“Buried Leica story” by Stephen Dowling:
Earlier this year, I met up with my friend Darren for a day of photography in Brighton, a bustling seaside city on England’s south coast.
Over the phone a few days before, Darren had told me he would bring along a friend’s camera, something he’d been asked to test to see if it was still in working condition. He said I might find the camera’s history interesting.
The new Leica M10-R high megapixel camera is coming soon, but you can still enlarge your images up to 600% without losing detail and preserving image quality with Gigapixel AI.
Yesterday Topaz Labs released an update to Gigapixel AI with a model improvement for better results, a new single-image preview view, new zoom options, and the new “man-made” mode to better enhance the details in cityscapes, typography, and other images with clear outlines and sharp edges. Topaz Labs also launched a new limited-time special sale:
→ You can use coupon code RUMORS15 for an additional 15% off
The above offers are valid from June 25 through July 7. Here is a screenshot of Gigapixel AI:
I received my TTartisan 50mm f/0.95 lens for Leica M-mount a few days ago and uploaded a few full resolution sample photos to flickr (the DNG files can be downloaded here).
The photos are not manipulated in any way (SOOC: Straight Out of the Camera) and almost all of them were taken wide open at f/0.95. All camera JPG settings were set to “normal”. I will soon post a side by side comparison with the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 Asph lens. Stay tuned!
In addition to the Photo Rumors Online Store (free international shipping), the new TTartisan 50mm f/0.95 lens can now be pre-ordered at Amazon, B&H Photo and Focus Camera (eBay also has several questionable listings). The lens is shipping in very limited quantities and the pre-order lists are long (this is why I am not convinced these eBay retailers have the lens in stock). I am talking directly with the manufacturer and will get a notification once the lens is available.
Here are the low-resolution versions of the TTartisan 50mm f/0.95 sample photos (unedited, just resized for the Web, click for larger view):
In case you missed my post on PhotoRumors last week – Sigma released three new APS-C interchangeable DC DN lenses for L-mount (basically for the Leica CL, TL and TL2 cameras):
The new lenses are also available for pre-order at B&H.
Additional information:
This year is a milestone year for the prestigious Leica Oskar Barnack Award, as it celebrates 40 years of honoring establish and emerging photographers from across the world. Leica Camera will mark the momentous year with a few updates to the Award judging process and upgrading prizes awarded to winners:
