Leica Rumors

Leica offers a free autofocus drive replacement on some S lenses

By LR admin | Published: October 24, 2015

Leica Camera issued a “goodwill arrangement” and offers a free replacement of the autofocus drive on some S lenses (the exact issue/problem was not described):

Posted in Leica S| 10 Comments

Check out this Leica M Typ 801 concept camera

By LR admin | Published: October 23, 2015

Check out this Leica M Typ 801 concept camera I received from a reader – I don’t think the next M will look like this, but still an interesting design. What do you guys think?

Here are the “desired” specs:

Posted in Leica M| Tagged Leica Concepts| 50 Comments

Leica quietly announced two new TL lenses: Summilux 35mm f/1.4 ASPH and APO-Macro-Elmarit 60mm f/2.8 ASPH

By LR admin | Published: October 22, 2015

In addition to the SL Typ 601 camera, Leica also announced two new TL lenses (former T mount):

Leica Summilux – TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH (equivalent to 50 mm in 35 mm format, available Spring 2016)
Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 60mm f/2.8 ASPH (equivalent to 90 mm in 35 mm format, available late 2016)

“The range of prime lenses is rounded off by the focal lengths 35 and 90 millimeters (equivalent in 35 mm format). All three of these prime lenses deliver images with the unique Leica look, the unmistakable bokeh, and each of them is impressive on account of their exceptional imaging performance from maximum to minimum aperture at all distances from infinity to their closest focusing distance.”

Leica currently has four different T/TL lenses available for sale:

Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH
Leica APO-Vario-Elmar-T 55-135mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH
Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH
Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11-23mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH

The Leica T camera is currently $222 off.

Posted in Leica Lenses, Leica T| Tagged Leica APO Macro-Elmarit TL 60mm f/2.8 ASPH, Leica Summilux TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH| 8 Comments

Leica SL system accessories

By LR admin | Published: October 21, 2015

One of the advantages of the new SL system is the ability to use also Leica T and M, S, R plus Cine lenses with an adapter:

The Leica SL and the Leica T share the same lens mount, now named the Leica L-Mount. The Leica T and future Leica TL lenses are compatible with the Leica SL camera. The SL changes the sensor format automatically to APS-C size. Leica SL lenses can be used in the future on Leica T cameras. Currently, with the Leica M-Adapter T, there are 48 M lenses which can be used on the Leica SL. With the Leica S-Adapter L, there are 16 S lenses which can be used on the Leica SL while 51 R lenses can be used on the Leica SL with the Leica R-Adapter L. There are 21 Cine lenses which can be used on the Leica SL with the Leica PL-Adapter L. The different adapters make the Leica SL camera one of the most versatile cameras available to a professional photographer.

In addition to adapters, there are also several other Leica SL system accessories like multifunction handgrip, flash, filters, straps, batteries and chargers. Some of these accessories will be available from November 2015 while the others will be available from June 2016. The prices on some of the SL accessories are already listed at B&H:

Posted in Leica Accessories, Leica SL| Tagged Leica SL Typ 601 camera| 7 Comments

Additional Leica SL Typ 601 camera coverage: reviews, sample photos and hands-on videos

By LR admin | Published: October 21, 2015

I put together a list of quotes from different online reviews that should give you a pretty good feedback on the new Leica SL Typ 601 camera (of course you should start with our own review first):

Posted in Leica SL| Tagged Leica SL Typ 601 camera| 11 Comments

Leica SL Typ 601 camera now available for pre-order

By LR admin | Published: October 20, 2015

The new Leica SL Typ 601 camera is now available for pre-order at:

B&H: SL camera | SL lens | SL accessories
Adorama: SL camera | SL lens
Leica Store Miami: SL camera | SL lens
Leica Store San Francisco
Leica Store Palm Beach
Leica Store Pra Perth
Popflash
Reddotcameras (UK)

Shipping will start on November 20th, 2015. More pre-order options will be added later today, stay tuned.

Posted in Leica SL| Tagged Leica SL Typ 601 camera| 7 Comments

The Leica SL Typ 601 Camera Review: Leica Gambles Big

By Louis Ferreira | Published: October 20, 2015

The Leica SL Review: Leica Gambles Big
by Louis Ferreira (http://500px.com/LouisFerreira)

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.