Update on new Leica S2 lenses

[Nick Rains]

Apparently Leica are very happy with the way the S2 is selling in Europe and the company has put on quite a few extra staff (I'm told 90) to cope with the orders. Word from the factory is that the new lenses are going to be a 24mm (19mm equiv), a 30mm (which may be a TS lens but it's not clear from the info I have) and a 30-90 zoom. This is not a surprise as these lenses were shown as prototypes when the S2 was launched but it seems they are getting much closer to reality and Leica are well aware of the need to get some more lenses out into the marketplace.

One thing that has become apparent in recent conversations is the the Leica guys are very open to feedback and have developed a camera that can be tweaked in various ways in firmware. The initial criticism of the lack of exposure compensation information in the viewfinder was addressed and there are some other tweaks due out soon. I believe one of these is a user-defined exposure timer up to 120 sec when in Bulb mode.

Unfortunately I have no firm word on timeframes and the Leica guys refuse to commit to dates as 'they will be ready when they are ready'. What is encouraging is that since the camera is turning out to be much in demand, this will give impetus to the development of the entire 'system' which, for me at least, is excellent news.

The 120mm is now in Australia, I hope to have one in my hands next week. The vertical grip too.

Can't wait to get that 24mm!

[jduncan]

Intrinsting. I still not sure what's the appeal of the S2.  When it went out I was almost in love with it. But after careful consideration, and by  looking at the price against other MF systems that went away. But they still have this fabulous fast  lens line. Good resolution and DR.
I guess it has something to do with the Leica ethos. Some kind of synergy or maybe is just excellent marketing. The good news for all is that this is another reason for kodak to continue to invest in MF sensors. And for leaf to try to still the S3 from kodak

[John R Smith]

Nice camera.

But what I'd like to know is - what happened to the S1? Did I miss it, or is this a bit of clever marketing?

John

[Kitty]

Leica S1 was introduced in 1997

[Gigi]

Intrinsting. I still not sure what's the appeal of the S2.

Hold one. They have a magic in their size and lightness, not to mention the image results.

[John R Smith]

Leica S1 was introduced in 1997

Thanks very much for that. Just shows how gear conscious I am, I'd never heard of it. Not very much like the S2, is it?

John

[dfarkas]

Yes, the S system is certainly moving along nicely. The first four lenses are shipping and they are really, really nice. The vertical grip and pro dual charger were shown at Photokina and shipped the following week. The upcoming 1.0.1.0 firmware is the second significant firmware upgrade in the last six months. LR 3.2 has native support with direct tethering and dedicated camera profiles. The next version of LR (3.3) will have lens profiles for all the S lenses. The soon-to-be-released Leica Image Shuttle software will have an on-screen preview in 1.5 seconds, while still allowing full connection to LR.  Within six months, there will be two more wide-angle lenses and a standard zoom, bringing the number of lenses in the system to seven, with plans for more.

The system is selling well worldwide (yes, in the USA as well). Even with an increase in production, there is still a significant backlog for both bodies and lenses. Hopefully, this will start to level out as more product continues to flow from the factory.

For specifics on firmware changes and new hardware introduced at Photokina check out my blog:

http://dfarkas.blogspot.com/2010/09/photokina-2010-day-1-leica-s-system.html

For test shots from the 35mm f/2.5 ASPH:

http://dfarkas.blogspot.com/2010/07/testing-leica-summarit-s-35mm-f25-asph.html

And, for shots from the latest 120mm f/2.5 APO Macro:

http://dfarkas.blogspot.com/2010/10/first-impressions-of-leica-apo-macro.html

Be happy to answer any questions on the S system.

David


Oh, and the S1, introduced in 1997, was a 70MP scanning camera that took both M and R lenses. It is still used by the Chicago Art Institute and Metropolitan Museum of Art for artwork archiving and reproduction. Very different than the S2, which was designed from scratch with a new mount and targeted mostly at fashion/commercial and landscape photography vs. repro.

[Graham Mitchell]

A little surprised but happy to hear the S2 is doing so well!

[JV]

Same feeling here.  Ninety additional people seems like a lot...

[dfarkas]

Same feeling here.  Ninety additional people seems like a lot...

I hadn't heard the 90 additional people number before, but it wouldn't surprise me. I was just in the factory a couple of weeks ago and it was busier than I had ever seen it before (been there four times previously). There were more people and equipment in production, and I know they are running double shifts. The new CEO Alfred Schopf told me that production is up by 50% just in the last few months.

I did find out that Leica has 30 people just working on R&D and engineering for the S system, not including production staff. This is definitely a strong allocation of resources and bodes well for continued, steady improvements/additions to the system.

David

[KevinA]

Well done Leica then if they have full order books in this climate. I suppose that means they will not feel the need to give out some big discount to get new customers on board.

Kevin.

[Nick Rains]

Within six months, there will be two more wide-angle lenses and a standard zoom, bringing the number of lenses in the system to seven, with plans for more.

David, do you know if the 30mm is the tilt lens? It seems odd to have a fixed 24, 30 and 35 in the range and the original lens list included a 30mm TS lens. If it is a TS lens then I suspect it will bring a lot of pros into the S2 fold as it will make an awesome architectural camera. IMHO. The longer lenses I can do without, 180mm is plenty but the wides are what I personally yearn for.

[dfarkas]

David, do you know if the 30mm is the tilt lens? It seems odd to have a fixed 24, 30 and 35 in the range and the original lens list included a 30mm TS lens. If it is a TS lens then I suspect it will bring a lot of pros into the S2 fold as it will make an awesome architectural camera. IMHO. The longer lenses I can do without, 180mm is plenty but the wides are what I personally yearn for.

Nick,

All the wides (24, 30, 35) are non-TS. The 30mm is actually the same lens design as the 35mm, just with a slight repositioning of the lens elements. The 24mm is totally different. When asked about TS lenses, Leica would not give a firm commitment on when they might release one.

I agree that a really nice TS lens from Leica would help the S2 with architecture shooters.

David

[Nick Rains]

The 30mm is actually the same lens design as the 35mm, just with a slight repositioning of the lens elements. The 24mm is totally different. When asked about TS lenses, Leica would not give a firm commitment on when they might release one.

OK, thanks for clearing that up. I'll be after the 24mm then, I have the 35mm and the 30mm is just too close. 24, 35, 70 and 120 (or 180) looks like a nice kit. Although the zoom could be very cool too. It's a 30-90 if I'm not mistaken - any idea what max aperture?

[dfarkas]

OK, thanks for clearing that up. I'll be after the 24mm then, I have the 35mm and the 30mm is just too close. 24, 35, 70 and 120 (or 180) looks like a nice kit. Although the zoom could be very cool too. It's a 30-90 if I'm not mistaken - any idea what max aperture?

Yup... 30-90mm (24-70 equiv). Leica wouldn't go on the record for a max aperture, but my guess is somewhere between f/3.5 and f/4.5 based on the mock-up that was shown at Photokina 2008. A constant aperture f/4 standard zoom would be pretty nice.

David

[paulmoorestudio]

with that big lens tube I would have thought they would get F3.5..or why not 2.8..they had that R zoom that was 2.8.. lI hate those variable f-stop zooms.. very sigma.
they won't be asking 1500 usd for the lens so they may as well make it stellar.. like the price.

[Nick Rains]

they won't be asking 1500 usd for the lens so they may as well make it stellar.. like the price.

I'm quite sure it won't be $1500! it seems Leica are taking the approach of "let's make the best lenses we can, and then see what the price needs to be. I see no sign of them designing to a budget.

I have read Lloyd Chamber's comments of the S2 and he has had some issues with purple fringing and curvature of field but his rigorous tests still rate the new lens range very highly. Personally, I am delighted with my results and am looking forward to some new lenses - if the new zoom is up to the level of the 70mm then I don't care what the max f-stops is. it will be interesting to see how the bokeh looks wide open, a real challenge for a zoom design.

[geesbert]

I went to the Leica professional enclosure at Photokina. They told me there won't be a TS lens in the foreseeable future.