The LEICA M8 'White Edition’ is now available. So if you fancy this pristine beauty then be prepared to shell out $8.500.00. The LEICA M8 'White Edition' is available in a set including a silver anodised LEICA ELMARIT-M 1:2.8/28 mm ASPH lens and strictly limited to just 275 examples.
Cosina will soon release a Voigtländer branded 50mm f/1.1 lens exclusively for the Leica M mount. The superfast 50mm ƒ/1.1 lens with ultra-high refractive index glass will be released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Cosina's Bessa series of rangefinder cameras.
The Leica M8 White Edition has got a price tag. So if you fancy white or a die-hard Leicaaficionados, be prepared to shell out a whopping €7,000 (including German VAT) for the white M8 and a silver-coloured Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens. One can pre-order it here.
Limited Editions are now quite popular in the photography world and after the Leica Safari M8 camera, be prepared to welcome the M8 in white. No word on pricing or availability but for more information on the all-white version of the M8, you can call up Leica's toll free number at 800-222-0118.
Looks like its time to bid adieu to the Leica R9 camera as Leica has informed dealers that the camera and its accessories are out of stock. A spokesman from Leica hinted on a new camera and also said that “they are working hard on making a generation change possible for the current R-System”.
Apart from the SUPER-ELMAR-M 18 mm f/3.8 lens , Leica also introduced a new flash unit. The LEICA SF 58 flash unit has a maximum guide number of 58 (ISO 100/21°) and features a system-controlled secondary reflector. The LEICA SF 58 is suitable for use with all Leica rangefinder and SLR cameras and can also be used with the new Leica S-system. The LEICA SF 58 will be available at authorized Leica dealers in March 2009.
The newly announced LEICA SUPER-ELMAR-M 18 mm f/3.8 ASPH wide-angle lens has been designed for Leica’s digital M series and film cameras. It has an angle of view of up to 100 degrees and corresponds to an universal 24 mm wide-angle lens when mounted on a LEICA M8 model.
The special-edition "Safari" camera set by Leica includes an olive green painted LEICA M8.2 camera along with a silver anodized finished LEICA ELMARIT-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH.lens, an exclusive Billingham camera case and a carrying strap, bearing an embossed Leica logo. There are only 500 of these beauties so if you are a Leica aficionado then head over here to purchase one of these.
Submissions for the “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” 2009 are now being accepted and one can send in their photographs till March 1, 2009. For more information head over to http://www.leica-oskar-barnack-award.com/. This year a “Newcomer Award” will be incorporated into the competition, which is open to photographer’s age 25 years and under. The winner of the “Leica Oskar Barnack Award” will receive 5,000 euros or, alternatively, Leica camera equipment to the same value.
The LEICA M8 digital rangefinder camera has been chosen for Chicago Athenaeum’s 2008 Good Design Award. The Jury for GOOD DESIGN based their decisions on aesthetic criteria stated in the original 1950 Program-criteria which measures innovation, form, materials, construction, concept, function and utility. The 2008 GOOD DESIGN show will premiere at the Chicago Athenaeum in June 2009.
Leica has released a special edition of the D-LUX 4 camera. The LEICA D-LUX 4 Titanium is the first Leica digital camera with the satin finish of anodised titanium and there will be only 10,000 cameras of these. From January 2009, the camera will be available in a set together with a premium quality, titanium-coloured leather case.
The newly released Leica M8 firmware update 2.002 adds detection of 6-bit coding for new M lenses including; LEICA SUMMILUX-M 21mm/f1.4 ASPH, LEICA SUMMILUX-M 24mm/f1.4 ASPH. and LEICA ELMAR-M 24mm/f3.8 ASPH. The update also fixes certain bugs:
a. If LEICA M8.2 cameras are set to the “Discreet” option and to single exposures, an unintended “black image” may have occurred when the finger was not completely lifted from shutter release button before pressing it down again for the next shot. (Not valid for LEICA M8 Cameras)
b. Setting “AUTO-ISO” in combination with lens dependent setting of the slowest shutter speed: the camera will switch to the higher ISO when the shutter speed corresponding to “1/focal length” is reached (was 1/focal length + 1 f-stop).
c. Correct display of image numbering.
d. Correct display of the fastest sync speed in the menu (1/180s on upgraded M8 and M8.2, 1/250s on M8).
Leica is offering a $1,500.00 mail-in rebate for the LEICA M8 and a $300 mail-in rebate for a new M-Lens. This offer expires on January 1, 2009 and is valid only in the US and Canada. The customer will receive the mail-in rebate check after the M8 or M-Lens is registered.
Leica Camera AG at Photokina 2008 announced the Leica S2 DSLR something which was never expected from the imaging giants. Targeted at the commercial photographer this high end DSLR features; a 37 megapixel resolution and comes equipped with a Leica “MAESTRO” image processor developed with Fujitsu specifically for the LEICA S2.
What makes the DSLR truly unique is that it has a sensor size that exceeds the 35 mm format and does not use a conventional medium format. No word on pricing or availability and no information on the kit lens either.
A new firmware update for the Leica M8 camera is now available from here. Firmware Update v2.000 adds support for SDHC cards ,up to 32GB capacity. M8 users will also be privy to the new function “AUTO-ISO” with setting options for maximum ISO values and the slowest shutter speed.
Note: It is not possible to “downdate” LEICA M8 cameras to previous firmware releases, once the version 2.000 has been installed.
From October 1, 2008, Leica begin its Leica M8 Upgrade Service. Leica will also offer a free $150 Leica voucher to all upgrades for the silent shutter and/or sapphire LCD cover glass scheduled from August 1, to October 15, 2008 and completed by January 31, 2009.
