Thursday, November 6, 2025

LEICA SL3 REPORTER


By David Farkas, Leica Store Miami

Today, Leica has announced the SL3 Reporter, a rugged new addition to the SL System designed for professional use under the toughest conditions… or for those who simply appreciate a beautifully subdued olive-green camera. Continuing Leica’s long-standing tradition of “Reporter” editions, this version of the SL3 combines understated styling with exceptional durability and reliability.

Technically identical to the standard Leica SL3, the Reporter variant delivers the same cutting-edge performance we’ve come to expect from Leica’s top-of-the-line professional mirrorless camera. Interestingly, the previous “Reporter” edition was based on the SL2-S, not the higher-resolution SL2. Leica’s choice to build this new version around the SL3 instead marks a subtle but meaningful shift, one that pairs the Reporter aesthetic with the full 60-megapixel capabilities of the flagship SL body.

Built for the Field

The SL3 Reporter features a scratch-resistant dark-green finish paired with a woven aramid-fiber covering, a material known for its outstanding resistance to abrasion and environmental stress. The soft, textured surface not only protects the body but also offers improved grip and stability when shooting or filming in demanding environments.

Over time, the aramid fiber develops a distinctive character that reflects the camera’s photographic journey. Initially a deep black contrast against the olive-green finish, the aramid cladding will gradually fade with sunlight exposure, evolving toward a tone that harmonizes with the body. Each camera becomes truly one of a kind.

As with previous Reporter models, the red Leica dot is omitted for a more discreet appearance, and all buttons, dials, and the LCD surround are finished in black. The result is a camera that blends quietly into its surroundings—ideal for documentary, photojournalism, and travel assignments where discretion is key.

Features

  • Body with Scratch Resistant Olive-Green Finish
  • No Red Dot Logo
  • Aramid Fabric Armoring
  • Buttons, Display Frame & Dials in Black
  • Technically Identical to the Leica SL3
  • CMOS Sensor with Triple-Resolution Technology 60/36/18 MP
  • ISO range from 50 to 100,000
  • New Hybrid AF-System (PDAF + Contrast Detection AF + Object Detection AF)
  • Maestro IV Processor with L2 Technology and 8GB of buffer memory
  • New Graphical User Interface
  • CF Express Type B and SD UHS II
  • HDMI 2.1 Type A (Full size)
  • USB-C (3.1 incl. charging)
  • Timecode Interface
  • Optimized ergonomics, size and weight
  • Tiltable high resolution touchscreen
  • 5.76 million dot OLED Viewfinder with up to 120fps
  • IP54 certification
  • Up to 8K Video HEVC (.h265)
  • High-Speed connectivity (Bluetooth + Wi-Fi 2×2 MIMO)

Pricing, Availability and Ordering

The Leica SL3 Reporter will start shipping for a price of $7,995. If you are interested in purchasing the SL3 Reporter you can do so at Leica Store Miami by clicking the button below, calling 305-921-4433 or sending an email to info@leicastoremiami.com.

Complete info



For other articles on this blog please click on Blog Archive in the column to the right

To comment or to read comments please scroll past the ads below.

All ads present items of interest to Leica owners.

_______________________________________________________________________

EDDYCAM - the first and only ergonomic elk-skin camera strap     
 www.eddycam.com        

      


Click on image to enlarge
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on image to enlarge
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on image to enlarge
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography


Monday, November 3, 2025

LEICA MONOCULAR FOR NASA’S APOLLO 11 LUNAR MISSION

 



as11-40-5903~orig


By Heinz Richter

The Apollo 11 moon landing 56 years ago wasn’t just a giant leap for mankind – it was also a historical event for the Ernst Leitz optical factory in Wetzlar, Germany. NASA, based in Houston (Texas), had ordered a special Leitz Trinovid from Ernst Leitz GmbH for the lunar mission in July 1969. The original Leitz Trinovid manufactured for the Apollo 11 mission can be found in the Leica Camera AG archive.

20190624-M1000699

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon 56 years ago: on July 20, 1969. The Leitz Trinovid specially developed for the Apollo missions is a monocular, consisting of one tube focused over the central bar. Mainly for weight reasons, the NASA scientists had decided on a customized version – the special monocular known to this day as the “Eye of Apollo”. In addition to the monocular, NASA also used other products from the Ernst Leitz company: Leitz microscopes were employed in their laboratories to examine the moon’s rocks, and the launches of Saturn V rockets with Apollo spacecraft were documented using Leica and Leicaflex cameras.

IMG_0547      national 


“Our monocular TRINOVID 10 x 40 already flew with the Apollo 8 and Apollo 10 missions and was an important navigation aid for the crew of Apollo 11 and the lunar module ‘Eagle’. According to NASA research, it proved to be the best of our many glasses offered for this mission,” noted Jerry Rzeznik, a Leitz employee at the time, in the September 1969 issue of the Leitz employee magazine Objektiv. Jerry Rzeznik also provided detailed information on where the Leitz Trinovid monocular was used: “We all know that the moon can only be reached with multi-stage rockets. There are separations of the individual stages, disconnections and couplings of spacecraft. These difficult maneuvers require precise preparation and timely detection of the arriving and departing parts. (…) At the speeds the spacecraft were traveling at, it was necessary to locate them from a distance of about 300 km.”

IMG_0555
telegram

                                                                           to our friends

                                                                           astronauts used binocular trinovid 10 x 10
                                                                           in Apollo 11 +  was already on board of
                                                                           Apollo 8 and 10 + trinovid obviously selected
                                                                           by nasa because with optimum performance
                                                                           small light handy and atmospherically independent +
                                                                           are proud of this proof of quality +

                                                                           7. 21, 1969                     ernst leitz gmbh wetzlar 

In a telegram dated July 21, 1969, the company writes: “astronauts use monocular trinovid 10 x 40 in apollo 11 + was already on board apollo 8 and 10 + trinovid obviously chosen by NASA for highest performance plus small lightweight handy and atmospherically independent + are proud of this proof of quality.”

Photos: NASA Archive/Leica Camera Archive

For more information on other Leica products and cameras used by NASA go here.


For other articles on this blog please click on Blog Archive in the column to the right

To comment or to read comments please scroll past the ads below.

All ads present items of interest to Leica owners.

_______________________________________________________________________

EDDYCAM - the first and only ergonomic elk-skin camera strap     
 www.eddycam.com        

      


Click on image to enlarge
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on image to enlarge
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on image to enlarge
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography