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Author Topic: Some Leica S questions  (Read 10547 times)

rolleiflexpages

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Some Leica S questions
« on: June 21, 2015, 06:03:48 am »

Dear all:

I am looking for some advice from Leica S users.

Recently I was offered a chance to buy a brand new old stock Leica S2 (original model) for a very good price, about 10,000 euro incl VAT. I noticed that the current model S Typ 006 can now be had for about 15,500 euro incl VAT in Germany (probably in anticipation of the new model S Typ 007). The "new" S-E is even a couple of hundreds euro less than the discounted S Typ 006. Question: what is the "best" route to take if one wanted to get into the S system? (non-pro, non studio, mostly landscapes etc). I cannot detect the difference between the S Typ 006 and the "new" S-E other than the color scheming on the top plate. Or would the best entry ticket be the original S2 at that price? Any significant differences?

Second question is on lenses. The Vario-Elmar-S 30-90mm f/3.5-5.6 looks like the almost perfect "all-round" lens given its wide-angle to normal coverage. Optically I guess the difference with the fixed lens combo Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 and the Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 would be rather small. The Vario offers the great benefit of not having to change lenses in the field (dust etc). But it is quite slower (loss of at least one up to two f-stops depending on range). Any thoughts on the matter?

Advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Cheers,
Pascal
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goldfinger

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2015, 12:24:31 pm »

I have already seen brand new Leica S 006 for under 10,000 Euro incl. VAT. So a S2 would be too high. The 30-90 Vario-Elmar is the perfect "all-around" lens for most kinds of photo.
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peterv

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2015, 03:53:58 pm »

Pascal,

I'd advise you to read the write up that David Farkas did at PK '12, when the S(006) came out. In this article, he sums up the new features of the 006 with regard to the original S2:

http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2012/09/photokina-2012-day-2-the-leica-s-part-1/

Most users like the 006 better because of some nice added features, but the IQ difference is small/practically non existent. So it's up to you if you think it's worth the extra ~ €5K. Besides that, I'd look in to the warranty that is being offered with the camera you'd want to buy, 1, 2 or 3 years.

As for the zoom, your question comes up quite often and this recent thread over at GetDPI might be helpful:

http://www.getdpi.com/forum/leica/55170-leica-s-30-90-vs-s-30-vs-s-35-a.html

Seeing your screen name, do you anticipate a Rollei to S-mount adapter?
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JV

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2015, 06:28:32 pm »

Pascal,

10,000 euro incl VAT would be above the current market price.

Take a look here:
http://leicastoremiami.com/collections/used-s-cameras
and take into account that these are prices from dealers...

Joris.

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rolleiflexpages

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2015, 11:02:09 pm »

Peter, thanks for your advice. The article by David Farkas was a pretty good read indeed. It seems that the S Typ 006 is the way to go. On the Vario lens, I was a bit concerned to read its performance towards corners and edges as from middle to higher focal lengths it would be visibly suffering, in particular for landscapes and alike where an even image is required. As the lens would be primarily meant for this, it got me wondering.

Regarding the Rolleiflex 6000-system lens adaptor for Leica S, I have regrettably no insight knowledge. I have asked the Leica customer service a couple of times on their intention but never got any reply on the matter. It would certainly be the next logical thing in terms of Leica S lens adaptors, considering the current range they are offering. And it would help several additional users to consider a transition, I am sure ...

To the postings on the price: the price I was mentioned was for a new body, not used. I have yet to see an S Typ 006 at around 10.000 euro, incl VAT. If anyone knows a dealer that is offering a new one at that price point, let me know via private message :)

Cheers,
Pascal
« Last Edit: June 21, 2015, 11:04:22 pm by rolleiflexpages »
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rolleiflexpages

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2015, 11:44:17 am »

Meanwhile, I see that Leica is now offering a bundle of either S Typ 006 or S-E with the Summarit-S 70/2.8 ASPH CS at excellent prices in the US: about 14,000 USD (S Typ 006) or 11,400 USD (S-E): http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2015/07/new-leica-s-typ-006-s-e-typ-006-and-70mm-cs-lens-promotional-bundle-announced/
And this is not related to exchange rate fluctuation, for which there is an additional discount, it seems!

Would anyone know if a similar deal is offered in Europe? Have not seen that yet...

Thanks
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peterv

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2015, 07:24:40 am »

Pascal, I'd contact the Leica Store Berlin about this. They're very knowledgeable and have very good contacts with Leica HQ in Wetzlar.

