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We already have a very extensive 'Mandler Magic' topic, but as much I am keen on Mandler's signature look and his contribution to the "Leica glow", there is another very distinguished gentleman in the 'House of Leica' that as a leader of Leica's optical design team since 2002 gave us a bunch of new high performance M-Lenses and pushed the terms FLE, ASPH and APO towards modern Leica perfection. He was the guy that had the balls to say Dr. Mandler's 75mm Summilux 1.4 was his *least* favorite design and went on to "Make Summilux great again" - all the way down to 21mm. Show us some of the "clinical look" of the Peter Karbe magic and do tell what lens he designed is your favorite...

About 100 yers ago, Leitz company issued a set of theatre binoculars in gold (BINAR and BITUR, according to Laney). It was a thing of class and the luxury edition adorned their catalogue until the WWII. The logical choice was to try and implement the gold mystique to the Leitz cameras as well - and thus in 1929 the "Luxus" Leica (LELUX, LESSALUX) was born. Although never a huge commercial success, the cameras (less than 100 made according to Rogliatti et al.) remains a collector favorite. Fast forward to the M era. There were several attempts to revive the glitter with custom golden M3's, but the biggest golden boom was created after the M "revival" with the special edition M4-2 in 1979, commemorating the 100 years anniversary of Oskar Barnack (1879-1979). There were 500+500 cameras made in 1979 and 1980 in Canada for the occasion (1527201-1527700 and 1528151-1528650 respectively) with 24-karat gold plating. After that, there were several more editions in gold - for the Sultan of Brunei (I know of two variants, first was the 25th Anniversary of accession to the throne of Sultan of Brunei on 1st October 1992), for the commemoration of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the access to the throne of HM The King Bhumiphol Adulyadej of Thailand (1996) and the Leica MP Gold "60 years PRC" (2009). Several very nice golden M2, M3 and M4s surface on eBay now and then, but they are all custom repaints. No golden M was made in digital era, only brass - M10P for Thailand S.C. ASSET comes to mind. Please feel free to add any additional information! And do write how you feel about golden Leicas. You know what they say - anything useful to you is pure gold, regardless of the material used... (Pictured here: my personal M4-2 with Leica catalogue production number 10420 from 1980 with the Summilux dating from 1977.)

I happened to discover this online essay today - the author offers some interesting insights into the M246 Monochrom and why it is still a viable choice: Why I bought a Leica M246 Monochrom https://mwwphotography.co.uk/blog/leicam246monochrom

Brauchbare Videos mit der Leica M 240 durch Videostabilisierung? Vor einem Jahr habe ich mir eine Leica M, Typ 240 zugelegt. Es sollte genau diese (!) Kamera sein: Sie hat einen Vollformatsensor, war mittlerweile erschwinglich, hat eine legendäre Akkulaufzeit und last but not least - sie hat einem Video-Modus! Da im Vergleich zu den neueren Kameras, auch zu den M-Modellen, die Sensorempfindlichkeit nicht mehr zeitgemäß sei, war die 240 unter Nerds allerdings umstritten. Da ich bei einer meiner Lieblingskameras, einer Olympus E-M1.1, einer 16 mPixel-Kamera als maximalen ISO-Wert 3200 ISO eingestellt habe und damit recht gut zurecht komme, traute ich der Leica M, deren Sensor mit einer Auflösung von 24 mPixel daher kam, durchaus auch zu, meinen Ansprüchen zu genügen. Ich habe Zeiten aktiv erlebt, als man ohne Scheu Filme mit maximal 400 ISO eingesetzt hat. Die wurden bei Selbstentwicklung um 2 bis 3 Blenden gepuscht - und gut war‘s! Was das anbelangt, habe ich heute mit der Leica M wenig Probleme: Eine von der zahlreichen Aufnahmen, die ich ungeniert mit der Leica M mit ISO 6400 aufgenommen habe: . . .

Did Leica do à la carte programme for lenses as well? I have seen several M10 cameras with matchy matchy lenses (lettering color etc.), I guess Wetzlar did many things if persuaded (although they do not want to sell me silver parts from Safari for my black parts Reporter)...

So back in 2010 Cameraquest published this comprehensive compilation of Leica M analog special editions and some ratings on how well they would do as an investment. https://www.cameraquest.com/minvest.htm While I do agree with some ratings, I on the other hand completely disagree with others. How well in your opinion did this list age?

A new UWA Leica M lens - the fastest UWA in M mount is shipping. RF coupled, "close-to-zero" distortion according to Laowa, 110° angle of view, 12 elements in 9 groups, 2x ASPH elements + 3x ELD elements, 10 sunstars, 72mm filter thread, about 418g. Priced at $649. Sample variations are a thing with Laowa, keep an eye on that. The diaphragm ring is going the opposite way, that surely is a minor nuisance. https://www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-15mm-f-2-zero-d-lm/

New firmware is out for the M, version 2.1.0.0., but also for M262, 246 etc. Who knows what's new?

I am thinking of buying a Leica Q3 even though I have the Leica M (MD) - which I am very happy with. But Q3 that's a COMPLETELY different camera. But Q3 has AF, Video and 28 too about 75(90) mm. This is the area I use the most on my M.(24mm-50mm) I don't want to go the SL route now but have the Canon RF because of the long telephoto lenses for bird photography AND amazingly fast AF. But I'm a little afraid that the Q3 will replace my M and it will collect dust. But Q3 + an M with 50mm Is there anyone thinking of doing the same or has done the same with the Q2 ?? (I am definitely not going to sell my M equipment)

In der Sendung des ZDF, Markus Lanz - Amerika ungeschminkt, Do, 27.10.2016, 23:15 verwendete Markus Lanz eine Leica M mit Summilux. https://www.zdf.de/gesellschaft/markus-lanz/markus-lanz-amerika-ungeschminkt-108.html

Ich sehe mich schon länger nach einem alternativen Gehäuse für meine Leica Objektive um und habe dabei das Nikon Z System ins Auge gefasst. Die möglichen Vorteile des Systems gegenüber dem vorhandenen M System sah ich in folgenden Punkten: - im geringeren Anschaffungspreis und anschließendem Wertverlust - dem stabilisierten Sensor, auch mit adaptieren Objektiven - Einem klaren Sucher, der auf die Sehstärke des jeweiligen Nutzers angepasst werden kann. Der Sucher sollte sich gut für die manuelle Fokussierung eignen. - einem ausreichend kompakten Gehäuse, mit zeitgemäßen Möglichkeiten Wünschenswert wäre, zur Möglichkeit ein manuelles Objektiv gut nutzen zu können, dass ein gutes Autofokus System zur Verfügung steht. Die verfügbaren Objektive sollten qualitativ anspruchsvoll und dennoch bezahlbar sein. Was ich nicht suchte, war ein Gehäuse, in welchem alles technisch realisierbare verbaut wird. Videos im 4k oder gar 8k interessieren mich nicht, ebenso wenig wie eine möglichst hohe Anzahl an Megapixeln. Derzeit gibt es auf dem Markt für mich kein anderes System, welches die hier kurz zusammengefassten Punkte erfüllt. Meine hauptsächlichen Beweggründe einen Systemwechsel zu vollziehen, gehen aus dem obigen Text ausreichend hervor. Ich bitte euch die Preisdebatte nicht in diesem Erfahrungsbericht zu führen. Dieser Erfahrungsbericht soll nicht dazu diesen das Für & Wider zwischen Leica und anderen Systemen auszudisskutieren, ebenso wenig wie die Notwendigkeit von technischen Funktionen. Wer aber seine Leica Objektive an einem anderen System verwenden möchte, wird hier hoffentlich fündig. Ich nutze für diesen Bericht folgende Produkte: Gehäuse: Leica M Typ 240 Nikon Z6 Objektive: Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4,0 S Nikon Z Vogtländer Super Wide-Heliar 15 mm f/4,5 – Version II – Leica M Anschluss Leica Summilux 24 f/1,4 ASPH Leica Summilux 35 f/1,4 ASPH FLE Leica Noctilux 50 f/0,95 Allgemeine Technik: Lexar Adapter XQD zu USB Novoflex Leica M zu Nikon Z Adobe Lightroom 6.13 Adobe DNG Digital Negative Converter 11.1 Stativ Alle hier gezeigten Aufnahmen wurden vom Stativ gemacht. Bei der Leica war die automatische Erkennung der Objektive aktiviert. Das Voigtländer ist als 21 mm Elmarit codiert. Die Nikon berücksichtigt im Menü die Korrektur der Vignettierung "normal". Alle Aufnahmen sind aus DNG´s entwickelt und wurden mittels "automatischer Tonwerkorrektur" angeglichen. Der Weisabgleich wurde händisch auf eines der Häuser in der Mitte gelegt. Der Zweck der Fotos dient der Veranschaulichung einer möglichen Verwendung von Leica M Objektiven an der Nikon Z. Die Randstrahlenproblematik, oder deren nicht vorhanden sein, ist der hauptsächliche Bestandteil des ersten Teils des Berichtes. Ein nebensächlicher Bestandteil ist der Vergleich des Nikon Zooms zu Leica Festbrennweiten, was mehr der Übersicht als dem Vergleich dienen soll. Eine unterschiedliche Farbgebung oder die Belichtungsmessung der Kameras werden hier nicht berücksichtigt. Das Wetter war trübe und die Lichtsituation hat sich kaum verändert. Die Nikon Z nutzt als Raw Format die Dateierweiterung*.NEF, welche sich in der genannten Lightroom Version nicht öffnen läßt. Um dies zu ermöglichen wurden die NEF Dateien mittels Adobe DNG Converter konvertiert. Dies funktioniert recht einfach und ermöglicht die weitere Nutzung einer älteren Lightroom Version. Ich stelle zuerst exemplarisch für alle Kombinationen drei Übersichtsbilder ein. Danach vergleiche ich die Bildmitte und die linke untere Ecke. Die Reihenfolge ist: Nikon Z mit einem M Objektiv Leica M240 mit dem selben M Objektiv Nikon Z6 mit dem Nikon 24-70 Die genutzten Blenden der beiden Summiluxe sind 1,4 + 4,0, gegenübergestellt der Blende 4,0 des Nikon Zooms. Die genutzten Blenden des Noctilux sind 0,95 + 4,0, gegenübergestellt der Blende 4,0 des Nikon Zooms. Die genutzten Blenden des Voigtländer 15 mm sind 4,5 + 8,0, ohne Gegenüberstellung zum Zoom.

