Photokina Leica Announcements. The Mother load.

66 Comments

1. (I wrote something with my $6000 new Leica M60 ink pen, but I can’t see it until I get home and develop it in 100% lemon juice.)

2. Michiel,

   indeed – this is a _true_ retro digital camera. And certainly more to pretend-retro cameras like the Df or the retro-lookalikes from Fuji… Quite daring, the M60, but I daresay, they will sell.

   (Not to me – such money I would rather spend on the new CFV-50C for my trusty old Hassy 2000FC/M plus a nice stockpile of films for my M6 (;-))…

   Cheers,

   M.
   =->

3. According to the D-Lux/LX100 spec sheets the D-lux has a low calibrated ISO of 80, while the LX100 has a calibrated ISO of 200 – extended down to 100 (JPG only). If that’s correct, there seem to be some small differences after all.

   • How about the jpegs?

     • D-Lux JPG/RAW both stop at ISO 80 according to this one:
       http://en.leica-camera.com/Photography/Compact-Cameras/Leica-D-Lux-Typ-109/Downloads
       Only ISO 25000 marked as “extended ISO”.

4. Hi Steve, do you know if the olympus VF-4 evf will work on. The new Leica x113?

   • Not sure, nut most likely

5. HI Steve 🙂 PLEASSSSSSE make a LEICA X review!!!!!!! 🙂

   thx

   • I have one being shipped to me now, it is on its way as I write this :0 SOON>

     • Perfect!!!! :-)) your reviews are the reson why i am now a omd Fan! I am looking forward to the leica X

6. Hey Steve! Thanks for the updates. If you look at the new silver M lenses, they are listed as ‘Silver Annodized’ and the weight is the same as the black versions in the specs. This leads me to believe they are the new silver aluminum lenses. I think Leica talked about this as they were moving into the new plant. Interestingly, though, the lenses have the same price increase as some of the brass chrome models. So, looks like nice weight for a silver lens, but at a premium for the same build. I would have loved to see the 35 Summilux in chrome! Yes, the noctilux would get heavy…

7. Seems as those there are a few slight, minor differences between the Panasonic LX100 and the Leica version such as size/style of the buttons on the back, but the biggest difference seems to be ergonomics. The Leica is missing both the rear thumb grip on the back but most importantly the front hand grip. Not sure how much of a difference that would make in handling but could be substantial to some. I know for me I was just about ready to cancel my LX100 preorder and go with the Leica until I noticed the lack of grips. Now I’ll have to reconsider.

   • For some reason Leica always omits the grips. You can buy their case to help with that 🙂 Same camera though, go with what you want and the one you will be most inspired to shoot with.

     • Are the leica jpegs better than panasonic?

8. Motherload or motherlode?

   • MOTHERLOAD – NOT MOTHERLODE. Yes, I can say Motherload. You know what I mean 🙂

9. Sorry. It looks like the 35mm is an ASPH lens. But the others aren’t. Strange…
   http://en.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/M-Lenses/Summarit-M-35mm-f-2.4-ASPH

10. Also, the Summarit line is now ASPH lenses!

11. Voigtlander looks interesting … First off, the day I bought myself a Nokton 35/1.2 (I love this lens so I am not complaining) they announce the new 1.7!! That’s another lens for me to buy 🙂

    Second off – I am looking forward to getting my hands on one of the 40 Heliars – that will be a very compact lens on my A7.

12. Anyone notice the M60 hasn’t got any lugs?? So it’s not a real picture but a 3D rendering?? They’ll build it once the 600 units are sold, maybe *g*

13. the M60 . . . . they should have borrowed a page from the RD-1 and included an obligatory shutter cocking lever . . . I think if it had any real “functional” purpose it should be put in the hands of newbie students who might actually learn something from working with it but obviously that’s not who it’s intended for nor whose hands it’s gonna wind up in . . . a beautiful “object” to be sure, i suppose you could call it a “trophy camera” . . .. . there are people who are into that sort of thing . .. . .

14. Other than the Summilux upgrade to the X, It’s pretty much what I expected from what Leica has turned into.
    Recently, I’ve been on a purge of my ‘library’ including much of my Leica literature/publications/catalogs after the mid 1970’s. I was reminded of the complete system camera company Leica was up until then with the M and Leicaflex line. It is a new age.
    Leica is a company hanging it’s hat in a luxury market; that is not news. What they have done is halted any real developmental improvements in the M body outside of what other companies are doing technically – digitally.
    The M viewfinder is ancient in it’s useability, and why not make it better? Make a larger eyepiece, a better finder is not asking that much – unless you are satisfied with a ‘classic’ product/body with nice lenses.
    Leica, please, the S is unimportant to the vast majority of serious photographers, it/you drove a whole user base away from Leica. The nice small format cameras are useable, but not out in front with what Leica was once capable of doing. No comment on the designer T system are worth the words.
    So, congratulations to Leica for crawling along and around the edges of the industry with greatly upmarket, average usefulness ‘designer’ products that represent what is left of what Leica once was. Maybe some collectors will want my Leica PR collection.

15. Looking forward to your review of the new X. Hope you get that in for review soon! 🙂

16. I am really glad to see the new X. Quite a bit more bulky than the X-E (where I would love to hear about the improvements over the X2), but hey – if the lens is great it could even get some of the X100 users on its side (at least the more wealthy ones 🙂 )

    I also recall many ‘purists’ asking for LCD-less digital Leica – so guys, there you go. Grab one while you can 🙂

17. The M60 is indeed a thing of beauty, but removing the LCD does not make this as retro as they are claiming. You can still change the ISO between shots. They should lock the ISO after the first shot for a pre determined amount of shots, 24 or 36.

    I appreciate that this is a collector’s edition, but their pricing is just putting it out of the range of most photographers. I fear that the people who will end up with this camera will barely ever use it.

    I would love to use a Leica to feel that almost legendary feeling one gets from using one (it seems universal that Leica users LOVE shooting them) but can not justify thousands on a camera that falls short in low light, and has such a specialised accessory and service Eco system.

18. Just noticed this… the 50mm 2.4 Summarit lens now uses a 46mm filter, unlike the 39mm use by the previous 2.5, and a bunch of faster Summicrons!
    It looks like Leica swelled out the lens for style. It does look nice..

19. p.s. is Leica going to re-introduce a separate clip on light meter for the M-A? There is a notch in the shutter speed dial all ready for one (just like the M3 etc)

    And… the cynical amongst us may think that there is no difference mechanically between the new Summarit 2.4 lenses vs the old 2.5 lenses. Maybe all Leica did was rename 2.5 to 2.4 as it sounds ‘nicer’, as there is no way you are going to see any difference in exposure.

20. Steve

    Any idea where the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 is made? If it is made by CV in Japan, then $2200 is not worth it, judging by the build quality issues (Zeiss wobble, binding/squeaking focus rings etc) the CV lenses are plagued with. Been there, done that…
    If it is made in Germany by Zeiss, then very cool.

    Best regards
    Huss

    • I am sure it will be made just like all of the others. If it were made in Germany it would be $5k. I had a loose ZM lens once, which was a 50 f/2 ZM. It was the 1st year it was introduced and a loaner from Zeiss. I have since owned 4 Zeiss ZM lenses, never an issue. I own two of them now, no issues. I did have a wobbly Leica 50 APO here, and a wobbly Noctilux though 🙂 I’m buying the 35 and find it a deal at the asking price. So review will be here eventually with a shoot out against the Leica 35 1.4 Summilux.

    • Zeiss CV lenses are great. Sure they are not engineered as well as a Leica glass but why would they be at that price point? I must admit I do feel a bit of a letdown when I swap from a Leica lens to a Zeiss lens mechanically speaking but they are like comparing apples & oranges price wise so should not really be judged on that aspect, it’s just not fair.

      That said – if it was me I’d be looking at a used Summilux first before a new Zeiss Distagon 35mm f/1.4.

      • “I must admit I do feel a bit of a letdown when I swap from a Leica lens to a Zeiss lens mechanically speaking…”

        Try the Zeiss Otus lenses. They blow the Leica’s out of the water for both build quality and optical performance.

        • “Try the Zeiss Otus lenses. They blow the Leica’s out of the water for both build quality and optical performance.”

          Not so much. lensrentals tested the Otus vs the Apo Summicron, and the Leica lens was better.
          The Otus is an absolutely monstrously huge lens, so there is that.

          http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/06/05/which-50mm-lens-is-the-best-lensrentals-roger-cicala-set-out-to-answer-this

          • The Otus is so so so huge and unruly. I loved the IQ but the size, I would never buy it due to this, even if it were $700. I would never use it.

        • Unconcerned with size for the purposes of this comparison. Was merely discussing optical performance. To wit: The new 85mm f/1.4 Otus is the best 85mm DxOMark has ever tested.

21. X has no finder, why?

    • X series never had an integrated finder. Leica has both optical and electronic viewfinders that attach to the flash shoe.

22. Love how the M-A has reverted to the sloooooooooow KNOB rewind of the M3/M2! Clearly this is a camera for those who want to look cool but don’t care about taking pictures so much. I wonder if it has the traditional removable/droppable/losable removable take-up spool as well…?

    • As someone who’s used both an m6ttl and an MP, I think the hype about the rewind knob is just hype. It’s never slowed me down – not too many of us getting shot at these days while we are shooting with our film Ms. I plan for my film changes. And rewind cranks are easily had. I like the lines and the robustness of the m3/mp style rewind knob. The tiny little m6 etc angled one is faster….but far more frail.

    • The MP already had that too…

23. How will the new M-A analogue compare with the current MP spec wise? It will be interesting to learn.

24. Wow. The X113 and the 109 (Pana LX7) look very interesting. I might even pay the Leica premium for the 109 as it looks very classy and classic. That tiny 50 Summarit looks great.

25. I just dont know why the video button is still on the M60. That would have been my first choice to give up. Overall I would like to see a MM without screen. That would be fabulous.

26. Can’t say I really get the M 60 at all. sure, I can see the concept and no rear screen and it looks wonderful etc but without a rear screen you cannot change any aspect of the camera’s settings. So how do you use 6 bit settings for lenses? Plus change a whole host of other settings?

    Cannot see in any way how this is a usable camera other than to sit in the usual peoples glass cabinets doing nothing. The M-A without meter is another puzzler, why not just take the battery out of your MP if you want a meter less camera? What advantage does it have over my M4 other than looking fantastic?

    As a long time Leica use & lover I am just a bit confused in recent years. In between the brilliance of many new launches there have been a fe that don’t fully add up to 100% once you think about using a camera out in the real world. Hey ho.

    • Totally agree with you. This is a big Huh? for me. One of the advantages of the 240 is its Live View. The the M-A without a meter? Um…. M2? M3? M4? These are boutique items for the idle rich.

    • Leica assumes that people who actually use the M 60 will use 6-bit coded lenses. The only thing you´d miss is the ability to format the SD card in the field. All functions that the camera can do can be done in software: b&w conversion, JPEG, etc. And manual mode is the new exposure compensation.

      But really – I cannot think of any essential function that the LCD serves, apart from focus checking. It´s convenient, that´s true. If you prefer composing (and exposing) using live view instead of using the viewfinder, only then do you have a real problem.

    • The M60 makes absolutely no practical sense whatsoever. It’s like removing the entire instrument cluster from a car. That’s not “cool” or “unique”, or anything else. It’s just dumb and only makes shooting more difficult and frustrating (on a digital camera).

      But, many Leicaphiles and rich fashionistas will eat it up as wonderfully bespoke, I’m sure (since for many of them it’s about the prestige of carrying the red dot around … not the image).

27. For me, being an owner of several M bodies, the most spectacular item is the new X with the 1.7 summilux! No interest in the digital M without LCD, neither the analogue…..

    John

28. This is the first time I’ve said I would like more than one leica

    MA analog RF
    M60 digital FF RF without lcd
    XE apsc with fixed Summilux F1.7
    Dlux Type 109 m43 Summilux-Summicron-Summarit-Elmarit F1.7-2.8 : 24-75mm

29. M60=beautiful=want!

30. I wonder whether the elimination of the rear LCD leads to a thinner body, getting closer to the original Leica M dimensions. Any chance to get a later “mass production” version with “Airdrop”?