(no affiliation)

Peter
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paratom

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2015, 04:04:06 pm »

1) I would buy either a used S2 for a low price or go with the new S or SE.
2) The zoom looks like a very good allround lens, but I prefer primes because I use the wider f-stops quite often. I now own nearly all of the S lenses besides the zoom but I believe if I had to choose 2 I would go 35+70. They are not too big, both have f2.5 and would work for 90% of my images.
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gagemanning

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2015, 08:47:10 pm »

I've been shooting with a Leica S (006) for almost 2 years now and at first only shot with prime lenses.  After I got my hands on the 30-90mm, I basically quit using all other lenses when shooting landscape.  Even though it is a zoom lens, most who have used it would say it's as sharp or almost as sharp as any prime lens. 

I have quite a few examples on my site:  http://www.rangetraveler.com/category/leica-30-90mm-vario-elmar-s/ if you are interested.

gage

P.S. with that said, I'm actually moving to phase one, I know I'll miss my Leica S but really wanted the extra megapixels.
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Kolor-Pikker

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2015, 10:27:13 am »

I used both the S6 and S2, and unfortunately, I handled the S2 after two shoots with the S6. Ultimately, while the IQ is the same (same sensor after all), the handling of the older camera was considerably worse, I didn't even know it lacked a joystick control! A friend looking to get into MF was with me and he was disappointed with the handling of the camera, and I couldn't blame him, there were just a lot of things we have taken for granted since the many years this camera has been out.

But what can I say? A lot of people find the Pentax 645D workable as a landscape camera, even though it is woefully slow for just about everything else. It depends on whether you see your camera as just a sensor in a box, or an ergonomic tool for active handling, there are a lot of good sensor-in-boxes that don't carry Leica branding on them, but the S006 is just so much nicer to use.
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synn

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rolleiflexpages

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #11 on: July 20, 2015, 10:42:39 am »

At these prices for the S Typ 006 or S-E bodies, almost a no-brainer if one is in the market for a medium-frame camera...

However, that does not seem to translate into similar prices in Europe :(

Here, it seems official prices remain at the same high level as before.
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JV

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #12 on: July 20, 2015, 12:25:38 pm »

Also, this new S better be damned good to justify the price difference between $5,995 and $25,400...
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rolleiflexpages

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #13 on: July 20, 2015, 12:46:13 pm »

The new pricing for the S Typ 006 and S-E puts the camera in an excellent price/performance point, which makes it doable for non-pro users. But that is indeed different with the S Typ 007 :(
However, I fear that, in reality, the new S Typ 007 comes too late to market. I doubt that, when the S Typ 007 gets launched eventually, there would not be an outcry that it is not "enough" -at least based on the specs announced at the last Photokina. The major medium format competition moved on since quite a while (Hasselblad and Phase One), which offer largers sensors and resolution (while I do admit that the number of megapixels is to a large degree part of the selling points but not necessarily needed for most people). And now the latest "prosumer" Canon 5DS will probably start to bite on the other side. The problem is that putting a larger sensor in the S is physically impossible. Offering more pixels is, but also there, there are certain limits to what is reasonable. Not sure how this will end longer term. I do hope we will not see a deja vu like with the Leica R. Leica got me once, and that is enough :(
Meanwhile my Rolleiflex Hy6 and Leaf AFi-II 7 are humming happily although I remain hunted by the S ...

Cheers,
Pascal
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william

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #14 on: July 20, 2015, 07:42:48 pm »

Jeez, at those prices I'm seriously tempted to buy a second one as backup for my current S 006...

Anyone here saw this?

http://leicarumors.com/2015/07/19/leica-s-e-medium-format-camera-is-now-5995-and-other-s-deals.aspx/


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KAHA

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #15 on: July 20, 2015, 08:06:15 pm »

At this price I think I foresee a Leica S in my near future ;D

« Last Edit: July 23, 2015, 02:17:29 am by KAHA »
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rolleiflexpages

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #16 on: July 23, 2015, 04:09:33 pm »

Funnily enough, the Leica store in Miami seems to have withdrawn its latest offer...
It reads as if Leica did not wish for such prices to be publicly offered. Did anyone actually get this offer?
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JV

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #17 on: July 23, 2015, 06:54:54 pm »

Yes, they send out an email on 7/17...
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JohnBrew

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #18 on: July 23, 2015, 08:12:15 pm »

Actually they sent out two emails on the offer.

JV

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Re: Some Leica S questions
« Reply #19 on: July 23, 2015, 10:47:14 pm »

Actually they sent out two emails on the offer.

They did but if I recall correctly I believe the first one only mentioned the kit promotions whereas the second one also spelled out the body only price of $5,995.
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