Leica Rumors

Leica is rumored to announce a new SL 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and a Leica Extender L 2.0x

By LR admin | Published: June 10, 2024

Leica is rumored to announce a new SL 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and a new Extender L 2.0x (currently, only the Leica Extender L 1.4x for Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 is available). Both extenders have been rumored for a while.

I don’t know if the new 70-200mm f/2.8 will be a rebatched lens or Leica-designed. Both Panasonic and Sigma already have 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses for L-mount in their lineups:

The official announcement is expected this summer (in the next few weeks).

FYI: Leica also has its own APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 lens.

Posted in L-Mount Alliance, Leica Lenses| Tagged Leica SL 70-200mm f/2.8 lens| 6 Comments

The next Fjorden smartphone grip could be Leica-branded

By LR admin | Published: June 10, 2024

Last week I reported that Leica Camera AG took over the Norwegian company Fjorden Electra AS in the course of the development of the new Leica LUX app. You can now read the full details and the backstory in this post: “Fjorden is now part of Leica Camera“.

It is interesting to note that Fjorden also sells a grip for smartphones:

and according to this comment, there is a very good chance that the next version of the grip could be Leica-branded:

Posted in Leica Accessories| Tagged Fjorden, Leica LUX Grip, Leica x Fjorden camera grip for iPhone, Leica-branded Fjorden smartphone grip| Leave a Comment

Luminar Iceland Photo Tour in August: get $500 off

By LR admin | Published: June 8, 2024

In addition to the popular photo editing tool, Luminar is also offering photo tours. Their next destination is Iceland:

Aug 17 – Aug 23, 2024
Activity level: easy
7-day adventure through Iceland’s diverse landscapes
Original price: $6,000 ($500 off if you mention the code rumors)

If you compare other photo tours to Iceland, the price is pretty decent. If you mention the code RUMORS when you sign up, you can get $500 off the original price of $6,000 (the final price will be $5,500).

Tour description:

“From dramatic waterfalls to volcanic lakes and mountains, our Iceland excursion promises an unforgettable experience for photography enthusiasts. Organized in collaboration with the local tour operator and led by professional photographers, this tour offers unique opportunities to elevate your photography skills and take breathtaking shots you’ll want to frame on the wall. Organized in partnership with Europe’s leading tour operator Iceland Photo Workshops ehf.”

Additional information can be found here.

Luminar Neo summer sale: up to 80% off

Posted in Deals| Tagged Luminar, Skylum Luminar Neo, sponsored post| Leave a Comment

What’s next for Leica? (updated rumors recap)

By LR admin | Published: June 8, 2024

After the recent Leica D-Lux 8 announcements, here is an updated list/recap of expected/rumored Leica cameras and lenses (see all previous reports here):

Posted in Other Leica Stuff| Tagged What's next for Leica| 8 Comments

New and improved AstrHori XH-2 on camera light meter announced

By LR admin | Published: June 6, 2024

AstrHori announced a new and improved XH-2 light meter with more accurate photometry, a more sensitive sensor, and a new design (the old version is sold out).

The AstrHori XH-2 is currently in stock at Pergear and should soon be available also at Amazon Store and the official AstrHori website

Here are the XH-2 technical specifications:

Posted in Leica Accessories| Tagged AstrHori, AstrHori XH-2 light meter| 1 Comment

New Leica LUX app can simulate the “Leica look” of different lenses

By LR admin | Published: June 6, 2024

Today Leica announced that it had acquired the smartphone photography startup Fjorden Electra AS and introduced a new smartphone app called “Leica LUX” that can simulate the “Leica look” of different lenses:

“With Leica LUX, users can experiment with well-known Leica lenses without having to physically take a camera in their hands. In ‘Aperture-Mode’, iPhone photographers can take pictures with the characteristic signatures of a range of classic Leica lenses, among them, the Summilux-M 28 mm f/1.4 ASPH and the Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1.2 ASPH. Thanks to Leica’s proprietary image processing engine, which is based on machine learning and computer-aided photography, these lens simulations reproduce the unmistakable look for which these lenses are famed, including, of course, the characteristic bokeh effect. This means that an iPhone can also emulate photos with the unique aesthetic of the legendary Leica M lenses.”

Additional information:

Posted in Other Leica Stuff| Tagged Fjorden, Leica app for iPhone, Leica LUX app, Leica x Fjorden camera grip for iPhone| 14 Comments

Last chance to get one: restock of the Contax G45 f/2 lens for Leica M conversion by Funleader

By LR admin | Published: June 5, 2024

Funleader will have one final batch of the Contax G45 f/2 lens for Leica M conversion in July. This will be their final restock, as these are the last 200 original Contax optical lenses available. Pre-orders are now open at a discounted price of $999 instead of the original $1199:

You can use code LEICARUMORS for an additional 5% off:

Orders will be sent out in early July. Some silver G45 lenses are still available; however, the last batch of G45 lenses will be only in black.

Keep in mind that for $999, you will get the complete lens. The conversion kit is also available (without the optics) for $489 – you basically have to source your own original lens and convert it (check the product page for instructions).

Funleader has several other products for Leica cameras:

Additional/previous coverage: