Meeting up with Leica at PhotoPlus

Thanks to the Leica New York Metro Area Meetup group, I was able to get invited to a session with Leica at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City. Leica will have the M8.2 and S2 available to try out. I will be taking extra memory cards to take some test images. Whether or not I will be able to post them online is another matter entirely. The M8.2 is an update to the M8 Classic incorporating several features requested by die-hard M users. Quieter shutter, recocking delay, sapphire glass on the LCD, black paint finish, AutoISO, and a host of others. The M8.2 is available for pre-order from various authorized Leica dealers for $6,295 USD. The S2 is an all-new system with a larger than 35mm sensor (it actually sits between a 35mm frame and a 645 frame at 37.5 megapixels) and boasts a set of new lenses expected to outperform anything else on the market. The S2 is expected to ship Spring 2009 and pricing has not yet been set.

Leica Updates M8 Firmware

I was cruising through the newly revamped Leica website trawling for info on the last big announcement they are saving for Photokina when I came upon this little nugget: Leica has updated the M8 Classic firmware to v2.0 which adds the following features to the original Leica digital rangefinder: * Auto ISO - The M8 Classic can now automatically adjust ISO settings to maintain a minimum shutter speed. This is activated from the M8's SET menu. Parameters are adjusted on the MENU menu which include making the Auto ISO parameters lens dependent. * SDHC Support - Gone are the manacles of 2GB SD cards! The M8 Classic now supports higher capacity SDHC cards. I tested with a 4GB PNY SDHC card and reported space for 370 RAW images. Sweetness! What's not there (that requires upgrading to the M8.2): * Hardware updates - No amount of firmware updates will replace the shutter mechanism, add sapphire glass, or provide a method to alter shutter cocking behaviors. That requires that new bits be installed in the camera. The firmware update is a welcome bit of news to Leica M8 owners who have been complaining about lack of SDHC support and Auto ISO since Day One. It will also allow Leica M8 owners to make a better choice about upgrading to the new model by virtue of providing two of the major features of the new version for free to existing customers. You can download the update from Leica here. I have mirrored the update here. UPDATE: Leica recommends that Lexar & Sandisk SDHC be used for maximum compatibility. I can report that PNY cards up to 8GB work just fine. 8GB PNY SDHC = 753 RAW images. All for $34.99 from Best Buy.

