ONA Bags started shipping their popular Berlin II bag together with all of the Prince Street bag models (available in tan, smoke, antique cognac and dark truffle colors). All of the bags are designed to carry a camera, two lenses, an iPad and personal items. The Berlin II is a Leica collaboration bag that features one signature red rivet and a Leica red interior. For additional coverage check this and this post. Check also pricing and availability at B&H.
In addition to the new M-P, there is another Leica news today: I just received this email from Leica Store Miami – the price of the black and silver chrome Leica M 240 cameras will go up to $7,250 on September 1, 2014:
“Price Increase on Leica M (Typ 240)
Leica Camera has announced that effective September 1, 2014 there will be a price increase on the Leica M (Typ 240) camera in both black and silver chrome.
Currently, both cameras are priced at $6,950. Starting September 1, 2014 both will be priced at $7,250. To purchase a Leica M (Typ 240) at the current price of $6,950 your order must be placed before September 1, 2014.”
Leica Camera announced a new Leica M-P 240 digital rangefinder with few improvements over the basic M 240 model:
Scratch resistant display-cover made of sapphire glass
Long-lasting readiness to capture due to a large double sized image buffer of 2GB (possible to shoot up to 24 images in full continuous speed of 3 fps)
Pure look without the Leica Logo and “M” lettering on the front side
Manual viewfinder frame selection with the traditional ‘frame selector‘
The large buffer size of 2 GB makes it possible to shoot up to 24 images in full continuous speed of 3 frames per second. With such a buffer size, the new Leica M-P is ready to shoot at almost anytime, thus, the ‘decisive moment’ is never missed.
With the reduced, classic look, without the Leica logo, the Leica M-P has an unobtrusive appearance making it a professional tool with a unique identity. The sapphire glass is extremely scratch resistant and unbreakable, an appealing feature to professional photographers. Leica Camera is the only manufacturer that offers sapphire glass as a camera display protection. The Leica M-P has the classic image field selector which is another appealing feature to professional photographers and avid Leica M users.
The Leica M-P in silver chrome finish will be available from next week while the black paint finish version will be available from mid-September. There are new protectors and ever ready cases designed for the the Leica M-P which will be available from mid-September. The new case designs will accommodate the frame selector on the M-P. Current protectors and ever ready cases cannot be used with the Leica M-P. Other technical accessories such as the multi-functional handgrip M, electronic viewfinder EVF 2, R-Adapter M for the M (Typ 240) can be used with the Leica M-P.
Rumors about a Leica digital rangefinder without LCD screen have been floating for a while, but lately I keep receiving tips from various sources that Leica may actually announce such a camera at Photokina – it will be a special limited edition that will have an ISO dial on back instead of a LCD screen. The camera will only capture color uncompressed RAW files and will have the same sensor as in the M 240. The thickness and dimensions will also be similar to the M240. The new camera will be simplified with less dials/buttons and no video recording capabilities. The selling price will be higher than the M 240 ($6,950.00). For now, take this rumor with a grain of salt.
