Zeiss unveils new 35mm ZM lens.

 Industry news, Lenses  No Responses »
Mar 202008
 


The legendary Carl Zeiss company has unveiled a new ZM lens (Leica M-mount), the Carl Zeiss C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM. The new lens is only f/2.8 which does not make it the fastest prime on the market. However, it competes directly with offerings from Leica in terms of lens speed and outperforms them on price. The new lens’ estimated price is € 590 ($910 USD) compared to Leica’s Summarit 35mm f/2.5 at $1,495 USD.


Oddly enough, Zeiss’ parent company, Cosina of Japan, unveiled at PMA a 35mm f/1.4 M lens under its Voigtlander brand. The lens is 2 stops faster and retails for $519. How well all three render will be the determining factor.

Zeiss’ other C lenses have reflected older lens designs and often have a rendition that has been called “painterly”. In this digital age, sharpness is all the rage, but the informed still know that bokeh, or how a lens renders the out-of-focus areas just as important as the in-focus parts.

Here is the press release for those like this sort of thing:

Carl Zeiss: C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM


The New Carl Zeiss C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM Completes Any Compact Photography Equipment


OBERKOCHEN/Germany – March 19, 2008.

As the latest member of the ZM lens family, the C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM lens is the perfect addition to your light, mobile photo equipment. The C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM will inspire you with perfect images, even at full aperture. Together with the compact C Biogon T* 4,5/21 ZM, it creates the ideal equipment for a wide range of applications such as documentation and architecture photography.


The “C” in the title indicates another outstanding feature: rather unusual for a lens of this performance class, its moderate speed of 1:2.8 permits an exceptionally compact construction. The symmetrical Biogon construction with 7 lens elements in 5 groups allows for practically distortion-free images.


The ZM lens series from Carl Zeiss is suitable for cameras with M-bayonet. As with the other lenses in this line, the C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM features an intuitive operating concept, a robust all-metal frame and a precise, noticeable click in 1/3 aperture stops.


Delivery of this lens is scheduled to begin in mid 2008:

C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM: Approx. € 590.00 (excluding VAT)



Infrared palms

 Photo Essay  No Responses »
Feb 082008
 

Infrared palms
Originally uploaded by etrigan63

When Leica designed the M8 they elected to install an extremely thin anti-aliasing (AA) filter over the sensor to increase the overall sharpness of the images captured by the camera. However, this had the side-effect of making the M8 sensitive to IR reflections. This manifested itself in certain dark fabrics (mostly synthetics) acquiring a magenta cast. Leica’s fix was to issue IR/UV cut filters to be mounted over the lenses.

The Leica community, however, realized that this “weakness” could be turned into an advantage. By using a B+W 092 Near Infrared filter the M8 is capable of capturing surreal images by blocking almost all of the visible light and recording the near-infrared portion of the spectrum.

This was the first attempt (that I liked) using the M8 + 092 IR filter. Image was shot RAW and converted using Lightroom and a false color IR preset I got from KillerLightroomTips.

M8 at the Miami Metrozoo

 Photo Essay  No Responses »
Feb 032008
 

Indian Elephant
Originally uploaded by etrigan63

As I have two children (ages 10 & 7) our weekend social calendar is usually filled with birthdays. This weekend we attended one at the Miami Metrozoo. One of the other Dads was there with his Canon 5D + 500mm lens and I with my M8 + 75mm Color-Heliar. Here is a sample and a link to the photo set on Flickr.

C&C always welcome.

Shots are generally uncropped ( a couple were cropped a tiny bit to remove extraneous stuff ) and little or no post processing Lightroom. I am really digging the improvements from the new firmware.

All of the shots were from a moving tram BTW.

Link to photo set.

Leica M8 Firmware 1.201 Test – Multiple Light sources

 Cameras, Photo Essay  No Responses »
Feb 012008
 

I went to a local mall today and looked for a shot that included multple light sources. I managed to find a fine example that combines daylight, fluorescent light and incandescent (halogen) light.

The image is unadjusted other than a conversion from DNG to jpeg in Lightroom 1.3.1. The AWB setting has managed to do a good job with this combo, maintaining the colors very well. Click on the image to see a larger version on Flickr.

Leica Updates M8 Firmware

 Cameras  No Responses »
Jan 312008
 

Leica has released firmware 1.201 for the M8 Digital Camera on their website. The new firmware addresses several issues not the least of which is Automatic White Balance (AWB).

White Balance (for the uninitiated) is a measurement of the color temperature of the light being used to illuminate a scene being photographed. Color temperature is measured on the Kelvin scale (the one with Absolute Zero). Varying light sources have different color temperatures and the lower temperatures are in the red part of the spectrum (oddly referred to as warm light) and the higher temperatures are more in the blue part of the spectrum (again, counter intuitively referred to as cool light). A sensor in the digital camera takes a reading at the time of exposure and makes a guess as to what the correct white balance is. Sometimes it makes a good guess and sometimes it doesn’t.

The film equivalent to this was film type. If you were going to shoot outdoors, you selected daylight balanced film. If you were going to shoot in a studio (with studio lighting), you selected tungsten balanced film.

One of the Leica M8′s more known quirks was a white balance sensor that waffled more than John Kerry. Shots taken in the same lighting condition would have wildly varying white balance settings. Most photographers got around this by shoot in RAW mode (the native format of the camera sensor). With firmware 1.201, Leica has made some real strides to correct this glaring problem.

The shot above was taken in fluorescent light, a very cool light that often gives M8′s fits. The shot was stored in RAW mode and processed in Adobe Lightroom 1.3.1. No adjustments were made to white balance. The color (to my eye on my calibrated monitor) seems spot on.

Another shot taken in daylight shows similar results. You can view that photo here. For Leica M8 owners, this firmware is a must-have item for your camera. It won’t help you take better pictures, but you’ll have to massage them much less to get them to look really good.

The firmware can be downloaded from Leica’s website.

Leica Rumors

 Rumors  1 Response »
Jan 302008
 

A website in the UK has posted the following information about a rumored update/upgrade to the Leica M8:

NO NEW M9
LEICA M8 UPGRADE
Leica to announce that there will not be an M9 as previously thought. Instead they will offer an Upgrade on all existing M8 cameras with the following modifications:
  1. New Sapphire Viewing Screen (Virtually unscratchable)
  2. Max Shutter speed to 1/4000th
  3. Quieter actuation of Shutter mechanism
  4. New Firmware
  5. 2 Year Warranty with Upgrade

This modification will be available from March 2008 and will be booked through Leica Germany’s Website at a cost to the owner of 1200 Euros.

Leica sees the M8 as being an ongoing camera that can be modified throughout its lifetime.

I have sent out feelers to my contacts at Leica as to the veracity of this rumor. Other notables have done so as well. This rumor has spawned a lot of speculation on the Rangefinderforum and Leica User Forum websites. No press release has been issued by Leica.

The implications of this rumor, if true, are staggering. Leica will be the only camera maker willing to retrofit improvements to already purchased cameras extending the usefulness and warranty. 1200 Euros is not chump change (that’s about $1800 USD – roughly the cost of a Nikon D300) but many Leica users have expressed a willingness to do so.

Is this just more Internet smoke and mirrors or does the site owner really have a scoop on his hands? With PMA starting January 31, 2008 we may not have long to wait to hear a response from Leica.

Stay tuned…

[UPDATE]
Several registered Leica M8 owners have received e-mail from Leica confirming this to be true. I have not received said e-mail, but have included a copy for your perusal:


Dear LEICA M8 customers,
The desire to own a digital camera manufactured by Leica, possessing the identical lifelong value retention associated with every Leica product, was brought to us by many of our customers. Leica Camera AG has now configured the LEICA M8 to meet this demand. With today’s newsletter, we would like to inform you exclusively and in advance of an outstanding innovation regarding your cherished LEICA M8.

