The synthesis of optimum imaging quality, perfect
handling and outstanding speed
Solms, Germany (September 17,
2012) - Leica Camera presented a new camera in the Leica S-System portfolio, a
revolutionary digital camera concept to meet supreme professional requirements.
This is the successor to the Leica S2.
Just as with the Leica M cameras, Leica decided to eliminate the
numerical designation. The next
generation in the successful line, the Leica S offers increased imaging quality
and sensor sensitivity, predictive autofocus, higher speed and improved
handling. Numerous enhanced functions contribute to the camera’s further
acceleration and greater security of the professional photographic workflow. In
addition to the new camera body, three lenses have been added to the S-System
portfolio, significantly expanding the capabilities of the system: the Leica
Super-Elmar-S 24 mm f/3.5 ASPH. super-wide, the Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90 mm
f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. and the Leica TS-APO-Elmar-S 120 mm f/5.6 ASPH. tilt/shift
lens.
“This expansion of the system
is further confirmation that the dedicated digital concept of the S-System sets
new standards in the world of medium format photography while providing the
speed and handling of a 35 mm SLR,” said Stephan Schulz, Head of Professional
Imaging at Leica Camera AG. “In terms of its rugged resilience, reliability and
versatility, the new Leica S is the first choice for photographers who refuse
to make compromises.”
New Image And Sensor Board
For More Quality And Higher Speed
One of the most remarkable
innovations in the Leica S is its new image and sensor board. The upgrade of
these electronic components has led to the increased imaging quality of the
Leica S, as well as the improvement of noise characteristics, natural color
rendition and the precision of its white balance. The latter function has now
been extended to include a ‘Grey Card’ option that allows photographers to
shoot a subject with a neutral grey area, such as a grey card, and define the
white balance determined as a reference for all following photos to ensure a
consistently precise color mood from beginning to end of a shoot. The extended
sensitivity range of the sensor at both ends gives photographers more freedom of
choice in the selection of exposure parameters. For example, the lower basic
ISO setting of 100 allows longer working at maximum aperture in extremely
bright conditions, while the maximum sensitivity of ISO 1600 enables them to
capture noise-free images even under difficult lighting conditions. In
addition, the double buffer memory of 2 GB and support of transfer rates up to
166 MB/s enables photographers to shoot continuous sequences of more than twice
as many (up to 32) consecutive images in RAW format, at a full resolution of
37.5 MP. There is no limit to the number of consecutive images that may be
captured in JPEG format. Images can be
saved parallel to the
original files in a choice of 37.5, 9.3 and 2.3 megapixels to provide
photographers with a preview of the work in progress straight from the camera
at the desired resolution.
Fast, Predictive Autofocus
Module for Subjects In Motion
The upgraded autofocus module
not only increases the speed, but also enhances focusing precision. In
combination with its fascinating imaging quality, the Leica S sets new
standards for professional action photography. To ensure that moving subjects
remain sharp and can be swiftly tracked, the Leica S features a predictive
autofocus. The camera compares past movements of the subject and computes the
location of the subject at the time of exposure. The autofocus locks on to this
computed point before the shutter release is pressed.
GPS System And Leveling Aid
For Precision And Uncomplicated Workflows
The Leica S is the only
professional camera to feature an integrated GPS module that can add the
geographical positioning data of the exposure location to the Exif data of an
image whenever necessary. This function allows the precise synchronization of
the system time (internal clock) for any worldwide location where satellite
signals can be received. With software (the professional image administration
and processing tool, Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 4 is supplied with the
camera), every image can be shown on a map and tagged with a location name that
can be used to locate the image in the future. The new dual-axis leveling aid
(spirit level) displays its readout in the viewfinder to allow photographers to
align the subject with absolute precision in the horizontal and vertical plane
without the need for external aids.
Optimized Handling
The monitor screen offers a
resolution of 920,000 pixels, a 3" diagonal and full sRGB color space, as
well as increased contrast and brightness to allow for greater precision when
assessing images. The glass covering plate of the monitor screen is
manufactured from tough, scratch-resistant Corning®Gorilla®Glass. The increased
viewfinder coverage of 98 percent, additional information displayed in the
viewfinder, optimization of the camera menu and a softer rubber coating for
better grip all make the new camera easy to handle. Significantly faster
navigation in the camera menu is now possible with the new integrated joystick
control located on the back. Greater security in the control of studio flash
systems is afforded by the new LEMO flash sync socket.
