Posts tagged: Leica
I love you.
THIS is what makes Leica, Leica.
On Leica, revisited.
A while ago, I posted some thoughts on Leica and where I thought they were in terms of being able to capture the next generation of professionals and enthusiasts. It was a bit of a rant about their pricing, accessibility, etc. I also said that if they didn’t “hit a homerun with the rumored fully digital ‘R10’ or whatever they end up calling it, they will be done for in the professional digital world.”
Well, I think they have hit the homerun (at least I hope they have). This new S2 system is such a bold move that, to me at least, it signals good things ahead. It seems like for a while now, Leica were continually playing catch-up. Partnering with Panasonic to produce some good but not great products, suffering through some difficult financial restructuring (at times even rumored to be going under) and generally lagging behind the bigger players technologically. But now, with this release, combined with their new partnership with PhaseOne, and their declaration that they are out of the woods financially, it seems that they are posturing themselves for some real growth and innovation.
Of course, their tools are nowhere near affordable, which stick irks me. However, neither are the high-end Hasselblad systems that this camera will compete with. I’m still dreaming of a moderately-priced R-system. I still believe that if they could deliver a revitalized full-frame digital R system that could keep pace with Canon and Nikon technologically, they would have a powerhouse on their hands. There’s simply no comparison when it comes to glass. Leica has the best. Period. And if they could get the price of such a system even close to the price range of those other two players, I believe they’d see a rush of fresh blood in the Leica stream. And I’d be first in line.
I also sincerely hope though that Leica learns from Hasselblad and develops a more robust rental program. In most major cities, people rent those high-end Hassie’s all the time. If they can get the S2 system in people’s hands via rental and then really continue to develop it and capitalize on it, then I have high hopes for the other products that will eventually come down the pipeline, and for Leica’s future.
All of this is just hope and speculation of course. We’ll see how it all shakes down when these new products start hitting the streets.
The New Noctilux. They still make the greatest glass in the world. This baby will be sharper than you can imagine in the sweet spot. And when it’s wide-open, you can literally shoot in candlelight. It better be for $11,000.
Following the renowned LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/1, Leica is to now launch the world’s first aspherical f/0.95 prime lens the new LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH.
Comparing vignetting and distortion values in a head to head comparison, with both lenses at full aperture, the new lens will be a clear winner and is faster.
Not only this, but the new LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH also performs comparably with the LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH (regarded as the best standard lens ever produced) when stopped down.
jstn:
An actual photojournalist tears apart the M8 with many examples. I liked this in part because I think it’s a shame that Leica has neglected to become the Leica of the digital era, and in part because just this guy’s experience wearing the camera around his neck tells me more about it than the typical velvet-pillow treatment of your average review. It seems pretty obvious who Leica is making cameras for these days.
I hope there’s still room in the new digital world for innovative camera design. The playing field was a lot more interesting when everyone had to use the same sensor (film). Even if the M8 was Leica’s ultimate masterpiece of functionality and ergonomics, the sensor would still suck and render the camera unusable. The decent sensors are in the hands of the companies with the least motivation to take product risks, which means a rangefinder as good as a 5D is going to be a long time coming.
I’m so glad other people feel this way about Leica too. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Leica, but it saddens me to see them losing ground like this. Here are some other thoughts I’ve had on the topic…
ON LEICA. MY THOUGHTS. I wanted to share a little rant I had via email this morning re: the legendary maker of amazing cameras and lenses, Leica. Let me first say: I am a huge Leica fan. I’ve spent many an hour drooling over their website and pining for the day when I could someday afford a Leica (…more on that later). My former boss, a great photographer from the East Coast old school, introduced me to the wonder and mystique that is Leica, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
For those unfamiliar with what that means, let me put it this way: Many people these days are infatuated with Apple products. I’m right there with you. We love the simplicity, precision, amazing industrial design, and just plain cachet of any/all Apple products. Well, multiply that by about 50 years, apply it to a worldwide brand of camera and you get Leica. A grand old company that basically invented 35mm photography and the modern optical lens, Leica is in a category all its own. Leica (Leitz) lenses are renowned for their clarity, resolution, sharpness, contrast and durability. Some of the greatest images ever made were made on Leicas.
Alright, enough intro. If you don’t believe me, do your homework. Leica is(was) a juggernaut in the world of photography. To the point though: I wish Leica would figure out a way to price their stuff more competitively. I would never want them to have to sacrifice on quality, but I believe if they hit the sweet spot in the market, their sales would sky-rocket. As soon as anyone truly experiences a Leica, it’s over. There’s no going back. It’s a whole other level. And yet…that’s exactly what it is…a whole other level for most people—even pros.
Anybody can get a STATE OF THE ART Canon or Nikon—with a couple really great lenses—for around $10,000. The equivalent non-digital Leica will cost you about $20k. A quick example: this lens, a 70-180mm f/2.8 Vario Apo Elmarit R Manual Focus is $7500. Sure, it’s no-doubt an extraordinarily great lens. But come on, I could get the only slightly-less-extraordinary Canon 70-200mm IS, auto-focus and image stabilized lens for about $1700.
I honestly don’t know how they are going to capture the next generation of buyers. I mean, at this point, they are basically setting themselves up as the camera for wealthy retirees (certainly no offense intended to any Leica owners out there). I don’t know of ONE young working photographer that shoots with Leica. But I know a BUNCH that would snap up a whole digital R setup in a heartbeat if they were equivalent in technology and even close to being reasonably priced. But they are neither. It’s very frustrating. There’s no question about their optics. Legendary for sure. But I think if they don’t hit a homerun with the rumored fully digital “R10” or whatever they end up calling it, they will be done for in the professional digital world. They’ll just have to keep selling their great pro-sumer/consumer level integrated-lens cameras and point-and-shoots (which is frankly sad) and sell pro-level film gear to hobbyists and enthusiasts, and remain an ultra-niche. Which sucks.