Subjects
LEICA M8: An investment in the future
What does the first upgrade kit include?
How do I get the upgrade for my M8?
Firmware update 1.201 available

LEICA M8: An investment in the future

With the introduction of a perpetual upgrade program, every LEICA M8 will forever be a state-of-the-art digital camera. Today’s and tomorrow’s users will always be able to incorporate the latest refinements and developments in handling ease and technology. It is our aim to secure your investment in the LEICA M8 for the future. “While other digital cameras quickly become outdated and are replaced by newer models, our new concept extends the value retention and resistance to obsolescence embodied in the Leica ethos. Over time, we will gradually offer new product features and developments as upgrade options,” declares Steven K. Lee, CEO of Leica Camera AG. “Our customers can therefore still invest in the photographic tools they need without worrying that they will miss out on improvements and technological developments along the way.
This information will be presented during the PMA fair in Las Vegas, beginning January 31st.

What does the first upgrade kit include?

  • Scratch-proof sapphire glass cover for the LCD monitor.
  • Noise-optimized shutter with a fastest speed of 1/4000s.
  • If so desired, the camera will be picked up at your home and sent directly back to you, without any intermediary stage in the process.
  • Health-check and complete adjustment of the camera, testing all its functions.
  • Installation of the newest relevant firmware.
  • New factory warranty of two years covering the same conditions as for a new camera.

How do I get the upgrade for my M8?

  • This offer applies exclusively to all registered M8 users.
  • We will inform you shortly via e-mail when the website is updated with detailed information about the new M8 upgrade program, and will also inform you as soon as possible how to purchase the first upgrade certificates.
  • The fact that you are registered as a M8 owner will give you guaranteed access to an exclusive online area where you will be able to purchase your upgrade certificate.
  • Purchasing the upgrade certificates will be possible as of March 2008 – the actual upgrading will commence as of August 2008.
  • The upgrades will be fulfilled in the same order as the upgrade certificates were purchased. It is therefore advisable to acquire the certificate as quickly as possible.

Firmware update 1.201 available

In keeping with the overall sustainability of the concept of the rangefinder camera system, Leica Camera AG is now offering all LEICA M8 users an updated version of the camera firmware, which can be downloaded free of charge from Friday, February 1st from our website. Among other things, the new firmware version contains new, substantially improved automatic white balance algorithms for natural color rendering in nearly all light conditions. We will send you special information via e-mail which contains a direct link as soon as we post the firmware update on our website.

We would feel very honored if you would be amongst the first to participate in our new program for the lifelong value retention of your M8.

Yours Sincerely,
The Leica internet team


With this announcement, Leica has effectively set the economic model for digital cameras on its ear. This clearly follows Leica’s ideal that one does not buy a Leica, one invests in Leica.

Buddha in New York

 Photo Essay  1 Response »
Jan 222008
 

Buddha in New York
Originally uploaded by etrigan63

A recent trip to New York City uncovered a large Buddha hidden inside of the trendy Asian restaurant Tao. The Buddha stands (sits) over 20 ft tall and has an ever-changing light show playing over it. In it’s base is a koi pond and the koi are not coy. If they spot you, they will poke their heads out of the water looking for a handout. Think of them as gold and white homeless people.

The restaurant keeps the pan-Asian theme all the way down to the restrooms. On the walk downstairs you are met with images of the Dali Lama at various stages of his life. The restrooms are marked “Yin” and “Yang” (“women” and “men” respectively). Personally, if I hadn’t seen guys coming out of the Yang Room, I would have probably entered the wrong room.

Camera: Leica M8
Lens: CV 40mm Nokton Classic f/1.4
Shot RAW (DNG) and converted to B&W using Photoshop CS3 and Alienskin Exposure2.

***31 DAYS OF THE DRAGON CLUE ***
The Eastern Deity in the photo is your clue. Head over to PlanetAMD64. If you are a member, log in and add that clue to your profile in the custom profile field called “Dragon”. If you are not a member, sign up (it’s free) and you will be able to add it to your profile.

Lonely Sentinels

 Photo Essay  1 Response »
Jan 182008
 

Lonely Sentinels
Originally uploaded by etrigan63

Camera: Leica M8
Lens: Zeiss ZM 50mm Planar f/2
Shutter speed: 32 sec
Aperture: f/4
ISO: 160
WB: Auto
File Format: DNG
Post Processor: Adobe Lightroom 1.3.1 + Custom M8-AWB profile
No other adjustments made.

The lowlight capabilities of this camera (when coupled with an excellent lens) never cease to amaze me.

 Older Entries  Newer Entries

Switch to our mobile site