Protects the hot shoe and keeps the owner from forgetting what film is loaded. Found on thingiverse, 3D printed with black filament, numbering painted with silver all-surface sharpie.

Could not believe there was no thread for images made with Summicron 35 ASPHERICAL V1 and ASPHERICAL V2 (also known as Summicron V5 and V6). So here it is. Please indicate whether you used ASPH V1 or ASPH V2 and what camera. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do NOT post any PRE-ASPH Summicron V1 and V2 images and NO APO Summicron V7 images - the latter has its own thread here. Summicron 35 ASPH V1 and M10-R.

I have asked the ChatGPT AI bot to describe Leica M lenses with precision. Here is what it wrote. Lots of solid facts, some complete nonsense. "Leica M lenses are widely considered some of the best and most sought-after lenses in the photography world. These lenses are designed and crafted by Leica, a German company with a long history of producing high-quality optics. In this essay, we will explore the key features and benefits of Leica M lenses and why they are so highly valued by photographers. One of the most notable features of Leica M lenses is their exceptional image quality. These lenses are made with the highest-quality materials and are constructed with precise tolerances, which results in sharp, clear images with minimal distortion. The lenses are also designed to produce beautiful bokeh, which gives photos a dreamy, out- of-focus background that can add depth and dimension to your shots. This is especially important for portrait and street photographers who want to isolate their subject from the background. Another great feature of Leica M lenses is their compact and lightweight design. These lenses are perfect for photographers who want to travel light and don't want to lug around heavy equipment. They also make it easy to quickly compose and shoot a photo, which can be particularly useful for street photographers or other types of photographers who need to move fast. The compact design of the lenses also makes them easy to handle and provides a better grip while holding the camera. Leica M lenses are also known for their durability. These lenses are built to last and are designed to withstand the demands of professional use. They are also weather sealed, making them ideal for photographers who shoot in inclement weather conditions. This allows photographers to shoot in any weather condition without worrying about damaging their equipment. Another important aspect of Leica M lenses is their versatility. These lenses can be used in a variety of photography styles and genres, from street photography to landscape, portrait, and event photography. They are also compatible with a wide range of cameras, including digital and film cameras. This allows photographers to use the same lens with different cameras, making it a great investment. In conclusion, Leica M lenses are some of the best lenses on the market, due to their exceptional image quality, compact and lightweight design, durability, and versatility. They are perfect for photographers of all levels who want to take their photography to the next level. Whether you're a professional photographer or just starting out, a Leica M lens is a great investment that will help you take your photography to the next level."

I bought a Holga 120 in the early 2000s. The camera was created in Hong Kong cca. 1982 and - even though it used 120 film - was made of cheap plastic, fragile spring shutter and barely any light seals so back then it was not super popular. Needles to say, the Lomo toy camera craze in the late nineties revived Holga's aesthetics of distortion, vignetting, blur, flare and light leaks, but it was in 2001 that David Burnett won the White House News Photographers Association’s Eyes of History contest with an image of Al Gore shot with his Holga that the camera gained its cult status on the toy camera piedestal next to its toy sibling Diana. It was the era before lensbabies. The Holga camera was made until 2015, but in the meantime somebody remembered that the plastic Holga lens can harmonically live on modern cameras for that ultimate toy camera feel. I got one in EF mount right after their release, but it could never really replicate the mood of my original plastic "ultimate analog" Holga camera on digital (the all plastic lens is - dare I say it - too good...). Today this Holga lens is a #1 bestseller on B&H website where it costs $17. Obviously I had to put the plastic fantastic lens on a Leica M. Industry's "best" with Industry's "worst". You be the judge of the IQ it produces.

