PERFECTION has a name - LEICA S2 Review

[UncleFai]

Leica S2 Field and Studio Review

The shot at ISO 1250 looks bad leh. What's your experience with high ISO? Comparable with C and N?

 

[ed9119]

Thanks for the reference UncleFai ....... to be fair, the article also mentions

"...... but the firmware in my review camera (1.0.09) is still a work in progress...."

and

"Leica cautioned me that while the S2 that I was provided with for review was a production camera, the firmware was still a work in progress, particularly with regard to high ISO noise. So please don't necessarily regard these results as in any way indicative of what you can expect from cameras shipped two months from now, in January, 2010."

and

".... ISO 1250 isn't terribly good, but I would disregard my sample at this point..."


but still a good question ...... "whats your experience with high ISO ?"

any images to share ?

 

[Dream Merchant]

That is a good question UncleFai, but as mentioned by Ed9119, that review was in 2009 with a WIP firmware.

Medium format cameras are generally all about Image Quality.

HIGH ISO capabilities is usually not the main driving force behind a medium format's sensor and processor. While for example, the S2 is very capable for a medium format*, and has broken 'out' of the typical medium format mould, quite elegantly I must add, the fact is you will probably not see 40, 50 or 60 MP (or more) Medium Formats cameras shooting at full RAW res at 10FPS continuously and crystal clean ISO25,600, at least not for now.

I can see how one draws reference to a DSLR, but the camera categories are entirely different, and the purposes for which the were built are also different, so I'm not sure how to draw a suitable parallel.


I'll post up some noise comparison photos later.



* AF on the S2 is very fast and precise for a medium format camera, and the 1.5 continuous FPS, at 37.5 million pixels is nothing shots of astounding for a medium format, considering that the LEICA Maestro processor can generate speeds at 120MB/sec/jpeg engine 160MP/sec (at time of release) ... that means you can shoot a RAW file at full resolution, and the jpeg engine will generate a full 37.5 million pixel jpeg for viewing or saving, or both in 1/4 of a second - faster than you taking you eye from the viewfinder to view the LCD screen

 

[pinholecam]

What a super poisonous thread!
Cannot read it too often

Leica S2 Field and Studio Review

The shot at ISO 1250 looks bad leh. What's your experience with high ISO? Comparable with C and N?

MF camera is not an all purpose camera like 35mm format.
Some things are better done with MF, others with 35mm FF. (eg. shallow DOF for same FOV; detail; DR; )

Detail retention and tonal range is quite a bit different at low ISOs.
Digital Cameras, Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera Test Image

Digital Cameras, Pentax 645D Digital Camera Test Image

different tools for different jobs.

 

[Dream Merchant]

...i know i asked you this privately, but given the large file sizes, do you see an issue with computing hardware processing speed when processing a RAW image out of this camera ?

Ed, sorry I missed your question. Been real busy recently.

On my side, no problem actually, and I'm using a old-ish computer.

I think a lot also depends on the RAW converter you use. I'm going to try something else and if that works, I'll let you know, including findings of my friends who tried the S2.


COMING UP NEXT!!!

DRINKS from a BAR that's truly innovative!!!



Also, please note that I will most likely down-size the photos previously posted, most likely the portrait orientation (or all) for ease of viewing.

 

[Dream Merchant]

Thanks to a friend, I managed to arrange a shoot of some customized cocktails at bar_stories

Since the website is a little cryptic, please do a search of 'Bar Stories Singapore/Haji Lane' in Google.

Nestled in the cool bohemian series of back lanes around the Arab Street/Haji Lane areas, Bar Stories has a team of 'Mixologists' to concoct cocktails based on taste preferences and mood of customers. There's no drink menu at all!


The shooting environment was very varied in terms of light and shadows, and because I did not bring my studio lights, I had to deal with extremes, and later on, tungsten and halogen lights.

The first cocktail was quite interesting to shoot, mainly because it seemed almost 'monochromatic' in tones of colour and drink texture, even though it looked smooth, it wasn't. I'll leave you to judge how the S2 and the LEICA 120mm macro lens renders this shot.

NOTE: This was BRIGHT afternoon light coming through the skylight and I was shooting in the shadow area. I used quite a wide aperture for all these shots.

Another view of this drink and bight window high-lights.

Crop

BTS

 

[Dream Merchant]

Versatile cocktail this one!

A pressurized spritz with a very interesting soya sauce base gets transformed into an 'off-cocktail flambe'! This was shot, off-hand at ISO 640. No noise reduction. From experience, a 20% - 40% Luminance Channel NR would have rendered an image clean enough to blow up.

BTS - The Joys or 'Mixolo-ging'!

Next, a coconut concoction. I'm sure very sharp-eyed CS members would be able to differentiate the tonalities and subtle nuances of the drink, crushed ice and the grated coconut.

It's interesting, the range of foods and fruits that Bar Stories 'Mixologists' use. While this looks over-ripe to someone looking for fresh, tart Starfruit, I can imagine how deep and musky the undertones of flavors a Starfruit like this can impart to a cocktail!

