Trade-up to a new M camera!

Leica Camera celebrates a decade of digital M photography with a trade up program to a new M camera* from today, June 17, 2016 through September 30, 2015.

Leica cameras are built on more than a century of continuous innovation and evolution. The M system looks back on 62 years of experience. An icon that has captured many of the world’s most memorable images, documenting history and inspiring generations of visual storytellers. It is fitting that this milestone is marked with a customer promotion for M cameras*.

With the trade up program, customers can trade up from any camera with a Leica dealer to a new Leica M camera* except the Leica M (Typ 262) and Leica M-D (Typ 262).

The customer will receive $750 from Leica Camera Inc. after the new camera is registered with Leica Camera Inc.

How the trade-in program works:

Send us (or bring) your old used camera for trade up, we will determine the value of the trade-in camera. (Generous offer for ANY camera!! Please Call sam 1-888-534-2272 or email Sam@classicconnection.com)

This value would be put towards the cost of the new M camera the new M camera. Once registration of the new camera is completed you will receive from Leica USA a check for US $750

(All registrations and check requests will take eight weeks to process and will be mailed to addresses in Canada and USA.)

Sam Shoshan

Classic Connection LLC.
2490 Black Rock Turnpike, # 420

(by appointment only )

Fairfield CT 06825

Phone:Toll free:1-888-534-2272

Phone: 203-371-2352 or 203-371-2353

Web- www.classicconnection.com  or  www.LeicaSam.Com
Email- sam@classicconnection.com
ISR/ 08-372-0898

The first medium format digital I owned was the Contax 645 with a Phase 25 back. I liked the Contax, but it was a retro-fitted MF SLR and a little clumsy to work with. When the Leica S2 came out I pounced on it. It felt great in hand. The ergonomics reminded me of my all-time favorite SLR, the Leica R8. The files were great, the color rendering fantastic and the German Leica lenses being stellar, offered up sharp almost analog feeling images. I thought the camera was incredibly well thought out, with a minimalist approach to sub-menus, and no extraneous features, like face recognition. There were however, executional flaws. The camera had one, non-movable focusing point. The continuous frame rate was slow, a hair over 1 per second, the buffer often got overwhelmed in sequential shooting, and the noise reduction, which could not be disabled, caused the camera to lock up on me on more than one occasion – once during an aerial assignment. I had to remove the battery – while in the helicopter – let the buffer dump and reinstall it. I started shooting again right away but at a slower pace. That seemed to help. The other BIG issue is Leica service. I sent my S2 to Germany for service a couple of times and it was glacial. On one occasion I waited three months to get my camera back. Yes, Leica did loan me a body, paid for shipping both ways (my camera was an S2P and had a loaner provision in the warranty) but I am always fearful of something happening to a loaner. For that reason only, I am holding on to the old S2-P body, just in case. When the second generation of the Leica S was announced and I read of the feature changes, I yawned, there was not enough to compel me to drop another 20K on a new body. Then, the third generation, the 007 was announced. The list of enhancements was enough to make me call Sam Shosan and ask “what do you know about the new S?” What he did know was that it was going to be a major revision, what he didn’t know was the availability. As is typical with Leica products announced delivery dates are a wishful fantasy and actual delivery dates can be years away. Originally announced for delivery in the fall of 2014, I got mine Christmas eve of 2015. Sam’s running joke is that Leicas are made of unobtainium.

My first impression of the new S 007 is quite favorable. I think it has almost everything I would want in it, as well as 4K video, which I personally have no use for. Here, so far, are my favorite enhancements to the new Leica.

#1 with a bullet is live view. Love it. I have had it on on my DSLRs for years, but it took three generations of the S to bring it forward with the CMOS sensor, I suppose for video function.

#2 on my personal hit parade is the movable focus point in live view, unfortunately only in live view. It also has focus peaking, another touch I like and one can even customize the peaking color.

#3. Reviewing and magnifying images is much easier now with the joystick. You can jump right to 100% magnification or magnify in steps using the shutter speed dial and easily move around the image with the joystick. I love how easy this is. In the S2 it is a multi step process.

#4 is the new display. The display on the S2 was only 490,000 dots, when I magnified some images I thought I was out of focus. When I got back to my computer I saw they were sharp. Fortunately I hadn’t deleted any in camera. To be candid, that sort of undercut my confidence when I was working. The new display is 921,000 dots, I can see clearly now.

#5. The ISO range on the camera has been greatly extended. It is now 100 – 12,500 plus AUTO. On the S2, it was 160 – 1250, plus AUTO. I don’t know about you, but I am impressed.

#6. The Buffer, boss, the Buffer. The Bond edition is capable of 3.5 frames a second, for a medium format camera, that is outstanding.

#7. Wi-Fi? Yes there is an app for that. Apple has the Leica S app with pretty much full control of the camera from your smartphone. Just set up a wifi network between the camera and phone or tablet.

#8 GPS. I don’t know that I would ever use this feature, but it is nice that Leica has included this and Wi-Fi without additional add-on gear.

I often say I don’t need to know how sausage is made to enjoy it. In the same vein, I have never been much of a gear head when it comes to cameras. As long as they have the features I need, produce sharp, high quality images and are reliable, I am happy. For those of you who want to know the salient geek-aspects of the camera I offer up the following from Leica’s manual, leaving out the video aspects for the time being.