Leica Unveils M8.2

Evolution of the LEICA M8 digital rangefinder camera * New metal blade focal plane shutter * Ultra scratch-resistant sapphire crystal as coverglass * New snapshot mode * Quick override setting * Leica dot and accessory also in black * Robust “vulcanite“ finish * New compact charger The new LEICA M8.2 is a significant development of Leica Camera AG’s German-made digital rangefinder camera for professionals. While important LEICA M8 attributes such as discretion, intuitive work and robustness have been further improved, the new model retains the key characteristics of the Leica reportage camera such as the compact shape, the exceptional image quality in connection with Leica M lenses and the unique picture composition with the Leica rangefinder that show it to be a genuine M camera. The LEICA M8.2 complements the M8, and many elements of the M8.2 can be integrated into the M8 if desired. With this parallel marketing, Leica Camera AG is underlining yet again the full system compatibility and high value retention of its M series. The LEICA M8.2 integrates a new extra-quiet, low-vibration metal blade focal plane shutter which allows the photographer to determine the right moment for cocking. This brings the digital LEICA M8.2 extremely close to the ideal of the famous rubber cloth focal plane shutter of its analog sisters. Responding to the request of many professional photographers, the new black model has been given an even more inconspicuous design: the Leica dot and the accessory shoe now blend in with the color of the camera. The black version of the camera boasts a new extra durable high-quality deep black finish. The new snapshot mode will appeal to all those who want good results right away without knowing a lot about photography. If the shutter speed dial is turned to the new “S“ setting, the camera controls all the key features automatically, such as automatic exposure (aperture priority), automatic ISO speed setting and automatic white balance. For the three most commonly used subject modes, the LEICA M8.2 gives hints on aperture and focus settings, which are displayed when the “INFO” button on the camera monitor is pressed. The photographer can obtain further information from the new brief waterproof instructions which can be folded to the size of a credit card. The automatic ISO setting can be selected in all operation modes of the LEICA M8.2. Another new feature is a quick override setting: When the shutter release button is sustained as far as the first pressure point, a correction of +/- 3 stops in 1/3 steps can be made with the dial on the back of the camera. The setting is shown in the viewfinder. Further modifications include a more pronounced detent mechanism of the main switch of the camera to prevent inadvertent activation of the self-timer, and redesign of the bright line frames in the viewfinder to allow more precise determination of the picture frame for longer distances. The new LEICA M8.2 is the very first professional digital camera to use an ultra scratch- resistant sapphire crystal as coverglass for the camera monitor. It is so hard that it can be exclusively worked with special diamond tools and is permanently resistant to all mechanical or abrasive stress. The camera also sports a new easy-grip and specially robust “vulcanite“ finish. The new compact charger unit is designed to take up a minimum of space in the photograper’s bag, and charges the lithium ion battery to 80% in only an hour and a half. This is already sufficient for about 400 exposures, so if the full capacity of about 500 exposures is not required, the camera can always be recharged in a very short time. The new LEICA M8.2 has inherited the superlative image quality of the LEICA M8, resulting from the combination of the legendary M lenses with a CCD image sensor specially designed for the requirements of the Leica M system and high-performance image processing. The new Capture One 4 raw data converter of the Danish manufacturer Phase One ensures the best possible picture quality in the camera’s DNG mode. Unlike any other digital camera, the LEICA M8.2 is able to use almost all Leica M system lenses produced since 1954 due to their high standard of performance. Like its predecessors, the new LEICA M8.2 continues in the tradition of easy operation, concentration on the essential, few controls and logical, easy-to-follow menus. The LEICA M8 launched in the fall of 2006 is still available as an alternative to the new LEICA M8.2. Following a tradition of the Leica company that is unique in the world of digital photography, many elements of the new LEICA M8.2 can even be integrated into the LEICA M8: the shutter, the sapphire coverglass or the new viewfinder frames can be retrofitted by Customer Service. The LEICA M8.2 is available now at Leica stockists.

CV intros new 28/2 Ultron lens in M-mount

In a press release dated July 17, 2008, Cosina Voigtlander introduced (or should I say, reintroduced) a new lens for the Leica M-mount: the CV Ultron 28 mm F2.

Based off of the now discontinued Ultron 28/1.9 LTM (Leica Thread Mount), the Ultron 28/2 is available only in black, adds a focusing tab that its predecessor lacked, and uses a 46 mm filter size.

Available Specs
Focal Length:	28 mm
Lens Assembly:	10 Elements in 8 groups
Aperture Range:	f2 - f22
Min. Focusing Distance:	.7 meters
Weight:	244g (8.6 oz)
Filter Size:	46 mm
Estimated Availability:	Mid August 2008

Pricing is not available at this time, however, Stephen Gandy over at Cameraquest is accepting pre-orders with a deposit of $100USD. It is unknown at this time whether the lens will maintain the aspherical lens element of its predecessor or whether the M-mount will bring up the correct framelines on a Leica M8. One would assume that since the Leica M8 is the only digital M-mount rangefinder currently in production that CV would set the mount up correctly for it. Regardless of any potential mount issues, this introduction bodes well for the continued life of the Leica M8 and its successors by providing high quality, lower cost alternative to expensive Zeiss and astronomical Leica glass.

M8 at the Miami Metrozoo

Indian Elephant Originally uploaded by etrigan63

As I have two children (ages 10 & 7) our weekend social calendar is usually filled with birthdays. This weekend we attended one at the Miami Metrozoo. One of the other Dads was there with his Canon 5D + 500mm lens and I with my M8 + 75mm Color-Heliar. Here is a sample and a link to the photo set on Flickr. C&C always welcome. Shots are generally uncropped ( a couple were cropped a tiny bit to remove extraneous stuff ) and little or no post processing Lightroom. I am really digging the improvements from the new firmware. All of the shots were from a moving tram BTW. Link to photo set.

