I'm ready..

[superelmar]

to go for MFD!

Hi there everybody.

I've been using Leica cameras for the last 4 years, digital and film interchangeably. But then I tried the MF film, glorious!

I've been this kind of thoughtness before but now I'm decided.

My idea is to sell all my Leica M equipment less the X2 for street. My favourite kind of photography is street and portraiture, well for street with the X2 is enough but for portrait, I really want something good.

What do You think about go for the S system with one lens for portraiture or for the PhaseOne 645DF+ with 80LS and P45 or 65?

I also am considering buying a good Epson (I have an Eizo CG243W).

Cheers!

Bruno

http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/interviews/bruno-gracia-a-story-in-a-single-moment/

http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/interviews/bruno-gracia-exploring-the-human-element-in-morocco/

[luxborealis]

A few Qs... mostly to get you thinking as the answers are none of my business...

1.  Did you just come into a pot of money to blow on equipment? Or...

2.  Does your client-base pay enough for this outlay?

3. If your "favourite kind of photography is street and portraiture", then why change from Leica? Perhaps the S2 would do it (although it, too, is huge and unwieldy on the street), but a Phase One or a P-back, not so at all unless you are doing studio portraiture.

I can feel your enthusiasm through your post, but your choices seem curious. Even a full-frame might be a better outlay; a D810 or D750 with some top quality primes.

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

P65 has a Dalsa ensor while P45/P45+ and S2/S use Kodak sensors.

Best regards
Erik

to go for MFD!

Hi there everybody.

I've been using Leica cameras for the last 4 years, digital and film interchangeably. But then I tried the MF film, glorious!

I've been this kind of thoughtness before but now I'm decided.

My idea is to sell all my Leica M equipment less the X2 for street. My favourite kind of photography is street and portraiture, well for street with the X2 is enough but for portrait, I really want something good.

What do You think about go for the S system with one lens for portraiture or for the PhaseOne 645DF+ with 80LS and P45 or 65?

I also am considering buying a good Epson (I have an Eizo CG243W).

Cheers!

Bruno

http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/interviews/bruno-gracia-a-story-in-a-single-moment/

http://blog.leica-camera.com/photographers/interviews/bruno-gracia-exploring-the-human-element-in-morocco/

[superelmar]

A few Qs... mostly to get you thinking as the answers are none of my business...

1.  Did you just come into a pot of money to blow on equipment? Or...

2.  Does your client-base pay enough for this outlay?

3. If your "favourite kind of photography is street and portraiture", then why change from Leica? Perhaps the S2 would do it (although it, too, is huge and unwieldy on the street), but a Phase One or a P-back, not so at all unless you are doing studio portraiture.

I can feel your enthusiasm through your post, but your choices seem curious. Even a full-frame might be a better outlay; a D810 or D750 with some top quality primes.

I'm not a pro at all! But will have my first exhibition next months, and a second after it!

Just want the best quality print I can afford, maybe You're right and I have to stuck with the M digital system, but always want to try this baby S2. I don't mind ask for a photo to take some good portrait, so Maybe the size is not important.

Maybe the formar 3:2 of ther S system is not desirable like the other MFD, for portraits?

I've realized that for the streets something fast, pre-focus and enough quality is sufficient, but for serious I don't know, I really want to try MFD.

[superelmar]

Hi,

P65 has a Dalsa ensor while P45/P45+ and S2/S use Kodak sensors.

Best regards
Erik

What's the difference, Erik?

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

There are some key differences, one is that the P65+ is slightly larger, essentially without crop factor compared to 6x4.5 format. The P45+ is 1.1X crop.

The P65+ has something like 1 EV more dynamic range, which essentially mean cleaner shadows.

The P65+ has higher resolution 60MP vs. 39 MP. You can make a 24% larger print from the P65+ compared to the P45+

The P65+ has Sensor+ pixel binning in hardware at high ISO. 15 MP resolution  but a small gain in dynamic range over binning in software.

