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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica Announces Thambar-M 90mm f/2.2 – A Legend Returns 7 years, 6 months ago
Today, Leica has announced the new Thambar-M 90mm f/2.2 lens for the Leica M-System. Much like the Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 re-issue last year, the Thambar-M 90mm f/2.2 features a similar optical design to the […]
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Leica C Image Shuttle App for Compact Cameras Not Compatible with iOS11 7 years, 7 months ago
Just got word that the Leica C Image Shuttle App for iPhone and iPad will not be compatible with the soon-to-be-released iOS11. Apple is rolling out iOS11 along with the iPhone X, 8 and 8 Plus, which […]
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Leica Introduces V-Lux (Typ 114) Explorer Kit 7 years, 8 months ago
Today, Leica has introduced the V-Lux (Typ 114) Explorer Kit. The new bundle includes a stock V-Lux (Typ 114), a black nylon ‘ONA for Leica' Bowery camera bag and a Leica Rope Strap by COOPH in red. Earlier this […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, New Trade-Up Program for Leica S (Typ 007) 7 years, 8 months ago
Today, Leica has announced a new program allowing users of previous-generation Leica S-system cameras, or other medium format digital systems, to trade in those cameras towards the current Leica S (Typ 007). The […]
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Leica Fixes TL2 EVF Issue with Firmware 1.1 7 years, 9 months ago
Leica has just released updated firmware for the newly launched TL2. After the first batch of cameras shipped a couple weeks ago, some early users reported their cameras being rendered inoperable. Leica […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica Releases Statement Regarding TL2 Issue 7 years, 9 months ago
Leica just released a statement acknowledging a serious issue with the recently released TL2 camera. In some cases, when using the Visoflex (Typ 020) electronic viewfinder on the TL2, the camera can be ren […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Firmware Ver 1.9.4.0 for Leica M10 Released 7 years, 9 months ago
After discovering a bug in their most recent M10 firmware release (1.7.4.0), Leica has quickly issued another firmware update for the M10: firmware 1.9.4.0. The new firmware has the same SD card compatibility […]
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Leica Updates CCD Sensor Corrosion Upgrade Pricing for SL (Typ 601) 7 years, 9 months ago
In light of the recent price reduction on the Leica SL (Typ 601), Leica USA has just issued an update for the CCD Sensor Corrosion Upgrade program. After the adjustment, upgrading to an SL from a CCD-based M […]
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Leica TL2 Mirrorless Camera Introduced 7 years, 9 months ago
Leica has just announced its newest camera, the TL2. When Leica launched the original T (Typ 701) just over three years ago (you can read my review here), it’s machined unibody aluminum design and minimalist to […]
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Why did Leica drop the price on the SL body? 7 years, 9 months ago
With such a large price reduction for the Leica SL (Typ 601) mirrorless pro body, many are questioning Leica's motives. An act of desperation to move inventory? A new model around the corner? Is the SL system […]
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Regarding the price drop in the U.S. serving the goal of providing better global price harmonization (same price in different countries): please note that the European price dropped simultaneously from €6,900 to €5,900.
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Thanks for the European info. The price drop was still greater, percentage-wise in the US.
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica SL (Typ 601) Price Reduced to $5,995 7 years, 9 months ago
Today, in a surprising but welcome move, Leica Camera has reduced the price of the the SL (Typ 601). The popular full-frame mirrorless camera is now $5,995, a $1,455 savings from its original price of $7,450. Th […]
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I don't think so. The SL was only introduced 18 months ago as a brand new system, and the lens line is still being developed. The Q is six months older and shows no signs of being replaced. Fact is, Leica's product cycles are longer now. Four years passed between the M240 and the M10. And, in many ways, the SL is still more advanced than the just-launched M10. From an image quality perspective, performance of the SL and the M10 are extremely similar. Leica has also been diligent about rolling out regular firmware updates for the SL to continually improve the performance and user experience. Bottom line: this is not an end of life product. Rather, it is Leica's current standard-bearer. Based on other product cycles, I wouldn't expect to see a replacement in anything less than 18-24 months. And a lot of new SL glass will be rolling out in that timeframe, further bolstering the system.
