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.

via DP Review