New Voigtlander 75mm 1.8 lens with M mount

By LR admin | Published: August 20, 2010

This new Voigtlander 75mm 1.8 lens has a true Heliar design with a cemented doublet in the middle instead of a single element (6 elements in 3 groups), and the lens hood reverses for storage. The size of the lens is between the Leica 75mm Summicron and 75mm Summilux. Here are the details:

  • Lens construction: 3 groups of 6 elements
  • Aperture range: 1.8-16
  • Aperture Blades: 10
  • Close focus: 0.9m
  • Weight: 427 gms
  • Length and diameter: 73.8mm x 57.9mm
  • Hood: Optional vented type
  • Filter size: 52mm
  • Available mid Sept 2010
  • Expected price of $795.00 AUD

Via Mainlinephoto and Cosina Japan

Posted in Leica Lenses| Tagged | 4 Comments

Leica’s 1st quarter financial results (fiscal year 2010/2011)

By LR admin | Published: August 19, 2010

Leica’s financial results for the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2010/2011 are out:

“Leica Camera Group has closed the first quarter with sales amounting to € 56,176,000 (previous year: € 29,096,000). The net result of the Group for the reporting period has improved by € 16,249,000 to a net income of € 9,426,000 (previous year: net loss of € 6,823,000), due, inter alia, to higher contribution margins.”

R&D expenses and head count is also up:

“Expenditure for research and development in the first quarter of the fiscal year came to € 3,526,000 (previous year: € 2,515,000); the number of employees in the Leica Camera Group rose from 1,068 in the prior year to 1,083.”

And the future looks even better:

“For fiscal 2010/2011 the Company’s Board of Management expects further sales increases and, in conjunction with these, an EBIT result in the double-digit Euro million range.”

Source

Posted in Other Leica Stuff| 5 Comments

Rumor: Leica M9 Titan by the end of the year

By LR admin | Published: August 18, 2010

The rumor is that a new Leica M9 Titan will be released by the end of the year, most probably as a limited edition. It is possible that this would be the M9 related announcement at Photokina. The Leica M9 Titan will be sold as a kit with a lens (not sure which one) for the price of €18,000 (vat tax incl). I am told that the body will be made of real Titanium (which could explain the price tag) and not just “Ti plated” like this M6 Titan I found on eBay:

Another small p&s camera from Leica is also expected for Photokina, probably the Leica D-Lux 5.

Posted in Leica Compacts, Leica M9| Tagged , | 7 Comments

New: ReallyRightStuff L-Plate for Leica S2

By LR admin | Published: August 17, 2010

ReallyRightStuff are now shipping their new L-Plate for Leica S2 (model BS2-L):

Dimensions:

  • Height 2.8″/77mm
  • Weight 4.2oz/115g
Posted in Leica Accessories, Leica S| 3 Comments

Are you a Leica and Apple fan? This one is for you

By LR admin | Published: August 16, 2010

I did not really like the first attempt to add faux leather to you iPhone in order to make it look like a classic Leica camera, but this new DIY “solution” is actually cool – you basically insert a picture of Leica camera on the back of your iPhone by using a Griffin Reveal case:

Macrumors via Gizmodo

Posted in Other Leica Stuff| 5 Comments

The first Leica X1 limited edition “Le Mans”

By LR admin | Published: August 15, 2010

I don’t think this is part of what Leica has prepared for Photokina, but this is definitely the first Leica X1 limited edition “Le Mans”:

The first Leica X1 limited edition "Le Mans"

The Leica X1 limited edition “Le Mans” will sale for €1690 with case or €1590 without a case. A total of 50 pieces will be available. See more pictures @ Leicastoreparis (in English).

Read More »

Posted in Leica X| Tagged | 9 Comments

The new version of the Leica Lens Compendium book coming soon

By LR admin | Published: August 13, 2010

Erwin Puts announced today on his blog that the new version of the Leica Lens Compendium book will be coming soon:

“My new version of the Leica Lens Compendium is almost ready. The first introductory chapter can be downloaded free in the download area. The book covers the history of the company from 1849 to 2010 and focuses on cameras from the Ur-Leica to the S2 and M9 and all lenses from the original Elmax to the most recent M lens. The focus is on the rangefinder lineage.

The printed version will be a one time only print run on subscription only. Details will be give later.”

the old version of the Leica Lens Compendium

The previous version is hard to find and currently sells for around $600 on Amazon and for even more on eBay.

Posted in Other Leica Stuff| Tagged | 1 Comment