Mainly, I think the price adjustment is aimed at achieving global price harmonization.
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The SL is doing well, especially for a new system. Leica just wants to accelerate this process and make it more competitive to attract those outside the Leica universe.
To your point about the lens selection, the SL is actually able to accept many more lenses than an M camera. These are:
- SL autofocus native lenses, which are some of the very best optics Leica is offering right now
- TL autofocus lenses, which only cover APS-C, but are perfect for 4K video projects
- S autofocus lenses with adapter
- R lenses with adapter
- M lenses with adapter
- PL mount cine lenses with adapter
- Nikon AF and MF lenses with adapter
- Canon AF lenses with adapter
So, quite a few lenses. By my rough count, more than 300 options.
As far as being outdated in two years time, take a look at the M9. The M9 was introduced eight years ago and has an very loyal following, still producing incredible images. Digital cameras don't get worse with age. They produce the same quality as they did they day they were manufactured. The SL is extremely quick in operation. I can't see myself needing anything faster than 11 fps. Heck, I only use single shot. At 24 megapixels, the files are large enough to produce stunning 30×40 inch prints. It shoots in low light up to ISO 6,400 with extraordinary quality. And, the 4.4 MP EVF rivals an optical finder. So, for me, I'd say the investment in an SL is much more than a two-year deal. I shot plenty of film before reluctantly transitioning to digital just a little more than 10 years ago. And while film has a certain look and nostalgia for me, I can't see going back. The quality and flexibility of the SL is so far beyond what I ever was able to achieve with film.
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Video: How to Update Firmware on the Leica M10 7 years, 9 months ago
We just posted a short how-to video walking through the firmware update process step-by-step for the Leica M10. This four minute video should hopefully answer some of the most common questions we get related to […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Firmware Ver 1.7.4.0 for Leica M10 Released 7 years, 9 months ago
Today, Leica has released a firmware update for their newest digital rangefinder: the Leica M10. Firmware version 1.7.4.0 is the second update since the camera's release in mid-January 2017 and improves the M10's […]
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Leica M Monochrom ‘Jim Marshall' Set Unboxing 7 years, 10 months ago
As we recently reported, the newly released Leica M Monochrom ‘Jim Marshall' Set has just started shipping. We were able to briefly get our hands on one of the first ones, thanks to its very generous owner, and do […]
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Leica Offers New Upgrade Options for CCD Sensor Corrosion with Q and SL Choices 7 years, 10 months ago
As we previously reported in early 2015, Leica began offering special upgrade pricing to owners of CCD-based M cameras who experience sensor corrosion. While some users have opted to just get their sensors […]
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David Farkas wrote a new post, Leica Announces “Jim Marshall Set” Limited Edition M Monochrom 7 years, 10 months ago
Today, Leica has announced a new special edition camera set. The Leica M Monochrom “Jim Marshall Set” honors the legendary rock and roll photographer with a unique full brass M Monchrom (Typ 246) and vintage-look […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica SL Firmware 3.0 Released with Major Updates 7 years, 10 months ago
Today, Leica has released a major new firmware update for the SL (Typ 601): Version 3.0. This firmware incorporates a considerable number of new features, enhancements, stability improvements and bug fixes. Before […]
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Great article.thank you so much for all the info.one thing I noticed with the electronic shutter when I set it to always on my shutter button does not work.it works fine in off and extended.
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Mike, are you sure the shutter button is not working? Do keep in mind with the Electronic Shutter set to “always on” the camera will not make ANY sound when you take a picture…which is very odd at first if you aren't used to it!
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Thank you.i did not know that it makes no sound.when set to always on.
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Jesse, that is something we plan on doing in a future post, it just requires more testing than we had time for. The SL's auto focus has been improved with every major firmware update and 3.0 is no exception!
