The New York City-based audio company Master & Dynamic and Leica Camera announced a new headphones signature collection:
This is the second Master & Dynamic and Leica Camera collaboration (more info on the previously announced products can be found here and here).
Press release and additional pictures:
Read More
A reader recently received his Leica Noctilux M 75mm f/1.25 ASPH lens ($12,795) and send me this quick hands-on report together with a few sample photos (thanks Onasj!):
Here is a video of the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) “Stealth Edition” camera ($15,750) launch event in New York:
Additional information on the latest Leica limited edition camera can be found here:
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) ‘Stealth Edition’ camera announced
Some background and context
It’s been a year since I invested in the SL, my first Leica, coming from over two decades of being an enthusiast Nikon fanboy and after exploring the Fuji X system. What finally made me invest in a Leica was not just the combination of brand, build and image quality, but the full-frame mirrorless body with it’s amazing EVF and that exceptional 24-90mm zoom. As gorgeous as the M cameras are, I just can’t work with rangefinder focussing and those fiddly little lenses. The real-time large EVF with WYSIWYG composition was enough for me to divest myself of some savings. Enough real world amateur sample images had convinced me that the results would be worth it; no more waxy skin tones being a key deal-maker. I’m not getting into a cost-benefit analysis or value for money comparison with other brands. Suffice to say that the difference was worth it to me.
One of the great elements of the Leica SL is the real-time, WYSIWYG EVF display that enables immediate exposure compensations for tricky lighting. Leica Summicron-SL 75mm f4.5 1/2500th ISO400.
Leica Summicron-SL 75mm f2 1/100th ISO400.
I was also taken with the idea of adapting a range of legacy manual focus lenses, but had also seen the Photokina announcement in September 2016 promising bespoke AF lenses for the SL. In the meantime I experimented with Leica M, R and Voigtlander lenses, as well as some old Nikon F and M42 cold war ‘novelty’ lenses. I’d been tempted by the SL-50mm but it’s size, weight and slow speed put me off, and it’s not a focal length that I imagine using enough to justify the cost. I very nearly bought a new Summicron M 75mm, but with the promise of the SL version I delayed my gratification. Little did I know that I would be waiting a full 18 months for it. But, in late January 2018 the lens was released from captivity. I managed to secure one of the first out of the Wetzlar fold from Dale Photographic of Leeds, UK, who securely and quickly shipped the lens to me at my workplace in Doha, Qatar. It arrived just a few days before I was heading to Bangkok for a week of street and travel photography. How excited was I?
The Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm arrives on my desk from Dale Photographic, UK.
This is not a lens test. I include one pair comparison images, but this article is intended as a user review, and a case for using the 75mm focal length as a street photography lens. What follows are my impressions and user experiences with the lens. Bear in mind that these are 300kb images. Larger versions are viewable at this Flickr page: Bangkok market portraits Enjoy.
The new Leica APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f/2 ASPH lens is now shipping in the US. Check pricing and availability at Adorama, B&H, Leica Store Miami and Popflash.
Leica officially announces the APO Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 and 90mm f/2 ASPH lenses
Like: Leica Lenses Facebook Page | Join: Leica Lenses Facebook Group
USA. Milwaukee. Wisconsin. 2017. Caleb, a farm boy. Photo Leica / Bruce Gilden exhibition at Photo London 2018.
USA. Iowa. 2017. Trinity, a farm girl. Photo Leica / Bruce Gilden exhibition at Photo London 2018.
USA. Iowa. 2017. Nathen, a farm boy. Photo Leica / Bruce Gilden exhibition at Photo London 2018.
As a camera and optics brand, Leica has been deeply involved in not only the production but the culture of photography since its inception. The brand’s passion for this art form is still something that it heavily involves itself in today. For Leica, photography has always been at the forefront of its thoughts and actions; Leica is photography. It is then befitting that for the third year running, Leica Camera will be the Official Partner of Photo London and is proud to host the Leica Collector’s Lounge.
This year will see a record number of exhibitors including 100 of the world’s leading galleries at the world-class photography fair which will showcase the very best of the past, present and future of photography to its international audience. Guests can attend from 17th – 20th May (press preview: 16th May) at Somerset House to experience new work by established masters and rare vintage pieces alongside work from emerging artists as well. Leica Camera will join these highly anticipated collections of work with their own exclusive exhibition: Farm Boys and Farm Girls USA by Magnum Photographer Bruce Gilden.