• 30X45MM CMOS sensor, 37.5 MP
• Shutter speeds, 1/4000 to 32 seconds
• Dynamic range 13 stops
• 16 bit color depth
• No Deep Pass filter
• Buffer – 2 GB, 14 RAW image maximum per burst
• CF and SD card storage
• Spot, center-weighted and multi-field metering
• Focus detection: Phase detection or contrast-based in live-view
• AFs (single) AFc (continuous) MF (manual focus). AF manual override
• Viewfinder field of view is 98%
• 3″ monitor TFT LCD, 16m colors, Corning Gorilla glass, 170 degree viewing angle
• Self timer at 2 and 12 seconds
• Intervalometer
• GPS
• WLAN (Wi-Fi) for remote camera control via smartphone or tablet app.

The Leica S 007 at work. This was the first set-up photo taken with my new S 007. I used the 120MM Makro Summarit-S, F11, 1/12th sec. (mirror up), ISO 200, available light. I used the live view so I could place the focus point on the magazine’s masthead. Perhaps Leica can do a firmware update to enable the movable focus point in standard view. Nah, that would make too much sense.

Next is a head to head comparison, or as close as I could get, of higher ISO images with both the S2-P and the S 007. The S2-P as mentioned earlier has a 1250 ISO limit, so the closest I could get to that on the S 007 was 1600. White balances are matched at 3950, I tried to keep the shooting position as close as possible and there are no crops or curve adjustments in the images. Exposure was 1/30 @ F8 on both cameras.

This is the image from the S2-P

This is the image from the S 007

To my eye the image from the new Maestro sensor in the S 007 is cleaner. There seems to be a slight greenish bias in the original S2. A detail of the images shows that both cameras handle noise well, but the S 007 image is cleaner even with the 350 ISO differential.

S2-P detail

S 007 detail

For each new generation of high end cameras we see an increase in the dynamic range of the sensors. I took this shot, handheld, which shows the high ratio of highlight to shadow with the Summarit S 35MM, 125 @ 6.8, ISO 200. I used the multi-point metering and made no exposure compensation adjustments. This is the image as it came out of the camera, except for corrections for vertical and level.

This is the same shot processed only in Lightroom. I did not change the exposure. I used AWB, set highlights at -59 and shadows at 84. I adjusted the clarity to 21 and fine tuned the orange, yellow, blue and aqua sliders. Notice that there is no CA anywhere in the shot.

I then took the image into Photoshop for a little more post-processing, neutralized the tone and gave the image a bit more snap. Were I shooting this for an assignment I would have taken more than one frame and used fill light, but the point of this photo is to show the dynamic range of the Maestro sensor in the S 007.

I recently took a trip to San Francisco and the Napa Valley and took my S (007). Of course I had to take the long view tourist shot of the Golden Gate Bridge in a night time fog,

as well as this alternate view from Fort Baker at the foot of the bridge across from San Francisco.

Excepting the effects of the fog itself on the image, the color rendering and resolution were impressive. Both of these shots were done with AWB, minor corrections were made to curves.

Night shots of bridges are always impressive so the next day I went to Muir Woods to see if I could find a nice shot of the redwoods. The lighting was flat, cloud cover was heavy, but I dd take a detail shot when a bit of soft light broke through and backlighted the trees.

What trip to Napa would be complete without vineyard shots. Again, the Leica S did not disappoint.

Aboud Dweck

I started my career over 37 years ago as a portrait photographer. I photographed joyous occasions in peoples lives; baby’s birthdays, family reunions, weddings and Bar Mitzvah as well as individual portrait studies. After about 8 years of that work, I wanted to change directions so when my lease ended I moved to an artists’  enclave on Rhode Island Avenue in Washington D.C. and made the transition to advertising and editorial photography.  In the beginning my work was editorial and people oriented. I photographed political heavy weights during the Reagan administration,  Libby Dole, Ed Meese, Robert Bork, Ralph Nader and others. On the opposite side of the spectrum were my portraits of jazz and blues icons Joe Williams, Branford Marsalis, Maynard Ferguson, B.B. King and more. In the next few years, as I was taking on more advertising and corporate clients, my work got more diverse. I was shooting everything from exploding soda bottles for Dart Industries to stunt pilot Sean Tucker doing barrel rolls over the treetops in Pennsylvania. That, by the way, was the start of my interest in aerial photography. I’ve always had a strong interest in architecture, the way light plays on structure and space. At first it was an added component in my other work. For the past eight years architectural images have made up 80% of my work load, the rest going to travel and aerial photography. I work closely with architects and developers with the goal of replicating in photographs, the natural ambiance of their projects as originally conceived. 

Vince Lupo is originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has been involved in photography since 1978. He’s been a committed Leica user since 1982.

Vince has a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in photography from Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA, USA.  In 1997, Vince founded his own commercial photography firm, Direction One, Inc., based in Linthicum, MD, USA.  Vince’s black and white work is represented in Maryland by KH Art Consulting, and in New Mexico by Ghostwolf Gallery.

Vince’s website is http://www.directiononeinc.com , and he can be reached at vlupo@directiononeinc.com .

As a devoted and avid user of all things Leica, I’m always on the lookout for the latest and greatest from that venerable camera and lens maker.  So it came as no surprise that my heart went pitter-patter upon seeing the Leica SL on their website.

Its features sounded impressive – mirrorless, high-quality EVF, touchscreen, low ISO capabilities, GPS, 4K video, solid and hefty aluminum body, new AF zoom lenses, and most important (for me anyways) the ability to use M-lenses with the camera.

It sounded like the (yet another) perfect Leica for me, strictly by reading the specs and online reviews.  But wait, didn’t I just purchase my Monochrom 246 less than a year ago?  Was I willing to give up this stellar camera so soon in favour of another?  And one that I’ve not even seen in person or tested???

You see, I’m committed to my black and white work, and if ever an opportunity comes along that enables me to tweak my black and white images that much more, I’m all over it.  First it was the Monochrom, then the Monochrom 246, and now the possibility of the SL for my black and white.  But could I strictly be swayed by Leica fans’ internet chatter, as well as glowing publicity from Leica itself?

No, I concluded.  I had to test this camera out for myself.  But how?

I did the only thing I could possibly think of doing – I contacted my good friend and Leica dealer extraordinaire Sam Shoshan of Classic Connection LLC.  I thought if anyone would be able to help me find a way to test an SL alongside my 246, it was Sam.  His reply to my innocent request?  “I’ll see what I can do.”  It then dawned on me that I was to be leaving for my annual New Mexico ‘wander’ in just two days, and would be away for two solid weeks.  “Think I’d be able to road test an SL against my 246 for two weeks in New Mexico?”  “No promises”, replied Sam at the other end of the telephone line.  Admittedly, it was a pretty tall order, but I held my breath in anticipation of the possibility.

Two days later I was on an airplane en route to Albuquerque, SL and 246 bodies in hand.  After having studied the 130-page instruction manual a number of times, I made note of a number of the features of the camera….

First off, the body itself is quite a lump of solid aluminum.  With a big chunky grip, it’s an easy rig to hold.  I’ve always been partial to heavy cameras, so this one fit me like a glove.  The camera also tempts with dual SD slots, a nice big screen on the back, a customizable menu, a low ISO setting (ISO 50), and a rather large electronic viewfinder.

By comparison, the Monochrom 246 is a study in seeming austerity.  An optical viewfinder, smaller body (at least when compared to the SL), its black and white-only limitation, and a more straightforward menu seem tailor-made

to my shooting style.  It’s difficult to believe that I’d consider relinquishing this great camera in favour of another, but I was certainly tempted!

Living with a new camera for two weeks versus a brief tryout in a camera store certainly enables one to explore the camera’s nuances.  There were definitely a number of aspects of the SL that I particularly liked, there were some that made life a bit difficult for me:

While I loved the size and clarity of the electronic viewfinder, it did cause me trouble while wearing my prescription polarized sunglasses.  The bright New Mexico sunlight can be often unforgiving on these eyes of mine, so I was compelled to wear my prescription polarized sunglasses much of the time.  Only problem is that the sunglasses didn’t play well with the SL’s EVF – put the camera up to my face, peer through the EVF and see…..nothing.  Total blackness.  Yet, when I would rotate the camera to take the very rare vertical photo, my view was restored.  So the solution to taking horizontal photos was to either wear my regular eyeglasses (which was a bit painful in the New Mexico sunlight), or to remove my sunglasses every time I wanted to take a photo, and adjust the large eyepiece diopter to suit my nearsighted eyes.  Not the most convenient way to take photos, at least in bright daylight.

The other thing that didn’t really work for me was the touchscreen – it did work, but I found that it wasn’t something that I personally warmed up to using.  This was likely a personal preference, as other users might enjoy this feature.

One benefit of using the SL was to actually able to focus through the lens (as opposed to the separate optical viewfinder of the 246), and this proved to be especially useful with the 0.95 Noctilux lens wide open.  I’ve always had difficulty getting a tack-sharp image with the Noctilux wide open on my Monochrom 246 – I’d have to focus on something in the middle of the frame (as that’s where the rangefinder patch is located), but if I wanted to reframe the image after focusing, oftentimes my original point of focus would fall out of focus.  It wasn’t so bad if I was shooting at f/2 or higher, but at 0.95, forget it.  The SL, on the other hand, had far more ‘hits’ than ‘misses’ with the Noctilux, and I looked forward to shooting with that lens on the SL.

You’d think that the ease of focusing with the SL would result in sharper images than the 246, but it wasn’t always the case.  I actually ended up with conflicting results on two specific occasions:  If you look at the first set of photos, taken at f/2 with my 35/1.7 Voigtlander Ultron, the full shots look to be more or less the same (the SL was set at ISO 400, the 246 at ISO 320).  However, upon closer inspection, the SL photo is clearly sharper than the

Monochrom’s.  Yet, in the second set of photos (taken with the Noctilux at f/4), I got the opposite results.  As a result, I’m not completely convinced that one camera delivers sharper images than the other.

Below is the photo from the Monochrom 246, taken with a 35/1.7 Voigtlander Ultron @ f/2, ISO 320

Below is the photo from the SL, also with the 35/1.7 Voigltander Ultron @ f/2, ISO 400

Closeup ‘crop’ from the Monochrom 246 photo above

Closeup ‘crop’ from the SL photo above

Clearly from these comparisons, the SL is sharper.

However, here is another test that gives the opposite results:

Sample photo from the Monochrom 246, taken with 50/0.95 Noctilux @ f/4, ISO 320

Sample photo from the SL, also taken with the 50/0.95 Noctilux @ f/4, ISO 400

Closeup ‘crop’ of the Monochrom 246 photo above

Closeup ‘crop’ from the SL photo above

Here the Monochrom is the winner.  So my tests are inconclusive.

Tonality-wise, I think both cameras produce roughly the same degree of detail in the shadows, midtones and highlights.  One of the complaints about the original Monochrom (CCD) was its tendency to ‘blow’ highlights unless you underexposed by 1/2 – 2/3 of an f-stop.  With the 246 and the SL, this doesn’t seem to be an issue.  Furthermore, upon close inspection of 11”x16” prints from both the SL and the 246, I really can’t detect much difference between the two.  So for me the final image results are a tossup.

Upon completing my two week New Mexico wander, I weighed the pros and cons of each Leica camera.  Both are super-duper, and I’d be more than happy with either one.  Yet, I found myself clinging a bit more closely to my Monochrom 246.  Its straightforward approach to picture-taking, as well as its size and handling, made for a better photographic companion for me.  Not to say that the SL is a more complicated affair, but ultimately I wasn’t willing to part with a great Leica product that I’ve had for less than a year in favour of another great Leica product, with seemingly little advantage.

I guess in the perfect world I’d have both, right?  No harm in dreaming.

Below is a selection of images from both the Monochrom 246 and the SL.  They aren’t ‘side-by-side’ comparisons, but just various photos that I took during this New Mexico ‘wander’: 

Taken with the SL and 50/2 Summicron @ f/3.5, ISO 50

Taken with the SL and 50/0.95 @ f/1.2, ISO 400

Ansel can have Hernandez, I’ll take Las Trampas.  Taken with the SL and 35/1.7 Voigtlander Ultron @ f/8, ISO 400

Portrait with the Monochrom 246 and the 35/1.7 Voigtlander Ultron @ f/4, ISO 640

A photo of yours truly.  Taken with the Monochrom 246 and 50/0.95 Noctilux @ f/1.2, ISO 320

Monochrom 246 and 50/0.95 Noctilux @ f/2, ISO 320

Casey, Postmaster in Tremontina, NM.  Monochrom 246 and 35/1.7 Ultron @ f/2.8, ISO 800

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Monochrom 246 and 50/0.95 Noctilux @ f/4, ISO 320

Somewhere on Hwy. 402.  Monochrom 246 and 50/2 Summicron @ f/11, ISO 320

Somewhere on Hwy 402.  SL with 35/1.7 Voigtlander Ultron @ f/11, ISO 50

Leaving Las Vegas.  SL and 50/0.95 Noctilux @ f/4, ISO 50

My good friend Shelly.  SL and 50/0.95 Noctilux @ f/1.2, ISO 400

Nara Visa, NM.  Taken with the SL and 50/2 Summicron @ f/5.6, ISO 50

Ross & Ira.  Taken with the SL and 50/2 Summicron @ f/11, ISO 200

My friend Gloria, Monochrom 246 and 50/0.95 Noctilux @ f/2.8, ISO 800

Tremontina, NM.  Monochrom 246 and 35/1.7 Voigltander Ultron @ f/8, ISO 320

Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens Cat# 11677 New USA

NEW ITEM – COMING SOON / Expected availability: End of January 2016 / Free Expedited Shipping (USA)

The new classic prime lens for street photography.

A brilliant lens

The Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH. is the most compact lens in the entire portfolio of Leica M-Lenses. This is made possible by the use of an aspherical lens element, which enables particularly compact lens construction and a weight of only 180 grams. This makes the Elmarit-M a firm favorite with street and reportage photographers. Every scene can be composed to perfection thanks to a rectangular, full-metal lens hood with a screw mount that can be replaced by a screw-in protector ring when not in use.

Technical details

This lens is optimized for digital photography and has significantly reduced image field curvature in comparison to the previous model. This results in considerably improved image performance with high resolution and extremely impressive reproduction of details. The Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH.is practically distortion-free from infinity to its closest focusing distance of 0.7 meters, and provides an exceptionally clear view through the viewfinder of M cameras.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• Leica M Mount Lens
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
• One Aspherical Element
• Manual Focus Design and Focus Tab
• 6-Bit Lens Coding
• Minimum Focus Distance: 2.3′
• Filter Thread: 39mm
• Metal Lens Hood, Caps, Protection Ring 

Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2.0 ASPH Lens Cat # 11672 New USA

NEW ITEM – COMING SOON / Expected availability: End of January 2016 /  Free Expedited Shipping (USA)

COMPACT AND VERSATILE

The constant companion for reportage projects.

Exceptional – in every respect

This new wide-angle lens is fast, compact and delivers exceptional performance. Its outstanding speed makes it particularly versatile and delivers brilliant imaging results even in difficult lighting conditions. Its full-metal lens hood with a screw mount protects the optical system against undesirable stray light and flare. A screw-in protector ring is provided with the lens to protect the filter thread of the lens when the hood is not in use.

