| The highest priority during development
of the Leica S lenses was image quality. Their sophisticated
design features special grades of glass and aspherical
surfaces rarely found in optics of this size.
In addition, lenses manufactured to extremely narrow
tolerances, with each lens centered by hand, guarantees
superior quality and optical performance. The maximum
performance of each lens is available even at full aperture
setting, or when shooting from a distance or capturing
close-up images. Vignetting, distortion and chromatic
aberrations have been reduced to the point of imperceptibility,
eliminating the need for quality-degrading image corrections
and simplifying digital post-processing considerably.
The newly developed S-bayonet mount ensures rapid and
precise digital exchange of data and commands between
the camera and lens.
Precise, high-speed autofocus
The autofocus developed by Leica for the S2 is based
on a centrally positioned cross-hair sensor for high
precision focusing. Each S lens has its own Leica-designed
microprocessor for precise autofocus and iris diaphragm
control. The integrated focusing drive is a proprietary
Leica design that features silent gearing. All S lenses
have a generous focus ring with just the right amount
of drag, letting the photographer override the autofocus
at any time.
Rugged, durable design
The camera's body is made of robust die-cast magnesium
with a leather-grain finish for maximum grip. The S2
and all S lenses are extensively weatherproofed and
can withstand exposure to rain and dust, and the USB
and remote control ports feature rugged bayonet locks
with strain relief. The S2 can also be supplied with
a highly scratch-resistant LEICA S2-P sapphire glass
display cover for the most extreme and demanding conditions.
Dual shutter system
The LEICA S2 allows photographers to choose the shutter
system which best matches the task at hand. The S2 is
equipped with a metal focal-plane shutter with the fastest
shutter speed of 1/4000 of a second and a flash synch
time of 1/125 of a second. Lenses of key focal lengths
will be available in the future with integrated leaf
shutters designed by Leica engineers that photographers
can activate via the camera's main switch. The integrated
leaf shutter allows flash units to be used at the fastest
shutter speed of 1/500 second, giving photographers
more options for suppressing unwanted ambient light.
Several patents are pending for the Leica leaf shutter,
which features an electronically-controlled drive guaranteeing
reliable, fast exposure times and low energy consumption.
Features
CS Lenses have an integrated focal-plane shutter
The integrated leaf shutter allows flash units to be
used at the fastest shutter speed of 1/500 second, giving
photographers more options for for suppressing unwanted
ambient light.
Sophisticated design features special grades of glass
and aspherical surfaces
Manufactured to extremely narrow tolerances, with each
lens centered by hand, guarantees superior quality and
optical performance
Newly developed S-bayonet mount ensures rapid and precise
digital exchange of data and commands between the camera
and lens.
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