LEICA S-E / S2
A review of using the Leica S-E typ006 and S2 digital camera.
Table of contents
Gallery
The lenses used in the example photos were HASSELBLAD HC100, HC80, HC50, and HC35.
Review
1．Overview
The LEICA S-E is a medium-format digital sensor SLR camera that is a minor change to the LEICA S2.
The shooting sensor, the heart of a digital camera, is equipped with a KODAK CCD sensor (KAF-37500), and as the name SLR suggests, it is equipped with a mirror in front of the shutter.
This sensor has a problem with coating peeling, which will be discussed later.
When a Leica S or Hasselblad H lens with a shutter is attached, the lens shutter can be used.
The shutter mode can be switched depending on the position of the power button; when the power lever is set to CS (central shutter), the leaf shutter is used, and when FPS (focal plane shutter) is selected, the body shutter is used.
2．Usability
The body of the LEICA S-E is big, like holding a lunchbox. The shutter sound is not so loud, but there is a vibration from the huge mirror going up and down.
I use Hasselblad lenses with a leaf shutter, but the camera’s metering is via the mirror, so when you press the shutter, the mirror goes up first, and then the leaf shutter operates, so it doesn’t feel much different from using a normal mechanical shutter. The camera’s specifications mean that it is not possible to use only the leaf shutter like a mirrorless camera, so it can’t be helped. I don’t actively use the leaf shutter except for flash synchronization.
Unlike mirrorless cameras, the mirror goes up before the shutter is released when shooting, so there is a delay between the mirror up and the leaf shutter, which is a little different from the shooting interval when using the camera shutter, so it takes some getting used to.
When using the standard battery charger, the terminals of the charger are inserted into the square recess of the battery, which is similar to the old DMR (Digital Module R).
3．Summary
In conclusion, sum up to the LEICA S-E, if the sensor coating is decent, it will perform well enough for practical use as of 2025. However, if the sensor coating is peeling off, the shadow will appear in the captured image, making it unusable.
If you are purchasing a camera, you should test it out to make sure there are no problems with the sensor surface. Also, the surface coating seems to be very delicate, so you should avoid touching the sensor surface.
○ Lens mount adapter for other companies
A genuine mount adapter is provided for the LEICA S, and I purchased the 16030 Leica S Adapter H to mount a Hasselblad H lens.
The genuine adapter is very well made and holds the H lens securely.
Firmware 2.5 seems to be available, but I can’t find it on the LEICA site. I saw information that the firmware can only be obtained from registered users. It seems that the S3 can be downloaded from the normal website, so the policy may have changed. I tried to register my Leica product, but couldn’t find the firmware.
I found a US download site that had firmware for the S2/S typ006/S-E typ006/S typ007.
I posted the results of using some of my H lenses immediately after they arrived.
*1 The HCD24mm is not on the compatibility list but I was able to use it normally, but it seems that aperture and lens information is not transmitted and no record is left in Exif.
The HC35mm is a FUJIFILM brand but worked without any problems.
As stated in the compatibility list, using the Extension Tube H or Teleconverter H x1.7 means that lens authentication is not possible and it will not work properly.
| Lens name | AF | Shutter | |
| HCD24mm | ○*1 | ○*1 | 19.1 |
| HCD28mm | ○ | ○ | 19.1 |
| HCD 35-90mm | ○ | ○ | 19.1 |
| HC35mm(Fuji version) | ○ | ○ | 9.0 |
| HC50mm-II | ○ | ○ | 19.1 |
| HC 50-110mm | △ | △ | 10.0 |
| HC80mm | ○ | ○ | 10.0 |
| HC100mm | ○ | ○ | 19.1 |
| HC120mm Macro-II | ○ | ○ | 19.1 |
| HC150mm | ○ | ○ | 10.0 |
| HC210mm | △ | △ | 12.0 |
| HC300mm | ○ | ○ | 19.1 |
HASSELBLAD Xシリーズではオレンジドットと呼ばれる新レンズしかAFは使えないが、LEICA-S-EはS-HマウントアダAF is possible with old H lenses if you use a Hasselblad Tilt-Shift Adapter.
I was surprised that the HC120mmII, which only works in MF on the X series, was also capable of AF.
The HC 50-110mm and HC210 lenses with the triangle mark were not recognized because the AF was not working. I thought there might be a problem with the lens, but I found the following warning on the National photo website（Link to web archive for removal of page from original site）. It seems that the third item applies.
I checked the firmware and it is not that old, so I think the AF motor of the lens is dead.
- The latest camera body firmware is required.
- The Hasselblad Tilt-Shift Adapter HTS 1.5 cannot be used.
- Hasselblad HC lenses with old firmware may not work or be recognized.
- FUJIFILM GX645 lenses are not supported. They may not work or be recognized.
- We believe that the rangefinder is designed to be misaligned.
