Leica's new MF system Options

[EricWHiss]

Nothing to do with this Leica camera. But why do hear so many photographers constantly complaining about dynamic range. Top photographers of the last century didn't seem to have too many issues with the 5 f-stop range of transparency film. I've never heard either of the Muench's complain when setting the standard for american color landscape photography.

Digital has so much dynamic range that I have to compress it via curves to get a file that looks exciting and I think most others do as well. I see so much HDR crap, the last thing we need is a sensor that makes that style even easier.

John,
I agree with you when one looks back at some of the incredible photos taken in the past without AF, electronic metering, easy transportation or even film labs to send off film to - hat's off to those guys!

But digital brings a different set of challenges - the recording is linear while film was non linear - so yes DR is important even after application of curves. Digital capture shows the apex of focus more clearly than film too - and well a bunch of stuff.

On top of that we all face the fact that with the internet and TV the world has been just totally saturated with imagery. This makes it hard to come up with something fresh, something people haven't already seen. For that reason I do understand why people use HDR techniques, though I personally find most of them too processed for my taste.

Eric

[hcubell]

Sure, there are lots of questions about price, concerns about reliability out of the gate, timing of actual delivery, etc., Maybe they will fall on their face, but personally I think Leica should be applauded. Who else in this space has thrown out the existing blueprint completely and invested the R&D dollars to develop from scratch a brand new professional format camera and a brand new line of lenses to match? I admire companies that think outside the box and invest serious R&D dollars to develop products that meet needs in the marketplace. No repackaging of someone else's sow's ear at four times the price.

[EricWHiss]

but personally I think Leica should be applauded.

I agree - they do seem to have gotten a lot of things right with this new camera. At least as far as we know now.

[pss]

finally something to break the stupid DSLR/MF mold...i hope we are done with these categories now for good...

this camera is looking better and better: the phase alliance makes a HUGE difference....we all know that capture/mpix is one thing, workflow and color a totally different animal....and i don't think leica would have managed to handle the whole package and make it work....

so we have a camera a little bigger then a 5D, with a very nice size sensor with more mpix i will ever need, with decend AF (i like the way they square it off against H, not canon)....the best digital know how in the market regarding workflow (phase one) and the best lenses available..ever...leica glass....

in order to mix up the market they have to sell it for 12000.....which won't happen mostly because leica wold not even be able to keep up with the orders for years....this is a family owned company after all.....

for 15000 this is still a steal...the Hy6, H31,...are 18000 and are bigger, heavier, slower and probably provide similar quality (bigger chips, less mpix)....BUT THEY ARE PROVEN

the inclusion of phase with this gives it a LOT of credibility IMO.....so it just comes down to price....

and really i am not concerned about the body at all....it is the lenses....a leica T/S 30mm? that has got to be at least 7-8000$....so a nice kit would probably be 20000 just for the lenses....

the m8 is a GREAT camera, but it took more then one year to get things right....and now it ROCKS....i never had any leica lens problems (other then making all other lenses look like s..t)...

too bad the 5DmkII is looking unbeatable and a total no-brainer for the money....

just shot a 10 page editorial with the dsIII (flash at 100 and available (no light really) up to 1600).....full double spreads, even at 1600 at 11x14, i don't see much grain (no noise ninja or such and i really expected to see more....) the camera just shoots and shoots....if the 5D is even better.....the only reason to go with ANYTHING else would be to provide the "dog and pony show" for the client who just does not want their stuff shot with a 2500 camera....

[pss]

Sure, there are lots of questions about price, concerns about reliability out of the gate, timing of actual delivery, etc., Maybe they will fall on their face, but personally I think Leica should be applauded. Who else in this space has thrown out the existing blueprint completely and invested the R&D dollars to develop from scratch a brand new professional format camera and a brand new line of lenses to match? I admire companies that think outside the box and invest serious R&D dollars to develop products that meet needs in the marketplace. No repackaging of someone else's sow's ear at four times the price.

i agree completely...

[tho_mas]

Sensor was designed and is owned by Phase One; Dalsa is only manufacturing it.

interesting!

Pixel Binning unlike anything ever seen before. Allows variable resolution and good ISO 1600 performance.

sounds amazing. ISO1600 at full resolution of 60MP or at half or fourth the resolution?

[John-S]

curioser and curioser, said the white rabbit...

If Phase are getting involved, and at least providing the software solution, then what's up with Mamiya and the ZD, which I would say this is the only direct competitor for.

If Mamiya Phase are planning a ZD2, (which I hope they are) then why are the helping their nearest competitive product into the pro marketplace?

Mamiya already annouced the ZDb with double buffer and nothing new otherwise. While the sensor is the same as an Aptus 22, the ZD back just comes up so short.

Now to this new Leica. I'm impressed!

Oh yeh, CO V4.5 Pro OCtober 15, superb. I look forward to that. I do miss the look I got with CO 3.7, but newer apps have so much more going on now. Keep up the good work Phase and Leica.

This post has been edited by John Schweikert: Sep 22 2008, 02:01 PM

[Christopher]

Mamiya already annouced the ZDb with double buffer and nothing new otherwise. While the sensor is the same as an Aptus 22, the ZD back just comes up so short.

Now to this new Leica. I'm impressed!

Leica could have done the best thing for a long time here. There are just two very important things that hopefully will be answered soon. The price and when it will ship.

[tho_mas]

Oh yeh, CO V4.5 Pro OCtober 15, superb.

This year?
...scnr...

[Nick Walker]

Product pictures British Journal of Photography http://www.1854.eu/2008/09/leica_s2_13_pho...of_the_new.html

Release summer 2009 http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=816234

This post has been edited by Nick Walker: Sep 22 2008, 02:07 PM

[John-S]

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 is the probably the most promising part for Leica's success. Phase dealers selling the S2.

[woof75]

Product pictures British Journal of Photography  http://www.1854.eu/2008/09/leica_s2_13_pho...of_the_new.html

Release summer 2009 http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=816234

Drool....

[John-S]

Product pictures British Journal of Photography  http://www.1854.eu/2008/09/leica_s2_13_pho...of_the_new.html

Release summer 2009 http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=816234

Great links. That eye piece is huge. With grip, that looks like a comfortable camera. The classic 4 buttons from Phase One on the back side for navigation. So with the Phamiya, should we call this a Pheica.

[pss]

Product pictures British Journal of Photography  http://www.1854.eu/2008/09/leica_s2_13_pho...of_the_new.html

Release summer 2009 http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=816234

ok now all rational thought goes out the window....with the vertical grip this is the most beautiful camera i have ever seen.....20000 for body and lens should be realistic.....but summer 2009 is a long way off...a lot can happen till then....and a one point AF system does not sound very interesting...there i am trying to be rational again....

[EricWHiss]

Eye piece does look large - hope that is also nice and bright - almost makes up for the single AF point.

[John-S]

never mind.

I had a question but figured it out.

This post has been edited by John Schweikert: Sep 22 2008, 02:29 PM

[Christopher]

never mind.

This camera looks so nice, but sorry 20.000 is a deal breaker. Well take 4 lenses and you are where ? 35.000 ?

[Bernd B.]

Take a Hasselblad and you have about the same price.

Hopefully the Leica has not the Hasselblad mirror slap.


Bernd

[foto-z]

Looks like the leaf shutter lenses will go up to 1/500. Slightly disappointing (not that I'm lining up to buy one anyway )

See article (in German): http://www.fotomagazin.de/news/detail.php?...6&objectID=1896

[gwhitf]

"Dentists and Outgoing CEO's unite! Come to the front of the line -- do WE have a camera for YOU!"