Leica
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From the past: Leica M9 Review
[The following is a review I was commissioned to write for HotShoe magazine back in late 2009 when the Leica M9 had just been released. I’ve republished it here in its entirety, with thanks to Leica UK for the loan of the M9.] Hot Gear Review Leica M9 Photography is a nostalgic and evocative experience, and there are few cameras that encapsulate that as well as a Leica. And, none more so than a Leica M. The switch to digital from the all-electronic M7 wasn’t seamless, or without detractors. As well as a few minor shortcomings, the APS-H format, 10-megapixel M8 rangefinder was widely criticised for its sensitivity to UV…
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Leica announces the Leica SL2-S
Leica has announced the latest version of the Leica SL2, the SL2-S. The new model, which adopts the familiar body of the original SL2, launched late last year, features a newly developed 24 Mp BSI-CMOS sensor for improved low-light performance, and likely higher dynamic range – though we’ll have to wait to see. According to the specs provided by Leica, the SL2-S can capture both 4K DCI and UHD footage from the full width of the sensor, oversampled from 6K. Here’s a summary of the new features, from Leica: High-quality sensor The core element of the Leica SL2-S is the newly developed BSI-CMOS image sensor with a resolution of 24…
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Leica Q2 Monochrom officially announced
Leica has introduced a monochrome version of the popular Leica Q/Q2 compacts. Like those models, it features a 28mm f1.7 Summilux lens and full-frame sensor, only the new model sports a 47MP CMOS sans Bayer filter. The main benefit here over the 40MP Leica M Monochrom, besides the slightly higher pixel count, is the Q2 Monochrom’s autofocus and built-in EVF. The latter allows the user to not only view in B&W of course but more importantly to compose in B&W. While you can do that with the M Monochrom you would have to use the optional Visoflex or compose via the camera’s rear LCD. Both options are less compelling solutions to…
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Leica M10-R Specifications
Leica Camera has announced a new, high-resolution version of the Leica M10 rangefinder, called the M10-R. The new model, which adopts the familiar body and layout of the original Leica M-10 adopts a new full-frame 40.89MP RGB CMOS sensor sans AA filter and a native ISO 100-50,000 sensitivity. Besides an increase in resolution, Leica also claims a wider dynamic range over the 24MP CMOS sensor in the original M10 series, said to be up to 13.5 stops. Another benefit of the new sensor is lower noise at high ISOs apparently, with even less colour noise at ISO6400 than the current M10. According to a Leica spokesperson, the ‘unique’ full-frame sensor…
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Leica announces the Leica M10-R
Leica Camera has announced a new, high-resolution version of the Leica M10 rangefinder, called the M10-R. The new higher-resolution sensor has been added to the range to accommodate the demands of professionals and ADs requiring the extra flexibility of larger image dimensions during post-production. The new M10-R model, which adopts the familiar body and layout of the original Leica M-10 adopts a new full-frame 40.89MP RGB CMOS sensor sans AA filter and a native ISO 100-50,000 sensitivity. Besides an increase in resolution, Leica also claims a wider dynamic range over the 24MP CMOS sensor in the original M10 series, said to be up to 13.5 stops. Another benefit of…
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Leica SL2 Announced
Leica has announced the long-leaked and long-expected update to the full-frame mirrorless SL, the appropriately named SL2. It brings several expected and significant updates to the original Leica SL, including a sensor upgrade from the old 24.2MP unit to a 47MP sensor, similar but not identical in pixel count to that in the Leica Q and that of their technology partner Panasonic and their Lumix DC-S1R camera. Although often overlooked, it’s no secret that the original SL electronics and many of its internal components are made by Panasonic and it’s not difficult to see that the SL2 shares much of its DNA with the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R. Although the imaging…
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Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm F2 ASPH lens announced
Leica has announced the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm F2 ASPH lens, an L-mount lens that’s not only compatible with the Leica SL currently but as a part of the L-Mount alliance, the lens is compatible with the Lumix S1 series made by Panasonic as well as the Sigma fp. The lens features 12 elements with three aspherical surfaces and an unknown number of elements – Leica claim as the ‘majority’ – being made of anomalous partial dispersion glass for apochromatic correction. As with other lenses in the Summicron-SL series, the 50mm F2 ASPH features a Dual Syncro Drive (DSD) stepping motor for fast autofocus, which allows for the lens to be driven…
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Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm F2 ASPH
Technical data: Lens APO-Summicron-SL 50 mm f/2 ASPH. Angle of view (diagonal, horizontal, vertical) 47.2° / 40.0° / 27.3° Optical design Number of elements/groups 12/10 Number of aspherical elements 3 Position of entrance pupil in front of the bayonet flange 63.2 mm Focusing Working range 0.35 m to infinity Smallest object field 120 × 180 mm Largest reproduction ratio 1:5 Aperture Settings/functions Electronically controlled iris, setting with the camera setting dial, half- or one-third stop settings possible Aperture setting range 2 – 22 Smallest aperture 22 Bayonet/sensor format Leica L-bayonet, full-frame 35 mm format Filter thread E67 Dimensions and weight Length to bayonet flange 102 mm…
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Sigma introduce MC-21 Mount Converter for L mount bodies
Sigma has introduced the MC-21 mount converter for mirrorless L-mount bodies, at the time of writing includes the Leica SL/TL and the new Panasonic S1 and S1R. There are two versions of the converter, the £249.99 EF-L allows Canon EF mount lenses, including Sigma lenses with EF mount to attach to L mount bodies. Priced at just £99, the second, SA-L version, allows Sigma lenses with the SA mount to fit the same bodies. Sigma has confirmed the new converter has compatibility with 29 Sigma full-frame and APS-C lenses with the latter automatically enabling the auto-crop feature on full-frame bodies. Other models are not guaranteed to be fully compatible. Lens…
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Leica announces special edition Leica Q Khaki
Leica has announced a special edition of the Leica Q, the Leica Q Khaki. Clad in khaki leather trim and with chrome top and bottom plates the Leica Q Khaki is reminiscent of the Leica M Safari versions. In all other respects, the new khaki model is the same as regular Leica Q. The Leica Q remains one of the most compelling compacts currently available, however, the announcement of another limited edition will fuel the debate about when to expect a new model. It is believed that a version 2 or upgraded model when it comes will feature a new higher resolution sensor, 4K video and 120 fps for slow…
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