Besides celebrating the official
opening of the new headquarters of Leica Camera AG., Leica surprised everyone
with the introduction of several new items.
First on the list is a new, non-electronic
film (yes, film!) camera, the Leica M-A.
It emphasizes the continued commitment of Leica to no digital cameras and
keeps them solidly as the only major camera manufacturer to do so.
Next is the new LEICA SUMMILUX-M 28
mm f/1.4 ASPH,. One of the fastest 28mm lenses on the market. Little else is known at this time, but we
will report on this new lens as soon as additional information is available.
Not to be outdone by wide angle
photography, another new introduction was the LEICA MACRO-ELMAR-M 90 mm f/4 and
the LEICA MACRO-ADAPTER-M. The official
Leica press release states:
With the Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4, Leica
Camera AG presents a new, collapsible macro lens for the Leica M-System. As in
the case of the previous generation of this lens, its performance has been
optimised to cover the entire working range, from infinity to the closest macro
focusing distance. This makes the Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4 ideal not only
as a moderate, universal telephoto lens, but also as a macro lens with
exceptional imaging performance at close focusing distances. For example, in
combination with the new Leica Macro- Adapter-M, specially designed and
constructed for use with the Live View function of the Leica M, it allows photographers
to capture spectacular close-up exposures at a reproduction ratio of up to 1:2.
The Leica Macro-Adapter-M is designed
to be mounted between the camera and the Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4. Its
integrated helical screw system allows a variable extension of the lens of
between 18 and 30 mm and thus enables the variation of the reproduction ratio.
When mounted on the adapter, the Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4 can also be used
in its collapsed position for exposures up to infinity. Thanks to a new locking
function, this allows photographers to set any distance from 41 cm
(reproduction ratio 1:2) to infinity without having to dismount the adapter.
As the Macro-Adapter-M is also
compatible with other M lenses, it offers Leica M photographers an even wider
range of opportunities for creative composition and additional variety in
reportage portfolios. With Leica lenses from 50 mm and greater, it enables
macro exposures up to a reproduction ratio of 1:2 and, with wide-angle lenses,
even larger ratios. The lens-to-subject distance decreases with decreasing
focal lengths. The use of the adapter with 28, 35 or 50 mm lenses creates
fascinating effects. The short distance from the subject creates extremely
distorted perspectives and highly selective sharpness. Because, in contrast to
a macro lens design, the imaging performance of these lenses is not optimised
for such close focusing distances, it is advisable to stop them down by one or
two aperture values. The use of the Macro-Adapter-M with lenses with focal lengths
of less than 28 mm is not recommended, as the lens-to-subject distance must be
extremely short to allow correct focusing.
Without the adapter, the Leica
Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4 is an extremely versatile telephoto lens – for example,
for portraits with shallow depth of field and in travel photography for
capturing details in landscapes. For reportage photography, the Leica
Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4 allows photographers to capture discreet shots at a
greater distance from their subjects. In comparison, the Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90
mm f/4 is a compact and lightweight alternative to existing Leica M-Lenses of
this focal length. When not in use, the lens can be collapsed to save valuable
space in the camera bag.
The optical design of the new
Leica-Macro Elmar-M 90 mm f/4 comprises four lens elements in four groups. Its
imaging performance is very good across the entire image field. Even wide open,
at f/4, the lens delivers near optimum performance. This high imaging
performance is preserved almost completely in its closest focusing range. The
only significant effect of stopping the lens down is an increase in the depth
of focus.
The Leica Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f/4 and
the Leica Macro-Adapter-M will be available from June 2014.
In addition, there are the Leica M
Edition 100: Leica M-A and Leica Monochrom in Stainless Steel. The pure non-electronic Leica M-A is based on
the LEICA MP.
All of the visible metal parts both
of the Leica M-A and the Leica Monochrom are made of solid stainless
steel. In addition, there is a set of three
Summilux lenses with 28, 35 and 50mm focal length. The Leica M Edition 100 is
limited to 101 pieces worldwide.
The official Leica press release
states:
This year, Leica Camera AG is celebrating
100 years of Leica photography. On the occasion of this special anniversary,
the company has already announced two special centennial editions – the Leica S
Edition 100 and the Leica D-Lux 6 Edition 100. And now, a uniquely special
highlight will be presented in the course of the official opening celebration
for the new Leica headquarters in the Leitz Park complex in Wetzlar on 23 May
2014: the Leica M Edition 100.
As the first Leica special edition of
its kind, the Leica M Edition 100 brings together a purely mechanical
rangefinder camera for film photography – the Leica M-A – with a digital M (Leica M Monochrom) in one set. The
combination of these two cameras is unique. Its symbolic character as an homage
to the beginnings of Leica 35 mm photography and, in particular, to
black-and-white photography makes the centennial edition truly special. This
applies, above all, to its high-quality construction and finish: for the first
time ever, both Leica cameras and the lenses in this set are made from solid
stainless steel.
Both cameras stand as symbols for the
origins of Leica photography and the present day. The Leica M-A, with technical
specifications based on the currently available Leica MP film camera, is a
direct descendent of the Ur-Leica. Many of the elements Oskar Barnack invented
for the Ur-Leica are revisited in this new camera. These include the fabric
focal-plane shutter, the accessory shoe and removable baseplate – and of course
it is built for using film. Alternatively, the second camera, a Leica M
Monochrom, is the contemporary variation of the theme composed a century ago by
Oskar Barnack. As the world’s first camera conceived exclusively for
black-and-white 35 mm digital photography, and featuring a sensor specifically
designed for this purpose, it carries the traditions of black-and-white
photography into the digital age and sets entirely new standards of imaging
quality.
Alongside the exclusive combination
of products, above all the premium finish is one of the outstanding features of
the Leica M Edition 100. This is the first time that stainless steel – a
material that is extremely difficult to work with – has been employed for the
visible metallic elements of Leica products. A special protective coating
applied by a Swiss company protects the exposed surfaces against finger marks.
Resistant and durable in equal measure, this material guarantees enduring value
preservation and lends the products a refined character with a silky sheen. The
premium appearance of both camera bodies is further complemented by the
application of a special black leather trim.
The set also includes three Leica
Summilux-M lenses with focal lengths of 28, 35 and 50 mm. Renowned for their
combination of extremely compact size, speed and exceptional imaging quality,
they ideally reflect the characteristic performance criteria with which Leica
lenses contributed to the establishment of the brand as a legend. The M
centennial set will be supplied in a black anodized aluminium case constructed
by Rimowa especially for Leica. Inside, the case is subdivided into
compartments precisely tailored to the individual components of the set and
lined with real leather in black. The set also includes Kodak TRI-X 400
black-and-white film for use with the M-A. This film is considered a classic in
the genres of art photography and reportage and is still renowned and extremely
popular for its unmistakable look in prints. Special engraving on the top plate
of the body commemorates the centennial, as do the unique serial numbers that
end with the four digits of the years between 1914 and 2014.
The Leica M Edition 100 is strictly
limited to 101 sets for the entire global market. The cameras and lenses will
be available exclusively as sets from Leica Stores and Boutiques from June
2014; none of the items contained in the sets will be available as separate items.
More news to follow...
Will the Leica M-A be available by itself?
ReplyDeleteSo far it appears to be only part of the anniversary set with the chrome Leica M Monochrom.
DeleteI was surprised to see Leica introduce another film camera model. I wonder how many film cameras they sell per year?
ReplyDeleteIn a recent interview, Alfred Schopf, CEO of Leica, said they make about 1000 film cameras annually. About 60 percent of the entire production is sold in Japan.
Delete