Leica EVIL to be introduced on Monday?

l-camera blog published an intriguing picture of the stamp from the invitation Leica sent out for an event that will take place on Monday (8 pm CET, 2pm EST). The stamp clearly shows the shape of a new camera (my guess: the new Leica EVIL + R-solution):

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Leica to announce new products on September 21st

Leica is expected to announce new products on September 21st, the first day of Photokina. The biggest photography fair opens doors at 10:00 am CET (4:00 am US Eastern time). I will be covering the announcements on LeicaRumors.

If you are going to Photokina, you can send me any Leica related visuals (pictures, videos) and I will post them online. Please provide a name or a website for credit if you wish. I have also created a flickr group – you can add you Leica related images from Photokina directly to the group pool and I will share them online. Thanks!

Posted in Leica Compacts, Leica D-Lux, Leica V-Lux | Tagged | 2 Comments

Another “red” Leica M9 limited edition

This Leica M9 Limited edition appeared in a German camera retailer. Price: 12,605 € (incl VAT plus s&h). The details:

“On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the company’s Foto Rahn. This Leica M9 body was made for us. The edition consists of 10 pieces.”

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Leica M9 Ostrich Leather Limited Edition

After the Leica X1 Black Embossed Ostrich Limited Edition, the M9 will get the ostrich leather treatment (btw, this is not real ostrich leather).

The details:

  • Price: ¥880,000 (Approx. $10,526 USD) for the body
  • Only 20 pieces will be produced
  • Available through Mitsukoshi in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district

Hypebeast via Openers

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New book: “Leica M: Advanced Photo School” now available for pre-order

Second edition of Gunter Osterloh’s Leica M: Advanced Photo School” is now available for pre-order on Amazon:

  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Lark Books (May 3, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1454700696
  • ISBN-13: 978-1454700692

This is the book description on the publisher’s website:

“The ultimate Leica guide-written by the company’s top technical expert-now includes the Leica MP. This classic source contains a goldmine of technical information and insider knowledge, and covers Leica’s famed lenses plus every film model from the M1 through the MP-along with schematic diagrams and explanations of metering, focusing, flash systems, film advance, and more.”

I guess digital M will not be covered (or they just used the description form the previous edition).

The old, first edition of the book is no longer available:

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Leica M9 Hermès limited edition

Since the introduction of the Leica M9 on 09.09.09, I have seen only two different limited editions of the M9: the first one was for Amateur Photographer magazine and the second one was on display in Tokyo.

This is the Leica M9 Hermès Limited Edition – probably a custom made piece, not related to the Titanium Leica M9 that will be released for Photokina next week.

Read More »

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Leica has never used real ostrich leather on their products

I received a clarification from Leica regarding the Leica X1 Black Embossed Ostrich Limited Edition camera that was released in Japan last week and specifically the comment from PETA regarding the use of ostrich leather:

“I just wanted to let you know that this product is not made from real ostrich leather – it is an ‘ostrich effect’. We have never used ostrich leather on our products, and we have now confirmed this to the PETA organisation.”

Posted in Leica X | Tagged | 13 Comments

For Photokina: Leica D-Lux 5, V-Lux 2 and a Titanium M9 kit

Time to update my previous list of Leica expectation for Photokina. The folowing three products will be released for sure:

  • Leica D-Lux 5 with optional EVF
  • Leica V-Lux 2 will be based on the Panasonic Fz100
  • Titanium Leica M9 with a special version of the 35/1.4 asph lens (initially reported a month ago). The kit will also come with an integrated hand strap an a dedicated holster style case.

The rest is still unclear. The big question mark is still the mythical R-lens solution (or maybe a new Leica EVIL system camera?) – nobody has seen it, nobody has any real proof that it really exists, except that email Leica sent few days ago.

Expect announcements to start the day before Photokina, or on the first day of Photokina (September 21st).

I will continue to update this list if I get other reliable information in the next few days.

Posted in Leica Compacts, Leica D-Lux, Leica M9, Leica V-Lux | Tagged , | 5 Comments