How about that Leica D-Lux 5?

By LR admin | Published: February 16, 2010

Panasonic is currently running a teaser ad that displays the silhouettes of two cameras – one of them appears to have the shape of the LX3.

The official announcement should be during the Focus on Imaging show in Birmingham NEC (March 7-10, 2010). At that point it is not clear if this will be the new LX4 but if it is, we can expect the Leica D-Lux 5 to be announced for Photokina 2010.

Here are some rumored Leica D-Lux 5 specs found on dpreview:

  • New backlit 12.1mp sensor
  • Built-in EVF
  • Lumix lens (not Leica; not sure about specs, but I am hearing 1.7/20mm)
  • 1:1, 3:2, 16:9, 2.39:1, 1.85:1 aspect ratios
  • New B&W high-sensitivity mode (almost no-noise in iso 3200)
  • Improved noise reduction system (all ISO settings)
  • Priced at under $600 USD at launch
  • Stiffer controls compared to LX3
  • Screen to be equal to or better than LX3/D-Lux 4 screen
  • Manual focus/selector ring, similar to canon S90
  • Magnesium alloy body
  • Higher capacity batteries
  • Built-in lens cap
Posted in Leica Compacts, Leica D-Lux | 3 Comments

Looking for a Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH lens

By LR admin | Published: February 15, 2010

Update #2: a silver 50mm Lux is available here.

Update: This store in Taiwan had a silver 50mm Lux just few days ago (may still have it in stock). In addition a reader in Paris is selling his two months old silver 50mm Summilux ASPH – his email is: agreenman (at) jhminternational (dot) com.

The Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH lens (6 bit coded) has been difficult to find since the M9 was released.

B&H, Adorama, Amazon and KEH are all out of stock. Ebay has currently two ongoing auctions and the price is up to $2700.

If you are aware of a store (or a private party) that has this lens or the M9 for sale, sent me an email or just add a comment to this thread and I will post it online.

Posted in Leica Lenses | 14 Comments

Leica’s sales up 17 % thanks to the M9

By LR admin | Published: February 15, 2010
Leica's own equipment used in one of the M9 classes in the Leica SIS - over $100k on the table!

Leica's own equipment getting ready for a M9 class - over $100k on the table!

Today Leica announced their Q3 results for fiscal year 2009/2010:

“Sales growth of 17 % compared to the previous year – positive result for the quarter confirms the course adopted at the beginning of the fiscal year

Leica Camera Group closed the third quarter with sales in the amount of € 48.1 million (previous year: € 41.1 million). The sales increase mainly results from the doubling of sales of the Leica M system, on the strength of the Leica M9 rangefinder camera presented in September 2009. The period under review also saw the start of delivery of the professional camera system Leica S2. In addition, products of the Leica sports optics range also contributed to the increase in sales.

For the third quarter the Company therefore achieved a positive result in the amount of € 4.8 million. This corresponds to an improvement of € 5.4 million vis-à- vis the comparable prior year period. The improved result is due to the increase in sales, higher contribution margins, as well as the success of cost cutting measures relating to other operating expenses. Currently, Leica Camera Group still shows a net loss for the year of € 4.8 million, which will be further reduced during the fiscal year.”

The full report can be downloaded here.

Posted in Leica M9 | 2 Comments

Leica Noctilux will no longer be the only f/0.95 lens in production today

By LR admin | Published: February 14, 2010

See all details @ PhotoRumors.com. I wonder if Noktor will offer this lens with different mounts.

Posted in Other Leica Stuff | Tagged | 7 Comments

Digital Camera Raw Compatibility 3.0 released

By LR admin | Published: February 12, 2010

Digital Camera Raw Compatibility update 3.0 was released with Leica D-Lux 4 support.

Posted in Leica D-Lux | 1 Comment

Another M8.2 in white

By LR admin | Published: February 10, 2010

There has been few sightings of this rare white M8.2 – here is another one (the original white limited edition was a M8).

M8.2 in WHITE

M8.2 in WHITE
Originally uploaded by TK / SILLY THING™

Several white Leica M8 cameras are available on eBay.

Posted in Leica M | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Apple’s Aperture 3 released, now with Leica D-Lux 4 support

By LR admin | Published: February 9, 2010

Today Apple released Aperture 3 with RAW support for Leica D-Lux 4. Leica M9 is not on the list of supported cameras.

Amazon is now taking Aperture 3 pre-orders.

Posted in Leica D-Lux | 2 Comments

Leica related news/links

By LR admin | Published: February 7, 2010
  • Leica AG is hiring! According to the local newspaper Wetzlarer Neuen Zeitung Leica is looking to hire new employees due to the high demand for their new products. The new positions are:

Industrial Electrician
Industrial Mechanic
Mechatroniker
Industry Sales
IT Specialist
Media Designer
Graphic
Software Developer

“Lam revealed that the company is developing of a cloud-based digital camera that has strong portability and a selling price of less than US$200 and believes the device will create a threat for existing digital camera players such as Canon and Nikon.”

Posted in Leica M | 2 Comments