A Budget Medium Format Leica? | Leica S2 Review 

In the past I’ve used Leica S cameras in the studio for fashion and beauty photography. The issues you describe are mostly related to adapted lenses and lack of the recent firmware. Release priority for AF was introduced later in firmware as well as fixes for all kind of battery problems and menu issues. Updated models allow you to assign ISO to the rear dial. It’s unfortunate you couldn’t use the camera with native Leica S lenses. These lenses make the system special. They are not more expensive than similar Hasselblad lenses with a central shutter and they are spectacular. It also makes a huge difference in AF speed. Some buying tips: when you buy an S2 or an S006/S-E (the successor) make sure you have a model with a replaced sensor. The original sensor had corrosion issues and was replaced for free. Make sure you get the replacement certificate. The S007 models have a CMOS sensor with a larger dynamic range that is more suited to todays standards. Best buy however, is an S3 model. This is the most recent one with a 67MP CMOS sensor. It’s still quite expensive though. The S lenses are amongst the best ever build in terms of IQ and hold their value. Make sure you buy one with the AF motor replaced (again with the certificate). The first models had issues. These cameras and lenses are great for studio and landscape work. They’re build like a tank and fully weather sealed (unlike Hasselblad H). In the meanwhile I use Hasselblad X2D and Leica SL2 in the studio (and on locations), but the S still has a special place in my heart. Skin tones and difficult textures like linen and silk are exceptionally well reproduced. Better than any full frame hi-res camera I know (incl. the SL2 and A7R5) and even better then these new budget medium format cameras from Fujifilm. An S3 with a 100mm or 120mm macro lens is still one of the best options for fashion, beauty and product photography. Gorgeous images. Let’s hope that Leica launches its mirrorless successor and allows for adapting the old lenses. I’d be tempted to make one more shift… Bonustip for SL2 owners: there’s an (expensive but very good) adapter that allow you to use S lenses on an SL camera. The IQ is gorgeous and pre-owned these lenses cost less than native SL lenses. Don’t bother to buy the central shutter (CS) version of these lenses then. You can’t use the CS on an SL camera and it saves you another $500 to $1000.

Some points: 1) the S system was always very rare and expensive, the money was made with the M models. 2) It was pretty innovative, as it was the first medium format that was weather sealed and relatively compact. 3) the lenses are outstanding, even by todays standards . Much better than HC lenses 4) the option to use lenses with central shutter in such a compact combo 5) I agree on the AF, which was lousy and still is on the the S3. 6) The lens choice is more than enough 7) the camera is very very reliable, I never had an issue over all the years I have it

Very well put together and amazing shots, editing and music! Loved it and watched to the end :)

Just two small notes: 1. Of course Leica wasn't purely saved by the S2, the Leica M9 was released at pretty much the same time and definitely played a part in Leica striving again. It's hard to say how much impact each of these two cameras had but it's fair to say that if either of the two cameras wasn't a success, the company probably would have had a much worse time. In this video I wanted to completely focus on the S2, I don't have access to an M9, but if I ever get the chance I will 100% make a video about it. 2. At the end of the video in my conclusion, I quickly compare it to the Sony A7RIV and Sony A7RII. Of course that is a stupid comparison to make, anybody who is looking into buying a Leica S2 in this age is looking into a unique photography experience that is different from modern mirrorless cameras. My intention was just to put into context what caliber of cameras you can get for that kind of money, not directly compare these. But I definitely stand by my conclusion that the Leica S2 simply isn't worth the money nowadays. If you're on the search for a unique photography experience there are other cameras that can deliver more on that front, for less money.

Thank you so much for this very well put together review of this wonderful camera 😊

Sick video mate! Keep up the good work!

Mad cinematic, craziest video yet, also very informative

I'm loving your videos and this one in particular. I keep returning back to it as I've considered getting an S2 myself on many occasions over the years, but the lenses are crazy expensive and rare. The design is superb though and would be a good compliment to my Leica R8. However I would have to take into account that a good second hand LUMIX S1R or Nikon D850 are cheaper, technically very proficient ,and Zeiss Milvus and Otus lenses are now pretty decent in price, performance and availability. Excellent review on the Leica S2. Keep them coming.

So gut geworden 🥰

Soon you will be the king of reviewing expensive medium format cameras😂 Once that hasselblad review is coming… Great video, enjoyed watching it!🙏

I love your Videos and the affort you put in.

how was file writing speed? I remember cameras around that time had not very fast file writing speed (compared to lighting fast writing speed of cameras nowadays)

This was a very fair review. You managed to avoid both extremes: the "Leica can do nothing wrong, ever" fanboy, and the "Leica is for rich people with more money than sense and their cameras are totally overrated and if you don't agree I hate you" types. The thing with Leica is that they appeal to the irrational side of a person; even though (as you pointed out) even a Sony A7R2 runs rings around an S2, people still get pulled into the Leica mystique. (I speak as someone who's used various Leicas in the past:: M8, M240, Digilux 2, and X Vario). The one thing I'll say for Leicas is that (speaking personally) the actual user experience is often superior to many other brands, assuming that the camera actually works properly. If the photos are more important than the method, then get another type of camera. If the process itself is more important than the result, then I think there's something to be said for Leica. If money were no object, I'd definitely pick up one of the S series - probably the 007, to avoid the sensor corrosion issue.

I appreciate the insights of this video. I've been tempted by the price of these but the lenses kept me out. The price of the body is less of a mystery after watching this.

Geil Felix, cooles und schönes Video. :)

The S is worth persisting with, particularly the later models. I’ve never had AF problems like this with the typ 006 or typ 007.

I've got some old memories of a S2 on display for about 30k with some lenses included

great 👍🏽 video well put together!!!! Now could you do a video on cheap Leica camera 📸! At the end I thought you were going to drop it!!!

I think you missed the point of this camera. Yes it’s cheap now but it’s still a current model in the s3 so the lenses are still expensive. Leica gear in general is always expensive. You say it’s limited to 10 lenses yet you clearly prove there are a multitude of adapters. I’d argue this is much better than the Hasselblad setup which is limited to its own lenses which are also just as expensive. I don’t think you are the target audience for this camera so it won’t make sense to your needs per say.

Great video👍

Leica owners deserve this camera.

FUCT

Guess the keyword was novelty. Hard pass on the S2.. thanks for the info.😢

Great video! keep up the godo work. 🫡