Leica Rumors

Leica BOX prototype, Leica R6 owned by Sebastião Salgado at the next 49 Leitz Photographica Auction

By LR admin | Published: November 2, 2026

Leica BOX prototype, a Leica R6 owned by photography icon Sebastião Salgado, and outstanding lenses in the spotlight

The auction house Leitz Photographica Auction is staging the 49th edition of its namesake event dedicated to historically significant cameras and vintage photographic equipment. Among the highlights of the auction, which will take place on 28 November at Leica World in Wetzlar, are an exceptionally rare Leica BOX camera from the 1950s, a Leica R6 owned by Magnum photographer Sebastião Salgado (1944–2025), and a re-edition of the Elcan 66 mm f/2. In addition, an exhibition celebrating 60 years of Leica Noctilux will open at Leica World during the auction weekend.

Leica digest #256

By LR admin | Published: November 1, 2026

→ Two weeks ago, Godox released firmware update v1.18 for the iT32 flash (additional information), improving compatibility with the Leica M11 camera. Last week, Godox updated the firmware on the X5L wireless flash trigger for Leica and iT30ProL compact TTL flashes, and they’re now compatible with the Leica M11. You can find all Godox products for Leica here.

→ Godox also released a new compact iM10 mini flash with a universal, single-contact hot shoe for $25 (currently in stock at B&H Photo and Amazon). Additional information is available here.

→ The previously reported Sirui Swift 20mm f/2.4 and 40mm f/2.2 autofocus full-frame prime lenses for Leica L mounts are now available for pre-order at Amazon and the official Sirui store for $149 (use code RUMORS for 5% off).

Posted in Other Leica Stuff| Tagged Leica digest| 37 Comments

The Rock n Roll Milano backpack gets two siblings in brown and taupe (coupon code included)

By LR admin | Published: November 1, 2026

In addition to the Milano Incognito in Black, Brown, and Taupe, Rock n Roll launched new Milano backpacks in brown and taupe. Here is the full Milano line:

Leica Rumors readers get 15% off at rocknrollstraps.com with the code RUMORS15.

Additional information:

Posted in Leica Accessories| Tagged Rock n Roll camera bags, Rock n Roll straps coupon code| Leave a Comment

Four upcoming Leica auctions: Lidong, Tamarkin, OstLicht, and Leitz

By LR admin | Published: November 1, 2026

In the next 6 weeks, there will be four major Leica auctions:

The autumn Lidong Camera & Photo auction will be held on December 12th, 2026, in Hangzhou, China.

The next Tamarkin Rare Camera Auction will take place on November 21, 2026, in Chicago.

Posted in Leica Auction Madness| Tagged Leitz Photographica Auction, Lidong Camera & Photo Auction, Ostlicht camera auction, Tamarkin Photographica Auction| Leave a Comment

A rare Leica / Hughes Leitz 17mm f/2 fisheye lens prototype sold for $20,001 at Goodwill

By LR admin | Published: November 1, 2026

A rare Leica / Hughes Leitz 17mm f/2 fisheye lens prototype sold for $20,001 at Goodwill (the starting price was just $35):

The rare Leica/Hughes Leitz 17mm f/2 is a massive prototype fisheye lens made in Canada by Hughes Leitz Optical Technologies (the name used after Hughes Aircraft acquired Ernst Leitz Canada/ELCAN in late 1990 and before the sale to Raytheon in late 1997) specifically for Electrosonic. Weighing nearly 12 kg (about 26 lbs), it delivers a 163° field of view, features fixed focus with no aperture diaphragm, and was built for specialized industrial or projection use.