Leica M8 Firmware 1.201 Test - Multiple Light sources

Firmware 1.201 Test - Multiple Light sources Originally uploaded by etrigan63

I went to a local mall today and looked for a shot that included multple light sources. I managed to find a fine example that combines daylight, fluorescent light and incandescent (halogen) light. The image is unadjusted other than a conversion from DNG to jpeg in Lightroom 1.3.1. The AWB setting has managed to do a good job with this combo, maintaining the colors very well. Click on the image to see a larger version on Flickr.

Leica Updates M8 Firmware

Fluorescent Light shot - Jean on the job Originally uploaded by etrigan63

Leica has released firmware 1.201 for the M8 Digital Camera on their website. The new firmware addresses several issues not the least of which is Automatic White Balance (AWB). White Balance (for the uninitiated) is a measurement of the color temperature of the light being used to illuminate a scene being photographed. Color temperature is measured on the Kelvin scale (the one with Absolute Zero). Varying light sources have different color temperatures and the lower temperatures are in the red part of the spectrum (oddly referred to as warm light) and the higher temperatures are more in the blue part of the spectrum (again, counter intuitively referred to as cool light). A sensor in the digital camera takes a reading at the time of exposure and makes a guess as to what the correct white balance is. Sometimes it makes a good guess and sometimes it doesn't. The film equivalent to this was film type. If you were going to shoot outdoors, you selected daylight balanced film. If you were going to shoot in a studio (with studio lighting), you selected tungsten balanced film. One of the Leica M8's more known quirks was a white balance sensor that waffled more than John Kerry. Shots taken in the same lighting condition would have wildly varying white balance settings. Most photographers got around this by shoot in RAW mode (the native format of the camera sensor). With firmware 1.201, Leica has made some real strides to correct this glaring problem. The shot above was taken in fluorescent light, a very cool light that often gives M8's fits. The shot was stored in RAW mode and processed in Adobe Lightroom 1.3.1. No adjustments were made to white balance. The color (to my eye on my calibrated monitor) seems spot on. Another shot taken in daylight shows similar results. You can view that photo here. For Leica M8 owners, this firmware is a must-have item for your camera. It won't help you take better pictures, but you'll have to massage them much less to get them to look really good. The firmware can be downloaded from Leica's website.

Leica Rumors

A website in the UK has posted the following information about a rumored update/upgrade to the Leica M8:

NO NEW M9
LEICA M8 UPGRADE
Leica to announce that there will not be an M9 as previously thought. Instead they will offer an Upgrade on all existing M8 cameras with the following modifications:

1. New Sapphire Viewing Screen (Virtually unscratchable)
2. Max Shutter speed to 1/4000th
3. Quieter actuation of Shutter mechanism
4. New Firmware
5. 2 Year Warranty with Upgrade

This modification will be available from March 2008 and will be booked through Leica Germany's Website at a cost to the owner of 1200 Euros.

Leica sees the M8 as being an ongoing camera that can be modified throughout its lifetime.

I have sent out feelers to my contacts at Leica as to the veracity of this rumor. Other notables have done so as well. This rumor has spawned a lot of speculation on the Rangefinderforum and Leica User Forum websites. No press release has been issued by Leica.

The implications of this rumor, if true, are staggering. Leica will be the only camera maker willing to retrofit improvements to already purchased cameras extending the usefulness and warranty. 1200 Euros is not chump change (that's about $1800 USD - roughly the cost of a Nikon D300) but many Leica users have expressed a willingness to do so.

Is this just more Internet smoke and mirrors or does the site owner really have a scoop on his hands? With PMA starting January 31, 2008 we may not have long to wait to hear a response from Leica.

Stay tuned...

[UPDATE]
Several registered Leica M8 owners have received e-mail from Leica confirming this to be true. I have not received said e-mail, but have included a copy for your perusal:

Dear LEICA M8 customers,
The desire to own a digital camera manufactured by Leica, possessing the identical lifelong value retention associated with every Leica product, was brought to us by many of our customers. Leica Camera AG has now configured the LEICA M8 to meet this demand. With today’s newsletter, we would like to inform you exclusively and in advance of an outstanding innovation regarding your cherished LEICA M8.

