The Leica D-Lux 5 Titanium: for people who prefer it pointed at them

Oh Leica, what do you take us for? First, you re-branded a Panasonic LX5 and sold it as the "D-Lux 5" with an inflated price tag. Now, you're releasing the aging ten megapixel, 1x1.63-inch (read: small) CCD shooter yet again, but this time with an anodized titanium coating and an apparently unmentionable rrp. The $26,500 M9 Titanium at least had a full frame sensor, but this latest release proves that your corrosion-resistant dimorphic allotropes are only skin-deep.

Leica-Like: The Leather-Clad Fujifilm X100 Special Edition

'Call that a camera? This is a camera.' The special edition, leather-clad Fujifilm X100 is the camera Crocodile Dundee would carry

You know how the Fujifilm X100 looks suspiciously similar to a certain brand of rangefinder cameras? Well, it just got even more blatant about copying the Leica look, and this 200-strong special edition is almost Samsung-esque in its copyist ambitions. It is also very, very hot.

The camera is a stock X100, complete with the hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder everybody is so excited about. The difference is that the special edition is swaddled in light tan leather, and comes with a matching leather case.

The camera has been announced on Fujifilm's Facebook page, and is devoid of pricing information. Don't expect it to cost the same $1,200 as the regular version, but don't expect it to reach the $20,000+ heights of Leica limited editions either.

If you want one, you'll have to fly to Hong Kong, or be prepared to pay a premium to somebody on Ebay.

Fujifilm X100 SE [Facebook]

Colorware Barfs Paint Onto Once-Stylish Leica D-Lux 5

This is what happens when you let someone like me choose colors

Given that Leica's D-Lux 5 is little more than an overpriced re-badging of the Panasonic LX5, there might actually be a market for Colorware's re-painted version. If somebody is willing to pay an extra $370 just to get Leica's red-dot logo on their camera, surely they'd also be dumb enough to pay another $400 to have the thing resprayed?

The premium point-and-shoot will go from dull black to pretty much any combination of nausea-inducing colors you like. The explosion in a paint factory you see above was arrived at using the randomizing “Brainstorm” button on the Colorware site. I dare you to come up with something worse.

Don't have a lovely Leica that you'd be willing to sacrifice? Colorware will charge you a mere $1,200 and supply the camera, too. That's not so bad. At least Colorware isn't charging a markup on top.

So go ahead and get customizing. And if you do come up with something more hideous than the monstrosity at the top of this post, then attach it to an e-mail and send it to someone you hate. Whatever you do, don't send it to me. Please. I beg you.

Colorware Leica D-Lux 5 product page [Colorware via Uncrate]
source: Gadget Lab

Leica D-Lux 5 Gets Colorware'd

Leica has long been known for is high quality cameras. It is no wonder that Leica digital cameras never fails to get some attention from many avid photographers. But this time, a Leica D-Lux 5 Digital Camera even gets more of that attention be being given the Colorware treatment.

The Leica D-Lux 5 Camera is one of the more affordable digital cameras in the Leica lineup. It also happens to be one of its more customizable models. Colorware can give that Leica D-Lux 5 Camera a unique touch of color customization that will make this beautiful Leica into something even more striking. Colorware can do that for you for US$1,200 including the new Leica D-Lux 5. But if you can furnish your very own Leica, they can customize it for you for US$400.
source: Gadget.com

Leica D-Lux 5 Receives Colorware Treatment

Colorware's new custom D-Lux 5 digital camera is probably one of the most colorful cameras on the market and would be an ideal for photography enthusiasts. For just $400, you can send your Leica D-Lux 5 to Colorware and they will send it back with a fancy new paint job. If you don't already have a D-Lux 5, you can buy a brand new camera with one of their paint jobs for $1,200. [Colorware]
source: TechFresh

Leica Offers to Remove M9 Red Dot for Just $2,000

Leica sure makes some fine cameras, and some even better lenses. But what is it with those prices? When I picked up a used M6 with a 35mm aspherical lens some years ago, they cost me around £800 ($1,300) apiece. Back then it was probably the most money I has ever spent on anything. Now, next to the $7,000 M9 body, it looks like pocket change.

But Leica's latest effort is possibly the most ridiculous yet. For just $2,000, the company will remove the famous red dot from the top of your M9.

