LEICA NEWS AT PHOTOKINA 2014

Well, the time has arrived.  No more rumors and wishful thinking.  Here is what Leica has in store for us, starting with the opening of Photokina 2014, today.

Leica M Edition 60

This is a limited edition of 600 cameras, designed by Audi.  The camera is based on the Leica M-P, but is a back to basics approach.  The biggest difference is that the camera has no display screen.  It has only the most basic settings for digital photography: shutter speed, aperture, focusing and ISO sensitivity.  The ISO sensitivity is set via a dial in back of the camera.  One could look at it as a digital camera that works just like a film camera.  The set includes a Leica M-P (Type 240) and a Leica Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH., both special versions created by Audi Design.  It is thought that this special edition is a trial balloon to test the acceptance of the camera.  Based on the response we might see a less elaborate, less expensive version in the future.

Right now, the camera is offered as a limited edition of just 600 cameras worldwide.  Cameras and lenses have unique matching numbers between 001/600 and 600/600. The M-Cameras also have the engravings ‘Leica 60’ and ‘Leica Camera Wetzlar’. The special edition includes a camera protector.

Leica M-A

This new film camera is based on the Leica MP, but has no lightmeter, battery or any other electronics at all.  A stainless steel version of the Leica M-A was part of the Leica M Edition 100 introduced during the inauguration of the new Leica HQ in spring.  The camera will be available on black and silver finish.  The Leica M-A is will not replace the Leica M-P or Leica M7, there are no plans to phase out other models.

New Summarit-M Lenses

New are the following Summarit-M lenses;

Leica Summarit-M 35 mm f/2.4 ASPH.

Leica Summarit-M 50 mm f/2.4

Leica Summarit-M 75 mm f/2.4

Leica Summarit-M 90 mm f/2.4

All of the summarit lenses now have a maximum aperture of f/2.4, offering a speed increase of 1/8 exposure value.  This did not necessitate a new design of the lenses, instead by implementing tighter tolerances it was possible to offer a speed increase without sacrificing performance.  The lenses will be available in black and silver finish.  The old Summarit lenses will be phased out.

 Noctilux and Summilux 35mm In Silver Finish

Leica Camera now offers the Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH. and the Leica Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH., in asilver anodised finish. The technical specifications of both lenses are identical to their black finished counterparts.

Leica S

Leica Camera introduced a new version of the LEICA S (Type 007).  The sensor resolution of 37.5 MP remains the same but the camera has a new CMOS sensor and an improved MAESTRO image processor.

The new camera now features predictive autofocus where the camera registers the motion of the subject and determines the distance to it at the moment of exposure.

Here are the other advantages advantages over the older model:

Better image quality with all ISO settings

Higher ISO values up to  6,400

Continuous shooting with 3.5 fps

Full HD Video in full medium format

4k video

Faster Live View

Leica S-E

The Leica S (Type 006) will be offered as the model S-E at a lower price, the only difference to the old model being a top in anthracite grey paint and a silver anodized shutter speed dial.

Two New Leica T Lenses

Even though these two lenses were announced already at the launch of the Leica T in April, they are becoming available now as of January 2015.

Wide angle zoom lens Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11–23 mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH. (equals 17-35 mm in 35mm)

Tele zoom lens Leica APO Vario-Elmar-T 55–135 mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH. (equals 80-200 mm  in 35mm)

Leica X with new Summilux Lens

A new Summilux 23mm f/1.7 ASPH lens is now available on the Leica X.  That equals a 35 mm lens in full frame format.  This is a 1 ½ stop increase in speed over the old f/2.6 Elmarit.

In addition, the New Leica X now has a 3” display and it offers a video option with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels and 30 full frames per second, saved in MP4 format.

A new accessory is the Digiscoping Adapter.  It allows the use of the X camera on the Leica APO-Televid 82 and APO-Televid 65 spotting scopes.

Leica D-LUX

The new Leica D-Lux offers several new features: Fourthirds sensor, high-resolution electronic viewfinder and 4k video, all with a fast Vario-Summilux lens.

All the new features are:

FourThirds CMOS sensor with 16 MP

Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10,9–34mm f/1.7–2.8/ (24–75mm eq.)

Shutter speeds up to 1/16,000 s

Burst shooting 11 fps in full resolution

Integrated electronic viewfinder with 2.8 MP resolution

Fast hybrid contrast AF

4K and Full-HD video

LEICA V-LUX

Leica also introduced a new version of the V-LUX with a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 9.1–146 mm f/2.8–4 ASPH. Lens.

The new features are:

Large 1″ sensor

20 MP resolution

Zoom range 25 to 400 mm (35 mm eq.)

Closest focusing distance: 3 cm

Shutter speed 1/16,000 sec

Burst shooting 12 fps

2.4 MP OLED viewfinder

WiFi and NFC capability

4k Video

Leica Photo Bags

Finally, Leica introduced a new line of photo bags.  They include the Artisan & Artist Edition for Leica, the Aneas Edition for Leica, and the Photo And Business Bag By Schedoni.

Artisan and Artist Edition

Aneas Edition

Photo and Business Bag by Schedoni

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