I use the Summarit with the sun visor. It is a Leica UV a filter 13004. Since there is no lens cap that fits the lens hood, I wonder if, and if so, the image quality (coloration and sharpness) suffers from using the filter. Or is there a possibility that the filter has negative effects depending on the weather (summer, winter, sun, rain, temperature fluctuations)? It only serves as protection, because unfortunately it has already happened to me that I have touched the glas of the lens, when I take it out of my pocket. As a camera I use the M10 R. I hope your experiences can help me to answer this question. Thank you in advance for your support.

Hi all, I have recently sold my Leica Q in order to buy something with interchangeable lenses. I am really struggling to chose between buying a new Leica CL, Summicron 23mm (and I will probably down the road buy the adapter and some M-lenses), or a used Leica M 240 along with a used Leica M lens (probably 50 mm Summicron). In the end both options will do the same damage to my wallet For info, I do currently not own any Leica lenses. I am not a professional, merely a happy amateur. My photography is concentrated around portraits (bokeh!!), family, travel, social activities, landscape, architecture. My heart is leaning towards the M, while my brain (and wife, even though she is not negative for the M) towards the CL. I am a bit afraid of the rangefinder, and if I will be able to focus as quick as I want to. The CL have AF on TL-lenses and focus-peaking on M-glass through the EVF (I know the M240 have focus-peaking on the screen and the optional viewfinder, but then the point of the RF is kinda gone?). After all the CL might just be a pit-stop to the M(?). I am not interested in sports- or action photography (even though we do have a eager and young dog), but it would be awful to miss a moment due to lacking focus. My question is; which option would you buy, and why? PS: I have in the process already passed on Sony and Fujifilm due to their overly-complex nature...

What are your cravings, needs, wishes and desires regarding M lenses that do not exist yet? 21mm Summicron? Perhaps a 24mm Summicron? A brand new and Karbe - updated 75mm f1.4 Summilux? A new line of affordable budget M lenses? Some vintage revivals? Share your thoughts - within reason of course.

Hi problem could have existed since long but I have just discovered it. Please test yours and let me know if such a problem is common. problem can be regenerated (not always) if you do the following: 1- make sure the camera is off first. Switch it on and directly go to menu. 2- scroll over items slowly downward (allow 2sec between each scroll) 3- camera will probably hang on last item i have noticed if you scroll quick the problem will not arrise. check it out here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ds1p1u7zbp37wso/IMG_2404.TRIM.MOV?dl=0 woukd appreciate your feedback. thanks

Do you use a half case? Show us the images of your beauties! What are in your opinion the benefits? What is the best half case out there? Curious and eager to see!

On September 14th in 2006, Leica introduced the first digital M camera, the Leica M8 featuring a 10.3 megapixel CCD image sensor. After 15 years, a new is M11 coming for all eager M photographers in love with latest technology available from Wetzlar. I would like to know which digital model from these fruitful 15 years has been your favorite and/or which digital M model (each had its quirks) you hated the most.

A polarizing question, but a fair one. If one wanted to replace the screw above the lens (on, say, M-P or M10R black paint) with the red (or black) dot logo sticker, is the hole as big as the original logo sticker? Is the screw flat so one could just put the sticker over it? I found no topic of this sort but if it has been answered please do link to the thread. Thank you for your civilized answers, please no dumb discussions of "why would anyone want to do that?" kind, it is an academic question.

When I use a one-thousandth shutter, these nasty black line marks will appear in the same position in picture. Is the problem of high-speed shutter ? Can it be solved by adjusting the shutter curtain tension? The film has been checked, it is not a problem with processing and scanning.

Hallo, nach einem kleinen Sturz auf Glatteis mit dem Kamerarucksack bewegt sich beim Fokussieren der eingespiegelte rahmen nicht mehr und lässt sich somit auch nicht mehr übereinanderlegen. Im Liveview funktioniert alles normal. Bei genauem hinsehen kann man durch das Fenster des Entfernungsmessers? sehen, dass etwas gebrochen ist (von außen jedoch keine Beschädigung). Was kann das sein? Ist das reparabel und wirtschaftlich sinnvoll? Bin Dankbar für jede Hilfe!