News

Leica introduced an upgraded S-Series medium format camera at photokina this morning: the new Leica S (Type 007) model, which features a Leica CMOS sensor and the Leica Maestro II image processor.

In this day and age of cross-type AF sensors and AF tracking in high-speed shooting modes, a rangefinder-focusing camera might well seem an anomaly, if not a downright anachronism. Indeed, manual focusing has in large part become vestigial among photographers and their ability to focus without AF has atrophied.

Leica Camera AG, Solms presents the LEICA M9, the world’s first digital rangefinder camera with a full-format 24 x 36mm sensor. As the world’s most compact full-format system camera, the M9 extends the legendary heritage of the Leica rangefinder M System and unites over 50 years of continuous technical improvements to the system with the best in cutting-edge digital technology.

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The Leica M8 marks the digitization of the famous Leica M line of rangefinder
cameras. The 10+ MP sensor, designed specifically for this camera, has a "native"
speed of 160, with a maximum ISO setting of 2500. Available later this year,
the M8 retains the classic Leica rangefinder look and feel, even down to the
baseplate cover removal for insertion of the memory card. Standard M lenses
made since 1954 will fit the mount, with a 1.33 focal length multiplication
factor. A new lens, the Tri-Elmar 16-21mm, has been introduced with the camera
as well. This, and all lenses made by Leica from July 1, 2006 onwards will have
special 6-bit coding on the bayonet ring, allowing lens data and special processing
instructions to be transferred to the image processor. Lenses made prior to
that date can be retrofitted with the coding, but can be used without it as
well.

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The Leica SL (Typ 601) mirrorless camera system is designed to take on not just rival mirrorless cameras but to, potentially, lure pro DSLR users to switch to this high-end system, which combines what the company claims to be the fastest autofocus on the market with a speedy 11 fps burst rate and 4K video capture.

Leica has just unveiled a stylish new rangefinder camera set created in collaboration with rock star Lenny Kravitz: the Leica M-P “Correspondent” by Kravitz Design. The set includes a Leica M-P digital rangefinder camera and two classic Leica lenses: a Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH and a Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH, delivered as a set in a bespoke case.