earleygallery Posted September 18, 2016 Share #81 Posted September 18, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) It is a rebadged Fuji Instax 90 with, apparently, a different lens. So, fine... there is some hope we might get dome value out of three timed the price. Here we go, the start of the rumours of different lenses, just as with most of the PanaLeicas it's the same! Or can you post a link to something authoritative to correct me if I'm wrong? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 18, 2016 Posted September 18, 2016 Hi earleygallery, Take a look here The real news about the Leica Sofort! [merged thread]. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Robert M Poole Posted September 18, 2016 Share #82 Posted September 18, 2016 Here we go, the start of the rumours of different lenses, just as with most of the PanaLeicas it's the same! Or can you post a link to something authoritative to correct me if I'm wrong? Everyone knows it's not the lens but the red dot which increases image quality Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyros Moutsouris Posted September 18, 2016 Share #83 Posted September 18, 2016 Have already spent half the price of the Sofort to refurbish my 40 yo SX70. Now it's broken again. I think I'll be sticking with it and fix it again. I prefer the larger format Pitty they did not source impossible films. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted September 18, 2016 Share #84 Posted September 18, 2016 I posted on Andreas' announcement thread (rather than the live thread) that I can buy the Fuji for €129 in France. I think it looks more like a Leica than the Sofort does. Wilson Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/264552-the-real-news-about-the-leica-sofort-merged-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3114386'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 18, 2016 Share #85 Posted September 18, 2016 I guess Leica didn't want a pastiche of an M, hence the redesign which looks a little like the Digilux 1 to me. As for the price difference, well we know about that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted September 18, 2016 Share #86 Posted September 18, 2016 i am with cyrus the virus on this one ...... would prefer larger pictures. a few years back fuji came out with their more advanced version of the instax, more controls, they wanted to sell to guys as most install buyers were girls going to parties who loved sharing photos with each other. looked the camera then, liked it, but found the photo was simply too small.....if this puts some money in leica's pocket why not ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0n0 Posted September 19, 2016 Share #87 Posted September 19, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Anything that gets people taking pictures has got to be a good thing, just don't tell her that the Fuji is cheaper! Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk You're probably right Robert. But to me there's great value in persuading my wife that a Leica is a good thing....get me..? I got the Leica C with a matching 'blonde' suede case, strap and 'handbag'/clutch for the same nefarious reason as Trev. With my wife, the blonde/gold color and design and the fact she could 'wear it' with a clutch were more than just incidental. She went for this in a way wouldn't have gone for the Lumix LF1. It made an accessory that takes pictures that showed up in Vogue and Conde Nast Traveler. It made a camera I can't take out without feeling a teeny bit unmanned. I get my picture-taking accessories from the Buy/Sell section of Leica Forum.... OK it's more than a re-badge. It's a re-body. It's the logo plus a different shell. Of course the shell makes a difference. But I still think that for Leica the Sofort comes across as silly and will hurt the brand unless there's a difference of some photographic relevance we can at least fantasise (and have long technically informed discussions over here): ergonomics, colour processing, fairy dust... e.g. the way the Leica C "makes JPEGs cooked in Leica's secret sauce.." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0n0 Posted September 19, 2016 Share #88 Posted September 19, 2016 i am with cyrus the virus on this one ...... would prefer larger pictures. a few years back fuji came out with their more advanced version of the instax, more controls, they wanted to sell to guys as most install buyers were girls going to parties who loved sharing photos with each other. looked the camera then, liked it, but found the photo was simply too small.....if this puts some money in leica's pocket why not ... agreed on the pictures size. That's why the SX70's are so great. I wish Leica had gone there instead. Peel film. The larger Instax 210 format requires comically large cameras from Fuji. A Big Sofort would have been, on the toy pistol analogy raised above, a water cannon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted September 22, 2016 Share #89 Posted September 22, 2016 I posted on Andreas' announcement thread (rather than the live thread) that I can buy the Fuji for €129 in France. I think it looks more like a Leica than the Sofort does. Wilson According to Engadget: The lens, according to the representative I spoke to, is Leica made, and fixed at 60mm. That translates to about 34mm on a full-frame camera, which is a nice all-round focal length. And: Leica says it's reengineered the aperture system, lens and flash (it fires a little later than the mini 90), and the result is a superior product. https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/20/leica-sofort-instax-camera-hands-on/ Can anyone @ Photokina confirm this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted September 22, 2016 Share #90 Posted September 22, 2016 According to Engadget: The lens, according to the representative I spoke to, is Leica made, and fixed at 60mm. That translates to about 34mm on a full-frame camera, which is a nice all-round focal length. And: Leica says it's reengineered the aperture system, lens and flash (it fires a little later than the mini 90), and the result is a superior product. https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/20/leica-sofort-instax-camera-hands-on/ Can anyone @ Photokina confirm this? If that's true that's good news. I'd still like to see some side to side comparisons to see if it's worth three times the money though. www.robertpoolephotography.