Panasonic filed a patent in Japan for a 90-280mm f/2.8-4 full frame mirrorless lens. Coincidentally Leica has a identical APO Vario-Elmarit 90-280 mm f/2.8–4 lens for their SL full frame mirrorless camera.
It is a known fact that Leica worked closely with Panasonic on the Q and SL cameras, but it is interesting to see that Panasonic had input even on the design of the lenses.
For comparison, here is the lens described in Panasonic’s patent:
Another one bites the dust: the black Leica X Vario camera is currently listed as discontinued at B&H and Yodobashi.
The silver version, which was announced after the black model, is still available and is currently selling almost at a $700 discount from the original price of $2,850 (you may find an even lower price at Amazon).
It will be interesting to see if Leica will refresh the X Vario product line at Photokina since this camera has been widely criticized for its slow Vario-Elmar 18-46mm f/3.5-6.4 lens.
The silver Leica T camera is already listed as discontinued at B&H (refurbished models still available) and is out of stock in many Leica retailers:
The black version is currently deeply discounted: $1099 vs. the original price of over $1,600.
A new Leica T model (with code name “8854”) is already rumored to be announced next month at Photokina.
The Huawei P9 smartphone with dual Leica lens won the 2016-17 EISA European Consumer Smartphone award (see also the recent review by Kristian Dowling):
August 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) is honoured to announce that the Huawei P9 has been named ‘European Consumer Smartphone 2016-17’ by the European Image and Sound Association (EISA). Furthering its commitment to pursuing the best quality and design without compromise, this is the fourth consecutive year that Huawei has been recognized in this category.
Designed to reinvent smartphone photography, the Huawei P9 is the first smartphone co-engineered with the global iconic brand, Leica Camera AG. The P9’s dual-lens camera takes smartphone photography to the next level, allowing people to capture both vivid colours and striking black and white images of unmatched clarity, richness and authenticity.
Leica USA added two new Leica M Typ 262 promo bundles. The first bundle was announced back in June and offers $2,095 in savings:
The two new promo bundles are:
Leica M set #2 is priced at $8,495 and includes:
Leica M set #3 is priced at $6,995 and includes:
All three promotional sets will be available for sale until September 30, 2016.
Update: the same bundles are now also available at B&H and Adorama.
I still believe Leica will announce a new M digital rangefinder camera at the Photokina show in Germany next month (September 20-25) – this has been the case during the past few years. The new M is already being tested in the field and is rumored to have a dedicated ISO-wheel/dial and a slightly bigger LCD screen. This is all the information I have received so far. If you have any other details about the new M, you can contact me anonymously here.
Picture credit: Photokina
