Sony’s highly anticipated SLT-A77 DSLR is expected to be announced on August 24th. Rumor sites have been all in a tizzy speculating on specifications, leaked images and so forth. A YouTube video has even virally surfaced.
I’m going out on a limb here and say that all of the stuff we have seen or read in the last two weeks are actually from Sony, who is taking advantage of the situation to generate interest.
Reader Dr. Josesph forwarded me a copy of a letter sent to him by Leica concerning the R-System and a possible solution that might be announced
shortly. A m4/3 based system with an adapter would make all of those R lenses floating about quite viable again and would not limit the camera to a niche market.
30. August 2010/
Ulrich Deiß / Infoservice / Telefon 06442 208 – 111 / Telefax – 455 / info@leica-camera.com
Dear Mr. Dr. Joseph,
Thank you very much for your e-mail regarding the LEICA R System. I can understand your disappointment that there will be no “R10″. Please let me explain the reason for this:
At photokina 2008 Leica Camera AG announced that a digital reflex camera “LEICA R10″ would compliment the R-System. At this time the technical and economical assessments for the project were in progress. The findings have shown that under the present technical capabilities of Leica and the current competitive situation the market potential for a digital reflex camera with R-Bayonet would be limited to current R customers. Chance for getting new customers using competitor´s products would be quite low. The installed customer base using R-equipment would not have been sufficient to pay back the investment into the development of such a digital system. For this reason Leica Camera AG was forced not to proceed with this project.
We are fully aware that you like to use your valuable R lenses on a digital Leica body in a adequate way. This need has been integrated into the development of new camera systems. We kindly ask for your understanding that we cannot make a more precise statement or detailed information concerning new developments or possible market introduction dates.
Mit freundlichen Gruessen / kind regards
i. A. Dipl. Photo Ing. Ulrich Deiß / Leica Support Specialist
Leica Camera AG / Informationsservice /
Gewerbepark 8 / D-35606 Solms / www.leica-camera.com / info@leica-camera.com /
Telefon +49 (0) 6442-208-111 / Telefax 49 (0) 6442-208-339
An interesting tidbit cropped up on the Mecablitz 58 AF-2 announcement on Photoscala:
Depending on the model offers the mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital, the main special features of Canon (E-TTL and E-TTL II), Nikon/Fujifilm- (i-TTL and D-TTL, 3D-flash mode), Olympus / Panasonic / Leica (Four Thirds-TTL mode), Pentax (P-TTL) or Sony (ADI DSLR) cameras.
Can this possibly mean a Leica branded M4/3 camera is in the offing?
The Olympus E-P1, their long-awaited entry into the Micro Four-Thirds arena announced last year, is going to be formally announced tomorrow. Many images have surfaced including a tiny version of this:
I should have full press releases on the 16th and hopefully a review sample some time thereafter. I just hope they offer it in black…
Olympus’ highly anticipated entry into the micro four-thirds arena, the direct descendant of the classic Olympus PEN, is scheduled to be revealed on June 16, 2009. Some of the invites include chainsaws (how cool is that!)
Add to that the video where they bung an Olympus E-620 and Stylus Tough in a blender…
However, the really juicy tidbit was revealed at omuser.com, an Olympus fansite based out of Hong Kong. There a pic of an actual E-P1 was loaded. Here is the image in question:
Based on this top-down view, we can assume the following:
If my wife sees this, I may have to buy two…
PhotoRumors has posted the possible specs to a rumored new model DSLR from Sony dubbed the Alpha 800.
The specs they list are:
▪ 16.2MP full frame sensor exmor R (new technology)
▪ 100-25600 ISO
▪ 8 frame/sec
▪ SSI, same a900 OVF, new AF system,
▪ GPS and WiFi built-in
▪ 3.5 in. LCD display
▪ Pop-up flash
▪ Flash sync (1/500)
▪ Camera level
▪ 23 AF sensors
▪ Quick Live View
▪ Video Full HD
▪ Dust/splashes sealed
▪ Aluminum-magnesium alloy body
▪ Released early September, 2009
Similarly, the rumor mills are now abuzz with a tidbit that states that Nikon will not repeat the successful formula of stuffing their top-end pro sensor into a more compact semi-pro body (Nikon D3 –> Nikon D700) and instead will introduce another pro level body (even money says it will be the D3H). Now seeing as the Nikon D3X and Sony Alpha 900 share the same base sensor (the surrounding electronics and image processing engines are vastly different), it is not too large a stretch of the imagination that the D3H and any semi-pro offspring will sport a similar sensor.
I shoot stage and dance professionally so clean high ISO is a must for me! Sony has the finer optics (those autofocus Zeiss lenses are unmatched in quality) but not the low-light capability. This Alpha 800 is definitely a contender spec-wise if these are to be believed. If the D3H meets (or exceeds) these specs, I’m going to have to explain to my wife why I need to get one. I hope she understands.
Photorumors.com (great site, I highly recommend it) posted a shot from a movie posted on the Olympus website ostensibly celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Olympus PEN camera. However, since previous
statements by Olympus bigwigs indicate that their long-awaited μ4/3 camera will honor the PEN design (and the prototype which I have seen with my own eyes is very PEN-ish) could this be a teaser for said camera? Look at the video and draw your own conclusions.
[UPDATE:] The Olympus PEN site has been updated and now has a short film about the PEN EE.
[UPDATE 2:] The Olympus PEN site has been updated with a short film about the PEN D.
[UPDATE 3:] The Olympus PEN site has been updated with a short film about the PEN F.
As we head into Photokina, the images and spyshots start to crop up with greater frequency as NDA’s and people’s ability to keep
their mouth’s shut are strained to the breaking point. Here we see a picture of a Panasonic Micro 4/3′s interchangeable lens camera. I believe the image is a computer generated model (albeit, a good one). But whether it escaped from a PanOLeica engineer’s laptop or someone’s fertile imagination remains to be seen.
The image evokes all of the design principles put forth in the recent Panasonic/Olympus Micro Four/Thirds announcement and the inclusion of Leica glass is very welcome (even if it is built by Panasonic) but I wouldn’t be put off by some Zuiko glass well.
This next image shows the body with the lens removed exposing the 11 electrical contacts (up from 9 contacts in the standard Four Thirds mount). This brings up the mystery of the increase in contacts. For what purpose? Fear not! Our intrepid engineer (artist?) provides us with an answer: a shoe mounted electronic viewfinder (EVF)! Once again, the design specs of Micro Four Thirds are followed. The spec calls for no mirror box in this design. This leads one to believe that the camera would be Live View (on a rather generous rear LCD panel) or some sort of rangefinder affair. A high resolution EVF is an elegant compromise that allows SLR-like framing and maintaining the small size demanded by the spec. This ties in with the increase in electrical contacts between the lens and body.
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So, is this image real or fake? I say fake inasmuch as it is a computer model of a camera that I fervently hope they will really build. If the sensor is as good as those offered in recent Olympus SLR offerings, this camera would make an excellent travel camera and backup for a full sized DSLR. Hopefully there will be a Leica version of it.
Big thanks to Leicarumors.com for the heads up about the images. Images courtesy of zuiko.exblog.jp.
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:
- New Sapphire Viewing Screen (Virtually unscratchable)
- Max Shutter speed to 1/4000th
- Quieter actuation of Shutter mechanism
- New Firmware
- 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 availableLEICA 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.
