LWN 2006-02 E U1-U4 14.09.2006 16:55 Uhr Seite u1 91505 02/2006 LEICA M8 A dream comes true: the digital M is here_ p. 8 LEICA DIGILUX 3 Unique Leica digital camera system_ p. 16 LEICA V-LUX 1 New all-in-one class in the Leica portfolio_ p. 22 LEICA D-LUX 3 Digital compact camera for creative photography_ p. 26 LEICA LENSES New M high-performance lenses for wide-angle applications_ p. 14/15 LWN 2006-02 E U1-U4 14.09.2006 16:55 Uhr Seite u2 26 LEICA D-LUX 3 Versatile digital compact camera 22 LEICA V-LUX 1 New class in the Leica camera sector Dear Leica friends, These are the most exciting days for Leica since 04 INTERVIEW the introduction of the landmark Leica M series Leica goes digital: Dr. Ralph Nebe and Stefan Daniel over half a century ago. We are unveiling an on the Leica product strategy entire range of unique new products, each a classic in its own right. The new LEICA M8, the 06 DIGITAL CAMERAS centerpiece of the world’s first professional At a glance: All Leica digital cameras – their strengths, digital rangefinder system, is a bold statement their areas of application, their features destined to redefine the digital age. The new LEICA DIGILUX 3, our first stand-alone digital 08 LEICA M8 SLR and the first based on the optically effi- A big hit: At photokina, Leica presents the first digital Dr. Ralph Nebe, Director cient four-thirds format and interchangeable ranging viewfinder camera Marketing & Sales lens system is also a superb creative tool. The 12 INTERVIEW cool new LEICA D-LUX 3 is the connoisseur’s New from the ground up: Project Manager Otto Domes compact, an elegant, high-performance 10-megapixel compact capable of on the challenge of designing the digital M outstanding performance. Finally, the new LEICA V-LUX 1, an amazingly compact all-in-one 10-megapixel marvel with a 12x zoom that gets out to 14 LEICA ELMARIT-M 28 mm/f2.8 ASPH. 420 mm, is sure to appeal to birdwatchers, nature shooters and travellers New wide-angle lens: the super-compact Elmarit worldwide. Is the message here ‘Leica goes digital’. Emphatically yes, but as a versatile high-performance lens we’re also committed to supporting (or even extend) analog photography while bringing the esteemed Leica virtues of quality, durability, and value 15 LEICATRI-ELMAR-M16–18–21 mm/f4ASPH. into the digital realm. You might say that we’re remaining true to our roots, Super wide-angle: a new lens with three fixed focal but branching out. In any event, this is great news for legions of loyal Leica lengths for super wide-angle applications fans who now have a wider range of enticing choices than ever – all in the Leica tradition of excellence. 16 LEICA DIGILUX 3 Tomorrow’s classic: the Digilux 3 as the foundation Yours faithfully, Ralph Nebe of a free-standing digital camera system LWN 2006-02 E innen 06-09-14 15.09.2006 8:31 Uhr Seite 3 16 LEICA DIGILUX 3 Unique Leica camera system 08 LEICA M8 Leica’s famous camera system 20 LEICA R SYSTEM 28 GLOSSARY Camera, back part, lens: the Leica R system and its Digital technical terms: a guide to new terms superb possibilities from the digital Leica world 22 LEICA V-LUX 1 29 RELAUNCH All-in-One: the V-Lux 1 enriches the Leica product Attractive appearance: Leica with a new product portfolio with a new camera type website and a new advertising campaign 26 LEICA D-LUX 3 30 BIRDWATCHING A camera for all seasons: the D-Lux 3 is a compact Perfect double act: Steve Dudley on is experience camera with the characteristics of a much larger camera with the V-Lux 1 and digiscoping Leica World News 3 LWN 2006-02 E innen 06-09-14 15.09.2006 8:32 Uhr Seite 4 BREAKTHROUGH INTO THE DIGITAL WORLD Their names are M8, Digilux 3, V-Lux 1 and D-Lux 3: Leica Camera is currently bringing no fewer than four new high-performance digital cameras to the market. A well-thought- out range with something to offer for everyone. The question arises: has Leica gone completely digital? Dr. Ralph Nebe and Stefan Daniel give us an insight into the strategy of Leica Camera AG. nologies are available on the world market in Lux class offers manual controls similar to the quality demanded by our customers and those used to in larger cameras, to stimulate we are now in the active process of incor- the creativity of the photographer; but it is porating them into our products. still compact enough to be handy in all cir- In recent years the market for digital cumstances. The V-Lux class offers a great cameras has expanded at breakneck pace, deal of camera in a pure single-lens reflex but many potential Leica offerings in this configuation and is thus ideal for ambitious field are still being considered, or are photography when travelling or whenever eventually released on a conservative there is a need to minimize the amount of timetable. What good reasons are there equipment one is carrying. Finally, the In discussion: Dr. Ralph Nebe (left) and Stefan Daniel for choosing Leica in the digital field? LEICA DIGILUX 3 is the continuation of the Stefan Daniel: It’s well known that Leica’s successful Digilux class, which stands for Dr. Nebe, the LEICA DIGITAL MODULE R trademark is better pictures. Leica lenses, creative photography at the highest level. It is completely ready to ship, the long which stand up to any test in analog photog- is the foundation model for a new exclusive- awaited LEICA M8 will be launched at raphy, can now for the first time show what ly digital camera system, that positively rais- photokina together with a series of inno- they can do in digital applications. At Leica es itself above its competitors in this prod- vative digital cameras in the compact it’s true of all our optics that we make no uct class by virtue of its traditional, range. – Leica appears to have gone com- distinction between lenses ‘suitable for dig- well-proven operating concept and its out- pletely digital: is that fair comment? ital’ and ‘only for analog’. Every Leica lens standing picture quality. Dr. Ralph Nebe: The dominant market trend delivers outstanding results, irrespective of A highlight of this year’s photokina will is certainly towards digital photography. It’s whether or not it is used for taking pictures be the market launch of the long-awaited also a fair comment to say that Leica is fully electronically. Furthermore, in focusing on LEICA M8 – the first digital M camera. committed to advancing digital photogra- better pictures, Leica products address not Why has this designation been chosen? phy, without however neglecting analog what is technically possible but what makes Isn’t the digital M really a completely new photography. Our over-arching objective is technical sense. product? to offer fascinating, and supremely compe- In addition to the Digital-Modul-R that we Dr. Ralph Nebe: The LEICA M8 is indeed a tent digital products in every s category that have mentioned, and the forthcoming completely new development, but it’s also Leica enters. Leica M8, Leica is also launching the very important to realize that it is an emi- Some critics have said that Leica did not LEICA V-LUX 1, the LEICA DIGILUX 3 and nently logical extension of the long tradition respond to the digital challenge quickly the LEICA D-LUX 3 at photokina. Another of M series Leica cameras which began in or aggressively enough. What has hap- exciting new development is the ultra- 1954. Basically for us the method of record- pened lately to change that perception? compact LEICA C-LUX 1 that has already ing the picture – analog or digital – is of sec- Dr. Ralph Nebe: Leica Camera has in fact been launched. New products, new ondary importance. The primary reality is been through a difficult phase. We have names – is there a system to this new that this camera incorporates the core val- often been accused of being too late in rec- range of cameras? ues of M series photography: the unique and ognizing the trend towards digital photogra- Dr. Ralph Nebe: Certainly. We have set our- superlative rangeviewfinder system, the ex- phy. In fact a small company such as Leica selves the ultimate objective of addressing a quisitely compact dimensions, discreet, qui- does not have sufficicent capacity to devel- wider range of customers than ever before! et operation and cameras constructed of the op all the necessary core technologies The Leica C-Lux class stands for ultra-com- best materials that deliver the very highest itself, in the way that larger companies in pact cameras with intelligent automatic picture quality. To honor that tradition we our sector have done. Now that digital pho- functions, that simply make great pictures – have therefore quite deliberately decided tography is past its infancy, these core tech- an optical notebook in effect. The Leica D- against the designation ‘D’ or ‘digital’. 4 Leica World News LWN 2006-02 E innen 06-09-14 15.09.2006 8:32 Uhr Seite 5 The market for digital cameras moves teur enthusiast photographer a route into era in the range whose focal length extends extraordinarily quickly. To what extent the world of LEICA system cameras. up 420 mm in 35 mm format and which does the digital M incorporate traditional How have the special lenses for the D delivers the same magnification as 8.4-pow- Leica values such as long operating life system been developed? Or to put it er binoculars.