This set of Q&A provides some interesting information on the latest Leica Vario X Type 107 camera ($2,850.00), including answers to questions and concerns raised by several readers of this blog:
- Is the Leica X Vario the official successor of the Leica X2?
No. Due to its very different possibilities in the photographic use the X Vario is the perfect addition for the X2. Both cameras will be offered in parallel in the market.
- Do the X2 and the X Vario use the same accessories?
The X2, as well as, the new X Vario offer a great range of technical and non-technical accessories. Due to the different shape of the bodies; the cases, the protectors and the handgrips are made to individually fit the different camera models. The electronic viewfinder EVF2, the Leica flash, the wrist straps, as well as, the neck straps can be used with both cameras.
- Does the introduction of the X Vario have an influence on the M production?
The production of the X cameras takes place in a complete different production line and has no influence on the production output of M cameras.
- What factors affected the decision to use the focal length of 28-70 and the f-stop range of 3.5-6.4?
The doctrine for developing the X Vario was – as for Leica cameras in general – to realize the best possible image performance in a comparatively small housing. From an engineering point of view a lens is always the interplay between performance, focal length, aperture and mechanical size. With 28-70mm the focal length covers the most popular and most used by our customers. The aperture has a huge influence on the size of a lens.
The X Vario lens is designed to deliver the best image quality at any aperture and any focal length – so to achieve that and without getting a bulky lens, we decided to compromise in the best possible way and restricted the aperture range from 3.5-6.4. In comparison to comparable lenses of other systems the Vario lens is actually a relatively small lens.
Furthermore, the combination of the APS sized sensor with the Vario lens still offers the customer an enormous play with depth and field, as our dear customers expect from their Leica. The AF lens of the X Vario is actually a unique synthesis between tradition, most modern optical design and precision mechanics.
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