New Leica S2 dSLR in new format sensor and 37mps.

[johnastovall]

New pictures of the full S2 System.

some of those lenses look sweet if they preform like their M and R counter parts.

[johnastovall]

Phase One and Leica Form Strategic Alliance

The just-announced medium-format Leica S2 will feature sensor, software, and firmware developed by the experienced engineers of Phase One and will be distributed exclusively through Phase One channels. This promises the quality and sophistication of Leica with the engineering prowess and medium-format experience of Phase One. Plus distribution.

[johnastovall]

This answers many questions and really shows the system.

[Murph]

OK, now THATS what they should have done with the M8, partner up with some company with experience doing digital cameras such as Olympus.

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Phase One and Leica Form Strategic Alliance

The just-announced medium-format Leica S2 will feature sensor, software, and firmware developed by the experienced engineers of Phase One and will be distributed exclusively through Phase One channels. This promises the quality and sophistication of Leica with the engineering prowess and medium-format experience of Phase One. Plus distribution.

[Jeff Medlin]

Sounds incredible.....

A little hard to justify the price though......

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Murph

OK, now THATS what they should have done with the M8, partner up with some company with experience doing digital cameras such as Olympus.

No, they have partnered up with the company that can provide they quality expected from a Leica. Olympus can't do that.

[johnastovall]

I don't think it has been pointed out the S2 is, "In fact, it is about the size of a D700, which is truly remarkable engineering when you consider that the S2 has a 30x45mm sensor, 56% larger than the D700"

David Farkas at Photokina where he handled and shot one of the 15 working prototypes.

[SCone]

My first thought is WOW! And once I screwed my eyes back in, I thought, this thing is gonna eat cards like they're candy.

But WOW!

[Murph]

Knowing Leica, its going to become a toy camera for the rich and famous, and priced beyond what normal working pros can afford. Leica has become the maker for the Hollywierd elites so they can walk around Cannes with a Leica showing off how much money they have, and other people who have money to burn. Regrettable in that Leica was the leading camera mfg in the past, who was the one to emulate. Its really a pity that they have become a bespoke company.

[johnastovall]

I don't think you understand the direction Leica has taken under Dr. Kaufmann. The S2 if a true pro camera aimed at the people who buy 'Blad's H3 and Sindars but want a form factor close to a more traditional 35mm dSLR. Leica is no longer owned by a fashion house.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by Joe_Lorenzini

If the rumors are to be believed, somewhere around $40,000.

Pffft... that's no hill for a stepper!

anyone know if there are any "stepper" workshops coming up

[johnastovall]

The David Farkas Blog has a long new hands on with the S2 and a nice image showing it and a D700 side by side.

[iCe]

<contemplative moment> ya have to marvel at the way technology has advanced in just a few years. The leader board changes seemingly every month. We have more hardware opportunity than we've ever had and there seems to be no end in site.<contemplative moment has passed>

[amadjuster]

Financing will be available thru Countrywide, Fanny Mae, or Freddie Mac. Please contact their chief mortgage brokers named Dodd or Frank (I think they are up around DC somewhere). No problem qualifying.

[Murph]

Now the S-2 is going IMO to be a paradigm breaker, since its small (smaller than a D700), has a larger sensor, looks like the controls are well set, has some good starting glass, and depending on what the files look like, it could be the camera that sets the world on fire. Who says that Medium Format digital has to be large and clunky? I suspect, that the S-2 will, if Leica does not drop the ball, become the camera to emulate. Now if only they would make their lenses with a Mamiya or Pentax adapter....