Thursday, April 2, 2020

NEW USE FOR LEICA R LENSES



With the Leica R-Adapters we finally have a good alternative to use the Leica R lenses on other Leica cameras like the the Leica SL, Leica M240, Leica M10, as well as the Leica T series cameras.  But there is another new use for the Leica R lenses.

More and more filmmakers have discovered the creative properties and the high quality of many older lenses.  To allow these optical top performers to maintain their excellence when subjected to the mechanical requirements of film production, the Firm of P+S Technik in Munich is offering a rehousing program where the optical components are transferred to a new lens barrel.

The optical components of these older photographic lenses are used in a housing, which allows an optimal interaction with the motorized focusing and aperture control units when filming.  In addition, P + S Technik has also launched a program for lenses with floating elements.  The diaphragm mechanism of all lenses has also been improved.

Leica-R Apo-Summicron 180mm f/2

Leica R lenses are now incorporated in the SL case of P + S with a front diameter of 110 mm.  The invention of "Floating Elements" was a big, important step in the history of optical design. This technique has been transferred from zoom lenses to fixed focal length lenses to correct chromatic aberrations during focusing over the entire field of the focusing range.

In a classic lens design, the entire optical system is moved back or forth to correct focusing at the image plane.  In a floating lens element system two or more lens elements are moved simultaneously and independently from each other. 

Leica Apo-Telyt-R 400mm/560mm module

Often these older lenses are described as being softer and less contrasty than their modern counterparts, but when compared to most vintage lenses, these examples are sharper and display noticeably higher contrast levels.

Obviously this is only a relatively small market, but the very fact that the Leica R lenses are part of this rehousing program by P+S Technik further underlines the incredible performance levels these lenses are capable of.


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.

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Wednesday, April 1, 2020

THE AMAZING NEW LEICA III D







By Heinz Richter

When Leica introduced the 28mm f/5.6 Summaron, modeled after the screw mount Summaron from 1955, my thought was that it would be nice to be able to attach it to an updated version of a Leica III series camera.

Apparently I am not the only one.  Today, 4-01, Leica introduced the new Leica III D (D for Digital).  The D is capitalized to set the camera apart from the extremely rare Leica IIId which was essentially a IIIc with a built-in self-timer.

Leica III D with 50mm f/2 APO Summicron

One objective for the new camera was to make it as small as possible.  Another objective was to make the camera as close in appearance to its predecessor from the 30s.  For that reason Leica chose to use the body configuration of the Leica III and its follow up models, the IIIa and IIIb.  The later screw mount cameras, starting with the IIIc, were all slightly larger.

The major difference to the original Leica III cameras is that the III D is digital.  It utilizes the same 24 MP sensor as in the Leica M10.  But that is pretty much where the similarities end.


At first glance the camera appears to be identical to the original III series camera with the same viewfinder layout and the same control features.  It has the same two ocular viewfinder.  The left one is coupled to a rangefinder which is much improved over the original one.  It also features a lever like on the original diopter control.  This, however, has only been maintained for looks.  The actual diopter control is now a function of the former slow speed setting dial in front of the camera.  The right ocular is an electronic viewfinder which automatically allows viewing with any lens attached to the camera.  Auxiliary viewfinders are not necessary.

Being a digital camera, the new III D has a large viewing screen in the back. Here we also find access to the various camera settings and controls.


Because of the small size of the camera, it was impossible to utilize a motor to cock the shutter after each exposure.  Instead the camera uses a winding know, identical to the original, which cocks the shutter for the next exposure.  Even the original counter has been maintained, but the camera can obviously go much beyond the indicated maximum shots of 39.

The original shutter speed dial has been replaced by a version that offers speeds up to 1/4000 sec and a setting for automatic exposure control.  The shutter release is the same as the original, including threads for a collar type cable release.  Leica will offer a screw-on adapter to allow the use of a standard cable release.  The original rewind lever has been maintained.  It now functions to allow instant access to open the shutter for sensor cleaning.


The accessory shoe has been updated to a hot shoe layout for use with automatic flash units.  The film rewind knob has also been maintained, but it now functions a quick means to set ISO setting, like on the Leica M10.


Another major difference is that the camera now features a Leica M mount instead of the old screw mount.  This allows for easy access to all Leica M mount lenses as well as Leica SM lenses with an adapter.

The camera is also equipped with a modern, vertically travelling metal blade shutter which also includes the reflective pattern for the light metering system.


The bottom plate has been maintained in its original appearance and, just like on all Leica digital M models, it must be removed to gain access to the battery as well as the memory card slot.

Since this camera is essentially part of the Leica M system, it is capable to utilize many of the Leica  M accessories.

As of yet, no information is available as to the availability of this new camera.



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.

_______________________________________________________________________

 www.leicastoremiami.com  


Woman wears brown elk-leather camera strap around her shoulders.

      www.eddycam.com        

      



Buy vintage Leica cameras from 
America's premier Leica specialist 
www.tamarkin.com

                          
           http://www.tamarkinauctions.com/               http://www.tamarkin.com/leicagallery/upcoming-show



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