The “upgrade” package essentially turns your M9 into the recently-announced M9-P. Along with a replacement top-plate, which on the M9-P comes without the red dot, buyers will also get a sapphire crystal cover on the rear LCD, and a replacement bottom plate. These plates can be specced in black paint or silver chrome finishes, the latter of which is not available on the bare-bones M9.

Finally, you get the choice of vulcanite or leatherette trims.

If you don't care about the red dot (or if you have discovered how to peel and stick electrical tape) then you can opt for the cheap-o “Sapphire Glass Upgrade.” This costs just $1,300, and replaces only the glass and leatherette trim.

A new, tough LCD cover is nice, is it $2,000, or even $1,300 nice? For that kind of cash you could buy a 28mm ƒ2.8 Elmarit-M Aspherical lens.

Leica Offers Upgrade Package to Transform M9 into M9-P Camera [PDN]
source: Gadget Lab

Leica lens holder keeps your lens and helps you stabilize your shots

Do you suffer from unsteady hands especially when you're taking photographs with your camera? It's not a very good trait to have - unless you're into creating artsy-looking blurry photographs. That's one of the reasons why the tripod was invented but unfortunately, it's not something that's very practical to bring around with you at all times.

Leica's latest lens holder seems to solve the problem while giving you a convenient location to hold a second pair of camera lenses. Designed for the Leica MP or M7 film cameras that has a tripod mount, the Leica lens holder lets you carry an extra lens around for your camera without you needing to lug around a bag for it. You attach it to the bottom of your Leica camera, and then secure your extra lens onto it - that's about it.

In addition to letting you store your camera lens conveniently, it weighs the camera down and gives you an extra handle which improves your stabilization - just don't forget to keep that lens cap on. The Leica lens holder is available now with prices ranging from $180 to $200+ online.
source: Ubergizmo

Video: Inside the Leica Lens Factory

The cost of Leica's lenses becomes less surprising when you see just how they're made

Leica's legendary lenses are famously made by hand, in Germany. Why not outsource the work to a factory in China or Taiwan? Training. Under the right management, Chinese factories can put great quality goods, but it would take years for Leica to train up a workforce as experienced as the one in Germany. Take a look:

The level of manual labor is astonishing, as is the attention to detail. Did you know that the edges of the lens elements were painted black, by hand? Or that the engraved markings on the lens barrel were also hand-filled with paint? Me either.

If nothing else, this is a fascinating look into what goes into making any lens, not just a Leica lens. One thing, though — I'm sure the white coats are mandatory, but what about the stern, steely-gray mustaches?

The Leica Manufacturing Process [Leica via Photography Bay]
source: Gadget Lab

Leica Super-Elmar M 21mm f/3.4 ASPH Lens

The Leica Super-Elmar M 21mm f/3.4 ASPH is a compact ultra-wide angle lens for the M system. As a successor to the legendary Leica Super-Angulon-M 21 mm f/3.4, the new lens delivers outstanding rendition of details and optimum contrast up to its closest focusing distance. The lens is supplied with a metal, screw-mounted lens hood to prevent flare effects and ensure perfect image sharpness. The suggested retail price of the lens is £2,025 or around $3,289. [Leica]

Leica M9-P Full-Frame Digital Rangefinder Camera To Be Available In The UK This June

Leica is set to release their newest full-frame digital rangefinder camera ‘M9-P‘ in the UK this June. This re-styled variant of the Leica M9 will retail for 5,395 GBP (about $8,745). [PhotographyBlog]

Leica M9-P announced

The Leica brand name is said to carry plenty of weight when it comes to the world of digital cameras, and we are greeted yet again with a new model – the Leica M9-P, touted to be the smallest, full-frame digital system camera in the world. What's so special about the Leica M9-P? This will keep the current Leica M9 company as part of the company's rangefinder portfolio. Boasting an alternative, even more discreet and resilient design which will definitely make it a classic in the long run, the M9-P is no stranger when it comes to performance, being confident of meeting the needs of professional photographers without batting an eyelid.

