Leica DIGILUX 3 Reference guide

LEICA C-LUX 2

The small yet powerful companion

LEICA DIGILUX 3

New adapter for Leica R lenses

LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900

The new generation laser rangefinder

LEICA SPORT OPTICS

100 years of Leica binoculars

US $ 4.50 CAN $ 5.50 01/2007

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Leica News 3

04 LEICA DIGILUX 3

R lens adapter. Focal lengths from

15 to 1600 mm – the new R adapter

provides Leica’s new FourThirds SLR

camera with some unique possibilities

08 LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900

More speed, easier to use. The

new generation laser rangefinder –

extremely compact, up to 902 yards

precision, brilliant even during twilight

10 LEICA C-LUX 2

Intuitive photography made easy.

High-tech miniature – the C-Lux 2 is

the indispensable companion for every

photo opportunity

15 100 YEARS OF LEICA BINOCULARS

Innovation based on tradition. An

anniversary to be proud of – Leica sport

and hunting optics have been setting

technological standards since 1907

18 LEICA M8

Digital rangefinder photography. On

the road with the M8, Elmarit-M 28 mm

f/2.8 ASPH and UV/IR filter – the

handy, top-of-the-line combination for

travel and reportage

22 M LENSES

Super wide-angles. The Tri-Elmar-M

16-18-21 mm f/4 ASPH and Universal

Wide-angle Viewfinder M – the flexible,

high-performance duo for extreme

picture angles

Dear friends of Leica,

For over 30 years, I have been an admirer of Leica; both as a photographer and as a

collector. It has brought me a deeper appreciation of what great minds and hands can

accomplish when they are really passionate about their cause. The men and women of

Leica have brought incredible joy and reflection to all those who invested in it and

they continue today

Since September 2006 it has been a real pleasure for me to be on the leadership team

of Leica Camera. As the new Chief Executive Officer it is my task to define the strategic

roadmap of the company in cooperation with the entire Leica team and a group of new

leaders with their wealth of intensive industry experience.

There are three main goals for us:

__ Leica Camera has to deliver results to its stakeholders

including customers and partners.

__ Leica Camera has to reinforce its heritage and market

position to be a fitting custodian of a great tradition, and

__ Leica Camera has to expand its horizons so it can bring

this experience to even more customers and markets.

We will not only keep pace with our industry, but deliver

new experiences that are uniquely ‘Leica’. We are thinking

about serving even more customers, those who buy new

Leica’s as well as those who have had them for a long time.

Think of the expansion of the system as an expanded

product line that will contain new camera bodies, lenses

and accessories to broaden Leica’s reach and impact. We

have a clear vision of the future of our company. The new majority ownership structure

gives us the right framework to get the job done by enabling a long-term financial

perspective as well as a real partnership that shares our personal passion for the Leica

products, markets and people.

The direct communication with our valued customers will always be a crucial element

for defining Leica’s future. We are starting to do a lot more to understand what your

needs are in photography and sport optics. Serving you in a way that suits your needs

in the months and years to come is the key to our success. Therefore, we will continue

to count on your support as well as your advice and counsel. Enjoy reading this issue

of Leica News and I hope it will give you a glimpse of the exciting products we are

offering to you today.

Yours sincerely

04 LEICA DIGILUX 3

18 LEICA M8

10 LEICA C-LUX 2

Steven K. Lee

Steven K. Lee, CEO

IMPRINT

LEICA NEWS

Is published twice a year in spring and autumn

PUBLISHER

Leica Camera AG, Oskar-Barnack-Straße 11, D-35606

Solms, Germany Tel. +49 (0) 6442 208-111

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Leica Camera AG: Alexandra Althof

REALIZATION:

IDC Corporate Publishing GmbH Hamburg, Germany

15 100 YEARS OF LEICA BINOCULARS

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4Leica News

D SYSTEM: R ADAPTER FOR LEICA DIGILUX 3

The Leica D System, which revolves around the LEICA DIGILUX 3 – a high-performance

digital single-lens reflex camera based on the FourThirds Standard – is reaching for the

stars. Thanks to the R Adapter, the Digilux 3 can now access the complete spectrum of

Leica R lenses, with focal lengths ranging effectively from 30 to 3200 millimeters.

AT PHOTOKINA 2006, Leica introduced a

brand new camera system to the field

of digital single lens reflex cameras:

the LEICA DIGILUX 3, heart and soul of

the new Leica D System. It is based on

the open FourThirds Standard, the first

standard devised exclusively for digital

system cameras and interchangeable

lenses. The LEICA DIGILUX 3, with a

combination of innovative functionality

and simple handling, embodies the classic

Leica virtues: the Digilux 3’s 7.5-megapixel

LiveMOS sensor is capable of running

a real-time viewfinder picture on the

display; all camera and lens parameters

can be set manually for total creative

control; and the new camera system picks

up on the clear design of Leica’s

rangefinder system. The eyepiece is

located on the left of the camera body to

ensure compactness. This was made

possible thanks to a first-class porroprism

viewfinder which, although the camera

cleverly conceals it, provides an authentic,

sublimely clear single-lens reflex viewing

system. The LEICA DIGILUX 3 is shipped

with a zoom lens – the LEICA

D VARIO-ELMARIT 14–50mm f/2.8–3.5

ASPH – with an optical image stabilizer

and a precise autofocus system. This

exquisite optic boasts outstanding picture

quality together with a versatile range

of focal lengths.

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Leica News 5

Dramatically expanding the LEICA DIGILUX

3’s field of operation, the newly developed

R-ADAPTER is an intriguing option for all

of those with access to lenses from the

Leica R System. This brilliant accessory

allows the LEICA DIGILUX 3 with Leica R

lenses, one of the most powerful 35 mm

optical systems in the world.

Since FourThirds Standard

image sensors are smaller

than those found in

35mm photography, the

LEICA DIGILUX 3 will

alter the angles of

view projected by

Leica R lenses; this

is because the crop

factor – also known

as the lens factor

or, misleadingly,

the ‘focal length

extension factor’ –

corresponds to a value

of 2. This factor is

multiplied by the marked

focal length of a lens in

order to create a hypothetical

reference lens for the 35mm

photography standard. In other

words, when mounted on the LEICA

DIGILUX 3, a Summicron-R 50 mm f/2 will

have the coverage of a 100 mm telephoto

in traditional 35 mm format.

The adapter ring locks onto the LEICA

DIGILUX 3 just like a lens, endowing the

body with a fully functional R bayonet.

The camera will now be compatible

with any R lens on the market. All

control elements, including the velvety-

smooth distance and aperture rings,

remain perfectly accessible. In addition

to its many exposure and flash-related

functions, the LEICA DIGILUX 3 also

provides aperture priority and manual

exposure control capability with the R-

Adapter, making for a well-integrated and

comfortable photographic approach.

The camera focuses using the vivid

matte screen in the viewfinder or the

LiveView function on the camera

monitor, where an optional section

magnifier helps you to evaluate subject

details more easily.

The exposure meter reads at working

aperture for maximum accuracy, while the

bright viewfinder and high-speed Leica R

lenses continue to provide a reliable

assessment of the picture even when you

stop down. In any case, the legendary

ability of Leica R lenses to deliver

top performance at wide-open aperture

remains one of the foremost reasons

for using them on the LEICA DIGILUX 3.

The LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT

14–50mm f/2.8–3.5 ASPH

already covers a broad focal

length range, from wide-angle

to moderate telephoto.

However, the R adapter

now introduces the

LEICA DIGILUX 3 to an

unexplored universe of

exciting photographic

expressions, particularly

with regard to

telephotos. The broad

range of the Leica R

lens system covers

everything from 15 to

800 – add a telephoto

converter and its reach

will be extended to as much as

1600 millimeters!

A few examples, representing

the extensive palette of both current

and older Leica R lenses, serve to

illustrate this point.

The LEICA SUMMILUX-R 50mm f/1.4

mounted on the DIGILUX 3 will turn into an

excellent portrait lens with an equivalent

focal length of 100 millimeters. The

impressively wide maximum aperture

of f/1.4 yields a very shallow depth of

field and facilitates the creative use of

selective focus and blur. The lens is also

unusually compact and matches the

LEICA DIGILUX 3 ergonomically as well

as visually.

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6Leica News

The LEICA APO-MACRO-ELMARIT-R

100 mm f/2.8 introduces the LEICA

DIGILUX 3 to the world of macro

photography, reaching a reproduction

scale of 1:2 even without additional

accessories. In other words, with the

Digilux 3 the lens will reproduce an object

the size of the 35mm film plane in full

frame and dazzling quality. Since the

Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100 mm f/2.8 will

also transform into a high-speed telephoto

that corresponds to a 200mm f/5.6 in the

35mm format, it’s the perfect lens for

close-up as well as distance nature

observations.

The LEICA VARIO-ELMAR-R 80–200mm

f/4 ingeniously complements the LEICA

D VARIO-ELMARIT 14–50mm f/2.8–3.5

ASPH, the standard zoom lens for the

LEICA DIGILUX 3. Together they cover

the complete spectrum from wide-angle

to super telephoto. The angle of view

of the compact Leica R lens will

correspond to that of a 160–400mm

zoom lens.

Finally, should you ever get your hands on

the unique LEICA APO-TELYT-R MODULE

SYSTEM with its focal lengths ranging

from 280mm to 1600mm (1600mm with

the LEICA APO-EXTENDER 2x attached),

the LEICA DIGILUX 3 will blow you away

with extreme telephoto focal lengths of up

to a 3200mm (35mm format equivalent)

This is fantastic news for wildlife and

nature photographers.

The adapter itself is hand-made in

Germany, with solid, chromium-plated

brass bayonet mounts. These are

precision-cut and prevent the camera and

lens from getting damaged. The adapter

sports the same bayonet spring found in

the LEICA R9, while the inside is finished

off with a matte black varnish to prevent

flare and stray light effects.

Those who give the R adapter a try will

be amazed how well the LEICA DIGILUX 3

and the Leica R lenses complement

each other visually, ergonomically and

functionally. Before you use the adapter

and Leica R lenses all you have to do is go

into the LEICA DIGILUX 3’s program menu

and set ‘NO RELEASE WITHOUT LENS’ to

‘off’. The LEICA DIGILUX 3 is compatible

with all lenses produced since 1963

except the Super Angulon-R 21 mm f/3.4.

The adapter itself is slim, inconspicuous

and will barely show when an R lens

is attached – a seamless continuation of

the lens’s design concept. It effectively

unites the best attributes of two great

systems that are each unique in their

own way; a modern, versatile and

innovative digital single-lens reflex camera

is opened up to the world’s foremost

SLR lenses. The result is greater than

the sum of its parts.

LEICA SUMMILUX-R 50 mm f/1.4 – with the Digilux 3

it turns into a brilliant 100 mm portrait lens, where selective

sharpness allows for playful creativity

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Leica News 7

LEICA APO-MACRO-ELMARIT-R 100 mm f/2.8 –a fine macro lens

for reproduction scales of up to 1:2

LEICA VARIO-ELMAR-R 80–200 mm f/4 – adapted to the Digilux 3,

breathtaking 160–400 mm telephotos are possible

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8 Leica News

LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900

No bigger than the palm of your hand, the RANGEMASTER CRF 900 outshines the

previous generation of Leica’s laser rangefinder – it’s faster and handier.

A GAME HUNTER has to estimate great

distances of up to several hundred meters

with great accuracy if he expects to

hit his target. This is the domain of laser

range meters, which will measure the

distance of an object based in the time

it takes for light to reach it, that is, at

light speed. A laser beam will travel

towards an object at 186.228 miles per

second, at which point it is reflected back

to the range meter at the exact same

velocity. The running time light takes to

complete this curcuit can be measured

with such accuracy that it will facilitate

an extremely precise calculation of

distance: light will travel a distancer of

one meter – back and forth – in a mere

6.7 billionths of a second. The latest

model from Leica’s Rangemaster series,

the LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900, will

measure distances ranging from 10 to 902

yards and has been so miniaturized that

it will now slip into any shirt or trousers

pocket. The carbon-fiber reinforced

plastic shell encases an aluminum chassis

and weighs as little as 7.8 oz. It

accommodates a 7x24 monocular, the

electronic components, and the laser

itself. The control button – the range

meter’s only control element apart from

the diopter dial on the eyepiece – is

easily accessible with your index finger

when you hold the meter in your hand.

The LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900 is

designed for right and left-handed users

alike and can easily be used with gloves.

Temperatures of 14 to 131° F will not

interfere with its functioning and neither

will water – the device is waterproof to a

depth of one meter. Pressing the button

activates it; the LED display adapts itself to

the ambient light and reflects a target

indication into the optical path of the

monocular, which accurately reports the

distance registered by the laser. Pressing

the button a second time triggers an

invisible, harmless infrared laser, and

a split second later the measured result

is displayed in meters or yards, depending

on the model.

The Leica name traditionally stands for

superlative optical performance, and so

the development engineers were obliged

to construct an uncompromising optical

system for the Rangemaster too. The

LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900 is as

powerful as a good pair of binoculars.

Leica decided to implement a mirrored,

clearly decipherable LED display, allowing

the Rangemaster models to be used

not only as precision measuring devices

but also as valuable monocular

observational instruments. The LCD’s

frequently found on many competitive

laser rangefinders reduce the light

transmission by more than half, making

them practically useless in bad light.

Holding the button down, the LEICA

RANGEMASTER CRF 900 will repeat the

measurement at half-second intervals.

Since the device is only really operating

when reading the environment, very

little power is needed so a single CR2

lithium battery will give about 2000

measurements.

Perfect aim: the LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900 has an exceptional lens which delivers precise readings up to 825 meters/902 yards

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Leica News 9

Front lens diameter 24 mm

Magnification 7x

Exit pupil 3.4 mm

Twilight factor 13

Field of view at 1.000 yds 347 ft

Diopter compensation +/- 3.5 dpt

Prism system Roof prism with phase correction coating P40

Dimensions (WxHxD) 4.5x2.25x1.25 inch

Weight approx. 7.8 oz. with battery

Watertightness Watertight to a depth of 1 m/3.2 ft (0,1 bar)

Housing Carbon fiber-reinforced composite material

Range 10 to approx. 902 yards

Accuracy +/- 1 to 400 yds, +/- 2 to 800 yds, +/- 0,5 % over 800 yds

Read-outs LED display with four digits, automatic brightness control

Measuring time Maximum approx. 0.9 s

Laser Eye-safe invisible laser according to EN and FDA class 1

Laser beam divergence 2.5x 0.5 mrad

RANGEMASTER CRF 900: SPECIFICATIONS

The LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900 can be

put to use in a variety of applications.

Hunters can determine the distance

of an animal in unfamiliar terrain, estimate

the odds of a hit, and adjust the rifle

accordingly. Sailors can determine the

distance to buoys and other landmarks,

while architects and landscape planners

It was during an ibex hunt in the Tien Shan Mountains of

Kyrgyzstan, where the LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900 really

came into its own. On one occasion a buck was standing high up

on a ledge, and my guide urged me to shoot, but I didn’t. The man

only calmed down once I showed him what the range meter had

to say: ‘493 yards’. On another occasion a guest hunter fired at

an ibex on a high mountain pass. The poor thing scuttled off

limping. This accident could have been prevented if only I’d had a

few seconds to measure the distance between us and the animal,

which we determined to be 453 yards. During the following

search mission – which was unfortunately fruitless – at an

altitude of 4757 yards, I made another astounding discovery:

there was a rock wall which I estimated to be 400 to 550 yards

away, but the distance turned out to be beyond the range

of the laser – that’s how far off the wall was. It seems that,

at extreme heights, the human eye is a lot less trustworthy

than one would think.

My mountain hunting expedition led to the following realization:

the optical system of the LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900 can be

used for most wildlife observations, especially in the daytime,

when it will deliver an immaculate view without having to deal

with twilight or darkness. The 7x enlargement and the large view

image generate a brilliant picture ideal for the majority of hunting

RAY OF LIGHT: THE RANGEMASTER CRF 900 IN THE FIELD

purposes, easily satisfying my needs in terms of magnification,

clarity and contrast. I frequently chose to work with the range

meter instead of the 10x42 binoculars – at least when I needed

to orient myself quickly – but that’s not to say that it’s a complete

replacement for a hunting scope.

I had a lot of fun working with the LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 900.

I used it to revise distances I had previously estimated in my

home hunting grounds, and I believe it will turn out to be an

indispensable instrument in future hunting trips abroad.

Especially in remote places, where more often than not

communication is a problem, the guest hunter can quickly obtain

essential information provided by the laser device, refrain

from taking unreasonably long-range shots, show the evidence

why and ultimately avoid terrible accidents.

Last but not least, here’s a little tip: you’ll probably

carry the range meter, hanging around your neck, inside its

protective case. With the adrenaline of the moment, it can

happen too quickly that you pull the meter out to take a quick look

at the game and drop the protective case by accident – and

the last place you want that to happen is when you’re hunting

on horseback , as one does in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

So don’t be like me: secure the case to your belt with

a second strap! PROF. DR. KURT FITZLER

can survey a landscape – at a range of

400 yards the LEICA RANGEMASTER

CRF 900 will measure with an error

tolerance of ±1 yard. Of course, the

range meter can be used for a lot more

than topography: you could just as

easily check the height of your kite and

discover whether it has become a hazard

to aircraft; clouds will also reflect the light

of the laser, and so you could determine

their height as well, provided that

they’re within the reach of the LEICA

RANGEMASTER CRF 900. All in all, it’s

an amazingly accurate, versatile, and

compact device built to the legendary

Leica standard.

Small, light, robust and waterproof: the

Rangemaster CRF 900 is the perfect hunting

companion, where maximal performance is

expected from a minimal amount of equipment

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10 Leica News

THE LEICA C-LUX 2 IS SMOOTH –

such a delight to the touch, in fact, that you

may have a hard time putting it down. Its

diminutive, elegant metal body, shown

here actual size, sports the most advanced

camera technology available today and

is capable of creating brilliant images

under all photographic circumstances.

The high-speed LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT

4.6–16.4 mm f/2.8–5.6 ASPH lens covers

a focal length range of equivalent, in

35mm terms, to a 28 to 100 mm zoom.

This makes the LEICA C-LUX 2 one of

the most versatile performers in the

super-compact class. The LEICA C-LUX 2

comes perfectly equipped for just about

any photographic scenario, from dynamic

wide-angle shots with great depth of

field to expressive portrait photos with

selective focus. The VARIO-ELMARIT zoom

lens retracts entirely into the camera body

at the flick of the ‘off’ switch. Whether

you’re a partygoer, beachcomber, city

stroller or nature lover, the LEICA C-LUX 2

is always a dependable companion – any

time, any place, you’ll never miss another

photo op. This hassle-free camera will

generate outstanding results even when

you choose to focus your attention

on the subject rather than the photographic

parameters.

A generous 2.5-inch LC display lets

you concentrate on the composition while

the LEICA C-LUX 2’s clever automatic

functions handle the rest. Fast, discreet

snapshots captured on the fly, or picture-

perfect compositions at twilight or in other

tricky conditions – everything is possible

with the LEICA C-LUX 2, a truly natural

extension of hand and eye. The new image

signal processor, originally developed for

Leica’s new digital SLR camera Digilux 3,

based on the FourThirds System, also

helps endow the LEICA C-LUX 2 with a

rapid response speed and a highly precise

autofocus mechanism – ideal for capturing

that critical moment in an unforgettable

image. What’s more, there’s an innovative

feature of the LC-display which ensures

total control over the composition at all

times: when you activate the wide-angle

mode in the menu, the polarization of the

liquid crystals alters, adapting the display

image to the view angle. In other words,

even if you’re holding the camera at an

awkward angle above your head or near

the ground, the display will always provide

a clear and radiant viewing image.

The camera flash can either be set to

automatic mode for fuss-free shots,

or manual mode for targeted fill-in

purposes. With the integrated optical

image stabilizing technology Mega O.I.S.,

you can also choose to bypass the

flash unit and safely create atmospheric

available-light photos at shutter speeds

as low as 1/15 second, without the

risk of blur due to camera shake.

Another technical standout is the camera’s

automatic exposure regulation with

Intelligent ISO, which was first introduced

with the high-end bridge camera, the

LEICA V-LUX 1, and has now been realized

in the super-compact LEICA C-LUX 2.

Thanks to Intelligent ISO, the camera will

independently identify motion, regulating

POINT AND SHOOT

Small, unassuming, yet powerful: the LEICA C-LUX 2 is a slick, pocket-friendly camera

that’s ready for just about anything.

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Leica News 11

Exposure type/format 1:1/2.5-inch CCD sensor with 7.2 million effective pixels

(at edge ratio 4:3)

Resolution (max.) 3072 x 2304 pixels (4:3 format), 3072 x 2048 pixels (3:2 format),

3072 x 1728 pixels (16:9 format)

Dimensions

(WxHxD) approx. 94.9 x 51.9 x 22 mm/3.7 x 2x9 inch

Weight approx. 154 g /5.4 oz. (with battery and SD card)

Lens LEICA DC VARIO ELMARIT 4.6–16.4 mm f/2.8–5.6 ASPH

(equals 28–100 mm in 35 mm photography)

Sensitivity Automatic, Intelligent ISO or manual ISO 100, 200, 400,

range 800, 1250 (and ISO 3200 in high sensitivity mode)

Shutter speed-

range 8–1/2000s (in auto mode)

Display Polycrystalline 2.5-inch TFT colour display with 207.000 pixels

Storage medium SD card, MultiMedia card (only for stills photography)

Delivery package Charger, battery, 64-MB SD memory card, AV cable, USB cable,

AC cable, textile wrist strap, CD-ROM with Software (Adobe

Photoshop Elements 3/4/5, QuickTime MoviePlayer)

Warranty 2 years

MSRP 549 US-Dollars

LEICA C-LUX 2: SPECIFICATIONS

The LEICA C-LUX 2 blends simple handling

with ingenious technology in an elegant,

pocket-sized body. The 7.2-megapixel sensor

delivers crisp picture quality

the sensitivity of the sensor accordingly

(up to ISO 800) to select a faster shutter

speed. Mega O.I.S and Intelligent ISO

together enable the LEICA C-LUX 2 to

produce sharp photographs even in

difficult lighting conditions. Of course,

Intelligent ISO can also be deactivated at

the click of a button should you want to

enhance your composition with a dynamic

motion blur effect. In any case, the LEICA

C-LUX 2’s 7.2-megapixel sensor allows

you to print your photographic results in

excellent quality at up to 8x 10 inch.

This high level of image quality is

particularly important for bird watchers

and wildlife observers, who can use the

LEICA C-LUX 2 together with the LEICA

TELEVID spotting scope to snap their

discoveries in the world’s forests and

meadows. Simply connect the LEICA

DIGITAL ADAPTER 2 to the eyepiece of

the scope, fasten the LEICA C-LUX 2 to the

adapter – and voilà! Economical, high-

performance ‘digi-scoping’ equipment for

fantastic nature studies.

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12 Leica News

Whether it be a technolicious accessory for late nights

out on the town, a super-lightweight traveling companion,

or a reliable instrument for avid ornithologists, the LEICA C-LUX 2

is a real sharp shooter. A high-quality leather bag from Leica’s

accessory range, available in black, cognac brown or red, ensures

effective as well as elegant protection from incidental knocks and

bangs. The camera is optionally available with a corresponding

wristband or – even better – a carrier strap with convenient

accessory pouch for two additional SD memory cards. Or you can

opt for the sporty black neoprene jacket – big protection for the

smallest camera with the red dot, which naturally comes with the

Leica two-year warranty.

Atmospheric available-light photography thanks to the image stabiliser

The 28-mm starting focal length offers dynamic wide-angle photography

The integrated flash will brighten the picture with real flair

The sporty neoprene bag from

Leica’s accessory range provides

ultimate protection for the C-Lux 2 –

rapid camera access guaranteed

Elegant leather cases are available

in red, cognac-brown or black, as well as

corresponding wrist straps or carrier straps

with pouches for two SD memory cards

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Due to the phenomenal response generated by the landmark

Leica M8, the world’s first and only professional-grade digital

rangefinder camera, and the recent upsurge in interest in the

classic analog Leica MP and M7, Leica is rewarding the legions of

loyal Leica fans by extending two popular promotional programs

until June 30 2007. Both the 6-bit Coding Promotion, and the

Leica $500 Gift Certificate Program offer substantial savings

to Leica M users like you, making it easier than ever to savor the

joys of the legendary M system while optimizing your picture-

taking performance.

The 6-bit Coding Promotion:

Bring your lenses up to the M8 standard!

As you probably know, all new Leica M lenses now have a 6-bit

code applied to the bayonet ring, enabling the Leica M8 to iden-

tify the lens in use and optimize its digital capture parameters.

To provide dedicated Leica M users with a timely opportunity

to upgrade their existing M lenses by adding the 6-bit code at

minimal cost, Leica Camera USA has initiated a time-limited pro-

motional program that has now been extended to June 30, 2007.

When you purchase any new Leica M lens from an authorized

USA/Canadian Leica dealer from now to then, you will receive

Don’t miss our special promotions: “The 6-bit Coding Promotion” and “The Leica $500 Gift Certificate” are limited to

June 30 2007. For complete details please go to www.leica-camera.us

TWO GREAT LEICA DEALS

EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND

Whether you’re into digital, analog, or both we’ve got something very special for you!

2 free vouchers—worth $125 each—entitling you to upgrade your

existing Leica M lenses by adding the 6-bit code. To take advan-

tage of this exciting limited-time program, you must register your

new Leica M lens and submit any rebate claims within 30 days of

purchase. For detailed instructions and a list of applicable lenses,

please go to www.leicacamerausa.com.

The Leica $500 Gift Certificate:

Get a fantastic deal on a timeless classic!

Here’s great news for Leica fans: Leica has extended its special

promotion on the highly esteemed classic analog Leica MP and

M7 cameras to June 30, 2007! Purchase a brand new MP or

M7 in black or silver finish from an authorized USA or Canadian

dealer from now until that date and you will receive a $500 Leica

gift certificate valid for one year. Will you opt for the Leica MP, the

quintessential mechanical rangefinder camera that leaves all

decisions up to the photographer, or the brilliant Leica M7 with

electronically controlled shutter and two mechanical speeds that

gives you the choice of aperture priority of manual exposure

modes? It’s a tough decision—unless you choose both! To receive

your Leica $500 Gift Certificate, you must register your camera

within 30 days of purchase. For complete details please go to

www.leica-camera.us.

The 6-bit code applied to the bayonet ring enables the Leica M8 to

identify the lens in use and optimize its digital capture parameters

The Leica M7 and Leica MP–two highly-esteemed, classic analog

cameras. Be sure to get your $500 Leica gift certificate

Leica News 13

22592_E_LWN07_01_S13_RZ.QXD 21.02.2007 20:56 Uhr Seite 13

14 Leica News

THE LEICA M8, the heart of the world’s first and only

professional-grade digital rangefinder system, is an incredibly

adept and intuitive camera that lets you make the transition to

digital perfection as seamlessly as possible. And in keeping with

Leica’s time-honored tradition of non-obsolescence, the M8

allows you to make full use the incredible digital imaging potential

built into your existing Leica M lenses. However, the best way of

maximizing the potential of both the camera and its unparalleled

optical array is to gain an in-depth understanding of all the

amazing capabilities built into the M8 system, and a precise

knowledge of how to use them. That’s why we’ve initiated

the Leica M8 Digital Workshop Tour and staffed it with

knowledgeable, factory-trained experts to provide you with the

ultimate hands-on learning experience.

To assure that you’ll be getting the most effective instruction

possible, each workshop is limited to a 15 people, and will be

taught on a or high-end notebook.

Topics covered will include:

__ Camera orientation

__ Configuring your computer

__ Understanding the digital process from capture to output

__ Introduction to exposure-measuring techniques

__ Organizing and storing your images

__ Troubleshooting and maintenance

TAKE YOUR LEICA M8 TO THE MAX!

HEREWITH A LIST OF LEICA M8 DIGITAL

WORKSHOP CITIES AND DATES:

New York City, NY March 17, 2007, Saturday

Salt Lake City, UT March 31, 2007, Saturday

Chicago, IL April 5, 2007, Thursday

Portland, OR April 11, 2007, Wednesday

Seattle, WA April 14, 2007, Saturday

Denver, CO May 2, 2007, Wednesday

Phoenix, AZ May 5, 2007, Saturday

Irving, TX May 11, 2007, Friday

New York City, NY May 19, 2007, Saturday

Costa Mesa, CA June 1, 2007, Friday

Culver City, CA June 2, 2007, Saturday

Palo Alto, CA June 7, 2007, Thursday

Monterey, CA June 9, 2007, Saturday

Locations & Dates are subject to change.

For more locations please visit www.leica-camera.us

The cost for this comprehensive hands-on course is $280

per participant, but we think you will agree, its value is

immeasurable! For more information and to sign up, please

go to www.leica-camera.us

Howard Goldstein and Scott Geffert head up the Center for Digital

Imaging, Inc. (CDI) and direct the ‘M8 Digital Workshop’: gain

an in-depth understanding of all the amazing capabilities built into the

M8 system, and a precise knowledge of how to use them

The Leica M8 Digital Workshop program was conceived and will

be supervised by Howard Goldstein and Scott Geffert who head

up the Center for Digital Imaging, Inc. CDI is an international

consulting organization that has, for a decade, been in the

forefront in assisting leading corporations and cultural institution

in migrating to digital content creation, asset management and

storage, and multi-purpose distribution.

22592_E_LWN07_01_S14_RZ.QXD 21.02.2007 20:57 Uhr Seite 14

Leica News 15

100 YEARS OF LEICA BINOCULARS

See more and see better when your eye roams the horizon; for over

a century observation instruments by Leitz and Leica have consistently been

the cream of the technological crop!

1910

Leitz Marinodoce 12x60

YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT for

yourself – that incredible sensation of

clarity when you look through a pair of

Leica binoculars. Words will, at best, paint

an incomplete picture, as a pair of

Ultravids, Duovids or Geovids will push

the boundaries of human perception in

awe-inspiring style. Here are a few of the

many technologies involved in bringing

optimum performance to Leica binoculars

in the world of hunting and sports: glass

types with anomalous partial dispersion;

aspheric lenses; superior chromatic lens

corrrection; patented multilayer coatings

HDC; and the HighLux System (HLS). All of

these are the result of a 100-year history of

continual innovation and improvement,

enhancing the knowledge of how to create

precision optical instruments – each of

them a masterpiece in its own right.

The success story began on 14 May 1907,

following a three-year period of research

and development when the optical

factories of Ernst Leitz Wetzlar, which had

previously specialized in the production of

high-quality microscopes, introduced the

Binocle 6x18 – their very first own-brand

binocular. Instead of relying on the

expertise of other manufacturers Leitz

decided to take an uncharted course

right from the start, basing the design on

its own optics-related patents. These

included safety measures against dust and

humidity, as well as special adjustment

processes and prism suspension systems.

The Binodal 6x21, introduced a year later,

had a lens spacing extending beyond that

of the 6x18 predecessor. The cap of the

prism casing connected the two lens tubes

at both the front and back, giving a unique

wave-like design. A structurally identical

device was then manufactured under the

name Militaris 6x21 for the military of the

former German Empire.

It was the requirement of producing

binoculars to military specifications that

largely drove the company’s innovations in

the field of binocular and telescope

construction, all the way through to the

end of World War II; as a leading German

optical manufacturer, the viscissitudes of

the time were inescapable. The year 1910

saw the introduction of a new line of

binoculars with increased magnification

power such as the Marinodoce 12x60.

The Marinodoce was also recommended

as a specialist glass for Alpine expeditions.

Its unusual shape led to a curious

nickname: ‘Leberwurst’ (Liver Sausage) – a

somewhat unfortunate title for a pair of

binoculars defined by superb ergonomics

and what was then an exceptionally broad

field of vision of 53 degrees!

The German military not only demanded

top performance from binoculars, they

also had to be rock solid and extremely

rugged. And so, in 1911, Leitz developed

the Aviodix 10x50. Its optical design was

built according to the Porro-II principle,

with a cast body and prism drum. The lens

tubes were made of solid brass. In 1916,

the 7x50 version followed quickly on its

heels. The following year, these so-called

‘brass glasses’ were produced in great

quantity for the military and proved to be

exceedingly robust. The Aviodix binoculars

that endured World War I and ended up in

the hands of collectors remain in mint

condition – at least when it comes to

optical quality – without ever having been

1907

Leitz Binocle 6x18

1908

Leitz Binodal 6x21

22592_E_LWN07_01_S1517_RZ.QXD 21.02.2007 20:57 Uhr Seite 15

16 Leica News

1958

Leitz Trinovid 7x42

cleaned or readjusted. It was Leitz who

gave the Porro-II principle its big break;

this type of binocular was destined to be

used by various naval forces around the

world right up to the 1960s.

In 1931 the Aviodix went out of production,

with the arrival of significantly lighter

class of binoculars based on the Porro-I

principle. It was then that Leitz also began

researching into lens and prism coatings

in an attempt to increase the light

transmission of the entire optical system

and create a richer viewing experience.

After 1945, development for military

purposes became secondary. Leitz began

concentrating on optical devices for

game hunters, reflecting the the personal

ambitions of Dr Ernst Leitz II who, in 1925,

had not only given the go ahead for the

then revolutionary Leica I camera, but was

also a passionate hunter, giving him a great

incentive to nurture great innovations in

the field of binocular and telescope design.

The year 1956 saw the introduction of

elegant new broad-vision binoculars,

based on patents from 1949 and 1953.

The Amplivid 6x24 was to pave the path for

a new groundbreaking series of roof prism

glasses. It offered a record 75-degree

field of vision or, expressed differently,

212 meters at 1000 meters range. Today,

broad perspectives like these are rare,

making the Amplivid a desirable and useful

collector’s item.

Two years later, the first Trinovid went into

series production – another milestone in

the history of Leitz telescopes and

binoculars. The 7x42 and 8x40 Trinovids

picked up where the Amplivid had left off,

sporting fields of vision of 70 and 80

degrees respectively. What’s more, they

brought together the three innovations to

which they owe their name: exceptionally

compact and ergonomic design thanks to

roof prisms, above-average optical power

and, most important, internal focusing.

Before then, the focusing on binoculars

had always been controlled by rotating the

eyepiece in and out. The Trinovid was the

first design in which only one lens group

moved internally, while the exterior

remained unaltered.

The production costs of first-generation

Trinovids were exorbitant, resulting in

limited production batches. This is why

they are a rare and much sought-after

collector’s items today. However, one

giant leap deserves another: a monocular

Trinovid was used on the Apollo-11 mission

to the moon.

Leitz’s pocket-sized sports optics initially

met with great skepticism, as did all

compact binoculars at that time. However,

the first 8 x 20 C and 10 x 22 were a force

to be reckoned with. In addition to

outstanding optical performance and

internal focusing, they also adopted

the new, eyeglasses-friendly eyepieces –

a rubber mount that enabled the user to

regulate the distance between the eye and

the lens while looking through spectacles

and binoculars at the same time. These

little Trinovids were launched in 1975, and

immediately became a sales hit.

Meanwhile, the full-size models were also

being developed. Leitz explored in great

depth how to maximize contrast and

brilliance, as well as eliminate unwanted

flare and perfect the mechanism as a

whole. Third-generation Leitz Trinovids

were water pressure-tight and didn’t

fog up. Beginning in 1988 the name

1956

Leitz Amplivid 6x24

1917

Leitz Aviodix 10x50

22592_E_LWN07_01_S1517_RZ.QXD 21.02.2007 20:58 Uhr Seite 16

Leica News 17

1992

Leica Geovid 7x42 BD

2002

Leica Duovid 8+12x42

was changed to Leica and all binoculars

since then have been marketed under

the Leica name.

Four years ago Leica introduced the

Ultravid series: precision instruments

that could stand up to extreme conditions.

Ultravids ranging from the 12x50 BR

to the 8x20 BL provide a unique

combination of cutting-edge ergonomics,

sharpness, twilight performance and

color accuracy.

The 2002 Duovid series is likewise

remarkable: Duovids 8+12x42 and

10+15x50 are the only high-end binoculars

in the world with two zoom settings.

Conventional binoculars are only capable

of a variable zoom function by using an

optional attachment booster – which

results in a loss of optical quality. Leica

opted for a different route, creating optical

devices with two fixed settings, each

providing outstanding picture quality. As a

result whether you select a steadier view

with a broader field of vision or a higher

magnification, a Duovid will deliver

exceptionally brilliant detail rendition.

Leica’s optical engineers had already

pulled off one pioneering achievement

a good decade earlier, having combined

high-performance binoculars and a

laser rangefinder in a single compact unit.

In 1993 Leica unveiled the first-generation

Geovid with a range indicator reflected

into the eyepiece using simple LEDs.

The alternative LCD technology would

have generated a milky layer across

the field of vision, i.e., brightness

reduction. The current Geovid models

were introduced in 2004 and are still one

of a kind. The Geovid 8x56 BRF is designed

to deliver optical top performance in

poor lighting conditions, while the Geovid

BRF 42 is exceptionally versatile and

robust. Both have become indispensable

tools for anyone – particularly hunters –

requiring utmost precision in viewing

and measuring.

Whether you consider the classic Trinovid,

the extreme-use Ultravid binoculars, the

innovative Geovid, or the flexible Duovid, it

is evident that all Leica binoculars and

telescopes reflect a 100-year-old tradition.

This means allowing perpetual innovation

to drive the limits of technical possibilities

to the cutting edge, while advancing

performance characteristics, such as

resolution, contrast, color reproduction

and image brightness – with instruments

that set new standards. The next time

you pay your nearest Leica dealer a visit,

try this simple test. Bring a Leica

binoculars up to viewing position and let

your eyes wander into the distance. When

you are moved by the simple desire, to

keep on looking and never put them down,

you’ll understand what the century-old

heritage of Leica binoculars really means.

1975

Leitz Trinovid 10x22 C

Leica Camera AG is celebrating

its anniversary ‘100 Years Leica

Binoculars’ with a traveling exhibition

of classics, milestones and

rarities of binocular and telescope

design. Find more information on

exhibition venues and dates at

www.leica-camera.com.

22592_E_LWN07_01_S1517_RZ.QXD 21.02.2007 21:25 Uhr Seite 17

18 Leica News

PHOTOGRAPHY BUFFS around the

globe are witnessing a long-standing

dream come true with the arrival of the

landmark LEICA M8. Leica rangefinder

photography has finally gone digital, and

the result is nothing short of breathtaking.

Leica M photographers have always

loved certain things about their optical

and mechanical masterpieces, and now,

with the advent of the LEICA M8,

these unique characteristics have been

brought forward in fully realized form

into the twenty-first century. While the

camera’s interior shares few components

with its predecessors, experienced

followers of the Leica M system will find

themselves in familiar territory with the

design and the control elements of

the LEICA M8. Newcomers will find

themselves spellbound.

Most important of all, the legendary Leica

M lenses can continue to excel in a

new, digital format, delivering unmatched

sharpness and contrast even at full

aperture along with their inimitable bokeh,

which renders out-of-focus image areas

with an agreeable smoothness while

maintaining formal accuracy.

Speaking of legendary, let’s not forget

the Leica M’s relationship with the

35-millimeter focal length. Countless

world-famous reportage photos taken

using a Leica M and a 35 mm lens

have helped to mold our collective

photographic consciousness. The 35 is

the established ‘ideal focal length’ to

express close proximity, catapulting you

into the thick of the action while keeping

the photographic effect natural. But bear

in mind that for technical reasons the

digital image sensor of the LEICA M8 is a

little smaller than the 35mm film frame,

yielding a 1.33 crop factor. This factor is

used to calculate the effective angle of

view of any given focal length mounted on

the LEICA M8. In other words, the new

universal lens for the digital rangefinder

format is a 28 mm, which is equivalent in

angular coverage to a 37mm lens in the

35mm format.

LEICA M8: DIGITAL RANGEFINDER PHOTOGRAPHY

APPROACHES PERFECTION

The M8 and Elmarit 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH: A simple but immensely powerful tool for

reportage and travel. And with the new UV/IR filters, the quality just got a whole lot better.

The LEICA M8 together with the most

compact of all Leica M lenses, the Elmarit-M

28 mm f/2.8 ASPH

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Leica News 19

Leica developed and introduced a modern

interpretation of the universal reportage

lens at the same time as the M8:

the LEICA ELMARIT-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH

measures only 30 millimeters in length

and is the most compact M lens ever

produced, giving M photographers an

unprecedented degree of mobility along

with superlative picture quality. Last

but not least, the lens is a real bargain,

making the LEICA M8 and LEICA ELMARIT-

M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH combo a highly

attractive solution for those now wanting

to enter digital M photography.

Photographer Maike Harberts traveled

through Mexico with the LEICA M8 and the

LEICA ELMARIT-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH and

found that that this light, compact outfit

worked wonders in giving her a responsive

and hassle-free traveling experience. And

her photographs speak for themselves –

the pictures on these pages are defined

by their superior sharpness and vast

contrast range. What’s truly remarkable is

the way the deep shades and highlights

continue to reveal detail even under

extreme lighting conditions. The LEICA M8

also masters challenging night shots

effortlessly at high ISO settings; the

pictures contain very little noise, but

instead exhibit superior detail rendition

with no flare effects.

Achieving performance of this caliber

requires the finest selection of cutting-

edge components at every level of the

image-formation chain. The lens, the

LEICA ELMARIT-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH,

represents the topmost level. Like all Leica

M lenses currently on the market, the new

28 mm dazzles with exceptional detail

and sharpness qualities at all aperture

settings. Thanks to the high-quality coating

of critical lens elements, stray light effects

that lower contrast are almost completely

avoided. The surface coating of the

back element is crucial, as it prevents stray

light from bouncing around in between

the lens and sensor thus degrading the

reproduction quality. Almost all M lenses

since 1954 have had this coating, while

The LEICA M8 masters extreme contrasts brilliantly,

finely defining the shadows and the highlights

22592_E_LWN07_01_S1821_RZ_neu.QXD 21.02.2007 20:59 Uhr Seite 19

other companies awaited the introduction

of the digital exposure medium to put such

measures into effect.

Another remarkable feature distinguishing

the LEICA M8 from other digital cameras is

the clarity and purity with which the sensor

captures images. Storing pictures in

DNG format – the LEICA M8’s raw data

format for highest quality pictures –

you’ll be surprised to discover just how

little postproduction the pictures require.

And the less the image is processed,

the less quality is lost. The pictures

generated by the sensor of the LEICA M8

are spectacularly noise-free, making

suppression measures largely redundant,

particularly at lower ISO levels. The images

require next to no post-sharpening

either, resulting in a natural photographic

impression virtually unrivaled in the world

of digital cameras.

This exceptional clarity is also due to

the absence of an anti-aliasing filter –

effectively, a blur filter – as well as

employing an extra-thin, restricted infrared

band-pass filter, which doesn’t affect

the sharpness or contrast. In the

overwhelming majority of cases, the

new LEICA M8 will give outstanding

visual quality. Occasionally, however, the

reproduction suffers color displacement

caused by infrared light. Dark synthetic

fabrics in particular can reflect the

infrared percentage of light excessively,

causing a subtle magenta tinge known as

infrared contamination.

To counteract this, Leica has decided to

provide, free of charge, every LEICA M8

purchaser with two external infrared

band-pass filters, to be threaded onto

the lens. The new LEICA UV/IR filter

blocks infrared as well as ultraviolet light

and is substantially more effective

than any internal filter at sensor level

could ever be. Unwanted light rays are

deflected and do not reach the lens.

As a result, the lens’s ability to control

stray light improves perceptibly. Most

importantly, infrared rays no longer cause

color displacement or contrast reduction.

Regardless of the circumstances, the

20 Leica News

The LEICA M8 and Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH combination also put on a convincing

performance for night exposures: sharp and with a minimal amount of noise

22592_E_LWN07_01_S1821_RZ_neu.QXD 21.02.2007 20:59 Uhr Seite 20

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