The P45+ has long exposure capability.

I am shooting P45+, quite happy with it. Check enclosed sample shot yesterday.

Raw image here: http://echophoto.dnsalias.net/ekr/Articles/Shoots/Nynas_NFK_2014_09_13/20140913-CF045610.dng

I can send the IIQ file if you want it. Some more pictures here:http://echophoto.dnsalias.net/ekr/Articles/Shoots/Nynas_NFK_2014_09_13/

What's the difference, Erik?

[luxborealis]

I really want to try MFD.

Have you considered renting at first? You may find it's a dream to use; you may find the opposite. It' san expensive proposition for "wanting to try" as opposed to a mission critical piece if hardware.

[superelmar]

Erik, so kind and thank You very much!

Recently I bought an enlarger and all those things, I'm not convinced at all with the time consuming, efforts, money... and I use to travel, not a good idea be full of rolls.

luxborealis, in my town in south Spain.. pssss, I strongly doubt anyone knows about medium format cameras , digital or analog.

[rethmeier]

Stick to what you have,you can still do excellent prints,without having to go to MF.
Personally ,I would never use MF for street photography and I think MF would hinder the spontaneity you have with your current Leicas.
I've seen amazing prints from people shooting with the Fuji XT-1.

Good luck anyway with your choice.

W

[Alan Klein]

If you got your heart set on it, then do it.  You only live once.

[Paul2660]

If you got your heart set on it, then do it.  You only live once.

+1

So true.

Paul

[BernardLanguillier]

Have you considered the Pentax 645Z?

It is by far the best high ISO MF camera which can be important in street photography, has a stabilized lens, has an OK AF and is a much cheaper proposition.

Cheers,
Bernard

[SeanBK]

A new Leica S2 will be announced tomorrow @ Photokina. I just got into M 240 series as DSLR is getting quite heavy, but before I purchased Leica M 240, I already had Hasselblad Digital and tried Phase One camera w/80mm lens, IMHO Phase One is ergonomically most deficient camera, even salesman said be careful as it is very heavy. More than just so..o heavy, weight distribution is off center. It really is meant to be used on a tripod AND in studio period. Find yourself a closest dealer & actually feel the Phase One, Hasselblad & a S2 camera and  then do post your comment. If u're hell-bent on a M.F camera system than I believe ergonomically much better & cheaper Hasselblad Digital would be much better. Make a trip to Photokina & see what is out there, that's what I'd do.

[superelmar]

Thanks for your replies.

I will go for the S2 don't mind if normal one or P! heartbeat!

What would be a fair price for it, with the 70mm? It will be a perfect companion I think for start.

[JV]

SE,

In the US you can find a used Leica S2 for $7-9K.

With the 70mm lens added you are probably looking at $11-12K.

Adding the leaf shutter CS version of the lens would be around $1.5-2K more expensive.

If you are located outside of the US this might be entirely different.

Best of luck!

[superelmar]

wow! nice prices, any suggestions? ebay or...?

[Pics2]

wow! nice prices, any suggestions? ebay or...?

You can try Leica shop in Vienna.
http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_de/digital-equipment/leica-cameras.html
They have two offers for this camera, both in their shop and on Ebay Germany
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Leica-S2-10801-/351111791763?pt=DE_Foto_Camcorder_Digitalkameras&hash=item51bfe4c493
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Leica-S2-P-Outfit-/351163540674?pt=DE_Foto_Camcorder_Digitalkameras&hash=item51c2fa64c2
I also saw one in Graz some time ago
http://www.digitalcameragraz.at/en/online-shop/
Since you are in Spain, it's a good idea to go to Madrid, or any other larger city and visit Leica, Phase One, Leaf, Pentax and Hasselblad stores or dealers. At least to get familiar with the subject. After that, it's easy to shop online.

[superelmar]

Thank You!