Leica debuts S-system, 37-megapixel flagship S2 camera
By Darren Murph 
posted September 22nd 2008 9:52AM
posted September 22nd 2008 9:52AM
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted September 22nd 2008 9:52AM
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Well we know who's going to be included in the Engadget Fugly Awards.
I only hope they keep coming out with ridiculous cameras like this...
with the technology allowing such significant improvements on such a regular basis, it'll put the price of less powerful but still supremely PRACTICAL digital SLRs so low that even I'll be able to afford to be a pro
That is an outrageously ugly looking camera. Probably pretty cool. I'm hoping it isn't overhyped. It would be nice to see Leica do something amazing/revolutionary again, rather than resting on the success they had 70 years ago.
32MP is not even close to medium format, even 645 let alone 6x7 Nice marketing mumbojumbo though. Can't they just hold their breath for 3-5 more years until the sensors actually *do* reach MF ability? Its no shame to be kicking the can down the road... not going to get there in one leap.
32mp (and therefore 37mp) easily beats 645 film and should match 6x7, based on my experience with a Mamiya ZD camera which is "only" 22mp and whichbhas served as a worthy MF film replacement. Its also not only about pure resolving power, but other issues like dynamic range, versatility, convenience, all good reasons why you'd use an S2 or other MF digital solution ahead of film.
My only issue with the S2 at this stage is the possible price, given it will have to compete with established digital backs / camera combos.
My only issue with highly expensive toys is that I'd be too scared to take them out, do anything out-of-the-ordinary with them, and in general kill all creativity while babying them constantly.
So this product is obviously not for me.
That's a description of a typical Leica owner. :P
I remember adding a Hasselblad system to my use. Not even a D700 can top the giddy feeling I had about the system and the quality. This may not be groundbreaking, but sure has a place. Check the wedbsite, pretty informative. And yes, looks like it will be comfortable to handle.
As for the price, there are plenty of fashion/design who would be happy to move to this.
I own 2 pairs of Leica binoculars and one APO Spotting Scope. The new Leica Scopes 65mm & 85mm--due out soon-- will be $3100 and $4100 respectively-- This is about $1,000 more per scope than anyone else!
My humble opinion is that they will price themselves out of the market. Swarovski and Zeiss have awesome optics, too, and are much less expensive.
If this new Leica camera is being priced in like manner, which it sounds like it is----Leica may be in for a rude awakening as to its market acceptability.
By the way, my cameras are Nikon D200 &300 with 200-400mm AFS VR, 500mm AFS VR
70-200 AFS VR, 105 micro VR, 200mm micro nikkor & 12-24 f4, so I am not a cheapskate
Well, I will test it for free;)... Technical data (to the date) sounds untrue and however, I think it is unlogical to Leica AG to produce something which will (once again) be not compatible with the previous models.
...but who knows- this is the "last time" to change and show what the company really is capable to produce (in co-operation with phase one)...DMR/R9 was not a bestseller ...so we will see...
One piece of news that helps all of us that have Canon EOS is that....Finally Zeiss will be selling lens for canon DSLR's. Not Leica, but a bir closer....
What a beautiful camera.
For all you Canon and Nikon shooters who take gleeful pride in snidely bashing Leica and who cling with sweaty, desperate fingers to the notion that the 1Ds MK III and the D3 are the pinnacle of digital imaging....
I'm going to say something now and it's going to hurt you. I realize that I'm stabbing a knife right into your chewy, gooey heart with this, but it's for your own good.
Ready?
There are in this world photographers, photographic situations, and photographic clients who demand image quality better than anything anyone can produce using any product made by Canon or Nikon.
Period.
I know you don't want to hear that there's an entire echelon of gear above yours for image quality, but your defensive bleatings have started to make my hair hurt, so just remember that you earned this little spanking.
I know you like to remain curled in your bubble of rationalization, thinking "my gear is just as good. Really it is." You think that if you keep saying it often enough, you'll be able to convince yourself, but I'm sorry to tell you that you're not convincing anyone who really knows. You merely sound like the hick who brags in an overly-loud voice to anyone who will listen -- and many who won't -- that his Pontiac Fiero really is every bit as good as a Lamborghini.
