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Viewing 15 posts - 166 through 180 (of 352 total)
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  • April 11, 2012 at 6:02 pm #2208
    David Farkas

    amoebahydra;2102 wrote: I tried to use the Hasselblad 350 SA with automatic exposure on S2, but most of the time I got serious over-exposure in images obtained. Has anybody experience similar problem and how to encounter it ?

    The best approach to getting proper exposure using alternative lenses on the S2 is to first mount an S lens on the camera and set the aperture to the maximum aperture on the alternative lens. So, in the case of the 350 SA, mount your 70mm and dial the aperture to f/5.6. Then, swap lenses to the 350 SA. Your exposures should now be correct.

    If you were getting overexposures, it was likely that the camera was set to f/11 or f/13 before you mounted the 350 SA. If you were getting underexposures, the aperture was set wider than f/5.6.

    Hope this helps.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • April 4, 2012 at 8:59 pm #2190
    David Farkas

    Ornello;2081 wrote: Where do you get the idea that a tripod is necessary for a camera such as the S2?

    While I certainly use my S2 hand-held most of the time, a tripod is an essential tool for my photography (and most photographers). It's necessary when using ND filters, shooting stopped down for maximum depth of field, shooting night scenes, etc. Basically, if you're going to shoot a 16 sec exposure, you better have a pretty good tripod. 🙂

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • April 3, 2012 at 10:46 pm #2185
    David Farkas

    IceMan;2074 wrote: Dear all
    Since the front element of the 120mm moves, can you mount a 4″ Filter system on it? If yes with which filter diameter? 72mm or do I need a different setup?

    Side question: Anybody have experience with variable neutral density filters (rotate to make darker / lighter? How do they compare quality-wise with the Schneider setup?

    Thanks for your help

    Regards
    Peter

    Peter,

    You can indeed mount a 4″ filter holder. I use the Schneider 4″ filter holder with Schneider glass filters.

    There is a caveat though. The 120mm mounting ring is recessed a few mm when the lens is focused to infinity. There are two workarounds:

    1) If you use a circular polarizer like I do on the lens and mount the filter holder adapter ring to this, there is no issue

    2) If you don't want to use a polarizer, you can take a cheap 72mm filter (any kind) and break the glass out of it. Then you have a spacer ring which will extend the filter thread to the proper position for mounting.

    The variable ND filters are okay, but I prefer the quality of the Schneider solid NDs. Also, Schneider just came out with a line of filters, the Platinum IRND, which also filter out the IR as well as visible light. As you put more ND strength in front of the camera, the relative amount of IR increases and can lead to a magenta image cast. The new IRND series are completely neutral.

    Hope this helps.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • March 27, 2012 at 8:20 pm #2166
    David Farkas

    Okay, so I did a little bit more testing. First I took a batch of ten S2 files (all different real-life images) and processed them in LR 3.6 with my standard S2 preset. Ten images exported to 1000px wide JPG, quality 90 with screen sharpening took 38 seconds. I then ran the exact same images through LR4 two ways. The first was without adjustments, the second was with my standard sharpening and some tone adjustments. Without any changes, LR4 took 45 seconds (the same as I posted here initially). With adjustments, though, the time jumps significantly to 58 seconds. The results are outlined here:

    LR3.6 (w/ preset): 38 sec
    LR4 (no edits): 45 sec
    LR4 (w/ edits): 58 sec

    I assume I'm getting faster times just because of the computer used for testing. It's a new machine we built for imaging: quad core i7 overclocked to 4.4Ghz with 16GB RAM and a fast SSD. I'm not sure why LR4 is taking so much longer than LR3.6 though with the same image and roughly the same edits. :confused:

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • March 26, 2012 at 5:32 pm #2164
    David Farkas

    David K;2044 wrote: Al, the performance issues for LR 4 are apparently very common. I'm sure that Adobe will address them…just a question of how soon. You can download the free trial and see if you have problems on your machine. I'm still using it for adjustments but the slowness in exports is annoying. And I don't need any excuses to enjoy a good mojito…although I do prefer a Caipirinha these days 🙂

    We just ran a quick test with 10 S2 images in LR 4. Export to 1000px wide, 90 quality JPG with screen sharpening took 44 seconds on our Windows 7 64-bit desktop machine (about 4 sec/image). How long is it taking for you?

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • March 13, 2012 at 3:31 pm #2127
    David Farkas

    rudlinfineart;2004 wrote: I read that the EYE-FI PRO X2 card (specifically that model) will transfer raw files.
    But, I was just told that it would NOT work with the S2 because the metal body
    blocked the signal. While I am pleased to hear that the body is that “solid”, I am
    disappointed that this is not a convenient way to connect the S2 directly to a computer
    or ipad in the field.

