on the S2. You can trigger them on PW FlexTT5s, but you will need to set the Pocket Wizards into Basic Trigger Mode using the computer utility.
yes, this is how I use them with the m9, works pretty well for studio. (pw in basic trigger combined with a sekonic DR)
But I like to use sometimes just a bit “fill-in” flash in TTL “on the fly” (mostly with exposure correction to -0.7 – – 1.5) which works very well with Nikon. How to do that with the S2? Also in AA-mode? Or do I need the Leica SF 58 for this? Or are there other options?
is anyone using a Nikon SB900 with good results on the S2?
I have a lot of SB900 that I use (mostly) with pocketwizzards and want to use them again with the S2 as well. Of course, TTL would be great, but I think only A-mode is possible, right?
So my question is; does anyone know the ISO S/N curve for the S2 (and M9 for that matter)? At what point does the ISO amplification begin to degrade the S/N ratio? Or is it like the Exmoors and it really doesn't matter what ISO you set it to as long as it isn't too high. Making it essentially an “ISO-less” camera
The sensor-type (CMOS or CCD) is more relevant for the noise-type than the processor. Leica uses CCD-sensors that have other characteristics than CMOS used in 35 mm DSLR.
And even with CMOS-sensors the noise is increasing with higher ISO, but not as sharp as with a CCD.
Compared, for example, and starting wirh 100 ISO, the S2 behaves almost the same at 200, 400 iso, compared to a Nikon D3x, the spread increases rapidly from 640 ISO upwards. I would say from experience that 800 ISO with the S2 compares to 1200-1600 ISO on the Nikon D3x (and maybe 3200-6400 ISO on a D3S).
Also, resolution and post-processing is an important factor.
btw, ISO-Quality is not a question of S/N-ratio, it is more a stastistical problem of missing and eraticcal data. This is why a CCD-sensor with a lot of pixels can be as good as a CMOS-sonsor with less pixels (up to a certain level, though).
To me, the M9 P says, people like basic black
at least not here in good old Europe, where the chrome version of the M9P is much more apreciated (and sold) than the black one.
Besides the esthetics, there are real arguments for a “real chrome” version, as chrome is much more resistant and more in the “Leica-tradition” than black paint. My M9 in black is badly worn after only two years, while my chrome M8 was like new after this time (and could be sold easily).
Btw, I had for a short time a 28 mm Sumicron called “silver” (which is made from anodized aluminium), but it could in no way be compared with real chromed silver lenses.
fantastic pictures, especially the last one 😉
cheers
Stephan
Maybe, maybe not, but I mostly fear that they will not make “real chromed” lenses again, only silver anodized ones as the 28 cron.
thanks
I will have a look, but I think that's probably to close to the 70 mm
Hello to all
I had the luck to get a used S2 with a 70 m and the 180 mm. Don't have it yet but hope to get it every day.
As I make a lot of portrait and mostly use 80-100 mm on 35 mm, and not able to buy the 120 actually, I just look around for something between.
This Pentax looks nice to me, but how does it compare to the Habla Zeiss 110 (which is still very expensive)?
