Whats takes better images than digi M's...

[craygc]

Here are some fantastic B&W shots of daily life around Manila, Philippines shot with a Leica S2: Manila. The photographer is Kurt Kamka who is an American currently living in Manila. It tends to be updated almost daily with new images. Nice images but at $30K+ for a body and one lens ...hmmm!

[rover]

Define better. Define good enough. We are to the point right now that technology is allowing photographers to capture great images with kits in all price ranges. For most, equipment doesn't matter, doesn't have to matter. $30k isn't right for me, but why does it have to be? It doesn't have to be.

[ruby.monkey]

craygc - you're saying far more about yourself than about the photographer or his art, whether you realise it or not.

[craygc]

Originally Posted by ruby.monkey

craygc - you're saying far more about yourself than about the photographer or his art, whether you realise it or not.

Then you're reading way too much into it...

[thegman]

Very good images, although that's all to do with content, any other DSLR could do the same. They are nice images, but I don't think the Leica S2 played much of a role in that, vs. any other halfway decent camera.

[lcpr]

Good images, don't like the way he clips his blacks so abruptly though!

[sanmich]

Craig, thanks for sharing, but I think this is a perfect example of a tool that is way, way overkill for the job.

[mfogiel]

The shots are ok, but he is not HCB. What is evident, is that B&W from Leica S2 looks much better than from Leica Monochrome. As to the quality level, I think you can get something very similar from an autofocus 645 camera with decent film.

[sanmich]

Hi Marek
I agree that the BW shots look very good, but what makes you say that they are much better than the MM?

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by mfogiel

The shots are ok, but he is not HCB.

Well, he may as well quit then...

[ReeRay]

Saw this on another forum. Sums it all up.

A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door the host said ‘I love your pictures – they’re wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.’

He said nothing until dinner was finished, then: ‘That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.”

The photographer was Sam Haskins

[stratcat]

Thanks for sharing, some beautiful shots there!

[craygc]

Originally Posted by JSU;1981079I wouldn't say his images are [I

better[/i] than digi M's, particularly the Monochrom

My heading is not necessarily meant to be overly serious Given the sensor of the S2 is of the same lineage as the M9/MM sensor I would in general expect an advantage over the smaller sensor as you would with MF over 135 film.

Originally Posted by stratcat

Thanks for sharing, some beautiful shots there!

Sharing was really the only intention... With respect to the camera being an S2, 1) it's unusual/uncommon; 2) it's the first body of work I've ever come across from this camera; 3) personally, Im extremely critical on the look of digital B&W (from that I mean a convincing B&W look, not a contorted one), and although I'm not convinced by all of his images, there is certainly a consistent trend throughout the collection of what I would perceive as convincing B&W from the S2

[icebear]

Originally Posted by craygc

Here are some fantastic B&W shots of daily life around Manila, Philippines shot with a Leica S2: Manila. The photographer is Kurt Kamka who is an American currently living in Manila. It tends to be updated almost daily with new images. Nice images but at $30K+ for a body and one lens ...hmmm!

+1 that there are some great images. Interesting that he seems most of the time is taking the "contact approach" before taking the shot, most of his subject directly look at the lens. As for the differences to MM - the S2 is a medium format therefore other DOF rules apply for the lenses. That makes an obvious difference.

Originally Posted by ReeRay

Saw this on another forum. Sums it all up.

A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door the host said ‘I love your pictures – they’re wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.’

He said nothing until dinner was finished, then: ‘That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.”

The photographer was Sam Haskins

+1 here, too obviously if you know how to cook, you can make a great meal on a camping gas burner in a single pan and don't need the latest 18,000 btu six burner gas stove with integrated live view - ooops that's a different tool box .