Leica S2 Digital SLR Camera – Excellent Digital SLR
Truth be told, I was excited to not only review the Leica S2, but to get to even hold it and have it in my possession for a few days, well that was really exciting and crazy cool. The S2 is a true Leica masterpiece, but a costly one. If you want to own one of these be prepared to pay with your wallet, your heart, and your soul. Their top of the line digital “Pro Format” camera sells for a cool $23,000 and this is for the BODY ONLY! Throw a lens in your shopping cart and you are looking at a grand total of about $28-29,000. This is for the standard Leica S2 digital camera. They also have a “platinum” package with sapphire glass and a pro warranty for $27,995 (body only).
Leica calls the S2 ”Pro Format” but it is a medium format, and all of that power comes packed in a package smaller than a Nikon D3s or Canon 1ds while having even better build quality than those top end mega cameras. The sensor in the S2 is a huge 30X45 mm monster and I have to say that when I received the pelican case loaded with the S2, I was very impressed when I held it in my hands for the first time. Before I go on and on about it.
So my first day impressions of the Leica S2 camera? I was in awe. I have never shot with anything like it. I have always been a 35mm guy so I don’t normally shoot with any digital medium format cameras. I have shot with a couple of Hasselblad film cameras but nothing quite like the S2. I have seen the word “Hybrid” thrown around and I would say that is a good description. The S2 is like a pro DSLR in size and shape but a medium format camera in quality. The only thing that I had to keep telling myself was to NOT fall in love too much with it because at the price of $22,000+ there was no way I could ever buy or justify one, though I was already LUSTING for one. Uh oh…I smell trouble.
So after the fondling and messing around in the house it was time to go and shoot this thing! I mean, here I was with a $30,000 setup and I was sitting in the house!! So away I went with the Leica S2 digital slr AND my M9. Just like an American Express card, I never leave home with it.
Not much to say here but while using the S2′s AF I found it to be pretty damn good for a medium format digital. Just do not expect to shoot blazing sports and do not expect pro DSLR type AF speed. Again, this is not a DSLR! This camera is aimed at Pros’s who want the best IQ in a DSLR sized package. It is also aimed at rich enthusiasts who want the best image quality in a nice form factor. It will not replace a DSLR like a Nikon D3 or Canon 1Ds for fast AF. The AF is really good, just not super fast. For it’s intended purpose of portraits, landscape, etc the AF is plenty fast.
PROS & CONS of the Leica S2
PROS:
- Amazingly beautiful build quality. Best built camera I have ever held in my hands.
- The LCD is nice and can be seen in daylight without any issues.
- Simple controls, easy to understand. Can learn within 5-10 minutes.
- The file quality when in good light is flat out gorgeous. Best IQ I have ever seen (though I have not shot with other MF gear)
- Medium Format in a PRO DSLR size body.
- Battery life is quite good for this type of camera. (about 600 shots per charge, maybe more)
- Made in Germany!
- Dual card slots for backup – SD and CF capability.
- The viewfinder sets the standard. It’s more like a port hole than a VF.
- Color, AWB and Depth of the images is awesome.
CONS:
- The price of $22,000+ for the body only leaves out the poor photographers
- ISO 1250 is pretty noisy, ISO 640 and under is good.
- The file sizes are HUGE and will bring most computers to their knees (even my quad core IMac slowed down with the S2 files)
Canon 1D Mark III Live View mode
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