Technical details

At its maximum aperture, the Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH. already delivers impressively rich contrast, differentiated reproduction of even the finest structures, a soft and smooth bokeh and extremely high resolution. This is due to its recalculated optical design, which almost completely eliminates the astigmatic differences in the image field caused by the cover glass of the sensor to ensure excellent image quality from corner to corner in every picture.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• Leica M Mount Lens
• Aperture Range: f/2 to f/16
• One Aspherical Element
• Manual Focus Design and Focus Tab
• 6-Bit Lens Coding
• Minimum Focus Distance: 2.3′
• Filter Thread: 46mm
• Metal Lens Hood, Caps, Protection Ring

LEICA SUMMICRON-M 35mm f/2 ASPH. Cat # 11673 New USA

NEW ITEM – COMING SOON / Expected availability: End of January 2016 /  Free Expedited Shipping (USA)

A new classic prime lens for reportage photography.

THE COMPACT CLASSIC PRIME.

Perfect performance – in silver and black

This outstanding new classic prime lens offers exceptional image performance and unique bokeh. Despite its high speed and impressive imaging quality, its dimensions are astoundingly compact. Together with this lens, every Leica M becomes an extremely compact and elegant photographic tool. The Summicron-M features a rectangular, full-metal lens hood with a screw mount. A screw-in protector ring is provided to protect the filter thread of the lens when the hood is not in use.

Technical details

The eleven blades of the iris of the new Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH. create a circular aperture. This lends the out of focus areas of subjects a smooth and harmonious look. The newly designed and constructed lens delivers pin-sharp pictures with rich contrast and almost complete freedom from distortion – at all apertures and distances – and even when wide open.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• Leica M Mount Lens
• Aperture Range: f/2 to f/16
• One Aspherical Element
• Manual Focus Design for Focus Tab
• 6-Bit Lens Coding
• Minimum Focus Distance: 2.3′
• Filter Thread: 39mm
• 11-Blade Diaphragm
• Metal Lens Hood, Caps, Protection Ring

Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH Lens (Silver) Cat # 11674 New USA  

NEW ITEM – COMING SOON / Expected availability: End of January 2016 /  Free Expedited Shipping (USA)

A new classic prime lens for reportage photography.

THE COMPACT CLASSIC PRIME.

Perfect performance – in silver and black

This outstanding new classic prime lens offers exceptional image performance and unique bokeh. Despite its high speed and impressive imaging quality, its dimensions are astoundingly compact. Together with this lens, every Leica M becomes an extremely compact and elegant photographic tool. The Summicron-M features a rectangular, full-metal lens hood with a screw mount. A screw-in protector ring is provided to protect the filter thread of the lens when the hood is not in use.

Technical details

The eleven blades of the iris of the new Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH. create a circular aperture. This lends the out of focus areas of subjects a smooth and harmonious look. The newly designed and constructed lens delivers pin-sharp pictures with rich contrast and almost complete freedom from distortion – at all apertures and distances – and even when wide open.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

• Leica M Mount Lens
• Aperture Range: f/2 to f/16
• One Aspherical Element
• Manual Focus Design for Focus Tab
• 6-Bit Lens Coding
• Minimum Focus Distance: 2.3′
• Filter Thread: 39mm
• 11-Blade Diaphragm
• Metal Lens Hood, Caps, Protection Ring

LEICA M (Typ 262)

Dedicated to the essence of rangefinder photography

Leica Camera presents the Leica M (Typ 262), a camera which embodies the M rangefinder philosophy in its purest form. The Leica M focuses on the essential functions for photography and an intuitive handling concept. It is the most compact full-frame camera system with access to the best lenses in the world. The Leica M (Typ 262) is dedicated to the essence of digital M rangefinder photography. It is a streamlined experience, eschewing the contemporary features of video and Live View to focus on the tried and true methods of using a rangefinder camera. Now with a top plate made of aluminum, the Leica M (Typ 262) is lighter than its M and M-P (Typ 240) siblings by nearly 100 grams.

BENEFITS AT A GLANCE

• Compact digital M camera concentrating solely on the traditional rangefinder focusing and picture taking methods
• Top plate made from durable aluminum, making it lighter
• Streamlined and simplified menu system, consisting of only 2 pages
• Dedicated button on the back of the camera for White Balance (WB)
• Quieter shutter mechanism for more discreet shooting
• 24 megapixel CMOS sensor (still-pictures only) ensures exceptional image quality
• Leica Maestro processor for fast recording of captured images
• ISO values up to 6,400 ensure great quality images in low light
• Fast and accurate manual focusing
• All the essential controls and functions logically and ergonomically placed
• LCD made of scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass

LEICA M (Typ 262)

Dedicated to the essence of rangefinder photography

The images from the Leica M (Typ 262) are characterized by outstanding contrast, exceptional detail resolution and low image noise. It is ideal to shoot with available light.

The Leica M (Typ 262) features a shutter cocking system that is quieter than that of its sister models the M and M-P (Typ 240). In single exposure mode, the shutter release frequency is up to two frames per second. In continuous mode, the Leica M (Typ 262) has the same burst rate as its sister model and shoots up to three frames per second.

The low noise and compact size of the camera allows photographers to not only get close to the action, but to the heart of where it is all happening.

Comparison of Leica M (TYP 262), LEICA M (TYP240) & LEICA M-P (TYP 240)

Leica M (Typ 262)         Leica M (Typ 240)                     Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Sensor technology       24 MP-Still-CMOS         24 MP-CMOS                            24 MP-CMOS

Processor                    Leica Maestro               Leica Maestro                           Leica Maestro

Memory Buffer             1 GB                             1 GB                                         2 GB

Monitor                        3” (921,600 pixel),         3” (921,600 pixel),                     3” (921,600 pixel),        

Gorilla Glass                Gorilla Glass                            Sapphire Glass

ISO                              up to 6,400                   up to 6,400                               up to 6,400

Video                           No                                Yes                                          Yes

Live-View                     No                                Yes                                          Yes

Weight incl. battery      600g                             600g                                         705g

Price                            $5,195.00                      $6, 380.00                                 $6,996.00

The new professional camera system.

(We are now taking orders- Call Sam 1-888-534-2272 or email us @ sam@classicconnection.com)

Leica Camera presents the Leica SL (Typ 601), the new professional camera system which pairs cutting-edge mirrorless technology with speed and optical performance.

The Leica SL is a new generation of a true Leica which promises to challenge the status quo of modern photography. Featuring a 4.4 MP EyeRes Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) with a 0.8 magnification, the Leica SL’s autofocus is the fastest in the full-frame camera category. In addition to the new SL lenses, the Leica SL can be used with the S, R, M, T & Cine lenses with the appropriate adaptor. If you look through the Leica SL’s EyeRes Viewfinder, you see the future of photography.

Leica Camera will begin shipping the Leica SL in mid-November. The Leica SL has two-year warranty.

FEATURES & BENEFITS AT A GLANCE

• Largest, fastest & highest resolution EVF (4.4 MP@60FPS / X 0.8 magnification)
• Fastest burst rate: 11 fps@ 24 MP, 1080p@120 fps, 4 k (UHD) @ 30 fps & Cine4K @ 24 fps
• Fastest AF in full frame system cameras
• 24-MP CMOS sensor: ISO 50-50,000 for highest performance under every lighting condition
• Best in class image quality with all supported Leica lenses (SL, S, R, M, T & Cine)
• Fastest SD standard (UHS2) with a secondary (UHS1) back up SD card slot
• Best video quality: 4k at 30 fps (Super 35), 1080HD@120fps (FF) (10 bit via HDMI out)
• Weather sealed to protect from spray water and dust
• Shutter speed from 30 min (bulb) – 1/8,000s (mechanical)
• Ultrasonic sensor cleaning
• Latest generation of Leica Professional user interface with hybrid touch operation
• Integrated WiFi and GPS module
• State of the art connectivity: Remote control, Viewer & Sharing App for iOS & Android
• Made in Germany & milled from solid blocks of aluminum

 LEICA SL – The New Leica Experience

Easy, reduced, functional – Leica professional

The Leica SL is the perfect tool for professional photographers and gives the photographer complete control be it nature, sports, action or press photography. The integrated 4.4 megapixel electronic viewfinder gives the photographer a huge field of view with the highest resolution and a bright and clear overview of the scene. The intuitive operating menu allows a straightforward handling of technical functions. Combined with its fast autofocus and high speed burst rate of 11 fps at full resolution, the photographer will never miss a decisive moment. 

With its full-frame sensor, the Leica SL sets new standards in professional camera systems category thanks to the combination of outstanding speed and unrivaled optical performance. With the fastest autofocus in its class and the exceptional Leica image quality, photographers always achieve brilliant imaging results – in still images and in 4k video. 

Made in Germany, the Leica SL is milled from aluminum and the Leica SL lenses have the water repellant Aqua Dura coating. In addition to the SL lenses, the Leica SL can be used with other Leica lenses (S, R, M, T & Cine) and 3rd party lenses via adapters even for video applications, making it ideal for any photographic situation.

Craftsmanship and Design

The body of the Leica SL is machined from two solid blocks of aluminum and hand-finished to

Create a unique piece of work. The material used in the construction of the Leica SL guarantees exceptional endurance. The Leica SL and its lenses are sealed against dust and water.

This ensures that the SL system is reliable under the toughest conditions. 

Video Recording

The Leica SL allows video recordings in Full HD & 4k for professional movie footage.

It offers 1080p @ up to 120 fps, 4k (UHD) @ 30 fps & 4k (cine) @ 24 fps.

The Leica SL records high-quality moving pictures on the internal SD cards in 4:2:0 8 bit.

The HDMI delivers 4:2:2 10 bit for external recorders. With the PL Adapters, the cinematographer can use the Leica Summicron-C and Leica Summilux-C Cine lenses.

WiFi, SL App   

The Leica SL has an integrated WiFi module.

The Leica SL App is available as a free download from the Apple App store or the Google Play Store. The App allows the user to remotely control the camera via phone or tablet.

The user will be able to set shutter speed and aperture and capture the scene via tablet or phone. This makes it easy to shoot from unusual angles.

 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor

The Leica SL has a 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. The newly developed processor from the Leica Maestro II series processes the data arriving from the sensor with such speed that it allows continuous shooting at a rate of 11 frames per second at full resolution, much faster than other comparable cameras.

The full frame CMOS sensor offers the best picture and the following benefits: 

 *Fastest frame rate of 11 fps at full resolution of 24 MP

 *Fastest SD Standard UHS II, unlimited burst shooting in JPEG mode

 *Ultrasonic Sensor Cleaning

 *Best video quality with Full HD & 4K video recordings

 *Optimized for all Leica lenses 

Leica SL Lenses

The Leica SL lenses are full-frame AF lenses designed for professional needs. With the highest image performance at every aperture and distance, the new Leica SL Autofocus is the fastest AF available for full-frame system cameras. The SL lenses are silent and offer precise AF. All SL lenses have an AquaDura hydrophobic coating on the outer lens elements. The lenses are sealed to protect from dust and water.

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90/f2.8-4 ASPH

With a super versatile focal length from 24 mm – 90mm, the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL is discrete, preciseand with a fast auto-focus. The lens offers the highest image performance at every aperture and distance and Leica Optical Image Stabilization. The lens offers excellent close focus distance at 0.3 m / 1 foot. The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90/f2.8-4 ASPH is available from mid-November 2015 and weighs 1150g or 40.57ounces.

Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280/f2.8-4

The Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280/f2.8-4 offers the highest image performance at every aperture and distance. It is precise and has a fast auto-focus with Leica Optical Image

Stabilization. With a focal length from 90-280 mm, the lens can focus closely at 0.81 m or 2.7 feet. It has a detachable tripod mount and click stops at 90º. The Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL

is expected to be available in June 2016.

Leica Summilux-SL 50/f1.4 ASPH

This professional SL prime lens sets new standards for optical performance.

With a unique combination of performance and usability, the Leica Summilux-SL 50/f1.4 ASPH is the best 50 mm AF lens. It is expected to be available in December 2016.

Leica L-Mount

The Leica SL and the Leica T share the same lens mount, now named the Leica L-Mount. The Leica T and future Leica TL lenses are compatible with the Leica SL camera. The SL changes the sensor format automatically to APS-C size. Leica SL lenses can be used in the future on Leica T cameras.

Currently, with the Leica M-Adapter T, there are 48 M lenses which can be used on the Leica SL. With the Leica S-Adapter L, there are 16 S lenses which can be used on the Leica SL while 51 R lenses can be used on the Leica SL with the Leica R-Adapter L. There are 21 Cine lenses which can be used on the Leica SL with the Leica PL-Adapter L. The different adapters make the Leica SL camera one of the most versatile cameras available to a professional photographer.

Leica SL System Accessories

A new range of SL System Accessories will be available in the near future. Among the accessories are the multifunction handgrip, flash, range of filters, straps, batteries and chargers.

Leica SL (Typ 601) Pricing:

Cat. # Description                                                         UPC                             SP

10850 Leica SL (Typ 601)                                               799429108502 –             $7,450.00

11176 Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90/f2.8-4 ASPH             799429111762 –             $4,950.00

18771 M-Adapter T                                                        799429187712               $395.00 –

14642 R-Adapter M                                                        799429146429               $395.00 –

16062 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery BP-SCL 4                  799429160623 –             $250.00

16065 Battery Charger BC-SCL 4                                    799429160654 –             $250.00

16060 Camera Cover SL                                                799429160609               $48.00 –

16071 USB 3.0 Cable 3 M                                              799429160715               $95.00 –

16037 Camera Strap Professional                                  799429160371               $170.00 –

16064 Lens Rear Cap SL                                                799429160647               $48.00 –

16019 Lens Cap E82                                                      799429160197               $90.00 –

12301 Lens Hood for 24-90/f2.8-4                                  799429123017               $255.00 –

16072 HDMI Cable Typ A 1.5m                                       799429160722               $205.00 –

16070 Remote Release Cable RC-SCL4              799429160708               $190.00 –

14455 Leather Strap, Black with shoulder section            799429144555               $190.00 –

16046 Display Protection Foil                                        799429160463               $25.00 –

14624 SF 40                                                                  799429146245 –             $450.00

14623 SF 64                                                                  799429146238 –             $745.00

13059 ND Filter E82                                                       799429130596               $250.00 –

13052 Pol Filter E82                                                      799429130527               $385.00 –

13042 UVA Filter E82                                                     799429130428               $385.00 –

16004 Hand Strap S                                                      799429160043               $190.00

NEW Leica SL (Typ 601) 24MP Digital Camera Cat # 10850 New USA /FREE Shipping (USA)

$7,450.00

Taking black and white to the next level

Leica Camera proudly presents the new Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246), the first and only digital camera that captures a real black and white image, still or moving. Reduced to the essentials for true, authentic and direct black and white photography, the Leica M Monochrom offers unparalleled image performance, outstanding low light capabilities and rich details. The Leica M Monochrom is available in black chrome finish.

BENEFITS & FEATURES OF THE LEICA M MONOCHROM :
Outstanding imaging performance with low noise up to ISO 25,000
Live-View and focus peaking
Large buffer memory and Leica Maestro processor
High quality full-HD video function
Easy to use – reduced to the essentials
Body made of high-strength magnesium alloy and solid brass top and base plates finished in black chrome
Sapphire crystal glass cover plate and 3” monitor
Access to a wide range of M lenses from 16 – 135 mm
New filters solely for the Leica M Monochrom widening creative possibilities
Compatible with all accessories for the Leica M (Typ 240)
Access to R lenses with Leica M-Adapter-R for pictures and video
Adobe Lightroom available as a download
Made in Germany

Sensor
The Leica M Monochrom has a 24-megapixel resolution on a monochrom CMOS sensor similar to the Leica M. As the M Monochrom has no need for color filters, it needs no interpolation for the calculation of luminance values. This results in brilliant images which have 100% more details and contrast than what is possible in color photography

Up to ISO 25,000
The new Leica M Monochrom opens up new dimensions for available-light photography with its combination of low noise up to ISO 25,000, a bright viewfinder, a low-vibration shutter release and fast lenses.

