By David Farkas, Leica Store Miami
Today, Leica has announced
the official release of the S3 medium format digital camera. The camera, which
was teased back at Photokina 2018, will start shipping immediately for a price
of $18,995. Very similar to its predecessor, the outstanding Leica S (Typ 007),
the new camera features a brand new 64 megapixel sensor exclusively created for
the S3.
Image Quality
With over 15-stops of
dynamic range and an ISO range from 50 to 50,000, the Leica S3 now represents
the pinnacle in imaging tech for the company. Combined with the 60% larger
sensor size, added resolution and incredible dynamic range, a newly designed color
filter array (CFA) over the sensor promises the highest color fidelity of any
Leica digital camera to date.
And with a dual gain
design, the S3’s sensor performs exceptionally well at higher ISO, retaining
dynamic range and file malleability while offer greater shooting flexibility.
Long Exposure Improvement
The S3 gets a welcome
benefit from its new low-noise and low-heat sensor. Instead of being limited to
just 60 or 125 second exposures at base ISO on the previous generations, the
Leica S3 can now shoot exposures up to eight minutes. This has been one of the
most frequently requested updates to the S System since the beginning. Really
nice to see that here.
Weather Sealed
Video
Along with the new
sensor’s still imaging capability is the option to shoot Cine 4K (4096×2160)
utilizing the entire 45mm width of the medium format sensor. This is a
significant bump from the S (007)’s Super35 crop mode for 4K recording.
Recording bit rates up to 430Mbs are available using 422 color sampling in
10-bit. HDMI out is available, but will only support up to Full HD for use with
an external monitor, not for 4K recording. This is a little disappointing, but
the internal recording does seem to be far improved from the S (Typ 007).
Studio Ready
The Leica S3 is at home in
the studio as it is in the field, with high speed USB 3.0 tethering via a
secure LEMO cable. Connect directly into Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic, or
use Leica Image Shuttle for tethered shooting into Capture One with full camera
control and high-res live view on the computer screen.
Leica FOTOS 2.0 Compatible
Instead of a tethered
connection, the S3’s built-in fast 802.11n Wi-Fi can connect to an iPhone or
Android device using the Leica FOTOS 2.0 app. With the Pro version, native full
screen viewing on an iPad Pro and direct connection to Lightroom Mobile are
possible. This allows for fluid live view composition and remote shooting, or
simply reviewing and editing images.
Dual Shutter System
Leica pioneered a dual
shutter system to allow photographers the option to use the focal plane shutter
up to 1/4,000th of a second for wide-open ambient light shooting without an ND
filter on the lens, or to simply flip a switch and enable the lens central
shutter for high-speed flash sync up to 1/1000th of a second, extremely
valuable for on-location jobs with strobes. This creative flexibility still
exists with the S3 and full line of CS (Central Shutter) lenses.
Full Lens Portfolio
Coming into a fully mature
ecosystem, the S3 can take advantage of the full range of impressive S lenses.
With 10 lenses, six in CS variants, the full range from 24-180mm is covered.
From the distortion-free ultra-wide angle 24mm f/3.5 Super-Elmar-S ASPH (18mm
equiv.) to the buttery smooth bokeh machine 100mm f/2 Summicron-S, the entire
lineup is truly amazing and fully equipped to take full advantage of the new
64MP sensor.
Optical Viewfinder
The S3 remains as a
traditional DSLR design, offering the best optical viewfinder that I’ve ever
used. Bright, large and crystal clear, the S3’s optical viewfinder is a
wonderful experience. While Leica may go mirrorless with future S cameras,
there are many who are glad to see the optical viewfinder live on.
Operational Concept
Unlike the SL2, Q2, M10
and CL, the operational concept and user interface remains unchanged. We’ve
still got the four quadrant soft buttons surrounding the rear LCD, which many S
users passionately fought for Leica to keep. Some were disappointed that Leica
chose to change this on the SL2, as the original SL (Typ 601) matched up to the
S.
Built-In GPS
While the GPS was removed
from the SL (Typ 601) when designing the SL2, the S3 retains its built-in GPS
receiver, concealed under a black plastic cover on the top plate. This is a
great feature for landscape and travel photographers alike.
Still Fast
Even with massive jump in
resolution, the S3’s Maestro II image processor is rated at 320 megapixels per
second, and is more than up to the task of chewing through all those pixels.
With the rapid readout sensor along with the speedy Maestro processor, the
Leica S3 can shoot up to 3 fps at full resolution. Like previous S cameras,
images can be recorded to either SD or CF cards.
