Thursday, September 10, 2009

Leica S2 Sample Shot

Now that I'm done with my M9 review, I'm getting back into S2 mode. In about a week, I should be postng a similar in-depth, hands-on review of the S2, from my time with it in Germany. To hold you over till then, I'm providing one of the studio shots I took with the S2 during my test.

Please keep in mind that this is on a pre-production camera with pre-release firmware (the camera read v0.0.0.0). Also, posting the full size JPG wouldn't be practical as it was 38MB, so, I've downsized the full image to 1500x1000 and provided a 1250x1796 pixel 100% crop as well. Enjoy. More to come!

UPDATE: There were some comments made that the images I posted yesterday were oversharpened and that there was noise in the shadows. Upon checking the file on an Eizo monitor today, I wholeheartedly agree. I had previously worked on this image only on my laptop.... good reason to use an Eizo for this type of work. I also thought the color saturation was too high and the image was quite warm. So, I reprocessed the image in Capture One and finished it in Photoshop. Getting a useable conversion out of C1 was very, very difficult without a profile, so the file did require a lot of adjustments in PS to get the colors right. So, please check these new files out and forget I ever posted the other set yesterday. Thank you.

Leica S2 with 70mm Summarit ASPH, ISO 100, 1/125th at f/11


100% Crop (1 pixel on screen is one pixel from the sensor)





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21 Comments:

At 9:23 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why is it that where the light falls off (hair is in shadow or has lower intensity light) the detail smears and is virtually gone?

 
At 10:38 PM, Blogger salim madjd said...

This is some serious detail. Scary....

 
At 12:49 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Absolutely stunning! That is truly amazing detail!

To Anonymous above, it sounds like you're describing areas that are outside the depth of focus. That's to be expected with medium format at close range, even at f/11.

 
At 6:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

you can see the tiny mole under her eye and the reflection of the photographer in her pupil!

 
At 8:44 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The cropped image is outstandingly sharp. If that cropped image was a "full frame" print, how big would the print measure roughly?

 
At 4:28 PM, Blogger niagaragirl said...

David, I'm all Leica's out from this past week ;-) but did want to say the aesthetics on the model image are lovely. Very nice capture.

 
At 7:43 AM, Anonymous Carlos Aoun said...

The S2 is what has been lacking in medium format since the advent of Digital, a genuine camera from a genuine camera maker with custom outstanding lenses and body.
This is where I feel a high price is worth every penny I might be investing. We're considering one of the oldest established names in Photography that is still keeping its core values and the latest in technology and the best in lens design. This should be a winning combination.

 
At 3:42 PM, Blogger Asdrúbal Briceño said...

What about the nail?

 
At 10:13 AM, Anonymous canon5dshooter said...

Thanks for posting this 100 percent crop from the Leica S2. It appears to be an outstanding piece of kit.

 
At 7:47 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

there is something wrong with the texture of her nail in the crop.... looks strange. Can you tell us your thoughts on it.

 
At 1:53 AM, Anonymous Loick said...

The image is good but not really better that one from any MF Camera or a 5D Mark II,
It will be good to get a link with DNG files to compare

 
At 11:30 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

David,
When is your S2 review coming out?

Cheers,
NICO

 
At 12:54 PM, Blogger David Farkas said...

@NICO

My full review will be up very shortly. Stay tuned!

David

 
At 7:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The preview at luminous landscape is even more impressive. Check the sample image of the same lady and the 100% crop, paying particular attention to the eye. It's just scary. The lens clearly matches or outresolves the sensor.

 
At 12:53 AM, Anonymous Gifts said...

Leica has once again revolutionised the world of photography with a digital S-System that's perfect for professional use.

 
At 10:02 AM, Anonymous Leica Fan said...

Amazing stuff from Leica (and the photographer)! I look forward to your full review

 
At 3:34 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So - when will your S2 review continue?

 
At 6:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We are still anxiously awaiting your S2 Review. It was promised long ago...what's the deal?

 
At 3:36 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry but i think not all S2 pictures here are well prepared... if you compare to M9 image quality, its not a big difference...

 
At 12:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

may i just ask why you review/cover this camera?

is this something you use in your professional life?

 
At 6:27 PM, Anonymous Tim said...

David,
Thanks for this fascinating look at the S2. Oh dear, I can feel GAS coming on......... must resist!!!

By the way, that's barley not wheat.

 

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