The previously rumored Leica APO-Summicron 50mm LHSA 50th anniversary lens is now officially announced. The lens will unite the classic look of the legacy Summicron 50mm f/2 from 1954 with modern technology to fully exploit the contrast and resolution offered by current digital cameras. Only 500 pieces will be produced (300 black and 200 silver chrome). The US price is $9,595. Shipping will start in January 2018. Pre-orders are now open at:
The first news is that Leica released a new firmware update for all of their Leica M cameras with added support for the latest two lenses:
Support for the new Thambar-M 90 f/2.2
Support for the new Noctilux-M 75 f/1.25 ASPH
A Bug, that lead to occasional underexposure when using a flash unit, was fixed (for some cameras only, not for the M10)
Here is the full list of new firmware updates released today:
Firmware update version 1.10.4.0 for Leica M10
Firmware update version 2.0.5.0 for Leica M/M-P (Typ 240)
Firmware update version 1.0.2.0 for Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Firmware update version 1.0.0.7 for Leica M (Typ 262)
Firmware update version 1.0.0.5 for Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Firmware update version 1.216 for Leica M9/M9-P/M-E
Firmware update version 1.022 for Leica M Monochrom
With the help of a binary editor Nokishita discovered that a new, not yet released Leica Summilux-M 90mm f/1.5 ASPH lens is listed in the new firmware update (binary editor address: 3DEEC3):
The previously rumored Leica Noctilux-M 75mm f/1.25 ASPH lens is now officially announced. The US price is $12,795 (EU price: €11,900). Shipping is expected to start in early 2018. Pre-orders are now open:
The new lens has a shallower depth of focus than that of the Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 APSH with a close focusing distance of 0.85m and a reproduction ratio of 1:8.8:
“The optical design of the Leica Noctilux-M 75 mm f/1.25 ASPH. features nine elements in six groups. Two aspherical elements are included in the design to ensure optimum imaging performance across the entire frame. Thanks to a floating element, accurate and sharp focusing is maintained from the minimum focusing distance of 0.85m all the way to infinity.
This exceptionally short focusing distance for a fast lens, and a reproduction ratio of 1:8.8, underline the particular suitability of the lens for portraits and highly detailed close-ups.
The harmonious bokeh of the lens is the result of the round aperture created by the eleven blades of its iris. An integrated, lockable lens hood shades the lens from stray light and protects it from accidental impacts. Thanks to its enormous resolving power, the Leica 75 mm f/1.25 ASPH. is future-proof and delivers exceptional quality when capturing images onto high resolution sensors or cropping into the composition.”
Leica updated again their CCD sensor upgrade pricing in the US (the upgrade is available for Leica M9/M9-P/M-E/Monochrom cameras affected by the CCD sensor corrosion issue):