Advantages Of The S-System
The new Leica S possesses all
the standard quality characteristics of the S-System including the large (30 x
45 mm) Leica Pro Format sensor and its microlens layer that guarantees
consistently uniform brightness from corner to corner. Resembling all S-Lenses,
the camera is extremely rugged and sealed against environmental influences such
as dust and rain. The unique dual shutter concept offers photographers the
choice of using the camera’s fast focal plane shutter or the central shutter of
CS-version lenses that allows flash sync at shutter speeds up to 1/1000th of a
second. The eight Leica S-System lenses currently available (five of which will
also be available with a central shutter) offer photographers all focal lengths
and a first-class tilt/shift lens. Furthermore, a wide range of medium format
lenses from a number of other manufacturers can easily be mounted on the Leica
S using adapters such as the S-Adapter H, which allows the use of Hasselblad
H-Lenses with full support of all functions including autofocus, central
shutter control and automatic aperture control.
Photographers never face
compromises when they choose a Leica S due to details such as secure cable connections,
multifunctional memory card slots, further improved energy efficiency and
scratch resistant monitor glass. The Leica S stands alone as an ideal and
extremely reliable tool for achieving maximum quality results both in the
studio and on location, under even the most unfavorable conditions.
Together with the new Leica
M, the Leica S marks the beginning of a new era in Leica’s product naming
policy. In future, Leica M and S model names will omit the number suffix to
emphasize the long-term significance and enduring value of the respective systems.
Purchase of the Leica S
includes the Leica Protection Plan, offering photographers an extended warranty
for a period of three years, as well as a replacement camera during repair. The
Leica S will be available from select Leica dealers, including the Leica Store
Washington DC, beginning in December 2012.
Technical Data:
Camera type:
Digital medium-format single lens reflex camera for use with Leica S-Lenses.
Image sensor Type: Low Noise CCD-Sensor with microlenses and microlens shift Size: 30 .
45 mm (Leica Pro Format) Aspect ratio: 2:3 Resolution: 37.5 megapixels
Pixel pitch:
6 μm Dynamic range: 12 stops Color depth: 16 bits per pixel
Color spaces:
sRGB, Adobe RGB, ECI RGB 2.0.
White balance:
Presets: Daylight, cloudy, shade, incandescent, HMI, fluorescent warm,
fluorescent cool, flash, grey card (determined from image) / automatic / color
temperature (Kelvin)
Low-pass filter / IR filter: No / on sensor
Moiré suppression: In external image processing software (e.g. with the Adobe® Lightroom®
software provided with the camera)
Sensitivity range: ISO 100 to ISO 1600 (manually or automatically controlled)
Lenses Lens mount: Leica S-Bayonet for Leica S-Lenses
Focal length:
Dependent on Leica S-Lens attached, conversion factor to 35 mm film equivalent
0.8.
Focusing Type:
Predictive AF with center cross-sensor defined by cross-hairs on the focusing
screen, focusing drive integrated in lenses
AF modes:
Selectable modes AF s (single) = focus priority, AF c (continuous) = release
priority, MF (manual), manual override of AF settings possible at all times
AF memory:
Second resistance point hold on shutter release, lock for single exposure or
constant by setting with 5-way control
Manual focus:
With lens focusing ring
Exposure setting Exposure metering: Exposure metering through the lens (TTL) Metering
modes: Multi-segment metering (5 fields), center-weighted integral metering,
selective (spot) metering (3.5% of image frame)
AE lock:
Second resistance point hold on shutter release, lock for single exposure or
constant by setting with 5-way control
I see the Leica S constantly being dismissed as being too expensive. Yet if one compares prices of other cameras with a similar performance potential, like Hasselblad for instance, we are looking at very much the same price range, if not more.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree. The camera is too often compared to full frame cameras from other manufacturers. The Leica S has definitely proven to be of a top performance level, something that is beyond what a full frame sensor can deliver. Another reason might be that the camera really looks more like a modern full frame DSLR than a medium format digital camera. If it is worth the extra cost is something each of us has to decide on his or her own.
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