Win a Leica S2

By LR admin | Published: February 18, 2010

RedBullIllume photo competition offers a Leica S2 equipment valued at €30,000 as a top prize. Photographers must enter their best action and adventure sports images before midnight (Central European Time) on February 28, 2010.

BTW, Adorama has the Leica S2 in stock now.

Posted in Leica S| 1 Comment

Leica 35mm Summilux-M f/1.4 ASPH lens listed as new (updated)

By LR admin | Published: February 18, 2010

Update #2: here is the response I got from Digitalrev:

Dear Leica Rumors,

Just to clarify the post regarding the NEW 35mm Summilux-M ASPH:
– The product image was mistakingly linked to the 35mm Summilux-R and has now been changed.
– This is for the current 35mm Summilux-M ASPH, not the anticipated NEW one.
– The NEW label on the product thumbnail is something that we put on recently uploaded products.
Apologies for any confusion caused.

Best regards,
DigitalRev

Update: the shown picture is from the 35mm 1.4 lens for R series but not the specs, they are from the current 35mm 1.4 version. This is probably a placeholder for the new model (it is labeled as “NEW”).

Go to Digitalrev and read about the new Leica 35mm Summilux-M f/1.4 ASPH Lens. The price is listed as US$4,295.00. Availability is listed as in 4-7 days.

– Angle of view (diagonal, horizontal, vertical) 47ã, 40ã, 27ã
– Bayonet Filter (type) Lens hood Dimensions and weight
– Number of elements / groups: 9 / 5 Focal length: 35.6 mm
– Entrance pupil: 16.8 mm (related to the first lens surface in light direction)
– Focusing range: 0.7 m to Infinity
– Scale: combined meter/feet-increments
– Smallest object field: 420 mm x 630 mm
– Highest reproduction ratio: 1:17.5
– Setting / Type: with clickstops (including half values), manual diaphragm
– Smallest aperture: f/16 Leica M quick-change bayonet internal thread for screw-in type filters E 46 separate, clip-on type, lockable
– Length: 46.2 mm
– Largest diameter: 53 mm
– Weight: approx. 320 g

More details after the break:

Read More »

Posted in Leica Lenses| Tagged | 20 Comments

Waiting for the new Leica 35mm Summilux lens announcement

By LR admin | Published: February 17, 2010

I believe an official Leica announcement will be made tomorrow or in the next few days before or during PMA.

A new Leica 35mm Summilux lens and new compact camera(s) are expected (and maybe even more).

Posted in Leica Compacts, Leica Lenses| 3 Comments

Aperture 3 support for Leica M9: “imminent”

By LR admin | Published: February 16, 2010

Maccreate’s report from the Aperture 3 press event in London states that Leica M9 support for Aperture 3 is on “top of their to-do-list” (as well as other cameras like Panasonic Lumix GF1).

Posted in Leica M9| 3 Comments

How about that Leica D-Lux 5?

By LR admin | Published: February 16, 2010

Panasonic is currently running a teaser ad that displays the silhouettes of two cameras – one of them appears to have the shape of the LX3.

The official announcement should be during the Focus on Imaging show in Birmingham NEC (March 7-10, 2010). At that point it is not clear if this will be the new LX4 but if it is, we can expect the Leica D-Lux 5 to be announced for Photokina 2010.

Here are some rumored Leica D-Lux 5 specs found on dpreview:

  • New backlit 12.1mp sensor
  • Built-in EVF
  • Lumix lens (not Leica; not sure about specs, but I am hearing 1.7/20mm)
  • 1:1, 3:2, 16:9, 2.39:1, 1.85:1 aspect ratios
  • New B&W high-sensitivity mode (almost no-noise in iso 3200)
  • Improved noise reduction system (all ISO settings)
  • Priced at under $600 USD at launch
  • Stiffer controls compared to LX3
  • Screen to be equal to or better than LX3/D-Lux 4 screen
  • Manual focus/selector ring, similar to canon S90
  • Magnesium alloy body
  • Higher capacity batteries
  • Built-in lens cap
Posted in Leica Compacts, Leica D-Lux| 3 Comments

Looking for a Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH lens

By LR admin | Published: February 15, 2010

Update #2: a silver 50mm Lux is available here.

Update: This store in Taiwan had a silver 50mm Lux just few days ago (may still have it in stock). In addition a reader in Paris is selling his two months old silver 50mm Summilux ASPH – his email is: agreenman (at) jhminternational (dot) com.

The Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH lens (6 bit coded) has been difficult to find since the M9 was released.

B&H, Adorama, Amazon and KEH are all out of stock. Ebay has currently two ongoing auctions and the price is up to $2700.

If you are aware of a store (or a private party) that has this lens or the M9 for sale, sent me an email or just add a comment to this thread and I will post it online.

Posted in Leica Lenses| 14 Comments

Leica’s sales up 17 % thanks to the M9

By LR admin | Published: February 15, 2010
Leica's own equipment used in one of the M9 classes in the Leica SIS - over $100k on the table!

Leica's own equipment getting ready for a M9 class - over $100k on the table!

Today Leica announced their Q3 results for fiscal year 2009/2010:

“Sales growth of 17 % compared to the previous year – positive result for the quarter confirms the course adopted at the beginning of the fiscal year

Leica Camera Group closed the third quarter with sales in the amount of € 48.1 million (previous year: € 41.1 million). The sales increase mainly results from the doubling of sales of the Leica M system, on the strength of the Leica M9 rangefinder camera presented in September 2009. The period under review also saw the start of delivery of the professional camera system Leica S2. In addition, products of the Leica sports optics range also contributed to the increase in sales.

For the third quarter the Company therefore achieved a positive result in the amount of € 4.8 million. This corresponds to an improvement of € 5.4 million vis-à- vis the comparable prior year period. The improved result is due to the increase in sales, higher contribution margins, as well as the success of cost cutting measures relating to other operating expenses. Currently, Leica Camera Group still shows a net loss for the year of € 4.8 million, which will be further reduced during the fiscal year.”

The full report can be downloaded here.

Posted in Leica M9| 2 Comments