There are only a handful of websites in Japan that provide information about the Leica S series, and the amount of information is small.
There are only a few personal websites and camera shop websites that introduce the series (see reference links).
○ The circumstances leading up to the purchase and peeling of the coating on the LCD surface
Finally, I decided to try the S series. It all started with an S-H mount adapter at a map store that was 75% off. I already had a complete set of H lenses, so this and the body were all I needed to complete my system.
I couldn’t resist the appeal of using H lenses on other platforms.
When using Hasselblad H lenses on other platforms, there are three options: the original X series, FUJIFILM’s GFX series, and LEICA-S. The GFX is equipped with a mechanical shutter, but the sensor is not that different from the X1D/X2D, so it was out of the running.
After clicking on the mount adapter, I searched for a body on the second-hand market and found a LEICA S-E in pretty good condition. I had no choice but to think that this one was calling me. I also liked the gray color of the Leica E model, so I clicked the button while thinking about how to get the money, but the LEICA S-E is the final model equipped with a CCD sensor, so there is a risk of the sensor cover peeling off, and if it actually does peel off, I have to think of a way to avoid it.
I thought it would be unavoidable if the symptoms appeared after a few months of use, but I found the sensor peeling off on the first day, and when I flipped up the mirror to check the sensor surface, it was clearly peeling off. Since it had only been a few days since it arrived, I consulted the seller, and they said they would let me return it, so unfortunately I went back to the seller.
The body was gone, and all I had left was the HASSELBLAD mount adapter for the LEICA S.
I saw an S2 at a reasonable used price and bought it, but when I looked at it in sensor cleaning mode, it was even worse than the S-E, the sensor coating was really tattered, and even the marks left by an amateur wipe were clearly visible. I tried taking a picture of a white wall, but the deterioration of the sensor coating was so visible that I didn’t feel like going outdoors, so I returned it immediately.
The recent mail order industry is rampant with companies that only do resale and don’t check at all, so you can’t buy it unless you check the concerns and get a guarantee of a return. This time, I bought it prepared to return it after checking, but I was defeated. The company was fairly decent and I was able to return it and get a refund, so it all worked out, but I don’t want to keep taking chances. If it was treated as junk from the start and was super cheap, I’d feel like it would be a good idea to try to remove the coating.
Sensor peeling was a hot topic on the LEICA FORUM around 2021. The information I gathered is as follows.
If the sensor has been replaced, it shouldn’t peel off. (According to an old post, it will be replaced with the same one as the original, so it will peel off over time.)
Leica Customer knows if the sensor has been replaced, so they will let you know if you inquire.
I actually inquired about whether the sensor had been replaced for a body listed on Leica Customer’s mail order site, and they told me the result.
According to Leica Customer, peeling is rare (I think it’s true).
After the warranty period has expired, handling sensor peeling will be a paid service at the price of each country’s office.
It seems that repairs will cost more than 400,000 yen.
I recommend using the S2/S, S-E typ006 as a starting point and aiming to replace it with the S typ007.
Because of this sensor issue, it seems tough to use the old S2/S-E. I saw a thread asking whether it is worth using a 2009 camera in 2023, but I am interested in that camera and think that if it works properly, there is meaning and value in using it even if it is an old model.
As for Leica, the M series is in a cooling off period, the L series is in a mood of postponement because the T series was discontinued and there has been no progress since the SL2, and I wanted to try the S, but it feels like I have been defeated.
I would like to see a Leica model of the Panasonic S5II, but I feel that the hope is slim.
Japanese cameras are overwhelmingly more reliable and reassuring, but when you get used to using an unstable and sloppy camera, it can become addictive, like loving a bad child.
Specification
| Items | S2 | S/S-E(Typ006) | S(Typ007) | S3 | |
| Effective Pixels | 3750 | 3750 | 3750 | 6400 | |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD | CMOS | CMOS | |
| storage media | CF/SDHC | CF/SDXC | CF/SDXC | CF/SDXC | |
| Weight | 1410 | 1260 | 1260 | 1260 | |
| Release date | 2010 | 2012/2014 | 2015 | 2018 |
Options
- 16038 LEICA S adapter C
- 16024 LEICA S adapter V
- 16030 LEICA S adapter H
- 16026 LEICA S adapter P67
- Metabones HV to L/S
- Metabones P67 to L/S
- 16011 LEICA S system profecional battery charger S
- 16039 LEICA S Battery BP-PRO1
- 16000 Universal Screen
- 16001 Microprismatic screen
- 16002 Grid screen
Reference links
- https://maenomeri.tokyo/leicas_living_1/
- https://ichirophoto.org/category/leica/s/
- http://photo.yodobashi.com/gear/leica/camera/s/index.html+
Update history
- 2025.6.15
- 2024.12.14
- 2022.02.28:First draft
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