 

[Dream Merchant]

Coming to the end of the cocktail installment, please have a look at these next shots to see the incredible amount of detail the S2 and the 120mm macro lens is able to render. This drink took over 10 minutes to make, and looked like it was a melted raspberry cheesecake with LOADS of alcohol! I can't even begin to describe how heavenly it tasted!

BTS

A couple of very beautiful ladies I met at Bar Stories were very intrigued with the LEICA combination!

 

[ed9119]

kaozzz .... u JUST have to put up food and cocktail images after midnight

 

[aloyyolaaloy]

so 3D!! :lovegrin: pure awesomeness

 

[UncleFai]

A couple of very beautiful ladies I met at Bar Stories were very intrigued with the LEICA combination!

The true value of the S2 revealed! Chick magnet!

 

[Dream Merchant]

ISO Noise Tests. The parameters are explained in each photo.

 

[Dream Merchant]

As compared to the example UncleFai showed us, it appears that with the firmware I used, the S2 High ISO 1250 performance falls in between ISO 320 - 640 of that review of the WIP firmware in 2009 (Leica S2 Field and Studio Review). Open the review UncleFai mentioned in another window and do a side-by-side comparison.




With Noise Reduction only in the Luminescence Channel

 

[Dream Merchant]

ISO 1250 NO Noise Reduction VS 50% Noise Reduction:

​

Next week, we will be visiting the Epitome of Luxury Retail Elegance where the LEICA S2 shows it's prowess in Interior Photography

 

[weiteck]

look forward to more pix!
the S2 was featured on Sun during the SOAP/Geoff Ang Workshop at SCAPE.
a Live Studio demo was done on the stage
Impressive...but not something i can afford...

 

[ed9119]

got any photos of models in leather ? should show alot more texture

 

[Dream Merchant]

Hi Ed,

We reserved some models with leather for later on ... and since you asked, while this is for all CS members, it is also dedicated to you!

BTW, the models with leather cost a few million dollars.

 

[TangKF]

Coming to this thread is like standing in SBS bus looking at Ferrari driven on the road through the windows.

The picture quality is nothing short of intriguing! And of course the shots are professionally taken in the first place.

Perhaps a few years down the road I may splurge on one of this. But definitely not now.

Thanks for showcasing this to us... this is indeed a dream from Dream Merchant!

 

[Dream Merchant]

Thanks for the compliments TangKF.

Here's a fast-forward to jump-start the weekend!

MALMAISON by The Hour Glass​

It was exciting news when gracious permission from the owners of The Hour Glass to shoot at what could be termed, the ‘Epitome of Luxurious Retail Interiors’, Malmaison, by The Hour Glass, at Knightsbridge was given. Thank you very much!

Here’s a little background info: In April 1797, Joséphine de Beauharnais bought the manor house, Château de Malmaison for herself and her husband, General Napoléon Bonaparte, and vestiges of thematic interior schemes revolving around that era appear in quirky and somewhat eclectic abundance at Malmaison, Knightsbridge.

Have an interesting read about Château de Malmaison: Château de Malmaison - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Without further ado, the Interior Photographs of Malmaison, by The Hour Glass. I will be featuring only certain shots as it was a working day with clients strolling in all through the day.

​

Located on the upper floor of the 8,000 sq ft interior, an entire section is dedicated to Frederic Malle, and to borrow a phrase, the ‘MB+F’ of fragrances. The twelve photographs you see on the left are the worlds’ best ‘noses’ who work independently as consultants, but more importantly, are among the most recognized and sought after ‘olfac-tors’ who create specific and custom fragrances.

On the right, and very prominently, are scent chambers. These glass chambers allows specially created scents to diffuse naturally, and replicate what it might smell like on you, instead of a scent or smelling strip, which is quite mis-representative of the actual scent.

Since the LEICA ELMARIT-S 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH wasn’t available yet, I shot this with the SUMMARIT-S 35 mm f/2.5 ASPH and did a multi-stitch of seven panels.

In addition, perspectives were corrected, and that led to quite a bit of Image Quality Degradation. However, the final result doesn’t appear to be too bad.

Here’s a close-up crop of the panoramic image:

And here’s one of the 7 original 8x12 panels which I used for stitching:

 

[Dream Merchant]

Still on the upper level, here are two shots and a close crop of the ultra luxurious interior, lit by natural light with many forms of objet d'art, both of horological origin and somewhat eclectic forms, sculptures and excellent taxidermy specimens, which seems to blend together very well.

​

The Cartier enclave sits just on the left, and the mini-library is just right of the stair-case. Clients need not climb the stairs as there are three elevators at their disposal. My friend’s Horology Art book, The Pour le Merite Collection is featured on the right of frame. An Internationally respected Watch Photographer, Peter Chong researched, wrote and photographed the entire book. It would be an honour to feature him and his photos, taken with the S2, later on in the review. Peter also graciously offered me assistance with the shoot.