31. Yes, Leica Camera forum shows the M Edition 60, which is a digital M with absolutely no screen, and only very basic settings aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focusing are all one gets. But, less is more as it is set to retail at 15,000€ as a set with the Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. Phew!

32. They announced the M60 digital camera with no display just now…

33. Steve, Thanks for the updates.
    Considering the 3 year warranty, the added A Lightroom, the price difference between D-Lux (~1200) and LX100 (~900) is not that much. I actually would be tempted to buy the Leica. I like the slick design better.
    Is there any chance you could test them side by side, to see whether there is any difference?

    Otherwise, I really like the GM5 (I also like the GM1, but with the added EVF is even better), but I am rather tempted for D-Lux, because of the lens. I will definitely wait for the reviews. I would love to see how this lens performs, especially at 12mm f1.7. Would be great to see against the Oly 12mm f2.0, because that’s my favourite lens.
    Many thanks again for the great articles. Always a pleasure to read.

    • This is the best D-Lux ever, no question. Though I have to laugh at Leica’s marketing spin >>

      “…with a diagonal measuring precisely one-half of the 35 mm format diagonal…”

      Sure, but it’s one-quarter of the overall surface area. Not that that makes it incapable in any way, it’s just funny to read them framing it in such a way as to make it sound even more impressive than it actually is.

      Ah well, Marketing 101: put the best spin on it you can.

34. Looking at the M-A I’m not sure if it has metering — one assumes it has, and if so it’s basically a replacement for the M6, which is my favourite M film camera. I’m not sure about the S cameras, though they look easier to use than the mamiya and hasselblad competition.

    And that 35 mm Zeiss lens looks interesting.

    • Hi. It doesn’t have meeting – the MP has that!

    • It looks like any MC or MR meter will couple with the shutter speed dial, a la M2, M3 etc.

35. Clean lines of the DlUX (Panasonic Lx100), design, spec = modern mini Digiluix 2 / LC1
    goregous in gold.

    If at 35mm f2 iso 200-3200 IQ (not shallow dof) is
    90% IQ of Type T with 35 Cron & 18-56 vario elmar
    80% IQ of Sony Rx1 FF

    Then Dlux Typ109 (Panaonic Lx100) is the killer for me.

    Leica warranty & customer service is worth the $300:
    Digilux 2 sensor was still being repaied for free NINE yiears after its release.
    (Leica are still reparing any issues with Digilux 2 and will continue at very reasonable rates).

    • How can you say this camera is capable of 80% IQ of Sony RX1 without some actual comparative photos? Image quality is too subjective to be based purely on camera specs and technical data.

      That said, I’ve seen the real life sample shots on the Leica site and the camera’s IQ does indeed look impressive…

      With any luck, our friend Mr Huff might get his hands on one in the not too distant future! 😉

      • It’s on its way..

36. Steve, are you in Germany at Photokina??

37. What about M – edition 60?

38. Hi Steve…on the Leica homepage there is also the Leica M Edition 60
    http://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/Leica-M-Edition-60/Details
    It is the rumored digital camera without the LCD.
    I thought they going to include Wi-Fi, so that you could transfer the pics to your smartphone for checking if needed.
    I kind of get this camera, but still stay with Film. It is the same and I am sure I can shoot many roles of film for that price 🙂
    Cheers,
    Rob

39. Steve, you may add this to your page (M60) :
    http://www.focus-numerique.com/leica-edition-60-epure-totale-news-5695.html

    • Now that’s news! If you can read French of course. Fortunately I can.

      A daring step backwards for Leica, and at last a true retro digital camera, unlike the Df which is faux retro.

40. Leica S USD25’400 – oh how I would love to try one of these beasts one day.. But, although it is all lovely stuff, it is way out of my budget, and even the M-A kicks in with almost 5 grand. So how about some Voigtländer news? There should be at least 4 new things on that front ,-)

    I’ll take care of the 2014 Leica releases when I can trade in some of my photogear to get a newer M or so (to replace my M8) in a couple of years from now *g*

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