Leica M8, Exclusive Preview

admin — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:41:39 +0000

Leica has today unveiled its long awaited M8 Digital Rangefinder camera. Some fifty-two years since Leica introduced the first M series camera (the M3) they have introduced what is without doubt a milestone model, the first digital M series. The M8 has a ten megapixel CCD (with special offset microlenses to reduce vignetting) which produces a 1.3x FOV crop,it is built around the same sold metal design which has become the M series trademark with a solid brass top and base and a magnesium alloy cast main section. This camera has been built from the ground up as a digital rangefinder but without compromising the size, quality or usability of the M series design.

Leica M8 digital camera specifications:

Format	Range finder
Price (street)	$5195.00
Also known as
Release Status
Max resolution	3936 x 2630
Low resolution	2952 x 1972, 1968 x 1315, 1312 x 876
Image ratio w:h	3:2
Effective pixels	10.3 million
Sensor photo detectors	10.3 million
Sensor size	27 x 18 mm (4.86 cm²)
Pixel density	2.1 MP/cm²
Sensor type	CCD
Sensor manufacturer	Kodak
ISO rating	160, 320, 640, 1250, 2500
Zoom wide (W)
Zoom tele (T)
Digital zoom	No
Image stabilization	No
Auto Focus	n/a
Manual Focus	Yes
Normal focus range
Macro focus range
White balance override	6 positions, plus manual and kelvin
Aperture range
Min shutter	8 sec
Max shutter	1/8000 sec
Built-in Flash	No
Flash range
External flash	Yes, hot-shoe
Flash modes	1st or 2nd shutter sync, auto slow sync
Exposure compensation	-3 to +3 EV in 0.3 EV steps
Metering	Center-biased TTL
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	No
Focal length multiplier	1.3
Lens thread	Leica M bayonet
Continuous Drive	No
Movie Clips	No
Remote control	No
Self-timer	Yes, 2 or 12 sec
Timelapse recording	No
Orientation sensor	No
Storage types	SD/SDHC card
Storage included	None
Uncompressed format	Yes, RAW (DNG)
Quality Levels	Fine, Standard
Viewfinder	Optical (Rangefinder)
LCD	2.5 “
LCD Dots	230,000
Live View	No
USB	USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)
HDMI	No
Wireless	No
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Lithium-Ion rechargeable
Weight (inc. batteries)	591 g (20.8 oz)
Dimensions	139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.5 x 3.2 x 1.5 in)
Notes	Leica’s first digital M series
Resolution Chart
Colour Patches

[Source]

Leica announces M8.2 rangefinder updateLeica announces M8.2 rangefinder update

admin — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 06:37:29 +0000

Leica has launched an updated version of its M8 digital rangefinder camera. The M8.2 features the same body as the M8, but includes the previously optional upgrades announced at PMA in January 2008. These include a low vibration, extra quiet focal plane shutter with the option to re-cock the shutter at a more convenient moment. The camera body also sports a new vulcanite finish and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal cover glass for LCD protection.

Leica M8.2 digital camera specifications:

Format	Range finder
Price (street)
Also known as
Release Status
Max resolution	3936 x 2630
Low resolution	2952 x 1972, 1968 x 1315, 1312 x 876
Image ratio w:h	3:2
Effective pixels	10.3 million
Sensor photo detectors	10.3 million
Sensor size	27 x 18 mm (4.86 cm²)
Pixel density	2.1 MP/cm²
Sensor type	CCD
Sensor manufacturer	Kodak
ISO rating	160, 320, 640, 1250, 2500
Zoom wide (W)
Zoom tele (T)
Digital zoom	No
Image stabilization	No
Auto Focus	n/a
Manual Focus	Yes
Normal focus range
Macro focus range
White balance override	6 positions, plus manual and kelvin
Aperture range
Min shutter	8 sec
Max shutter	1/4000 sec
Built-in Flash	No
Flash range
External flash	Yes, hot-shoe
Flash modes	1st or 2nd shutter sync, auto slow sync
Exposure compensation	-3 to +3 EV in 0.3 EV steps
Metering	Center-biased TTL
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	No
Focal length multiplier	1.3
Lens thread	Leica M bayonet
Continuous Drive	No
Movie Clips	No
Remote control	No
Self-timer	Yes, 2 or 12 sec
Timelapse recording	No
Orientation sensor	No
Storage types	SD/SDHC card
Storage included	None
Uncompressed format	Yes, RAW (DNG)
Quality Levels	Fine, Standard
Viewfinder	Optical (Rangefinder)
LCD	2.5 “
LCD Dots	230,000
Live View	No
USB	USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)
HDMI	No
Wireless	No
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Lithium-Ion rechargeable
Weight (inc. batteries)	591 g (20.8 oz)
Dimensions	139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.5 x 3.2 x 1.5 in)
Notes	New Snapshot Mode, Protective cover for lcd,
Resolution Chart
Colour Patches

[Source]

Digtal Camera Reviews - The Imagery Resource! » Range finder

Leica M8, Exclusive Preview

Leica M8 digital camera specifications:

Leica announces M8.2 rangefinder updateLeica announces M8.2 rangefinder update

Leica M8.2 digital camera specifications: