18.09.12
Leica's new lenses and accessories
Following on from Leica’s announcements of new cameras, the company also introduced a new range of lenses and accessories.
Lenses:
The first new lens to be announced is the Leica Super-Elmar-S 24mm f/3.5 ASPH. In 35mm equivalent format, this should correspond to a focal length of 19mm.
In tests the lens is said to have shown high contrast rendition and maximum resolution at maximum aperture.
The lens’s optical system comprises of 12 lenses in ten groups. Five of the lenses are manufactured from glass with anomalous partial dispersion to prevent negative effects, such as chromatic aberration. Two aspherical lenses located behind the iris and the aspherical surface of the front lens should minimise monochromatic aberrations.
Pricing and availability:
The Leica Super-Elmar-S 24mm f/3.5 ASPH is scheduled to be available in the UK at a suggested retail price of £5,330 inc VAT from November 2012 from authorised Leica S dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk.
The next lens to be announced is the TS-APO-Elmar-S 120mm f/5.6 ASPH, the first fully adjustable tilt/shift lens for the Leica S medium format system.
This lens provides options for parallel shifting and tilting and offers photographers the adjustment options usually found in field cameras.
The Leica TS-APO-Elmar-S 120mm f/5.6 ASPH is suitable for product and still life photography.
Its optical system consists of six individual lens elements and allows parallel shifts of up to 12mm in all directions and tilting of the plane of focus by up to 8°.
Pricing and availability:
The Leica TS-APO-Elmar-S 120 mm f/5.6 ASPH. is scheduled to be available in the UK at a suggested retail price of £4,920 inc VAT from January 2013.
Lastly for the lenses is the announcement of the first zoom lens for the Leica S medium format system. The range of focal lengths covered is said to be equivalent to that of a 24-72 mm zoom for 35 mm format
The lens construction is based on 14 lenses assembled in four groups. The construction consists of nine lenses manufactured from glass with anomalous partial dispersion, three of which are fluoride lenses with low dispersion. Two aspherical surfaces on the rear-most lens element, and one on the front lens of the second group, are said to reduce monochromatic aberrations.
Pricing and availability:
The Leica Vario-Elmar-S 30-90mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH is scheduled to be available in the UK at a suggested retail price of £7,380 inc VAT from November 2012.
For more information and specifications please click here.
Accessories:
Leica has announced a new range of accessories for the Leica M. The accessories include the Leica R-Adapter M, Leica EVF2 electronic viewfinder, a Multifunctional Handgrip-M with optional finger loops, and a Leica Microphone Adapter Set, all compatible with the new Leica M.
The Leica R-Adapter M enables almost all Leica R-Lenses to be mounted on the new Leica M. Users can access a list of 20 dedicated profiles – including calibrated imaging workflows and Exif lens recognition – for a range of R-Lenses covering wide-angles, telephoto, zoom and macro options.
The optional accessories range also includes a high-resolution, electronic Visoflex viewfinder. The Leica EVF2 has a resolution of 1.4 megapixels, and offers 90 degree rotation for capturing images from unusual angles. When mounted on the camera, it should display all significant exposure parameters and allow for subject assessment.
Also new is the Multifunctional Handgrip-M, which features an integrated GPS module. With this handgrip, the user can record geographical information in the image’s EXIF data (i.e. geotagging), enabling the photographer to sort and display images according to location. Facilitating the use of a separate flash unit when an accessory viewfinder is mounted on the camera, the Multifunctional Handgrip-M also provides a dedicated SCA hot shoe that communicates with the camera in the same way as its own hot shoe.
Pricing and availability:
The Leica M range of accessories is scheduled to be available in the UK from early 2013. Suggested retail prices, including VAT, are as follows:
Leica R-Adapter M - £215
EVF2 Electronic Visoflex Viewfinder - £360
Multifunctional Handgrip-M - £630
Leica Microphone Adapter Set - £150
Standard Handgrip-M - £209
Ever-ready case - £240
Optional Finger Loops (S, M, L) - £80
Next is a new accessory for the Leica X2 – a Digiscoping Adapter that enables the camera to be attached to the Leica APO-Televid 82 and APO-Televid 65 spotting scopes.
Together with a sensor that is unusually large for a camera in its class, the X2’s Leica Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 ASPH lens boasts optimum image quality.
The adapter can be screwed into the filter thread of the Leica X2 and locked in place on the spotting scope eyepiece by means of a setting screw. No other adjustments to the camera are said to be required.
Pricing and availability:
The Leica X2 Digiscoping Adapter is available from September 2012 with a suggested retail price of £100 including VAT.
Lastly in the announcements is the extension of the ‘Leica à la carte’ programme – the company’s special camera personalisation service – to offer a selection of different styling options for the Leica X2.
First offered in 2004 for Leica’s 35mm rangefinder film cameras, the Leica à la carte programme allows customers to choose from the multitude of finishes and features available at the Leica factory in Germany, enabling them to configure their own, uniquely customised Leica camera. The service will be available again from the end of October 2012.
The Leica à la carte programme offers a choice of three different camera body colours for the Leica X2. In addition to the two current models in black and silver, the X2 is now also available in an exclusive, titanium-coloured, anodised finish. The colour and texture of the camera’s leather covering can be selected in a further step of the personalisation process. The range includes a collection of ten different leather trim options, with a choice of colours, from a black saddle-leather to full-grain cowhide in shades such as green, blue or aztec beige.
The portfolio also includes variations embossed with lizard-style or ostrich-style patterns. In addition to this, cameras can be embellished to order with a personalised engraving on the flash cover or the top plate (front or back).
The customer can also choose from a selection of optional accessories in matching materials, such as a leather carrying strap or camera protector case.
After configuration, orders for personalised Leica X à la carte cameras can be placed with the Leica Store Mayfair, London, where customers can view samples and colour swatches that illustrate the options offered by the programme.
The technical specifications of the Leica X2 à la carte replicate those of the current X2 model.
For more information and specs about the products please visit leica-camera.com
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