Leica M9, X1 owners can now download Adobe Lightroom 3

Update: this is now official – today Leica posted the news on their Facebook page:

I received a tip that Adobe Lightroom 3 is now available for download in the “Leica Owners’ Area” for all Leica M9, X1 owners that have not registered the previous version 2.

Last month Leica did mention that they are working on providing the latest version of Lightroom to new/unregistered owners.

I cannot confirm this news, since I have already downloaded v.2 – the new version was not available in my account.

I believe this offer will be valid also for Leica S2 owners.

Posted in Leica M9, Leica S, Leica X| 5 Comments

Another Leica concept

This concept of a Leica point and shoot camera was created by Mark Law:

“The design language echos the true form of original cameras, aiming to simplify a product that is usually overly complicated. The controls are limited to a simple sector wheel located on the top of the camera for easy access, and a main central control pad. The shutter button has become a more prominent feature, willing the user to press it. The flash has been hidden, only popping up when needed, as to give the camera a more streamlined visual language.”

Go to Mark Law’s website for more images.

Last time there were some confusions, so I have to remind you that those concepts are just a designer’s perspective on what a camera should/could look and they are not related to Leica Camera AG in any way.

Posted in Leica Compacts| Tagged | 6 Comments

Leica related news/links

  • Leica SIS in Palm Beach has some B-stock Leicas for sale. My understanding is that B-stock items are refurbished by Leica and are sold with full 1 year warranty. The price is generally 10% off the MSRP:

Leica 21mm 1.4: $5890
Leica 28mm f/2.8: $1795
Leica 75mm f/2.0 $3095
Leica M9: $6295
Leica X1: $1795

If you are interested, the contact info is: phone (561) 253-2606, email: [email protected]

  • PDNPulse has an article about the Chineses website www.leica.org.cn that is allegedly publishing work of photographers without their knowledge or permission. Leica representative confirmed that the site is not associated with Leica Camera AG. Some of the published photos are from Phillip Toledano, Steve McCurry, Marcus Bleasdale, Annie Marie Musselman, Robbie Cooper, Kosuke Okahara, Dominic Nahr and Michal Chelbin. The site is pushing also their own iPhone app that contains copyrighted images. An Austrian store and WestLicht Auction are listed as sponsors of the site.
  • Rumors started floating about a Leica X1 firmware update that will bring improved auto focus speed.
Posted in Deals| 4 Comments

Testing white background on LeicaRumors.com

I will be testing white background on LeicaRumors this weekend. I still have to make some small adjustments. I would like to know what do you think – should I keep the old (black) background or change it to white:


This is how the new picture gallery will look – still dark background when displaying images in full size, while keeping the white background for text. Click on the photos to see the new gallery in action:

Read More »

Posted in Other Leica Stuff| 18 Comments

Leica M9 firmware update 1.134 should be available any moment now

Those are the official details of the previously rumored Leica M9 firmware update v.1.134:

“Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

We would like to inform you that we will put a new Firmware-Update 1.134, for the LEICA M9, onto our homepage. The download, which is free of charge, is expected to be available by Thursday July 22nd, 2010. All new LEICA M9 are being shipped with the new firmware as well.

The improvements in the Firmware Version 1.134 are:

Camera Performance

Improved compatibility of SDHC cards. Therefore, we recommend for example the “Extreme III” or “Professional” cards from the leading brands “SanDisk” and “Lexar”.
Improved AWB in conditions with power saving lamps and tungsten light

Bug Fixes

Saving user profiles has been improved (changing from one profile to another has sometimes caused problems)
Warning levels for battery capacity have been optimized
Time display in “American” format corrected
Auto power off bug fixed (camera doesn’t turn off automatically when using the gallery or scrolling through the menu when Auto power off is activated)

We are convinced that the new firmware version will have a positive effect on the great popularity of the LEICA M9, and we are looking forward to your cooperation.”

Source

Posted in Leica M9| Tagged | 4 Comments

Leica D-Lux 4 listed as discontinued @ B&H

Leica D-Lux 4 is listed as discontinued at B&H. Not really a surprise, after the new Panasonic LX5 was announced yesterday. The word on the street is that Leica D-Lux 5 will be announced at Photokina and of course, it will be based on the Panasonic LX5.

Andreas Kaufmann mention in the DiePresse.com (in English) article that “there could be one or two new products” at Photokina this year. The second product is expected to be some kind of a Leica R-lens solution.

Posted in Leica D-Lux| 2 Comments

Leica M9: “We will probably produce more than twice as many as planned”

An interesting article in the Austrian newspaper DiePresse.com (in English) about Andreas Kaufmann (Chairman of the board at Leica Camera). One of the quotes, referring to the Leica M9:

“The camera is sold out for months. We will probably produce more than twice as many as planned.”

Posted in Leica M9| 10 Comments