There is a new promotion on the Leica M8 in the US, Canada, Central and South America. From July 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008, one can save $500 with the purchase of a new LEICA M8 or $800 for a new LEICA M8 and a new and current M lens.
This mail-in rebate is only valid when all the following terms are met:
1. Products imported by Leica Camera Inc. USA and sold through authorized Leica dealers.
2. Purchased a brand new M8 or a new M8 and a new and current M lens during the promotion period.
At the 13th Westlicht Photographica Auction, the first series-produced LEICA M8 was sold for a whopping 24,000 Euros. The successful bidder was a Leica collector from Russia. Leica Camera AG is donating the proceeds from the auction to the press freedom organization “Reporters sans frontières – RSF“(Reporters without Borders).
Leica Camera AG and WestLicht Photographica Auction House will auction the first series-produced LEICA M8 camera. The auction will take place on June 7th, 2008 and the camera should be able to fetch around anything from 20,000 and 30,000 Euros.
Leica Camera AG will donate the proceeds to the press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders Further information on the auction and the possibility of bidding online is available on the Internet at www.westlicht-auction.com
Andrew Duncan from the website Buy and Shoot put the Leica M8 under the spotlight recently and lets see what was the verdict on this old favorite. The first thing that stands out is the under-stated style of the M8, which has an old school charm to it.
On reviewing the M8, Duncan was impressed by the image quality , its quick start up and non-existent shutter lag. However the M8 is ideal for the pro photographer and first time SLR shooters may find it difficult to use.
Conclusion: “The Leica M8 is a precision photographic tool that provides professional results. SLR shooters may take a little while getting accustom to shooting with a range finder. However, the Leica M-series camera is very easy to use. Experienced photographers will have no problem getting the most from the M8. In fact the only problem you are going to have is deciding if you want the silver or black model.”
Leica aficionados will be pleased to know that the Leica M8 digital rangefinder camera is now available in a limited edition exclusive set. One can opt for either LEICA M8 set with the LEICA SUMMICRON-M f/2/28 mm ASPH. or with the LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f/2/75 mm ASPH. Both these limited edition sets are available until 30.6.2008 and for further details one need to contact their Leica system dealer
Panasonic has released a firmware upgrade for the LEICA D SUMMILUX 25mm f/1.4 lens. The update enables the contrast AF with DMC-L10 (The firmware of DMC-L10 should be Ver.1.2 or later) and is available for both Mac and Windows operating system. According to Panasonic when one uses contrast AF, focusing time is longer than phase difference AF, however this is not a malfunction.
Leica has finally broken its silence on a possible full-frame camera as they clarified their position on the Leica M8 Rangefinder camera.
Here are some excerpts from the press release:
“There has been much recent speculation concerning the M8, but we can confirm that the current design remains our most important product for 2008/9. As ownership increases, users seem to really appreciate that it is a faithful reproduction of a true classic M, but in digital form.” Says David Bell (Managing Director, Leica Camera Ltd., UK).
Bell continues, “the award winning photographer, Tom Stoddart is now to use two M8s on a major EU project. He is a life long Leica film M user and is already in praise of the quality of the M8 digital and its design, which enables him to continue his discreet, intimate and mobile photographic style. It is interesting to note that Tom doesn’t concern himself with camera specifications: for him, the image is all.
The sudden sacking of Leica Camera CEO, Steven K Lee has sent shockwaves in the photography world. Lee has been replaced by board chairman Andreas Kaufman after he gave a controversial interview to Amateur Photographer at this year's PMA show. During an interview Lee let the cat out of the bag when he hinted at a full-frame upgrade for its M8 digital rangefinder camera.
“This change of management allows Leica Camera AG to immediately review strategies and make changes where required.' Leica UK's MD David Bell tells AP. 'One of the first tasks for Dr Kaufmann will be to positively review all options for the M system's future. There will be more details in the following weeks.'
Leica at the PMA 200 announced what they call a "perpetual upgrade program" for the Leica M8 users. However like all good things this one is not free and one has to shell out around 1200 Euros to join it. Via the program, M8 users will be privy to upgrades like a new scratch resistant sapphire glass LCD screen cover and a retuned, quieter shutter.
"The shutter will be softer and feel more like an M6 with less lens vibration and better picture quality," said Christian Erhardt, Leica’s director of Marketing.
Leica cameras need no introduction in the photography world and the M8 digital rangefinder camera is as good as it gets. Leica has released a new firmware version, which is now available for download on their site. The update includes 6-bit lens codes for Summarit-M lenses 35, 50, 70 and 90mm and fixes bugs like unintentional scrolling of the menu with the central setting wheel and also improves the battery life.
The LEICA M8 'White Edition’ is now available. So if you fancy this pristine beauty then be prepared to shell out $8.500.00. The LEICA M8 'White Edition' is available in a set including a silver anodised LEICA ELMARIT-M 1:2.8/28 mm ASPH lens and strictly limited to just 275 examples.
Cosina will soon release a Voigtländer branded 50mm f/1.1 lens exclusively for the Leica M mount. The superfast 50mm ƒ/1.1 lens with ultra-high refractive index glass will be released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Cosina's Bessa series of rangefinder cameras.
Looks like its time to bid adieu to the Leica R9 camera as Leica has informed dealers that the camera and its accessories are out of stock. A spokesman from Leica hinted on a new camera and also said that “they are working hard on making a generation change possible for the current R-System”..png)
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The special-edition "Safari" camera set by Leica includes an olive green painted LEICA M8.2 camera along with a silver anodized finished LEICA ELMARIT-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH.lens, an exclusive Billingham camera case and a carrying strap, bearing an embossed Leica logo. There are only 500 of these beauties so if you are a Leica aficionado then head over .gif)
Leica Camera AG
Panasonic has released a firmware upgrade for the 