Ordering and Availability
Initial deliveries of the
Leica S3 are expected to start immediately with the first units arriving in the
US by mid-March. Pricing is set at $18,995 for the body only, which is actually
a bit less than previous generations of the Leica S, especially considering the
recent price increases due to the new tariff schedule. If you interested in
ordering the Leica S3, you can do so at Leica Store Miami, by clicking the
button below, calling 305-921-4433, or by sending an email to info@leicastoremiami.com.
Sample Images
I had the opportunity to
take the Leica S3 on a photo trip to Patagonia and do some landscape work. The
results were as expected: outstanding. Detail, color and dynamic range were
truly impressive. Working with the camera felt extremely familiar with no learning
curve coming from my S (Typ 007). Take a look below for some of the results.
Leica S3 with 120mm
APO-Macro-Summarit-S
0.7 sec @ f/8, ISO 160
Leica S3 with 120mm
APO-Macro-Summarit-S
1/500th sec @ f/8, ISO 400
Leica S3 with 24mm
Super-Elmar-S ASPH
1/90th sec @ f/9.5, ISO
400
Leica S3 with 30mm
Elmarit-S ASPH
1/8th sec @ f/11, ISO 100
Leica S3 with 24mm
Super-Elmar-S ASPH
1/125th sec @ f/11, ISO
100
Leica S3 with 45mm
Elmarit-S ASPH
1/1500th sec @ f/4, ISO
800
Leica S3 with 45mm
Elmarit-S ASPH
1/4000th sec @ f/2.8, ISO
100
Leica S3 with 45mm
Elmarit-S ASPH
1/90th sec @ f/9.5, ISO
200
Leica S3 with 24mm
Super-Elmar-S ASPH
1/90th sec @ f/11, ISO 200
Leica S3 with 120mm
APO-Macro-Summarit-S
1/1000th sec @ f/9.5, ISO
200
Leica S3 with 120mm
APO-Macro-Summarit-S
1/1750th sec @ f/3.4, ISO
1600
Leica S3 with 120mm
APO-Macro-Summarit-S
1/1500th sec @ f/5.6, ISO
400
Leica S3 with 120mm
APO-Macro-Summarit-S
1/500th sec @ f/8, ISO 400
Leica S3 with 45mm
Elmarit-S ASPH
1/25th sec @ f/11, ISO 200
Timeline of Leica S
Cameras
Leica S2
Introduced Sept 23, 2008
37.5MP CCD Sensor
Maestro I Processor
ISO 160- 1250
1.5 fps
Leica S (Typ 006)
Introduced Sept 18, 2012
37.5MP CCD Sensor
Maestro I Processor
2GB Buffer
ISO 100- 1600
1.5 fps
Built-in GPS
S (Typ 007)
Introduced Sept 16, 2014
37.5MP CMOS Sensor
Maestro II Processor
ISO 100- 12,500
Live View
FHD and 4K Video
3.5 fps
Leica S3
Introduced Sept 25, 2018
64MP CMOS Sensor
Maestro II Processor
ISO 100- 50,000
3 fps
Full-frame Cine 4K Video
Press Release
The new flagship medium
format DSLR arrives
The much anticipated Leica
S3 medium format camera, first announced at photokina, is now shipping. The new
flagship from Leica packs a brand new 64 megapixel 30 x 45 mm medium format
sensor, expanded 4K video capabilities and some of the most dramatic imaging
potential from a camera system – for use both in the studio and out in the
field. Capture the world with the storied Leica look in the highest fidelity
possible.
Leica S-Lenses are the
highest quality optics in the medium format world, and with fast autofocus and
burst shooting, the S3 is a system that can excel in just about any
application. High-speed lenses such as the Leica Summicron-S 100 f/2 ASPH.
encapsulate the benefits of the S-System – the Leica look and falloff from
incredible sharpness to beautifully blurred bokeh that is a signature style of
S Cameras, now at an even higher resolution with the S3. With 16 lenses to
choose from, some equipped with Central Shutters for high-speed flash sync, the
Leica S3 is equipped to meet the needs of any pro in need of a workhorse system.
Features & Benefits at
a glance:
- New 64mp medium format sensor for unprecedented image quality from Leica S-Lenses
- 4K video recording across the full width of the sensor for the signature Leica look in video
- ISO range of 100 – 50,000 for working in any lighting scenario
- Dual shutter system with Focal Plane Shutter or Central Shutter lens options
- Rugged and weather sealed build for use in the field and withstanding the elements
- Tethered shooting workflow options for use in the professional studio
- Leica FOTOS connectivity for mobile editing solutions on iPad, iPhone and Android
For other articles on this blog please click on Blog Archive in the column to the right
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To comment or to read comments please scroll past the ads below.
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