How to determine the production year of a Leica lens based on the serial number

By LR admin | Published: January 17, 2011

Here is a quick and easy way to get the year of manufacturing of Leica lenses (L, R, and screw mount) based on the serial number which is located on the front of the lens:

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Posted in Leica Lenses | 9 Comments

Fuji X100 priced at $1,199.00 (quickly compared with Leica X1)

By LR admin | Published: January 16, 2011

Update: see my updated comparison between the Fuji X100 and Leia X1.

Adorama listed the Fuji X100 camera at $1,199.00 and is now taking pre-orders. This is $800 less than the Leica X1. Here is a quick specifications comparison between the X100 and the X1:

  • Both cameras have a 12MP APS-C CMOS sensor.
  • The Fuji camera has a 2.8 in. 460,000 dots LCD screen, compared to 2.7 in. 230,000 dots on the Leica X1.
  • Fuji’s X100 ISO range is 200-6400 (expandable to 100-12800), Leica X1 has ISO range of 100-3200.
  • Fuji X100 has a 23mm f/2 lens, Leica X1 has a 24mm f/2.8 lens (both will be aprox. 35mm equivalent)
  • Both cameras take SD cards.
  • The Fuji X100 can do 5fps in continuous shooting compared to 3 fps for the Leica X1.
  • Fuji X100 has a max shutter speed of 1/4000, for the Leica X1 the maximum is 1/2000.
  • Minimal focus distance is 10cm for the X100 and 30cm for the x1.
  • In addition, the Fuji X100 can record video in HD (1280×720) with stereo sound and has a hybrid viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots. The Fuji X100 will also have a flash commander mode.

Posted in Leica X | Tagged | 40 Comments

Guest post: Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4 MC lens review by Xavier Lhospice

By LR admin | Published: January 16, 2011

Today’s guest post about the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4 MC lens on Leica M8 is written by Xavier Lhospice:

I used the Leica 50mm Summilux lens on my Leica M6/7 cameras for years. Now, that I use a digital M8 with a crop factor of 1,33x, my favorite lens became a 65 mm. I needed a 35mm glass in order to get my 50mm back. In addition, I wanted a fast f/1,4 aperture so I can use the camera without flash. Not able to afford the Leica 35 Summilux ASPH (any one of them, new or used), I was told by my favorite Leica store in Paris Photo Suffren that I should try the Voigtlander Nokton 1.4/35mm MC lens:


So I did, I tried it around the neighborhood and found that in terms of performance, it “looked” better than the old non-apsherical Summilux: way too soft for my taste. The big “Plus” was the price – €500 ($579) shade not included (extra $69). I bought the Nokton 1.4/35mm before I went to Louisiana last year to cover the oil spill. During my trip, the lens stayed in my bag – I was mainly using the amazing Leica 2/28mm and the 90mm Summicron which I had for years.

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Posted in Leica Lenses, LR Guest Posts, LR Reviews | 10 Comments

After being listed on eBay for over a year, Leica MP-36 sells for $104,000

By LR admin | Published: January 14, 2011

This Leica MP-36 has been listed on eBay for over a year (covered here back in May of 2010). Yesterday it sold for $104,000:

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Posted in Leica Auction Madness | 4 Comments

Leica is still working on the X1 firmware update, will not be released this month

By LR admin | Published: January 13, 2011

Leica is till working on the firmware updated for X1 and according to this Facebook post, the update will not be released this month (January):

Some of the expected improvements are faster AF and improved manual focus.

Posted in Leica X | 7 Comments

Invitation to submit entries for the ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Award’ photographic competition

By LR admin | Published: January 12, 2011

Solms, Germany (January 12, 2011) – Leica Camera AG invites professional photographers to submit entries to the ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Award,’ an international photography competition. Photographers wishing to take part may submit their entries online from January 15, 2011 to March 1, 2011 at www.leica-oskar-barnack-preis.de. This year, the value of the competition prizes has significantly increased, with the award winner receiving their own piece of Leica history.

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Posted in Other Leica Stuff | Tagged | Leave a Comment

Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH lens review

By LR admin | Published: January 11, 2011

I had the chance to try the new Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH lens and this is my hands-on report.

General

The 35mm is probably the most widely used focal length on rangefinder cameras. Leica currently offers three different 35mm lenses: Summilux (f/1.4), Summicron (f/2) and Summarit (f/2.5). The previous Summilux version had reportedly focus shift issues and few months after the release of the M9, Leica announced a new version “optimised for use on the digital Leica M cameras”. At that point, the 35mm Lux has been the first and only M lens released by Leica since the M9 came to life on 09.09.09.

The changes in the new version are a floating element (similar to the latest 50mm Summilux) which improves accurate focusing and eliminates focus shift,  new full-metal rectangular screw-mount lens hood and of course the price – $4,995, which is $500 more than its predecessor.

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Posted in Leica Lenses, LR Reviews | Tagged | 16 Comments

New LeicaRumors Facebook fan page

By LR admin | Published: January 8, 2011

Some of you probably know that I lost my Facebook account and the few thousands contacts I made over the years. The old LeicaRumors Facebook account is also gone and I had to create a new fan page. If you were a “fan” or a “contact” before or if you just like to follow LeicaRumors on Facebook, click the like button:

Posted in Other Leica Stuff | 2 Comments