Yes, the Leica is expensive, as are the digital medium format systems. The best of the best always costs a premium. A Lamborghini is a better car than a Chevy Camaro. Is it six times as good, as simplistic pricing logic would indicate? No, of course. But that also doesn't change the fact that it IS better.
Right about now, you're probably thinking that I'm a Leica owner or Hasselblad shooter just looking to rub it in. I'm not. I shoot Canon glass on a Kodak slr/c. Why? Because it's the best that I can afford right now, too.
Still, I don't have that juvenile need to defend my ego by pretending that what I can afford is the best there is. I'm not going to dismiss the awesome image quality that results from the products of Leica (and Hasselblad, and Mamiya,...) just to make myself feel better any more than I'm going to nervously insist that Payless shoes are as good as Asics, Schrade knives as good as Benchmade, Colt .45s as good as Kimber.
Whether or not I can ever afford gear that's the best of the best, I'm glad it exists and I'm glad that some companies fight the trend toward making all-purpose tools that are OKAY for any job and instead focus on making tools that are the BEST for specific jobs. Quality over cost. Quality over affordability even. But Quality over everything else.
Chris,
You hit the nail exactly on the head! This camera is a breakthrough; imagine bringing medium format quality into the field in a compact sized waterproof body. This camera system leapfrogs anything available from Canon, Nikon and everyone else. These ridiculous comments about it being ugly are shallow and stupid and just miss the point of this system. It’s a professional tool for a professional photographer, it’s free of gimmicks (live view, movie recording etc) and anything else that does not contribute to capturing the ultimate quality images. Leica is making a bold move with the S2 system; a very impressive landmark design.
.....
"Nobody Special @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:02PM
The new Canon 5D Mark II will in 2 years be obsolete - not the best Canon has to offer - and not in the same league with the S2."
---
The 5D won't be obsolete in two years so I dont know how you worked that out.
- This Camera Does seem sumptuous, but I doubt I will ever be able to justify buying one.
recommendedreading.blacktechnicolor.
It's a marketing game, the same one used for any technology...each year industries release a product slightly more advanced, maybe "groundbreaking" for that era. It happens with computers (I got a 10 MHz, 12 MHz,...now a quad-4 2.4GHz), each one a must-have to keep up with the competition. Memory systems, same thing...from 256K at $80 a pop to 4 Gigs for less than a hundred. It's a money-making game for the technology industry, and professionals can pay the highest prices to stay competitive. I'm sticking with Canon, I own their lenses...THUD!!! I would switch to Leica's S system, but I don't know what it'll do better in 2 years when Canon's next "groundbreaking"-lens compatible 100 Mp, dslr debuts. OK, I'm kidding about 100 Mp, but in two years the $30K S2 will be a dinosaur compared to the latest Canon. (Maybe I'm a prophet & 100 Mp is the late 2010 announcement).
So...can someone convince me the S2 is worth the investment? Any Leica reps want to try?
Price?
This is what I found posted on blog.wired.com
"The price? Seriously, don't ask. You're sure? OK. €30,000 for the body, which translates to $45,000."
Good timing announcing this new Leica S2 as the world economy is on the skids.
Maybe this whee some of the $7 billion "recovery" money will go.
So I should upgrade from my Canon AE-1?
According to Leica the S2 is the flagship of a new series of cameras, Leica intends to use the technology it developed for the S2 to produce other Pro and semi-pro cameras, so more affordable, and flexible digital Leicas seem likely within the following two years, lets hope this Camera is a success, and does for Leica what the D3 and D300 did for Nikon.
"The new Canon 5D Mark II will in 2 years be obsolete - not the best Canon has to offer - and not in the same league with the S2."
You really can't compare a 5D MII with an S2 they are utterly different cameras intended for different purposes. People claiming the 5D MII is a better choice, or that Leica is have both missed the point and sound rather foolish to me. A Plague on both your houses!
The original 5D is not outdated, have a look on flikr, you will a range of 5D images from dull to amazing. It goes to show you either have an eye for photography or you don't-a 5D in the right hands has the ability to wow-just I'm sure like the D700.