LEICA ANNOUNCEMENT: New Leica Products - LEICA M8 / M System

[albertwang]

but of course vignetting sometimes looks cool!

At least, the M8 looks to be the new monster around the block. Apart from the Epson RD1, it's the most unique kid around.

Good job, Leica!

[guy_mancuso]

AWESOME

Provided software • Capture One LE
• Leica Digital Capture ( NOW THIS IS THE SOMETHING) Maybe the DMR also

So looks like C1 is already compatable. Sounds like the same DNG wrapper

[guy_mancuso]

Might want to read these specs there is some extra stuff here that is not in the Leica specs

Price UK: £2990 (body only)
Type
Compact digital viewfinder system camera for professional use with Leica M lenses. Microprocessor-controlled metal blade slot shutter.

Body material
Enclosed all-metal body of highly stable magnesium alloy for professional use over many years. Black synthetic leather coating. Top panel and bottom cover are milled from solid brass and are silver or black chromium plated.

Sensor
• 27 x 18 mm CCD sensor
• 10.3 million effective pixels
• RGB Color Filter Array
• Offset microlenses near frame corners
• No anti-alias filter (low pass filter)
• 1.33x FOV crop

Image sizes • 3936 x 2630
• 2952 x 1972
• 1968 x 1315
• 1312 x 876
File formats • DNG (RAW)
• JPEG (Fine / Basic)
• DNG + JPEG
Lens mount • Leica M bayonet
• Identification of 6-bit coded lenses
Lens system
• Current 6-bit coded Leica M lenses of 16 - 90 mm focal length
• All Leica M lenses of 21 - 90 mm focal lengths produced since 1954
• 135 mm lens can be used but precise framing will be difficult

Lens coding • 6-bit lens coding system (detection can be disabled)
• Reduction of edge shadowing
• Identification of lens (recorded in JPEG EXIF / DNG)
• Auto slow-sync function in aperture priority mode
Incompatible lenses • Hologon 15 mm F8
• Summicron 50 mm F2 with close focusing
• Elmar 90 mm F4 with collapsible tube
• Lenses with retractable tubes can only be used with their tubes extended otherwise you risk damaging the camera
Focusing • Manual focus via lens ring
• Superimposed focusing system via viewfinder
Exposure modes • Heavily center-biased TTL exposure metering with preset aperture
• Light reflected from white strip in center of metal blade slot shutter
• Silicon photodiode with collection lens
• Range: 0 to 20 EV
Metering range • EV 0 to 20 (3D color matrix or center-weighted metering)
• EV 2 to 20 (spot metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20 °C)
Exposure compen. • +/- 3.0 EV
• 1/3 EV steps
Sensitivity • ISO 160
• ISO 320
• ISO 640
• ISO 1250
• ISO 2500
Shutter Microprocessor-controlled metal blade slot shutter with vertical action
Shutter action Shutter activation optimised for minimum noise development. Electric motor drive with friction wheel in the first speed build-up stage and a cam disc for homogeneous torque throughout the activation process.
Shutter speed • In aperture priority mode steplessly adjustable from 32 to 1/8000 sec
• Manually selectable from 4 to 1/8000 sec in 1/2 EV steps
• Bulb
Shutter dial (for manual selection) • "Wrong way" shutter dial (same as M6 TTL / M7)
• Auto shutter speed position
• Bulb position
• 8 - 1/8000 sec in 1/2 EV steps
• 1/250 sec indicated as flash sync
Shutter release button • Three position soft-touch button
1. Initiate metering
2. Lock metered exposure
3. Shutter release
Aperture Selected on lens
White balance • Auto
• Six presets
o Tungsten
o Fluorescent
o Daylight
o Flash
o Cloudy
o Shadow
• Manual preset
• Kelvin color temperature (2000 - 13100 K)
• Preset white balance (immediate or from photo)
Color space • sRGB
• Adobe RGB
• ECI RGB
Image parameters • Sharpening (5): Off, Low, Standard, Medium High, High
• Saturation (6): Low, Medium Low, Standard, Medium High, High, B&W
• Contrast (5): Low, Medium Low, Standard, Medium High, High
User profiles Three available
Viewfinder type • Large bright-line frame viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation
• Viewfinder optics with reduced sensitivity to scattered light and optimum visibility of the bright-line frame in all lighting situations
Viewfinder specification • Eyepiece matched to -0.5dpt, correction lenses form -3 to +3dpt available
• Enlargement: 0.68x for all lenses
Viewfinder bright-line frames • Automatically matched for the lens used
o 24 and 35 mm
o 28 and 90 mm
o 50 and 75 mm
• Automatic parallax correction
Size basis range finder
Combination of split and superimposed image range finder shown as a bright field in the centre of the viewfinder image. Effective measurement basis 47.1 mm (mechanical measurement basis 69.25mm x viewfinder enlargement 0.68 x).

Viewfinder information • LED symbol for flash status
• Four-digit LED display with dots above and below
• Brightness automatically adjusted depending on ambient brightness
• Memory capacity warning when the SD card is full
• LED light balance with two triangular and one circular LED for manual exp
• Display of: underexposure by at least one aperture stop; underexposure by 1/2 aperture stop; correct exposure; overexposure by 1/2 aperture stop; overexposure by at least one aperture stop
LCD monitor • 2.5" TFT LCD
• 230,000 pixel TFT
Flash control • Leica M-TTL flash compatible
• Short calibration pre-flash immediately before main exposure
• Connection: M-TTL guide number control with pre-flash
• Flash sync: 1/250 sec
• Manual: Bulb to 1/250 sec
• Auto slow sync: 1/focal length in seconds (only 6-bit coded lenses)
• Choice of long flash sync times up to 1/8 sec for balanced flash in aperture priority mode
• Sync: 1st or 2nd shutter point (front / rear sync)
• Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Shooting modes • Single picture (one shutter button depression, one picture)
• Continuous (2 frames per second up to 10 frames)
• Self-timer (2 or 12 second delay)
Play functions • Image (simple)
• Image with histogram and information
o Histogram: standard / RGB
o Clipping indication: on / off
o Exposure information
o Can magnify and browse
• Image magnify up to 1:1 (can browse)
• Thumbnail (4 or 9 image index)
• Page by page (9 image index)
• Protect
• Delete
Delete function • Single image
• All images
Protect / Unprotect function • Single image
• All images
Set quick access menu • User profile
• ISO sensitivity
• Exposure compensation
• White Balance
• Image quality ('compression')
• Image size ('resolution')
Languages • English
• German
• French
• Spanish
• Italian
• Japanese
• Chinese
Storage • Secure Digital / Secure Digital HC
• FAT / FAT32
Connectivity
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (Mini-B connector)

Provided software • Capture One LE
• Leica Digital Capture
Power • Lithium-Ion battery pack (3.7 V, 1900 mAh)
• Charger included (also attaches to car socket)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5 in)
Weight (no battery) 545 g (1.2 lb)
Weight (inc. batt) 591 g (1.3 lb)
Box contents
M8 camera (10702 silver or 10701 black), anti-slip carrying strap (14 312), camera cover for M bayonet (14 195), lithium ion rechargeable battery (14 464), battery charger incl. car socket adaptor and 3 mains plug adapters (Euro, UK, USA) (14 463), USB connection cable, user manual, software DVD Capture One LE, software CD with LEICA DIGITAL CAPTURE and user manuals in all languages (PDF); printed user manual for LEICA M8; warranty card for LEICA M8

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by george

Looks good indeed. Now looking for Sean's review.
Which IMHO he is now free to release.

Hi George,

It went live earlier today. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Sean

[guy_mancuso]

Sean your going to kill me . Need login stuff again. Sorry

[cjago]

Originally Posted by george

Looks good indeed. Now looking for Sean's review.
Which IMHO he is now free to release.

He has.

[rosuna]

dpreview.com made public their analysis of the camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06...8previewed.asp

[rosuna]

Oh Sean!!! Thanks!!!
I didn't see it!!!

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by guy_mancuso

Sean your going to kill me . Need login stuff again. Sorry

E-Mail me and we'll sort it out. I'm getting a lot of e-mails with this question. Please write down your usernames and passwords folks. Put the info. in a safe place and so cheat Alzheimers! <G>

Actually, I can't keep track of all my passwords, etc. either.

Cheers,

Sean

[marknorton]

I don't get the depth - the dimensions in the specification have it about the same size as an M7, yet the pictures we've seen up to now have suggested a body which is rather thicker. Which is right?

[earleygallery]

OK, I put my hands up, the photo's aren't fake I still don't like that USB door though.

But that's a very minor point - the camera and lenses will be brilliant. I just need to decide now if the M8 is right for me and figure out how to fund it......

Best wishes to Leica with it, this will be huge.

[lct]

0.68x vf mag, too wide for me i'm afraid.
How to focus 75/1.4 lenses at full aperture with such a magnification?
Will be interesting to see this and a couple of other things like shutter lag when shooting raw but i'm sure the pictures will be outstanding and for now congrats and best wishes to Leica!

[albertwang]

Just slap on the 1.25X magnifier onto the M8... then it's perfect.

[sfage]

I want you all to know that I bought a lottery ticket last night.

*When* I win, you will be in line BEHIND me.

... so don't get any frickin' "bright ideas".

[Philippe D.]

Hi,
Well, nobody's perfect as they say...
It's a nice camera, and like every thing, could also be probably a bit better.

Originally Posted by earleygallery

I still don't like that USB door though.

Me either, i dont like this door very much, specialy the handle to it.
What about a grip (14405) ? The right side have now the base-plate lock...

Waiting to get it in the hands now to appreciate fully...

[Jamie Roberts]

Wow. Looks like a winner to me...

And it looks like (from dPreview) that they worked with C1 to profile the camera as well

And I can't wait to see what it does with ISO 2500...

Guy--I don't think therapy will help at this point

[plexi]

Hmm, I`m not usually the one drooling over reviews, but this one is one I`d like to read Sean, you should sell it standalone

[guy_mancuso]

Yea I am screwed. No way out and i still did not read Sean's review . i am very afraid too. I been on the phone with a Colonel from Bagdad explaining how to use his DMR . nice guy to boot. LOL

[rosuna]

Originally Posted by lct

How to focus 75/1.4 lenses at full aperture with such a magnification?

You can buy a magnification lens x1,25.

[lct]

Originally Posted by albertwang

Just slap on the 1.25X magnifier onto the M8... then it's perfect.

That is what i thought when i bought the M6J (0.85x mag though) a decade ago but it remained on the shelf since then...