Subjects
LEICA M8: An investment in the future
What does the first upgrade kit include?
How do I get the upgrade for my M8?
Firmware update 1.201 available

LEICA M8: An investment in the future

With the introduction of a perpetual upgrade program, every LEICA M8 will forever be a state-of-the-art digital camera. Today’s and tomorrow’s users will always be able to incorporate the latest refinements and developments in handling ease and technology. It is our aim to secure your investment in the LEICA M8 for the future. “While other digital cameras quickly become outdated and are replaced by newer models, our new concept extends the value retention and resistance to obsolescence embodied in the Leica ethos. Over time, we will gradually offer new product features and developments as upgrade options,” declares Steven K. Lee, CEO of Leica Camera AG. “Our customers can therefore still invest in the photographic tools they need without worrying that they will miss out on improvements and technological developments along the way.
This information will be presented during the PMA fair in Las Vegas, beginning January 31st.

What does the first upgrade kit include?

• Scratch-proof sapphire glass cover for the LCD monitor.
• Noise-optimized shutter with a fastest speed of 1/4000s.
• If so desired, the camera will be picked up at your home and sent directly back to you, without any intermediary stage in the process.
• Health-check and complete adjustment of the camera, testing all its functions.
• Installation of the newest relevant firmware.
• New factory warranty of two years covering the same conditions as for a new camera.

How do I get the upgrade for my M8?

• This offer applies exclusively to all registered M8 users.
• We will inform you shortly via e-mail when the website is updated with detailed information about the new M8 upgrade program, and will also inform you as soon as possible how to purchase the first upgrade certificates.
• The fact that you are registered as a M8 owner will give you guaranteed access to an exclusive online area where you will be able to purchase your upgrade certificate.
• Purchasing the upgrade certificates will be possible as of March 2008 - the actual upgrading will commence as of August 2008.
• The upgrades will be fulfilled in the same order as the upgrade certificates were purchased. It is therefore advisable to acquire the certificate as quickly as possible.

Firmware update 1.201 available

In keeping with the overall sustainability of the concept of the rangefinder camera system, Leica Camera AG is now offering all LEICA M8 users an updated version of the camera firmware, which can be downloaded free of charge from Friday, February 1st from our website. Among other things, the new firmware version contains new, substantially improved automatic white balance algorithms for natural color rendering in nearly all light conditions. We will send you special information via e-mail which contains a direct link as soon as we post the firmware update on our website.

We would feel very honored if you would be amongst the first to participate in our new program for the lifelong value retention of your M8.

Yours Sincerely,
The Leica internet team

With this announcement, Leica has effectively set the economic model for digital cameras on its ear. This clearly follows Leica's ideal that one does not buy a Leica, one invests in Leica.

Buddha in New York

Buddha in New York Originally uploaded by etrigan63

A recent trip to New York City uncovered a large Buddha hidden inside of the trendy Asian restaurant Tao. The Buddha stands (sits) over 20 ft tall and has an ever-changing light show playing over it. In it's base is a koi pond and the koi are not coy. If they spot you, they will poke their heads out of the water looking for a handout. Think of them as gold and white homeless people. The restaurant keeps the pan-Asian theme all the way down to the restrooms. On the walk downstairs you are met with images of the Dali Lama at various stages of his life. The restrooms are marked "Yin" and "Yang" ("women" and "men" respectively). Personally, if I hadn't seen guys coming out of the Yang Room, I would have probably entered the wrong room. Camera: Leica M8 Lens: CV 40mm Nokton Classic f/1.4 Shot RAW (DNG) and converted to B&W using Photoshop CS3 and Alienskin Exposure2.

***31 DAYS OF THE DRAGON CLUE ***

The Eastern Deity in the photo is your clue. Head over to PlanetAMD64. If you are a member, log in and add that clue to your profile in the custom profile field called "Dragon". If you are not a member, sign up (it's free) and you will be able to add it to your profile.

Lonely Sentinels

Lonely Sentinels Originally uploaded by etrigan63

Camera: Leica M8 Lens: Zeiss ZM 50mm Planar f/2 Shutter speed: 32 sec Aperture: f/4 ISO: 160 WB: Auto File Format: DNG Post Processor: Adobe Lightroom 1.3.1 + Custom M8-AWB profile No other adjustments made. The lowlight capabilities of this camera (when coupled with an excellent lens) never cease to amaze me.