Leica S2 Digital SLR Camera

LEICA S2 DSLR - VIDEO OF THE BEST HANDHELD DIGITAL CAMERA IN THE WORLD

[LEICA S2 DSLR - Update No. 3 - LEICA have finally started delivering the S2 DSLR - but it looks as if they are hand-delivering them one by one. The first Leica S2 anywhere in the world has been delivered to Mr Jim Rakete in Berlin. Jim Rakete is one of the most famous photographers in Germany specializing in perceptive portraits of actors, musicians and even politicians (some people will do anything to make a buck!).

Be that as it may, given that he is the first person in the world to take delivery of the Leica S2 he must know a thing or two about photography and cameras and he had such an intense experience with the Leica that he just had to have one - at $30,000 that's quite a decision. This article was first posted here - Leica S2

This is what he said about the S2 DSLR "It fits my hands like a glove, and doesn’t make any superfluous suggestions when I’m shooting. For me, it’s an absolute superlative in digital quality". I wonder if Leica will have a press release for every S2 that they sell ? And when will mine turn up ? I sent my letter to Santa ages ago !] [LEICA S2 UPDATE 2 : Leica has confirmed the launch of the S2 in the UK in December, they say 100 to 200 units will be available - for a video preview of the Leica S2 DSLR click here - Leica S2 Video]

Leica S2 DSLR an Intense Digital Photography Experience

[UPDATE : Leica has announced that the launch of the S2 has been delayed until December 7, 2009 - due to their desire to meet the great demand. It had been due to be launched in OCtober]

Leica has announced the launch date and suggested retail prices for its new digital camera the S2 the best handheld digital camera in the world. The launch date is October 2009 when it will be available in the UK at a price of $22,995 (£15,996) (just the body - if you want a lens you will have to pay extra). For an extra $5,000 you can get an S2-P with a sapphire glass monitor screen and 'Platinum Service' support package.

Leica has also announced the prices of the first four S-series lenses.

The Leica S-System (any connection with Mercedes S class we wonder?) is widely seen as one of the most significant photo developments in the digital era.

Jon Sareen, UK Leica S-System Commercial manager, said : “The eagerly-anticipated Leica S-System is a very new and different challenge for Leica Camera Ltd, in comparison to other products in our range. We have engaged new experts, and arrangements regarding leasing and rental facilities are well under way. Service and support will be very hot topics for Leica S-System users, and we can confirm that we are planning a rapid third party UK solution, to work in conjunction with our head office in Germany.”

Leica S2 lenses and accessories prices :-

• SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH $4,495 (£3,096)
• SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH CS $5,995 (£4,025)
• APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 $6,495 (£4,541)
• APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 CS $7,495 (£5,160)
• APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 $6,495 (£4,541)
• APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 CS $7,495 (£5,160)
• SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH $5,295 (£3,612)
• SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH CS $5,995 (£4,231)
• Multifunction handgrip S $1,295 (£851)
• Professional battery charger S $399 (£258)

Leica S2 Digital SLR Camera with Video Demonstration

If you want to buy the best digital 35mm camera then you may be considering buying a Nikon or a Canon but before you take the plunge it may be worth your while to take a look at Leica digital cameras particularly the new Leica S2. The Leica camera company has always been considered to be the best when it comes to 35mm cameras. They have a reputation for making the Rolls-Royce of cameras for people with money !

Leica is not as well known as Nikon or Canon to the general public and sales of Leicas are nowhere near as high as sales of Canons or Nikons, but to professionals, and amateurs with a large wallet, Leicas have always been considered the best 35mm cameras around. With the advent of digital cameras, Leica's reputation took a bit of a knock as the quality of their digital cameras left something to be desired. But they have finally ironed out whatever bugs were affecting their production process and have come up with what will probably be the best digital SLR on the market when it becomes available this summer.

Leica S2 Digital SLR - the Best DSLR on the Market

The Leica S2.

At the moment the best digital SLR is not the excellent Nikon Coolpix P90 - it is in fact probbaly the Nikon D3X which is considered the best available by many people and which Nikon call their 'digital masterpiece', It offers 24.5 Megapixels and will set you back around $8000, so slightly more expensive than the Coolpix.

The Leica S2, however, takes quality to an even higher level with 37.5 megapixels and it will set you back between $20,000 and $25,000 when it is launched. The market for the Leica S2 is undoubtedly professionals and well-heeled amateurs (the Queen's camera of choice is a Leica). The stated aim of the Leica is to provide medium format quality in a 35mm format that offers far greater flexibility given that it will be a fraction of the weight of a medium format camera.

As Leica puts it, the Leica S2 is a "remarkable new camera from Germany that redefines the professional DSLR class with a custom 37.5 megapixel, 30 x 45 mm sensor built into a 35mm-sized body".

Leica S2 DSLR - the Clear Market Leader

It will clearly force other manufacturers to raise their standards.

Its 37.5 megapixel 30 x 45 mm sensor is 56% larger than full frame 35mm and offers a quality that is "well beyond that obtainable by conventional pro-caliber DSLRs".

Leica have compared the S2 to the launch of the first Leica model A, back in 1925. The model A was a turning point in 35mm photography and Leica believe that the S2 DSLR will be the same for digital photography in the 21st century.

The S2 is fully weather-sealed, for use in both the studio and outdoors and is ideal for “all the people who actually want the superior image quality, but the nice hand-held option of taking pictures. So more the moving kind of taking pictures.”

Leica say that the S2 is a “tool, not a toy.” It has been designed with the professional photographer in mind and has only those buttons required by professional photographers.

The Leica S2 should be available in the summer of 2009. It is not only competing with medium format cameras for quality, but also for price as the Hasselblad H3DII-39 costs in the range of $22,000.

For more information on Leica digital cameras take a look at the Leica site - Leica Cameras - but be warned it is not the most user-friendly site in the world.

Leica S2 Features

• Large 30x45mm sensor containing 37-million pixels
• Weatherproof seals
• Small body similar to that of a professional 35mm DSLR
• Dual shutter system – focal plane or leaf
• Three-inch high-quality LCD screen
• Records files in open DNG format
• Range of nine new lenses, including a 120mm macro, tilt-and-shift 30mm, 70mm f/2.5 standard lens and 24mm ultrawide-angle

Keep an eye open for it this summer and in the meantime check out the Leica video below and start saving up your pennies if you want to buy the Leica S2  !