DIY: Leica M full frame camera

By LR admin | Published: December 18, 2008

You got to read the whole article – too much info to be posted here.

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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.2 released, now with Leica D-Lux 4 support

By LR admin | Published: December 17, 2008

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.2 update includes these enhancements:

Additional camera support for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon PowerShot G10, Panasonic DMC-LX3 and more**
Includes several corrections for issues introduced by the Lightroom 2.0 release

See the Lightroom 2.2 ReadMe file for additional details.

**With the release of Lightroom 2.2, there is an important exception in our DNG file handling for the Panasonic DMC LX3, Panasonic DMC FX150, Panasonic DMC FZ28, Panasonic DMC-G1 and Leica D-LUX 4. In this release the native, proprietary files from these cameras can only be converted to linear DNG files. A linear DNG file has gone through a demosaic process that converts a single mosaic layer of red, green and blue channel information into three distinct layers , one for each channel. The resulting linear DNG file is approximately three times the size of a mosaic DNG file or the original proprietary file format.

This exception is a temporary solution to ensure that Panasonic and Leica’s intended image rendering from their proprietary raw file format is applied to an image when converted DNG files are viewed in third party software titles. The same image rendering process is applied automatically in Camera Raw 5.2 and in Lightroon 2.2 when viewing the original proprietary raw file format.

In a future release Adobe plans to update the DNG specification to include an option to embed metadata-based representations of the lens compensations in the DNG file, allowing a mosaic DNG conversion. In the interim Adobe recommends only converting these files to DNG to allow compatibility with third party raw converters, previous versions of the Camera Raw plug-in or previous versions of Lightroom.

Source

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15% off Leica M lenses in the UK

By LR admin | Published: December 17, 2008

For a limited period and at participating authorized UK Leica dealers only you can benefit from 15% off the SRP of a range of M lenses.

Full conditions of the offer are outlined below:
To qualify to receive a Leica cash back reward of 15% of the VAT inclusive purchase price paid (up to the Leica SRP), a new LEICA M lens must be purchased from an authorised participating dealer in the UK or Ireland between 03 December 2008 and 31 January 2009 inclusive.
The offer applies only to fulfilled transactions within the promotional period on new Leica M lenses excluding 21/1.4, 24/1.4, 24/3.8, and 50/0.95 lenses
Claimants must send the original lens warranty card and original dealer sales receipt to Leica Camera Limited, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes MK5 8LB.
The closing date for M lens cash back documentation to be received is 28 February 2009.
Leica Camera Ltd cannot accept responsibility for lost, delayed, damaged or illegible.applications. We recommend that claimants send their documents by recorded delivery.
This promotion is not available on second hand product.
The offer will be fulfilled by cheque (made payable to the purchaser – as per name shown on the receipt & warranty card).
Please allow 28 days for cheque delivery from receipt of documents.
This promotion is only available via participating authorised Leica Camera Limited Premier and Specialist dealers as at the time of the transaction.
Leica Camera Limited reserves the right to suspend or alter this offer at any time.

Source

Posted in Deals, Leica Lenses | Tagged | 1 Comment

Leica D-Lux 4 Titanium limited edition press release

By LR admin | Published: December 16, 2008

The rumors about Leica D-Lux 4 Titanium were true. Here is the official press release:

Dec 12, 2008
Press Release
LEICA D-LUX 4 in titanium finish with matching leather case:
Exclusive special edition set

Leica Camera Inc., Allendale, NJ presents an exclusive special edition of the LEICA D-LUX 4 in titanium; an additional premium quality special edition camera from Leica. The LEICA D-LUX 4 Titanium now joins the special titanium limited editions of the LEICA M7 and LEICA MP and a titanium-colored LEICA M6 TTL; the D-LUX 4 is the first Leica digital camera with the satin finish of anodized titanium. This special finish of the LEICA D-LUX 4 Titanium is limited to only 10,000 cameras worldwide. From January 2009, the camera will be available in a set together with a premium quality, titanium-colored leather case.
The silver-grey of the LEICA D-LUX 4 Titanium has an unmistakable look that makes this a collector’s piece with its own particular expression of character. The camera body of the titanium edition has a particularly luxurious look and feel, but still remains light and extremely durable. Thus, the LEICA D-LUX 4 Titanium’s metal body has been constructed with the same precision and attention to detail as the standard black model, and the exclusive use of the highest quality materials in its construction guarantees users ultimate reliability in every situation.

The technical features of the LEICA D-LUX 4 Titanium are identical to those of the standard models. For instance, the wide range of accessories for the LEICA D-LUX 4, such as the handgrip, the auxiliary finder or the LEICA CF 22 compact flash unit (available in February 2009) are all fully compatible with the titanium edition. Thanks to its high-performance, fast precision lens and intuitively designed operating concept, the LEICA D-LUX 4 is a true system camera in a ‘compact’ form. Additionally, thanks to its impressive specifications, the D-LUX 4 is often compared to professional models. In terms of photographic creativity, it knows no limits. Together with lightning-fast image processing and compact, refined looks, this compact camera also offers its users enormous flexibility when it comes to capturing those unique moments through unforgettable pictures.
The LEICA D-LUX 4 Titanium will be on sale at authorized Leica dealers as a set together with a matching leather case in January 2009.

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Leica D-Lux 4 battery promotion

By LR admin | Published: December 16, 2008

Well, Leica marketing department is not doing it, so I will promote this special offer for them:

Free Leica D-Lux 4 battery (North America only)

Read the small print for more details – my local dealer told me that I can still use this promotion with the ongoing Leica mail-in rebate.

Leica’s website provides more info on all Leica Demo Days. Check with your local dealer – this is a good deal and another way to support your local Leica shop.

The value of the D-Lux 4 battery is US $68.21.

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Leica R10 is coming in 2009 acording to Dr. Kaufmann

By LR admin | Published: December 15, 2008

I came across this Leica article – in English:

…But good, says Kaufmann and looks very pleased, he and his team have already few funny surprises prepared: First next year will come the R 10 – speculations for this model have been circulating the Internet for years…

Posted in Leica R | Tagged | 1 Comment

Leica UK to increase prices in January 2009?

By LR admin | Published: December 14, 2008

I read this post on dpreview – Leica UK is planning to increase prices in January 2009 because of the weak pound.

Anyone from the UK got some solid info on this potential price increase?

Posted in Other Leica Stuff | 5 Comments

LEICA C-LUX 3 by Zadig & Voltaire now official

By LR admin | Published: December 14, 2008

As reported earlier, the Leica C-Lux by Zadig & Voltair is now official. Price: € 670 (US $900).

Via Leica France and Zadig & Voltaire

Posted in Leica Compacts | Tagged | 1 Comment