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)

New Profoto Pro-8a Power Packs Redefine Performance

I just finished reviewing the specs of Profoto's new top dog, the Pro-8a 2400. Wow. Let me say that again: wow!

This new family of packs takes the digital precision of the D4 and melds it with the hot-rod performance of the Pro-7a... except the Pro-8 improves on both in the process. The 2400W/s pack is adjustable in a 10 f-stop power range in 1/10th increments (5 - 2400). This is some serious control and finesse. Of course the pack achieves total asymmetry, allowing for up to 1:9 ratios with two heads. Now, lets talk power: At just 0.9 secs for full power recycle, this pack is 50% faster than the 7a. Minimum recycle is a mere 0.05 secs. Profoto is even boasting that you can shoot up to 20 fps at minimum power or get over 1,000 shots per hour at full power. And the performance gets better yet, with a flash duration as short as 1/12,000 sec. at minimum and 1/1,600 sec. at max. Shot to shot variation is now less than 1/50th of an f-stop and color stability varies only 160 deg K over the full 10 f-stop range, with less than 50 deg K in the highest 5 stops. All current Pro Heads and Pro Rings will work just fine, except now the new packs will support up to a 500W modeling light per head.

And if all that weren't enough, Profoto is introducing the Profoto Pro Air radio transmitter system. Pro Air comes built-in to the new packs, but requires a sync or remote to trigger it. The Pro Air Sync acts like any other RF remote, with a range of 1,000 ft. The Pro Air Remote allows remote power settings and modeling light control over the same distance. The new Air transmitters weigh only 2.5 oz with battery, much smaller and lighter than their PocketWizard cousins. I still need to find out if PW will talk nice with the new Pro Air.

Price: $9,700 for the 1200, $11,000 for the 2400, $193 for Pro Air Sync, and $321 for the Pro Air Remote. Available in early October.

Who wants one?! Preorder yours today at Dale Photo & Digital.