You will be able to choose from a classic silver chrome or subtle black paint finish, where this compact size, full-frame, 18-megapixel shooter will boast a scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal cover on the LCD display, making sure it is extremely resistant to wear and nigh unbreakable. That doesn't mean you can have a truck run over it multiple times just to check it out, no? Anti-reflective coating is also included on both sides of the cover, helping you improve the review of images on the display right after capture, even in unfavorable lighting conditions.

Expect to pick up the Leica M9-P from the beginning of next month onwards.
source: Ubergizmo

Leica 25mm ƒ1.4 Lens for Micro Four Thirds

Leica's 50mm-equivalent ƒ1.4 standard lens brings an ultrafast 'nifty fifty' to the Micro Four Thirds line

Oh hello! In addition to the less-than-inspiring GF3 announced today, Panasonic has redeemed itself with the new Leica DG Summilux 25mm ƒ1.4 ASPH lens. This fixed lens, which works as a 50mm equivalent “standard” on the Micro Four Thirds bodies, is likely to be one sweet chunk of glass.

First, the numbers. The lens has a seven-blade aperture for the nice, circular out-of-focus highlights (bokeh) characteristic of Leica lenses. It also comes with aspherical elements, a “nano coating” (for less reflection from the lens' surfaces) and one “ultra-high refractive index” elements to bend the light equally to all parts of the image.

And because it opens to ƒ1.4, you'll not only be able to take photos of anything you like in the dark, you'll also be able to focus on somebody's pupil and have the corner of their eye be blurred. Finally, a metal mount should mean it outlasts several cameras.

The lens, available in August, has yet to be priced. Being a Leica, it won't be cheap. In fact, Amazon's pre-order page — according to Photography Bay — was briefly listing it for $1,100.

source: Gadget Lab

Leica M3 camera made out of paper actually works

If you've always wanted to get your hands on a Leica M3 camera, but couldn't afford the atrocious price tags associated with it - all hope is not lost. No you don't have to resort to pasting a Leica skin on your iPhone 4 but you can build one out of paper instead. As proven by a designer, Matthew Nicholson, he managed to craft a Leica M3 camera using paper and some camera parts. The best thing is? It actually works! Now he has a Leica M3 camera, though a bit flimsy; that is capable of capturing photographs on film.

He plans to share how he did it through a tutorial sometime in the future, but for now you can look at the plans of his papercraft Leica on his website.
source: Ubergizmo

Leica announces $749 V-LUX 30 compact camera, the cheapest Leica around

It has always been Leica's tradition to 'rebadge' Panasonic's Lumix cameras with some Leica paints, and this time it's the same repetitive process again. Panasonic launched the ZS10 few months ago, and now that same camera has an evil twin called the Leica V-LUX 30. Yes, they intend to let this camera be the successor of the V-LUX 20.

At $749, this is actually one of Leica's more affordable offerings, but that will still only buy you the exact same guts as its $400 (or less) Panasonic counterpart: a 15.1 megapixel sensor (14.1 effective), 16x optical zoom, 1080i video recording, a 3-inch LCD 'round back, and built-in GPS for geotagging.

If you're interested in forking extra $400 to buy the Leica brand, then you may need to wait till June. Worth it? I'm not sure...
2DayBlog.com

1923 Leica 0-series becomes world's most expensive camera, fetches $1.89 million at auction

Cameras are like cars, we pursue far more advance technologies day and night and yet still sought after classical cameras and cars for the vintage feeling. Here's a good example, and a bloody expensive one too.

A 1923 Leica 0-series just got sold at an auction for €1,320,000. Funnily, the exact same auction house reportedly sold the exact same camera four years ago: No. 107, the first Leica to be exported, allegedly for a patent application inspection in New York.

In 2007, it fetched a relatively paltry €336,000, which was apparently still a world record for Leica cameras at the time. That particular dude sure earned a lot at there, and there's no sign that this thing still works.
2DayBlog.com

Leica V-LUX 30 High-end Compact Camera

Leica Camera has announced the V-Lux 30 15.1-megapixel compact digital camera. The new compact digicam has a 16x zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with an extended range of focal lengths, a touchscreen LCD display, an integrated GPS function and a video recording in 1080i-AVCHD Full HD. The Leica V-Lux 30 will be launched in the beginning June 2011. The camera is supplied with an extensive software package such as Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 for still image processing and Adobe Premiere Elements 9, especially designed for video processing. [HighSnobiety]