Full Visual Control with Live View
The high-resolution 3” monitor with 921,600 pixels ensures that photographers have complete control of composition, exposure, focusing and depth of field. The Live View also offers two additional focusing methods. The up to 10x magnification in Live View Zoom mode enables full control of the sharpness of details in the image on the monitor or the closest focusing distance. In Live View Focus Peaking mode, sharply focused edges in the image are highlighted by colored lines.

Full HD Video in Black and White
The new Leica M Monochrom captures high-quality, full-HD video in black and white. With the optional Leica microphone adapter set, one can be assured of perfect sound.
Sapphire

2 GB Buffer Memory
With it’s high-capacity 2GB buffer memory and Leica Maestro processor, the camera captures sequences 3 times faster than its predecessor. In addition, the new processor enables extremely fast display of the captured images in review mode.

Sapphire Crystal Glass
The LC display is made of scratch-resistant and almost unbreakable sapphire crystal which has been treated with an antireflective protective coating that ensures that photographers can check their images in any lighting situation.

2 GB Buffer Memory
With it’s high-capacity 2GB buffer memory and Leica Maestro processor, the camera captures sequences 3 times faster than its predecessor. In addition, the new processor enables extremely fast display of the captured images in review mode.

Filters
Three new filters in E39 and E46 will be available for use with the Leica M Monochrom from July 2015. By influencing the conversion of colors to greyscale values, yellow, green and orange lens filters offer new opportunities for exploring creative effects with light and contrast. The use of color filters is effective for creating unusual moods in landscapes, portraits and other genres of photography. At the same time, multilayer coating reduces reflections and ensures high transmission.

Accessories
All current M accessories for the Leica M (Typ 240) can be used with the Leica M Monochrom. These accessories include finger loops, electronic view finder, ever-ready cases, flash and straps. In addition, R-lenses can be used on the Leica M Monochrom with the Leica M-Adapter-R.

LEICA M MONOCHROM (TYP 246) VS LEICA M MONOCHROM

LEICA M MONOCHROM (TYP 246) LEICA M MONOCHROM

Sensor: B/W – 24 MP – CMOS / B/W – 18 MP – CCD
Processor: Leica Maestro / DSP based computing platform
Display: 3” (921,600 pixel) / 2.5” (230, 000 pixel)
ISO: up to 25,000 / up to 10,0000
Video: yes, 1080p / no
Live-View: yes / no
EVF: yes – EVF 2 / no

10930 Leica M Monochrom Mid-May 2015 SP-$7,450.00
13061 Filter Orange, E39 July 2015 SP-$145
13062 Filter Yellow, E39 July 2015 SP-$145
13063 Filter Green, E39 July 2015 SP-$145
13064 Filter Orange, E46 July 2015 SP-$145
13065 Filter Yellow, E46 July 2015 SP-$145
13066 Filter Green, E46 July 2015 SP-$145

Consumer Promotion: 12% Savings on all Leica Photographic Products* , Made in Germany, Savings in America !!

Consumer Promotion – May 1st through May 31st, 2015

Leica Camera is pleased to announce a consumer promotion to compensate for the current strength of the US Dollar against the Euro. This promotion runs from May 1st, 2015 through May 31st, 2015. With this promotion, consumers can purchase most Leica Photographic Products* at 12% off Leica’s listed Selling Price (SP) on Leica Camera Inc.’s current price list.

This promotion offers consumers the opportunity to purchase most Leica Photographic Products* at 12% off the selling price listed on Leica Camera Inc’s current price list.
The current exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Euro enables Leica Camera to offer this very unique promotion to all Leica consumers in North America.

* The following Leica Photographic Products are excluded: #10789 – Leica M-P ‘CORRESPONDENT’ by Lenny Kravitz for Kravitz Design, #10933 – Leica M-P (Typ 240) Set ‘Safari’, #11688 – Leica Summilux-M 50 mm/f1.4 ASPH, black chrome finish & #11689 – Leica Summicron-M 35 mm/f2 ASPH, black chrome finish. Leica S typ 007.

Leica Camera presents the Leica M-P Set ‘SAFARI’. This set comprises of the Leica M-P (Typ 240) Safari edition, Leica Summicron-M 35mm/f2 ASPH with round metal lens hood, a full grain cowhide carrying strap and matching SD & business card holder.

Leica’s safari/olive edition cameras date back to 1960 with the Leica M1 ‘Olive‘. Made initially for the military, the safari/olive cameras’ unique color stands out. Over the years, a handful of safari/olive editions were produced. Many of these limited edition cameras are highly prized collectibles

The Leica M-P Set ‘SAFARI’ has an olive lacquered top cover, leatherette and bottom plate. The shutter speed dial, the On/Off switch, the release button, the hot shoe and some other details have a silver finish. The engraving on the top cover is reminiscent of the first safari camera in 1960 and has the classic Leica logo inscribed on one line and the wording ‘WETZLAR GERMANY’ on the second line. The 35mm/f2 ASPH has a silver chrome finish with a matching classic round metal lens hood. This set comes in a new packaging including a presentation box.

The Leica M-P Set ‘SAFARI’ will be available at Leica Stores, Leica Boutiques and Leica Dealers. There are 1500 sets available worldwide. The technical data of the camera and lens are identical to the serial versions.

Coming soon…