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.
The first thing I thought of when I saw the picture of the camera was a cow.
ReplyDeleteTo 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.
DeleteMaybe those extra profits will finally get us autofocus on the M.
DeleteAutofocus 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.
DeleteFor 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
ReplyDeletehttp://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2013/11/leica-maker-of-first-ever-slr-autofocus.html