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjans Posted September 22, 2016 Share #91 Posted September 22, 2016 There is also a YouTube from Endgadget: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOMvy__wvVo Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted September 22, 2016 Share #92 Posted September 22, 2016 If that's true that's good news. I'd still like to see some side to side comparisons to see if it's worth three times the money though. Would seem highly unlikely that there are any discernible differences, especially considering the final result is a business card sized print. I have been a fan of instant photography over the years (I own two SX-70 cameras and used to have a couple of pack film cameras too) but am no longer convinced of the merit of such small instant prints, especially at a quid a pop. That said, I'll probably check out this camera when/if I can try it out at one of the Leica shops in London. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share #93 Posted September 22, 2016 The way it is presented at Photokina appears quite interesting though. (photo by Andreas Kaufmann, shareable on Facebook) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/264552-the-real-news-about-the-leica-sofort-merged-thread/?do=findComment&comment=3117231'>More sharing options...
bernie.lcf Posted September 25, 2016 Share #94 Posted September 25, 2016 Here we go, the start of the rumours of different lenses, just as with most of the PanaLeicas it's the same! Or can you post a link to something authoritative to correct me if I'm wrong? Well, if you care to check the specs: Fuji Instax: "Instax Lens" 60mm, f12.7 Leica: "Automatik-Hektor" 60mm, f12.7 They do have the same specs, agreed. However, Leica specifically calls the Sofort lens "Hektor" and I am the "glass is half full" kind of guy - therefore I am assuming it's a different lens - even if there has only been some very minor change (e.g. a different element) Either that or Leica is now in fact rebadging somebody else's lens and that would be the end of Leica for me. With the Panaleicas we know that Panasonic is using Leica designed lenses. The rebadged Leica versions use the same (Leica designed) lens. The Sofort either uses a Leica version of the 60/12.7 or Leica rebadged a Fuji lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share #95 Posted September 25, 2016 Or Leica provided the design for the Fuji lens, or it is a cooperative design. Anyway, for a system like this even a meniscus lens would be good enough. Panaleicas do not use Leica-designed lenses. Panasonic designs and builds them with some guidance by Leica. Just enough to justify the label. This is just a fun camera. We are taking it far too seriously. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie.lcf Posted September 25, 2016 Share #96 Posted September 25, 2016 This is just a fun camera. We are taking it far too seriously. The wooden Leica was a fun camera, the Sofort makes me wonder if Leica still has a clear strategy. In any case, none of my business. I am just a customer who is increasingly spending money elsewhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share #97 Posted September 25, 2016 Looking at the extended cooperation with Huawei that has just been announced it appears to me that Leica is looking to increase market penetration in areas that are outside their traditional exclusive niche. Why not? Their reason for existence is not to provide a reserve for exclusivity, but to keep a company viable. Be happy. As long as they keep in the black they will be able to provide our toys. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie.lcf Posted September 25, 2016 Share #98 Posted September 25, 2016 As long as they keep in the black they will be able to provide our toys. Of course I'd agree with this. However, the complaint is (and has been for many years now) that they are unable to keep up with production and quality control on their high level offerings (SL, M, Q) while at the same time they increasingly mess around in other areas with no "overall big picture" apparent. There are success stories for wandering beyond your plate: produce a music storage and play device, then produce a phone. However, most companies end up as case studies in an MBA programme discussing big failures. Let's hope for the best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted September 25, 2016 Share #99 Posted September 25, 2016 I worry they'll just become a brand to attach to any old product. www.robertpoolephotography.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 25, 2016 Share #100 Posted September 25, 2016 I find it hard to believe that Leica would design their own lens for this basically rebadged camera and end up with one that's the exact same type as the Fuji. Has anyone seen anything definitive? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.