Wednesday, November 20, 2013

LEICA X2 GAGOSIAN EDITION


The following Leica press release reached us this morning:

Solms, Germany (November 20, 2013) – Leica Camera is pleased to announce its collaboration with Gagosian Gallery on the new-limited edition Leica X2 Gagosian Edition. Leica is known by photography professionals, aficionados and amateurs alike, not only for its expert technical craftsmanship and stunning design, but also for a history of partnering with the world’s best brands to produce one of a kind, limited-edition cameras. The new Leica X2 Gagosian Edition camera features a robust, all-metal construction. Black paint splotches dot the camera’s high-grip white leather trim in an Expressionist style.


Established in 1980 by Larry Gagosian in Los Angeles, Gagosian Gallery has over the last three decades maintained an unparalleled program of exhibitions by the world's leading contemporary artists, presented at its architect-designed exhibition spaces worldwide. Gagosian’s international exhibition and publishing programs parallel Leica’s own global legacy and values of artistic integrity and expressive freedom. We are proud to collaborate with the legendary German photography brand, Leica, in creating this new limited-edition Leica X2 Gagosian Camera” said Larry Gagosian. “Considering the many important photographers who have used Leica cameras over the years, we are thrilled to not only offer Leica products at Gagosian Shop but to have the opportunity to create our own unique Leica Camera."

Handmade at Leica’s headquarters in Germany, the compact camera features an APS-C-format professional CMOS image sensor with over 16.5 megapixels, and an Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH lens, a classic focal length amongst prime lenses that have captured countless iconic images. Thanks to the ease of switching between manual and automatic control, photographers can concentrate completely on their subjects and choosing the decisive instant to shoot. A pop-up flash further enhances the versatility of the camera in all shooting conditions.

“The Leica X2 Gagosian Edition continues Leica’s rich heritage in all technical aspects and function, married with an artistic flair reflective of Gagosian’s presence in the world of art,” said Roland Wolff, Vice President of Marketing for Leica Camera USA. “Leica’s heritage of artistic collaborations, partnerships and projects allows us to move beyond the photographic image, and turn the tool itself into a piece of art.”

Upon entering the Gagosian Shop on Madison Avenue, visitors will quickly notice the vibrant Leica display presenting the new Leica X2 Gagosian Edition. Other Leica products on display include the X Vario, X2, X2 A La Carte, V-LUX 4, D-LUX 6 and Leica C, as well as relevant accessories. Select Leica sport optics are also available.

The Leica X2 Gagosian Edition camera, produced in a limited run of one hundred units, is available for purchase exclusively at the Gagosian Shop and on the Shop’s website.




5 comments:

  1. The first thing I thought of when I saw the picture of the camera was a cow.

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    1. To be honest, I too thought it looked somewhat bovine. But is that bad? The camera is a special edition, limited to just 100 cameras. There should be no doubt that Leica will sell all of them without a problem, at a premium price, I am sure. While there certainly will be the usual criticism, let's not forget that the extra profits derived from this and the other special edition cameras will enable Leica to put extra funds into research and design for future products. I can assure you that they do, if the busy prototype department, which I was able to observe during my visit to Solms this summer, is any indication.

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    2. Maybe those extra profits will finally get us autofocus on the M.

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    3. Autofocus is something they have been working on for a while already. As a matter of fact, Leica was the first company to file patents for an autofocus system and they were the first to introduce one at the 1976 Photokina in Cologne. It was called it Correfot and was shown in conjunction with a Leicaflex SL2.

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  2. For more information on the Leitz Correfor autofocus system got to the new article on this blog, called: LEICA – MAKER OF THE FIRST EVER SLR AUTOFOCUS SYSTEM
    http://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2013/11/leica-maker-of-first-ever-slr-autofocus.html

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