Tag Archives: rangefinder

New Leica M camera has live-view and 1080p video capture, we go hands-on (video)

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New Leica M camera M10 has liveview and 1080p video capture, we go handson video

Yesterday, Canon stole the show, but today's darling of Photokina appears to be the just-announced Leica M camera. Show attendees flocked to the "new M" demo counter this morning, nudging through the crowd for a chance to check out Leica's first live-view equipped M. This new feature is powered by a new 24-megapixel CMOS sensor, and also enables 1080p video capture at 24 and 25 frames-per-second -- another first for Leica. Live-view and HD video shooting may not seem like banner features for a €6,200 (about $8,100) camera, but considering they've never been offered before, these additions seem to be highlights for hopeful M10 owners.

The camera itself is quite beastly, in typical M fashion, and appears to have just as much heft as the M9. There's a new Gorilla Glass-equipped 3-inch, 920k-dot display, that's plenty sharp and quite responsive in live-view mode. Adjacent to the display, you'll find a new LV button, which, as you may have guessed, launches the new realtime display mode. There's also a playback button, along with direct access to ISO, image deletion and menu settings. Up top, there's the Leica trademark shutter speed dial (aperture control is on the lens), letting you select from bulb all the way through 1/4000 second. There's a full-size hot shoe up top with an accessory connector for the EVF 2 attachment, and a second proprietary connector on the bottom to interface with the accessory grip, which adds USB connectivity and built-in GPS.

We can't comment on image quality just yet, but there's no question that the "new M" marks Leica's commitment to finally bring otherwise commonplace features to its popular (and pricey) rangefinder line. Look for this latest model to hit stores in early 2013, but you can take a closer look today in our hands-on gallery below and video demo after the break.

Update: This post originally stated that the new Leica M had yet to be named, however the company has confirmed that the new camera will simply be named, "The Leica M," without numbers. "The Leica M also marks the beginning of a new era in the Leica product naming policy. In [the] future, Leica M and S model names will omit the number suffix to emphasize the enduring and long-term significance of the respective systems."

Gallery: Leica new M (M10) hands-on

Continue reading New Leica M camera has live-view and 1080p video capture, we go hands-on (video)

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New Leica M camera has live-view and 1080p video capture, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 05:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leica Monochrom test turns up the ISO, doesn’t bring the noise

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In the case of "why would you pay $8k for a black and white camera," exhibit 'A' would surely be the lack of a color filter array corrupting the image. Without one, the Leica Monochrom -- with a similar CCD to its M9 stablemate -- should have less noise. Tests comparing the two cameras on Red Dot Forum confirm it, with the Monochrom cleaner in glorious black & white at all ISO's up to the M9's maximum of 2500. Past that, a touch of NR gave the Monochrom a pleasing film-grain look to our eyes at ISO 5000, but at ISO 10,000 images started to sparkle and approach the "barely usable" range. Still, combined with the increased sharpness and resolution, very well-heeled purists might be tempted.

Leica Monochrom test turns up the ISO, doesn't bring the noise originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 12:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Laser-toting MAV can find its way in tight spaces, might eventually hunt you down (video)

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A perpetual weakness of MAVs (micro air vehicles) is their frequent need for hand-holding in anything other than a wide-open or very controlled space. If they're not using GPS or motion sensors to find their locations, they can't turn on a dime the way a human pilot would. Adam Bry, Abraham Bachrash and Nicholas Roy from MIT's CSAIL group haven't overcome every problem just yet, but they may have taken combat drones and other pilotless aircraft a big step forward by giving them the tools needed to fly quickly when positioning isn't an option. Uniting a laser rangefinder with an existing 3D map of the environment -- still 'cheating,' but less dependent -- lets the prototype flyer find the distance to nearby obstacles and steer clear even at speeds that would scare any mere mortal MAV. Ideally, future designs that can create their own maps will be completely independent of humans, making us think that MIT's references to "aggressive" autonomous flight are really cues to start hiding under the bed.

Continue reading Laser-toting MAV can find its way in tight spaces, might eventually hunt you down (video)

Laser-toting MAV can find its way in tight spaces, might eventually hunt you down (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 May 2012 06:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HD video possible in upcoming Leica compact, bon vivants check trust funds

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Full-frame HD video in a brand new compact body, with Leica lenses? It could happen, but if you have to ask why exorbitant Leicas don't already do video then you probably can't afford it. While still calling the feature "theoretical", Leica's chairman Dr. Andreas Kaufmann intimated that the company had solved issues with data rate, battery life and heat for a possible M9 replacement. He also said that HD would be shown soon on "existing and new models", and Leica would stick with Truesense imaging, the former Kodak shop which supplies the M9 CCD, to make the new full-frame sensor. Whether that means video could also be retrofitted to existing M-series rangefinders remains to be seen, but more will be revealed on September 18th. Until then, if you need to make an extravagant splurge, the Hermes M9-P, perhaps?

HD video possible in upcoming Leica compact, bon vivants check trust funds originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 May 2012 08:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leica teases our wallets with $50,000 Edition Hermès M9-P, $1,000 scarf sold separately

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If you've ever wondered if designer names alone can send a product's price tag through the roof, this should suffice as confirmation. Hermès, the Parisian fashion giant best known for its prohibitively expensive wearable accessories, has teamed up with Leica for some creative marketing. Two special M9-P editions will be available -- a total of 300 Edition Hermès digital rangefinders will ship beginning in June for $25,000, while 100 "very special" (even more exclusive) Edition Hermès - Série Limitée Jean-Louis Dumas models will be available in July for, ahem, $50,000 (that's fifty thousand, in case you assumed it was a typo).

Likely realizing that it would be insanely absurd to unload the M9-P for either price without lenses included, Leica has opted to offer both as complete kits. The less expensive version uses some fancy calfskin leather with a silver chrome finish, and ships with a Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. optic. The "very special" version, on the other hand, includes a Leica Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH., a Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH. and a Leica APO-Summicron-M 90 mm f/2 ASPH -- all finished in anodized silver. It also comes with a bag and a book. Due to the incredibly limited production run, you'll probably want to pitch a tent (or have your assistant park their assistant's Maybach) outside the Washington DC Leica Store, beginning sometime later this month.

Update: Need little more convincing about the craftsmanship? There are making-of and unboxing videos embedded after the break.

Gallery: Leica M9-P - Très Fancy edition

Continue reading Leica teases our wallets with $50,000 Edition Hermès M9-P, $1,000 scarf sold separately

Leica teases our wallets with $50,000 Edition Hermès M9-P, $1,000 scarf sold separately originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leica M Monochrom captures exclusively in black and white, costs far more than your color-abled shooter

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Wildly colorful photos got you down? There's an 18-megapixel full-frame sensor for that. The Leica M Monochom may seem an unlikely proposition, with its monochrome-only sensor and $8,000 price tag (not to mention the added financial burden that comes along with investing in a Leica M-mount), but the camera offers some unique benefits that, for some, may justify the cost. Because the sensor is capable of outputting one pixel of data for each pixel captured -- there's no hint of color mucking about -- the resulting images are incredibly sharp. There are low-light benefits as well, with the Monochrom offering a top ISO setting of 10,000, compared to 2500 with the aging M9. Other features include a 2.5-inch 230k-dot color LCD, a rangefinder-type optical viewfinder and a 14-bit uncompressed RAW mode that yields 36MB DNGs.

The camera itself offers an appearance consistent with other Leica snappers, and includes a magnesium alloy construction with hints of brass and chrome. Naturally, there's no video features to speak of, so no 1080p black-and-white shoots for you. We do have pricing and availability, however, though we don't exactly have the funds to match. The body-only M Monochrom is expected to retail for $7,970 when it hits stores (beginning with Leica's Washington DC showroom) in July. A new Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH prime lens will be available around the same time, for the modest sum of $7,195. There's a full PR just past the break.

Gallery: Leica M Monochrom

Update: DPReview has posted a gallery of sample images. Don't be so quick to dismiss this camera -- plenty of deep-pocketed photographers have likely been waiting for something just like it. Hit up the source link after the break for the shots.

Continue reading Leica M Monochrom captures exclusively in black and white, costs far more than your color-abled shooter

Leica M Monochrom captures exclusively in black and white, costs far more than your color-abled shooter originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon Laser Rangefinder COOLSHOT

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Nikon Laser Rangefinder COOLSHOT

Nikon Vision today unveiled the Laser Rangefinder COOLSHOT. The new golf rangefinder provides easy and immediate subject acquisition with the 6x multicoated lenses, large ocular lens and wider field of view. It supports a high-speed ranging system out to 550 m/600 yd. with 0.5-m/yd. distance display step. The Nikon Laser Rangefinder COOLSHOT is waterproof (up to 1 meter for 10 minutes), but not for underwater usage. The gadget has a wide temperature tolerance of between -10 °C to +50 °C. No word on pricing at this time. [Press Release]