LEICA S Typ007

A review and Photo example of the LEICA S typ007 digital camera by Leica

Gallery
Review
LEICA S lenes
S-adapter H
S-adapter C645
S-adapter V
How I came to purchase the product
Specification
Options
History of medium-format digital cameras (memorandum)
Reference links

ギャラリー

Review

The impression when holding the body is the same as that of the S-E / S2, but the year of release is 2015, and the photographic functions have been brushed up over the years.
In particular, the sensor sensitivity of up to ISO 6400 due to the change to a CMOS sensor is a very welcome development for SLR cameras that require a certain shutter speed when handheld.
While the maximum shutter speed remains unchanged, bulb shooting varies by model, with the S typ007 ~~(with the shortest at 60 seconds)~~ extended to ISO 100/125 seconds with firmware 5.0.0, similar to the S2; the S2 has the longest at ISO 100 for 125 seconds, and the S3 has been extended to 8 minutes.
The design of the S typ007 /S3 is similar to the S2 without the GPS protrusion on the right shoulder of the S-E /S typ006, which is a good change. It may be because we are accustomed to Japanese product design that changes all aspects of the design at a low price.
The plastic cover on the right shoulder of S typ007 /S3 was supposed to be a sub LCD display, but it only looked like that due to the change of material to allow radio waves to pass through.
The S typ007 was given to me as a second-hand item with both a normal screen and a grid screen, so I used the grid screen, which is naturally easier to compose than the normal screen.
The optical viewfinder of the S is basically unchanged, and although it depends on the photographer’s eyesight and the lens, I find it relatively easy to identify the focus peak in bright areas, but in dark areas it is quite hopeless, and if you are not careful when shooting, you can definitely miss the focus peak, or even cheat by slightly shifting the focus position. The focus position can be slightly shifted to cheat the photographer.
It is highly possible that this feature is useless in dark conditions, but when using MF, I sometimes wish I had a built-in magnifier so I could track the focus more precisely.
The only way to solve the focusing problem is to use the camera more and more to understand the habits of the finder mount and adjust it, but I find it quite difficult to do so due to my deteriorating eyesight.

Since I am using a hand-held camera weighing about 2 kg including the lens (putting aside the pros and cons of hand-held use of this camera), hand-held shooting at slow shutter speeds is subject to the following problems: low yield due to blur caused by mirror shock, noise from the mirror driving noise during shooting, and the focusing accuracy of the optical viewfinder is dependent on the photographer’s skill. The accuracy of the optical viewfinder’s focus depends on the skill of the photographer.
In addition to the above, from the aspect of price, if you want to play with medium format lenses mounted on a camera, you will probably be much happier using FUJIFILM’s GFX. However, the LEICA S is the only SLR camera that can shoot medium-format lenses from various companies on a sensor larger than the 35mm size sensor, and the trend of SLR cameras’ decline will not stop. If LEICA continues this 45mmx30mm professional format, it is inevitable that LEICA S will be mirrorless.

LEICA S lenes
The Leica S lenses have been released with eight single focal length lenses from 24mm to 180mm, one zoom lens, and one tilt-shift lens The S series appears to be almost sold out as of 2023, and no new lenses are expected to be added.

Lens name	F number	Shutter	HASSELBLAD	CONTAX 645
SUPER ELMAR-S 24mm	F3.5	None	HCD24mm
ELMARIT-S 30mm	F2.8	Equipment/None	HCD28mm
SUMMARIT-S 35mm	F2.5	Equipment/None	HC35mm	DISTAGON 35mm
ELMARIT-S 45mm	F2.8	Equipment/None	HC50mm	DISTAGON 45mm/55mm
SUMMARIT-S 70mm	F2.5	Equipment/None	HC80mm
SUMMICRON-S 100mm	F2	None	HC100mm	PLANAR 80mm
APO MACRO SUMMARIT-S 120mm	F2.5	Equipment/None	HC MACRO 120mm	APO MAKRO PLANAR 120mm
TS APO ELMAR S 120mm	F5.6	None	TS Adapter
APO ELMAR S 180mm	F3.5	Equipment/None	HC210mm	SONNAR 210mm
VARIO ELMAR S 30-90	3.5-5.6	None	HCD35-90	VARIO SONNAR 45-90
			HC300mm	APO TELE TESSAR 350mm

S-H Mount adater
The following are the results of operating my H lenses via the S-H mount adapter.
The HCD24mm from *1 is not on the list of lenses that work with the S-H mount adapter, but it works fine, but the aperture and lens information does not seem to be transmitted and is not recorded in the Exif file.
The HC35mm is a FUJIFILM brand lens, but it worked without problems.
The HASSELBLAD X series can only use AF with new lenses called Orange Dot, but the LEICA-S typ007 can use AF with older H lenses with the S-H mount adapter.
I was surprised that the HC120mmII, which in no way works on the X series except MF, is also AF capable.
As shown in the operation list, the use of the extension tube H and teleconverter H x1.7 prevents the lens authentication and does not work properly. It is a little disappointing that the expandability of the system is spoiled.

Lens name	AF	Shutter	Firmware	Frequency of use
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	○

Among the lenses I had on hand, the HC 50-110mm and the HC210 with the triangle symbol were immobile in AF and did not recognize the lens. I wondered if there was a problem with the lens, but I found the following note on the National photo web site: “Three items seem to apply, but after checking the firmware, it is not that old, so I think the AF motor in the lens may be dead.
I was thinking of sending my Hassel lenses to Hasselblad Japan for inspection, but I heard that the store in Harajuku will be closed on May 13, 2023, and that support in Japan will be provided through the distributor, so I am a little worried about the future.

Personal use frequency latest camera body firmware upgrade required.
The Hasselblad Tilt-Shift Adapter HTS 1.5 cannot be used.
May not work or be recognized by Hassel HC lenses with older firmware.
FUJIFILM GX645 lenses are not supported. There is a possibility of malfunction or non-recognition.
We judge that the rangefinder eye-measuring is designed to be misaligned.

S- Adapter C645
The following are the review of using the S-Adapter C645 to operate my CONTAX 645 lenses.
Although this is not a system that requires fast shooting, the Contax 645 lens used via the C645 adapter took a moment or two to start autofocusing. The H lenses used via the H adapter are quicker to start AF.
Although there is an aperture ring on the lens, the LEICA S camera cannot recognize the position of the aperture ring on the lens, and the aperture value is set with a dial on the camera. It is unfortunate that a physical indicator is available but not usable, but this is not a problem since it can be adjusted on the camera side just like other lenses.
The LEICA S has P/A/M shooting modes, and I had no problems using them.

Nine CONTAX 645 lenses plus one teleconverter have been released, but with Kyocera’s termination of its camera business in 2005 and the end of support in 2015, the product is completely finished and the lenses are no longer available.

The Apo-Makro-Planar 120mm sometimes requires the camera’s focus to be set to MF to release the shutter when the focus mark is not reached, and when you have two lenses, this lens and an AF lens, you have to switch focus each time you change lenses, which is a bit troublesome.

Nine CONTAX 645 lenses plus one teleconverter have been released, but with Kyocera’s termination of its camera business in 2005 and the end of support in 2015, the product is now completely finished and lens availability is poor.
The 45mm/120mm/140mm/210mm/Mutar x1.4, which are relatively easy to obtain, were obtained.
One of the advantages of using the C645 adapter is the availability of a telecon and extension tube.

The list price of the lenses (Japanese yen and excluding tax) was added to the reference information in the table below.
The used prices of the 55mm and 80mm lenses as of 2023 are above list price and seem to be overvalued, while the 45mm wide-angle and 120/140/210 telephoto lenses seem to be inexpensive.
I would like to try the Tele Apo Tessar 350mm if it is available.
The Distagon 35mm has been seen on the market as of 2023, but I am holding off on it because it conflicts with the HC35mm (I am interested in comparing the two, but I am satisfied with the HC35mm because it is more complete).
The Vario Sonnar 45-90 is on hold because it is relatively expensive and conflicts with the HCD35-90.

Lens name	Foucs	Filter	Hood	Availability	Reference links
Distagon 35mm F3.5	AF	95mm	GB-101	Get	¥287,000-
Distagon 45mm F2.8	AF	72mm	GB-71	Get	¥250,000-
Distagon 55mm F3.5	AF	72mm	GB-72	High price	¥150,000-
Planar 80mm F2	AF	72mm	GB-72	High price	¥177,000-
Apo Makro Planar 120mm	MF	72mm	GB-73	Get	¥270,000- ZEISSレンズとかなんとか
Sonnar 140mm F2.8	AF	72mm	GB-73	Get	¥245,000-
Sonnar 210mm F4	AF	72mm	GB-74	Get	¥250,000-
Apo Tessar 350 F4	AF	95mm	GB-102	High price	¥670,000- ナニワ / 鑑真カメラ
Vario Sonnar 45-90 F4.5	AF	95mm	GB-104	Get	¥379,000-
Mutar x1.4	AF	–		Get	¥120,000-

S-adapter V
The S-V mount adapter is simply a tube for connecting a V-mount without electrical contacts or a lens shutter drive mechanism, and there is no difference in usability depending on the type of V-mount lens. The shutter uses the shutter of the camera.
In addition to the genuine S-V mount adapter, METABONES and KIPON have also released S-V mount adapters.

Lens name	Focal length	manufacturer	note
Planar	80	Carl Zeiss
Macro Planar	120	Carl Zeiss/Cosina
Olympia sonnar	180	aus jena

How I came to purchase the product
Leica S2/S typ006 (S-E) is the first generation of Leica medium format digital cameras. There are some people who remove the sensor coat, but I was not willing to go that far and returned both of them.
The Leica S typ007 has a CMOS sensor and the system inside the body has progressed over the years.
As of 2023, the price of the S typ007 is about the same as the LEICA SL2 if it is used compared to the LEICA S3. The problem would be the lack of balls.
I was looking for it and saw that it was on M-Calli, so I registered as a new member and bought it, but the seller was warned that someone with no transaction history had purchased a high priced item, so he was forced to cancel it by the management, causing trouble for him.

Specification
SLR camera with medium format digital sensor. The sensor manufacturer is unknown; it is only labeled LEICA CMOS Image sensor. Since there are only a few companies that can design a sensor of this size, it is likely to be either ams-OSRAM AG (CMOSIS) or SONY.
As the name “reflex” implies, the camera is equipped with a mirror in front of the shutter release.
I thought the transparent part on the left shoulder was a display, but it is just plastic to let GPS signals through.
A lens shutter can be used, and Leica S CS-type lenses and Hasselblad H lenses can use the shutter on the lens side. However, since the camera is equipped with a mirror, the mirror is always turned up when shooting, so when shooting hand-held, the benefit of the lens shutter to reduce blurring is almost nonexistent.
When using a tripod for still-life photography, it may be practical to press the shutter once to raise the mirror and then release the shutter.

Items	S2	S/S-E(Typ006)	S(Typ007)	S3
Effective Pixels	3750	3750	3750	6400
Sensor Type	CCD (KODAK) KAF-37500	CCD (KODAK) KAF-37500	CMOS (LEICA) Unknown	CMOS (LEICA) Unknown
Recored media	CF/SDHC	CF/SDXC	CF/SDXC	CF/SDXC
Weight(g)	1410	1260	1260	1260
Release date	2009/10	2012/2014	2015	2018

LEICA S Typ007 maximum exposure time

ISO	MAX Time
100	125
200	90
400	45
800	24
1600	12
3200	9
6400	4
12800	2

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 Professional Battery Charger S for Leica S System
16039 Leica S Battery BP-PRO1

History of medium-format digital cameras (memorandum)
Since I started using cameras with sensors larger than the 35mm full-size sensor, I will record my research on the history of digital backs before the MAMIYA ZD, starting with the MAMIYA ZD, which I am personally interested in, although PhaseOne/HASSELBLAD and others sold digital backs before the MAMIYA ZD. I will start with MAMIYA ZD, which I am personally interested in.

Release date	Manufacturer	Model name	2023 Brand New Price(Jp-Yen)	2023 Used Price(Jp-Yen)	センサーサイズ
2005	MAMIYA	ZD		25〜30	48*36
2007	HASSELBLAD	H3D			5636/4836/4433 3
2009	LEICA	S2		15〜60	45*30
2009	MAMIYA/Leaf*1	645DF			5440/4937/4433 3
2010	HASSELBLAD	H4D			5636/4836/4433 3
2010	LEICA	S2P		15〜60	45*30
2010	PENTAX*2	645D		30	44*33
2012	MAMIYA/Leaf*1	645DF+			5440/4937/4433 3
2014	RICOH PENTAX	645Z	45	40	44*33
2014	HASSELBLAD	H5D			5636/4836/4433 3
2014	LEICA	S typ006		15〜60	45*30
2014	LEICA	S-E typ006		15〜60	45*30
2015	LEICA	S typ007	250	50〜80	45*30
2015	Phase One	XF			5440 3
2016	HASSELBLAD	H6D			5440/4433 *3
2016	HASSELBLAD	X1D		40	44*33
2017	FUJIFILM	GFX50S		25	44*33
2018	FUJIFILM	GFX50R		25	44*33
2019	FUJIFILM	GFX100		55	44*33
2019	HASSELBLAD	X1DII		55	44*33
2020	HASSELBLAD	X907	80	70	44*33
2020	LEICA	S3	250	140〜180	45*30
2021	FUJIFILM	GFX100S		50	44*33
2021	FUJIFILM	GFX50SII		35	44*33
2022	HASSELBLAD	X2D	120	100	44*33