The Leica V-Lux 20 was announced on April 20th, 2010 and is expected to be discontinued in the next few weeks. This will open a hole in the low end of Leica’s product line.
Panasonic announced several new point and shoot cameras in January of 2011 and by looking at the different models, I think the next Leica compact camera will be based on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 model:
This “Franken Leica/Linhof Stereo M6+Winder+Mini II+Zeiss rig” is available for sale on eBay for $500,000
. From the item description:
A l-camera-forum member discovered (by mistake) that Leica lens code 110011 triggers a 14mm/3.8 lens profile in the image EXIF data and by pressing the M9 info button. Currently Leica does not have a 14mm f/3.8 lens in their product catalog (the widest M lens currently available is the 18mm f/3.8 Super Elmar).
After the iPhone/iPad, LFI released an Android version of their LFI Gallery app. The app can be downloaded here.
The Leica Hektor 135mm f/4.5 is probably the least expensive Leica M lens available today – it sells for $50-$300 on eBay or the used departments of B&H, Adorama and KEH. Leica manufactured this lens between 1933-1960. The serial number of mine revealed that it is produced back in 1958. The Hektor model was replaced in 1960 by the Leica Elmar 135mm f/4. Lenses with serial numbers from 1,124,000 – 1,416,000 have a 36mm filter thread; serial numbers from 1,416,000 – 1,827,000 have a 39mm filter thread. All versions produced after the WWII were coated. The aperture has 15 blades and a range of f/4.5 – f/32. The 135mm Hektor has 4 lens elements in 3 lens groups. The angle of view is 18° and the minimum focusing distance is 1.5m/5 feet.
Update: I just received the English camera description:
The next Westlicht auction will take place on May 28th in Vienna, Austria. Here are some of the highlights in the Leica section:
In 2010, Westlicht sold the most expensive Leica MP2 camera for 402,000 EUR.
Detailed description (in German) with images:
Another set of images taken with the FujiFilm X100 and Leica X1 cameras. This time the EXIF data is available as well. RAW->JPG conversions from Lightroom and Silkypix are also uploaded:
There are more X1 vs. X100 comparisons 0n this Japanese site, flickr and the X100 forum.
