Activity

Shot this on a trip from Denver to Telluride. Didn't think much of it in color so did a bit of HDR application then converted to black and white. I would invite your C&C

Woody

Thanks to Leica, I had a loaner S35 overnighted to me so I could shoot my wedding last Saturday while my 35mm takes a “spa vacation” in Germany for a stuck aperture (a known issue apparently). Otherwise … back to work for the rest of the kit!

Good thing too, because it was some pretty tight location stuff, so the 35 and 70 got the most play. I took three cameras and of 456 keepers, 301 were from the S2. For me, that is the first time ever that a medium format camera has absolutely dominated a wedding shoot. I should add that it didn't alter my approach or style at all (as some folks have speculated it would for them). I was just as spontaneous as usual and the camera was just as fast as I wanted it to be when doing that sort of shooting … and of course, it's great for the more posed stuff. Plus, and this is a BIG PLUS, the files were closer out of the camera than most other's I've used … even better than the Sony A900. This significantly shortens post time when dealing with so many files at once. One last post processing note … like any MFD file, the S2 images are much easier to work with for actions and special treatments because there is so much information going in.

It all took place in a relatively small backyard crammed with 60 or 70 people … but there were beautiful gardens, and with careful framing and choice of focal lengths, I managed to make it look more spacious. The other challenge was the nuclear sun … and that I creatively wanted to avoid using fill if at all possible. In fact, I used none. The dynamic range of the S2 files were helpful with this. This was true even though I used ISO 640 quite a bit that day to keep the shutter speeds up for spontaneous shots, and shots with the 120 and 180

Posed and candid example below: I set up the Bride with white umbrella crossing the bridge … as we were leaving I turned back to see what everyone was laughing at … it was her Uncle mocking the whole bridge shot … which I quickly grabbed a shot of : -) Both were with the 35mm @ ISO 320

The Pear picking shot was done with the S70 @ ISO 640 … I've read where some people have said they don't like the Bokeh of the 70 … what's not to like?

-Marc

At long last, we have finally received a Leica S-Camera Microprism Focusing Screen to evaluate, and it did not disappoint.

All Leica S2 bodies have come from the factory with the Universal Focusing Screen. While ideal for general use, the standard focusing screen sometimes left users who prefer manual focus wanting more. Leica later released the S-Camera Screen with Grid, which aided those with compositional perfection in mind. Soon, Leica will start shipping the last piece of the puzzle, the Leica S-Camera Microprism Focusing Screen.

Also known as a split-image focusing screen, it maintains full auto focus while allowing for extremely precise manual focus control. This is especially beneficial for those using alternative, manual-focus-only lenses with adapters on the S2. During the course of our testing, we observed that the microprism screen is actually brighter than the standard (and already extremely bright) Universal Screen.

The Leica S-Camera Microprism Screen, when the image is in focus. Click for larger view.
 

The Leica S-Camera Microprism Screen, when the image is out of focus. Click for larger view.
The area around the central prism transitions from semi-translucent to perfectly clear once the subject is in focus; the central prism itself is bright enough to allow manual focusing even when an alternative-mount lens is stopped down to f/11.

This video demonstrates manual focusing with the Microprism Screen through the viewfinder of the Leica S2, shot with a Leica D-Lux 5:

Dale Photo & Digital is currently taking preorders for the Leica S2 Microprism Focusing Screen.

I thought that I'd post a blog entry about using a different alternative lens on the S2 … the Mamiya 80/1.9 via adapter. It's a lens that I've used before with a Phase/Mamiya camera and Phase digital back and was very excited to be able to try on the S2. David was very helpful in sending over one of his Mamiya to S2 adapters for my test run.

Previously, I very much enjoyed using the lens on the Phase system because of the f1.9 aperture, it's size (it's relatively small and compact) and it's ability to focus close (.7m). The lens also has a reputation for very nice bokeh with some comparing it favorably to the Hasselblad 110/2. There are two versions of the lens. The later version of the lens has an N stamped on the front of the lens.

Both versions of the lens are the same size with the newer version sporting a slightly different rubber pattern on the focus ring. There are several accounts I've read that claim that the second ‘N' version of the lens has a slightly different coating that provides better flair resistance and a little bit more contrast. After using both versions of the lens, I've found that it is very difficult to tell the difference between similar photos taken with both lenses.

Here's a similar type of shot taken first with the Mamiya 80mm lens at f1.9 and second taken with the Leica 70mm S lens at f2.5 straight out of the camera.

With the (in my eyes appealing) noise pattern of the S2 at ISO 1250, the 80/1.9 produces a look that has rich tones and contrast that remind me a bit of the 75lux … albeit with a touch less contrast and highlight control.

Because of the compact nature of the manual focus lens (as compared to Leica S autofocus lenses), the S2's bright view finder, the speed of the lens, and the look of ISO1250 on the S2, I'm finding that I'm able to push the S2 further into many situations I would have taken an M9 and a summilux in the past. In fact, (as an M shooter) I feel quite liberated in using the Mamiya lens as a walk-around, hand-held lens in a wide variety of unexpected settings.

For S2 users hankering for an M type of shooting experience with their S2, acquiring an adapter and a Mamiya 80/1.9 shouldn't be overlooked … if for the price alone. The current price of a Mamiya 80/1.9 runs between $350-$500 … an incredible bargain for those invested in S lenses.

Here are a few more recent images with the lens on the S2:

Here are a couple of quick shots that illustrate the size of the Mamiya 80/1.9. First, attached via adapter to the S2 as it sits next to a Digital Rebel with 85mm lens attached. And second, next to the 70mm and 120mm S lenses.

I'll post a few more examples as I keep shooting with the combination.

Kurt