“People always forget when looking at the camera the fact that it’s actually a medium format solution with a sensor that is 56% larger than a full-frame 35mm digital SLR, many people have been comparing it to SLR cameras and there are certain features (on the S2) that just cannot be compared to a DSLR.”
He went further to comment on the Leica S2 AF system:
“Speed was a primary concern when we designed this product,” he said. “We believe we will have the fastest autofocus in the medium format category, the fastest frame rate, and the fastest image processing.”
David Farkas of Dale Photo & Digital has posted the following information on the Leica Users Forum:
Hi everyone. Well, it is now past midnight here on the East Coast which means I am no longer bound by the July 30th embargo (although I’ve only had this info for about six hours).
Bodies and lenses come with a transferable (first for Leica) warranty, whcih can be extended through purchase of one of the service packages. We are still waiting on some more details to come.
The store will be opened in September 2009, right before the launch of the Leica S2.
Leica Press Release
LEICA STORE MAYFAIR TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER 2009
Leica is joining many other premium brands and launching its own store in September 2009.
The Leica facility will comprise a ground floor retail store showcasing and selling the full Leica range of products, first floor offices, a Leica Akademie training and demonstration centre and a Leica S-System studio. The location will be in Bruton Place, Mayfair, situated between Old Bond Street and Berkeley Square, London W1.
John Barron, Leica Store commercial manager, said, Bruton Place is a unique and discreet location surrounded by galleries, restaurants, offices, boutiques and residential properties, and attracts an eclectic mix of customers. We are particularly pleased to be opening here, as the atmosphere will be perfect for Leica enthusiasts, professional photographers and new customers alike.
The Leica Store Mayfair and the first floor facilities are set to complement other Leica Dealers and grow the brand in the UK. In particular, the S-System studio will be fundamental to the launch of our first ultra high-end digital system developed for the professional market.
Opening hours of the store will be 10.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday, and 10.00 to 15.00 on Saturdays. Office, training facilities and studio will be by appointment only.
Leica has published the suggested retail prices for its new Leica S-System and confirmed October 2009 as the first month for UK availability. The S-System, which sits at the very top end of the digital photography spectrum, will be offered at a very competitive starting price of £15,996 (SRP, body only).
The Leica S-System has been well documented since its launch at Photokina in 2008, and now the release of pricing and availability information brings the world’s high end photo community another important step closer to one of the most significant photo developments in the digital era.
Leica has also confirmed that it will be marketing a series of specialised camera and lens user support/service packages for the S-System and further details will be released soon.
Jon Sareen, UK commercial manager, Leica S-System, commented, The eagerly-anticipated Leica S-System is a very new and different challenge for Leica Camera Ltd, in comparison to other products in our range. We have engaged new experts, and arrangements regarding leasing and rental facilities are well under way. Service and support will be very hot topics for Leica S-System users, and we can confirm that we are planning a rapid third party UK solution, to work in conjunction with our head office in Germany.
First announced in September last year, the Leica S-System redefines the professional DSLR class with a custom 37.5-megapixel, 30 x 45 mm sensor built into a 35mm-sized body.
Leica S-System 2009 range pricing details Leica S2 Black £15,996
Leica S2-P Black * £19,092
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH £3,096
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH CS £4,025
APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 £4,541
APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 CS £5,160
APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 £4,541
APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 CS £5,160
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH £3,612
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH CS £4,231
Multifunction handgrip S £851
Professional battery charger S £258
* Includes Sapphire Glass monitor screen and S-Body Platinum Service (more details to follow)
CS = Central Shutter Lens
Prices include VAT at 15%, 30 July 2009
