Leica Rumors

Leica SL Typ 601 mirrorless full frame camera announced

By LR admin | Published: October 20, 2015

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 L-Mount
Leica SL system allows access to almost every Leica lens ever made
Water sealed milled aluminium body
24MP CMOS sensor
Maestro II processor
11 fps
ISO range 50 – 50,000
Contrast AF system
SXAG, 4.4 MP EVF
4k (4096 x 2160) @ 24 fps video
Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
Touchscreen
Two SD memory cards slots
Shutter speed: 1/8000 s to 60 s
New SL app for iOS and Android
Sample photos
Prices: Leica SL camera body – $7,450; Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH lens – $4,950
Pre-orders:
- B&H: SL camera | SL lens | SL accessories
- Leica Store Miami: SL camera | SL lens
New Leica SL lenses: 24–90 mm f/2.8–4, 90–280mm f/2.8–4, 50mm f/1.4
More SL lenses to be released in the future, including a 35mm f/1.4 Summilux and 50mm f/1 Noctilux:

Leica SL Typ 601 promo videos:

Posted in Leica SL| Tagged 4k, Leica SL Typ 601 camera| 22 Comments

Voigtländer 35mm f/1.7 Ultron VM lens now in stock

By LR admin | Published: October 19, 2015

The Voigtländer 35mm f/1.7 Ultron VM lens for Leica M-mount is now shipping and is currently in stock at B&H, Adorama, Amazon and eBay.

DC.Watch just published a review of the new Ultron lens. The technical specifications can be found here.

Posted in Leica Lenses| Tagged Voigtländer, Voigtländer 35mm f/1.7 Ultron VM lens| 10 Comments

Voigtländer 10mm f/5.6 Hyper and 12mm f/5.6 Ultra-Wide-Heliar III lenses specifications

By LR admin | Published: October 17, 2015

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).

Posted in Leica Lenses| Tagged Voigtländer, Voigtländer VM 10mm f/5.6 Hyper Wide Heliar aspherical lens for Leica M, Voigtländer VM 12mm f/5.6 Ultra Wide Heliar aspherical III lens delayed| 1 Comment

Striking a Balance: The Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZM Review

By Louis Ferreira | Published: October 15, 2015

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.

Posted in Leica M, LR Reviews| Tagged Zeiss, Zeiss Distagon 35/1.4 ZM lens| 5 Comments

Leica X white limited edition camera set

By LR admin | Published: October 15, 2015

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.