    However, I recall reading on this forum, that someone HAD used the Eye-Fi card in a
    S2. If anyone has done so successfully, and transferred RAW files, please let me know
    either by posting a response here, or by private message. THANKS!
    craig

    Craig,

    The Eye-Fi card works fine in the S2. You can transfer DNG files from the camera, but it is pretty slow (~30-45 sec/DNG). More are using the the Eye-Fi card to transfer a basic JPG while recording the the DNG to the CF card.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • March 11, 2012 at 4:11 pm #2118
    David Farkas

    Paratom;1994 wrote: I just received my microprism screen , installed it right away… and found out that focusing with the screen leads to very slight backfocus while the AF works fine.
    Any recommandations? Anybody with the same problem?
    I can not really say how accurate manual focus worked before with the old screen.

    I would try removing and reinstalling the screen. It may not have seated 100% correctly.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • March 5, 2012 at 11:05 pm #2093
    David Farkas

    GMB;1967 wrote: Any suggestions for a backpack that can take the S2, 4 lenses, flash, and a bit of other stuff. Should also hold a tripod for hikes. thanks for any recommendations. Georg

    Georg,

    I use the Kata 222-UL Bumblebee ultralight backpack. It holds the S2 and 4 lenses in the bottom section and all my Schneider 4″ filters in the top section (along with some snacks). Very lightweight and comfortable to carry.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • March 1, 2012 at 6:01 pm #2076
    David Farkas

    Leica Guy;1943 wrote: David,

    Thanks for the quick answer. If it has to be sent in, is this something covered under warranty? (My first thought is no, but thought I'd ask.)

    Not a big deal, but just like to know before I decide to buy. The camera still has 8 months of warranty left on it.

    Dust in the prism or viewfinder assembly should be covered. In fact, a regular cleaning is covered too. One of our customers shot with his S2 in the desert (hanging out of a helicopter, in fact). After the trip he sent the camera in for a thorough cleaning to just make sure there wasn't any small sand particles anywhere.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • March 1, 2012 at 3:07 pm #2072
    David Farkas

    Leica Guy;1940 wrote: A potential seller has given me an S2 to try out for a day or two before I decide to buy. I don't want to do anything intrusive with the camera until I tell him we have a deal. There is a faint dust speck in the viewfinder that doesn't appear in the photos. Is that just a matter of cleaning the focusing screen? It's not a big deal, but thought I'd ask before I okayed the deal.

    It is most likely just a speck of dust on the focusing screen. You can use a blower bulb to blow it off if on the underside (facing mirror). If the speck is on the top of the screen, you'd need to drop the screen down to blow it off. On the off chance that it isn't dust on the screen, you may have a dust particle in the prism or viewfinder optical path. In this case, it would need to go to Leica to be cleaned.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • February 29, 2012 at 1:49 pm #2066
    David Farkas

    arminw;1931 wrote: Sorry to jump into this thread with another question , because I am also deciding wether to get the 120 or 180 but can't make up my mind in regards of which one would be wise to get the CS versions or not . My guts tell me to get the CS versions, but then again it's another waiting time and also I don't think Leica is holding on to their original promise to let the customer upgrade to CS once they are available , or am I wrong with this statement ?

    I've verified that Leica is in fact honoring the CS lens upgrade for new lens purchases up until the time of launch for the CS versions.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • February 27, 2012 at 9:24 pm #2053
    David Farkas

    fotografz;1917 wrote: Interesting read from a good friend of mine:

    http://www.dpreview.com/articles/3214761610/leica-s2-against-megapixel-arms-race

    -Marc

    Marc,

    Thanks for the link. Very interesting test. The S2 performed very well under a wide range of conditions. Not sure what was up with the color bleed on the the Aptus, though.

    One comment… Irakly was having an issue with how to record DNG to CF card and JPG to SD card simultaneously. This is of course possible. Set File Format to DNG+JPG and Data Storage to Parallel.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • February 13, 2012 at 1:48 pm #1958
    David Farkas

    Dan Sackheim;1810 wrote: At the risk of seeming like an idiot, can anyone tell me how to identify the ASPH version of the 35MM Summicron vs the non-ASPH version?

    Dan

    Dan,

    All ASPH lenses are marked as such on the front of the lens.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • February 12, 2012 at 7:28 pm #1954
    David Farkas

    albireo_double;1804 wrote: I am also very much interested in using the Contax 645 lenses on the S2 and wondering why no adapter exists (is it physically not possible to make one or are marketing reasons at play?). I'd love to use the 120 Apo Makro in particular – I had great results with it on the Contax 645 body with a Sinar eMotion 75LV digiback.

    The Contax 645 lenses use an electronically controlled aperture with no manual ring on the lens, whereas other lenses like Hasselblad V and Pentax 67 have mechanical aperture rings. If you had a simple adapter (no electronics), you wouldn't be able to control the aperture setting when used on an S2. I've had some discussions with a company attempting to make a C645-S2 adapter by trying to send control signals to the lens.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
  • February 10, 2012 at 3:56 pm #1941
    David Farkas

    Pete,

    This is really a striking photograph. Great job.

    David Farkas
    Red Dot Forum
    Leica Store Miami
Viewing 15 posts - 166 through 180 (of 352 total)
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