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Thank you for this comment, I actually added a new section to the post about this change. Take a look!
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Steve, to shoot a DNG only on the SL, you want to go to Photo File Format which is near the top of the Camera menu (one of the first settings you'll see when you bring up the menu). Then you can select DNG!
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Josh Well done ! I am impressed that our discussions actually made it into this firmware release . No time to test it this week ..but soon I will give you some feedback onAF tracking ….
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Devin, from my testing here I do not see a difference in the behavior of the spot metering function in Manual mode whether Exposure Preview is set to PAS or PASM. The only difference I see with Manual mode is that in PASM, if you set your exposure manually, the live view will reflect that exposure even without the shutter half pressed. More testing is needed!
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Devin, I'll take a look at your awesome chart, thanks!
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Steve, I'm not sure what you mean. On the SL, if you shoot DNG only (by selecting DNG in the Photo File Format menu), there is no JPEG file created at all. Are you seeing something different?
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Josh, is there a way to turn off the joystick / focus point grid on the display other than a half press on the shutter?
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Josh, exactly what is “extended mode” for the electronic shutter?
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Josh, please disregard the joystick / AF focus point question. I just remembered how to turn it off.
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Josh, on the right bottom corner of the live view screen there is a number which changes when the shutter button is half pressed. That number on my SL is 5K. When the shutter button is half pressed it changes to something that looks like L 33 . What are these numbers? I can't find any reference to this in the manual. The screen images in the manual are all 633 or 634.
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John, the 5K refers to the camera's estimate of how many shots are remaining on the SD memory card (or cards). The L33 when the shutter is half pressed represents how many shots you have left in the camera's buffer (33 shots in that particular case).
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Scott, a 64GB SD card would be SDXC. I've always found SDHC (cards 32GB or smaller) to be a bit faster, in general. Interesting about the electronic shutter being a bit faster. I'll have to check that here too!
There is no new firmware for the TL lenses in SL firmware 3.0, only for the SL 24-90mm and 90-280mm. And yes the lens firmware update does take quite a while!
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Arthur, I cannot speak for other Leica stores but at Leica Store Miami we always offer to update the firmware of new SL's that our customers purchase before we deliver them if they so choose. In regards to the AF tracking for video, it has been improved but we usually use manual focus for our video production so we have not test the video AF improvements extensively yet.
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Arthur, while you can of course acquire the SL anywhere you like, I do want to mention that when you shop with Leica Store Miami, that does support our efforts here at Red Dot Forum to do the kind of testing our readers appreciate. You are also welcome to email me anytime with additional questions at josh@leicastoremiami.com.
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Les,
If you enter playback mode on the SL and cycle through the info display (lower right button), you'll see the picture's file name in the upper right corner. Ex – L1003310
Hope this helps.
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David Farkas wrote a new post, NAB Show 2017 – New Leica Cine Lenses: Thalia, 15mm Summicron, +0.5 MacroLux and M 0.8 7 years, 11 months ago
During NAB Show 2017, I had a nice chat with Seth Emmons, the Global Marketing Manager for CW Sonderoptic. CW designs and builds the incredible Leica Cine lenses and they had quite a few new items on the roster […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica Issues Update on CCD Corrosion 7 years, 11 months ago
In December 2014, Leica officially acknowledged the CCD sensor corrosion issue present on many M9, M9-P, M Monochrom and M-E camera bodies. The corrosion issue, identified by unusual spots on images with white […]
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Josh Lehrer wrote a new post, Leica Releases New Trinovid HD 32 Binoculars 7 years, 11 months ago
Today, Leica has released two new binoculars in their popular Trinovid line: the Leica Trinovid 8×32 HD and Trinovid 10×32 HD. Compared to the Trinovid HD 42 line, the HD 32's are smaller and lighter and feature […]
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Bernard, that is a good question! The S-E was not listed but we have inquired with Leica, and will update the table when we get a reply. I'll also reply to your comment with the update.
The S-E is the same credit as the S (Typ 006) and I've added it to the table!