Hi Guy,
I much appreciate the stuff you and Jack are doing at GetDPI.
Regarding Lloyds comparing the Leica S2 to Nikon it is quite valid, in my view. The interesting factor is what can be achieved not the price of the tools. Price tags don't make pictures, cameras do.
Lloyd's experience is with DSLRs, Canon and Nikon, mostly. Lloyd did test MF digital now and than, however.
Obviously, what you are shooting matters a lot. It seems that Lloyd has problems focusing the Leica S2 and also the Leica M9. He did communicate with Erwin Puts, a known Leica tester and it seems that focus bracketing is the only way of achieving optimal focus. Lloyd and many others see Live View as the ultimate solution. Live view also eliminates half the alignment problem as the actual sensor signal is used for focusing. The optical axis of the lens still needs be perpendicular to the sensor but longitudinal errors don't matter with Live View. Manual focus is also depending on alignment of sensor, mirror and viewing screen.
Your point on the market position of Leica S2 is dead on in my view.
Best regards
Erik
On earth today, there are some gear that you can't go wrong with.
The D3x is one, the S2 is also on the list.
All will be a question of handling, style, economy and needs.
At this level, what matters is what do you want to acheive and how.
To me, the Leica is in a very hard position between a D3x and the best MFs,
without being as good as any of those in their strengh.
Can't really figure for who is this S2.
Leica might knows.
Also, I find a little bit (diplomatically speaking) "ridiculous" comparing the S2 to the D3x, and sorry but this S2 should be compared to the same priced equipement from Phase and Hasselblad.
That is a good think indeed that Lu-La and the GetDPI did understand that from the very beginning.
See that Guy's pic I found on google? those are cameras in the same league-price-target. Not the D3x, despite being a top camera.
[attachment=23177:s2_getdp...merastud.jpg]
If I was a potential Leica buyer, I would not be interested at all to see how it compares to the Nikon or any 35mm. IMO, Lloyd missed the shot on that. (Lloyd is highly recommended anyway).
Take the Lu-La S2 testing, mixed with the GetDPI review, shake the all (in Bond's style) and you got a pretty extented and trustable information.
Conclusion (personal), why paying when you have good infos for free?