"I'm gonna buy it when it has the engraved logo instead of the front red badge." I've been hearing such voices from many people. Leica is an interesting camera because the appearance, traditional or modern, plays a big part in the consumer's eagerness to buy. The uncountable kinds and number of the lenses. The glorious history represented by the legendary photographers. It has countless episodes to talk while drinking. And, once you entered the Leica world, there's a danger of becoming obsessed with it and this is why even the appearance can give rise to troubles. It's easy to deny such a world. I use equipment from all brands in my job and I'm confident that I can evaluate the Leica system objectively. However, even so, I'm impressed with the unique image quality of the bodies as well as the abnormal modern lenses. Of course, I'm using the word "abnormal" in honor of Leica. Anyway, let's take a look at the images shot with the latest Leica body and lenses.
( Photo & Text: K )
The SUMMILUX-M 1:1.4/35 ASPH. II. The focal point looks razor sharp and the 35mm lens with such 3D quality is rare. Maybe, it's rare regardless of focal length. 35mm focal length is interesting because the image looks more objective at close range, while it looks more subjective at long range. (*1) And, the power of this lens further increases the tendency. It's a very interesting lens and to me, it's a lens capable of slicing off the air of the scene as a cube. As for the objectivity/subjectivity issue, try it out on your own. Anyway, 35mm is very deep. *1 This opinion is based on the 70cm minimum focus distance of rangefinder cameras.
The NOCTILUX-M 1:0.95/50 ASPH. The F0.95 is brighter than human eyes. There used to be other lenses with this speed, but I'm astonished by the fact the focal peak of the image looks sharp even though it was taken with a body/sensor over 20 megapixels. When possible, I recommend you to use it around 10m rather than the minimum focus range as it will take very interesting pictures. And, the secret to master this lens is buying the Leica M or the M-P. The depth of focus is paper-thin, so it's difficult to focus without liveview or EVF. Another secret may be focusing on the surface rather than point.
The MACRO-ELMAR has been the standard lens for macro photography using Leica system (by mounting the lens on the extension tube). However, with rangefinder cameras, we don't frame the image through the lens. So, we can't focus or frame when the tube is mounted. Then, we need to attach the lenses for the eyepiece window as well as the rangefinder, so that we can still use the viewfinder image when shooting at the macro range. And, we call the attachment "eyeglass." But, with the Leica M/M-P, we don't need the eyeglass anymore thanks to the liveview and the EVF. This lens has a slow F4 max speed, but the focal point is so sharp and the bokeh is soft presumably because of the reasonable optical design. Plus, the depiction is wonderful regardless of focus distance and the compact collapsible design makes it a perfect travel lens. Wait. There's another trick. You can also mount other lenses on the eyeglass (of course, you can't frame through the eyeglass).
Back to the SUMMILUX 35mm. What a 3D quality. The back bokeh is kind of peculiar, but this lens makes me excited every time I look at the images on the monitor.
Rangefinder uses tend to avoid telephoto lenses because it's hard to shoot with the narrow bright line. But, with the liveview and the EVF, you don't have to worry about the framing and focusing anymore. The 90mm focal length has a moderate comparison power and natural perspective. And, here is my another impression: it can frame the time. Please try it if you get the M-P or the M as it's very interesting. The name is MACRO, but the image quality is fantastic at infinity as well. It clearly separated the focused subject from the background and the two people look as if they were popping out.
The SUMMILUX 50mm. It was soon after it was released and I tried it out. I almost got paralyzed with the sharpness. And, I think it's still one of the sharpest lens along with the Leica's APO-SUMMICRON 50mm. I'm always impressed with the natural highlight tonal gradation of the M-P and the M and I can use the high key without hesitation.
As might be expected from the name MACRO, the distortions are well corrected. It's not one of the most popular lenses, but it's a very useful lens.
The NOCTILUX again. The corners look slightly loose and fall off. But, this is a lens that we use wide open taking the advantage of the character. It was about 10m to the subject and I'm stunned by the sharpness wide open. And, the interesting mood can only be realized by the F0.95/F1.0 and it can't be realized by using a telephoto lens wide open.
Another shot with the NOCTILUX. The background around the center is defocused significantly probably because of the aspherical elements. And, the focal peak is so sharp that the subjects pop out when they are framed around the center. I was looking at the sky waiting for airplanes and I used to do it many times. It's so much fun shooting them in the evening sky. The image has the little chilly late summer mood.
The last one is also the NOCTILUX. A camera body is important for photography, but what makes Leica special is the rich collection of lenses including the updated digital compatible modern lenses. And, there is an unlimited number of choices for the old lenses. Lenses are like paintbrushes and what the Leica lenses draw has always attracted people.
The Leica Company moved back to Wetzlar from Solms. Not to mention, the logo engraving on the top cover now says "Wetzlar." If I remember correctly, I think the last "Wetzlar" engraving goes back to the very first version of the M6. Compared to the M, the M-P has increased buffer, sapphire glass, and the top cover engraving, while it lakes of the front Leica logo. And, the black-paint body has the hot-shoe, rear thumb dial, and the scroll wheel all in black. Thanks for waiting for this appearance. Enjoy photography further with this new camera free from the demerits of rangefinder cameras.
( 2014.09.06 )