The new Leica SL Typ 601 camera is now available for pre-order at:
Shipping will start on November 20th, 2015. More pre-order options will be added later today, stay tuned.
Leica doesn’t have many secrets to share depending on how closely you follow LeicaRumors. The Leica SL has been telegraphed since the original measurements of the Leica T mount were proven to be large enough to accommodate a full frame sensor. Since that revelation there has been wild speculation about what Leica might release, but along the way we covered everything of importance about the SL in articles like this, this and this. Therefore, we see almost no down side in working with Leica to develop an early review for readers of LeicaRumors instead of just republishing information that we already leaked months ago. Leica has never been very good at keeping secrets beyond how their cameras and lenses actually perform, which can only be judged first hand.
I’d like to start off by admitting the SL is most likely not a camera for me. It fails at everything I enjoy doing most with my M and Q. It’s a very complicated camera compared to the Leicas I love. It’s big, it’s heavy and, if I were in the market for one, I would likely buy an S because of these issues as I would at least gain the look of medium format for my sacrifices.
But… There is greatness brewing. When shooting around base ISO, the glass shines and I can easily see the SL as an amazing studio camera because its very quick when given adequate lighting. It also has the best viewfinder you have ever used outside of medium format cameras, the body and lens are weather sealed, there’s a dual SD card slot, Leica’s unmatched industrial design, and a reasonably fast GPS that isn’t an after thought.
Today Leica announced a new mirrorless full frame camera called SL Typ 601. This announcement should not be a surprise to regular LeicaRumors readers because the basic information was already posted on the blog here, here and here months before SL rumors started to make their rounds online.
Leica SL Typ 601 highlights:
Leica SL Typ 601 promo videos:
Voigtländer published additional information on the two new M-mount (VM) lenses that were announced a week ago:
Voigtländer VM 10mm f/5.6 Hyper Wide Heliar aspherical lens (new model)
Technical specifications:
| Focal Length | 10 mm |
| Aperture Ratio | 1:5,6 |
| Minimum Aperture | F 22 |
| Klick Stop | 1/3 |
| Lens Construction | 13 elements in 10 groups |
| Angle of View | 130° |
| Aperture Blades | 10 |
| Minimum Focus | 0,5 m |
| Maximum Diameter | 67,8 mm |
| Length | 58,7 mm |
| Mount | M-bayonet (VM) |
| Weight | 312 g |
| Filter Size | n/a |
| Color | black |
| Others | Lens hood (non-detachable),Pressure fit cap |
| Optional | — |
Voigtländer VM 12mm f/5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar aspherical III lens (replacement for the previous model)
Technical specifications:
| Focal Length | 12 mm |
| Aperture Ratio | 1:5,6 |
| Minimum Aperture | F 22 |
| Klick Stop | 1/3 |
| Lens Construction | 12 elements in 10 groups |
| Angle of View | 121° |
| Aperture Blades | 10 |
| Minimum Focus | 0,5 m |
| Maximum Diameter | 64,8 mm |
| Length | 59,2 mm |
| Mount | M-bayonet (VM) |
| Weight | tbd |
| Filter Size | n/a |
| Color | black |
| Others | Lens hood (non-detachable), Pressure fit cap, Rangefinder coupling from 0.7 m to infinity |
Check pricing and availability at B&H (not available at the time of this post).
Striking a Balance: The Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZM Review
by Louis Ferreira (500px.com/LouisFerreira)
When photographers talk about classic focal lengths, the two most commonly considered are the 35mm and 50mm. Both are great starting points for photographers to begin building their lens collection. I have always preferred the look of 50mm and the frame lines over 35mm, but there are some great modern 35mm lenses available for the M mount, and the new Zeiss 35mm Distagon is the latest.
Zeiss color never fails to impress me. I have owned Zeiss lenses in the past and I love the way they render color. In some ways, Zeiss pictures have the Leica pop we are all looking for, even more than equivalent photos created with Leica glass, simply because of what the color adds to the picture. Many modern Leica lenses have a clinical look to them that is more true to life, but they lack character. I don’t want to drone on about color, but I’d be interested to see how this lens performs on a M9, because I still prefer the color of my old Leica M9 50mm Summilux combo.
Similarly, the Zeiss 35mm Distagon can get bitingly sharp, and is very sharp wide open. It performs exactly as you would expect a Zeiss lens to perform and is very well corrected. When you nail focus at f/1.4 the image is sublime, and it builds on the great color characteristic that’s present.
Leica Camera Japan launched a new “Leica X white” limited edition camera set. Only 50 pieces will be produced. Price including tax is ¥345,600 (around $2,900). This model is produced to commemorate the new Leica Iwataya Fukuoka store that will open on October 27.
Via dc.watch
