Leica Makes Good on M9 Sensor Problems - Mine Is Going Back

 

Image Source: http://en.leica-camera.com/World-of-Leica/Leica-News/About-Leica-News/Global/Important-Information-Concerning-the-CCD-Sensors

 

My Leica M9 was just serviced about a year ago at Leica USA.

 

Recently, a problem with the Leica M9, M9-P, M Monochrom and M-E camera sensors surfaced, related to corrosion of a coating on the IR filter. Leica is offering a "goodwill arrangement," under which they'll replace any affected sensors free of charge. They're also offering attractive upgrade options if owners are interested in upgrading to the M240 or MP (240).

I think I'll send my camera in and see what the options are.

(Click Here) to read the official announcement of the goodwill arrangement.

 

Having a problem like this is never good for camera owners. It can only hurt the resale value of used cameras. But, given that it happened, this seems like a generous response by Leica. I'll be sure to report what happens with mine.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

LHSA's Raffle - Unbelievable Prizes!

The International Leica Society is running its annual raffle right now. This year's prizes are unprecedented. True, last year's grand prize was a Leica M9-P. I had the pleasure of meeting the lucky guy who won it. But this year, wow!

APO Summicron M Aspheric 50mm f2 Lens

Image Source: http://www.overgaard.dk/leica-50mm-APO-Summicron-M-ASPH-f-20.html

 

The current grand prize is the winner's choice of either the $7,000 Leica M (240), the newest Leica M rangefinder body, or the 50mm APO Summicron, valued at $7,300 or so. Second prize, the X2! Third? Dlux 6. All of these are excellent prizes.

 

So, how does one take part in the raffle? First, you must be an LHSA member. For $55 per year (electronic membership), you're in. Pay a little more and you get the paper version of the excellent Viewfinder magazine.

 

(Click Here) to join LHSA.

 

Once you're a member, (Click Here) to get your raffle tickets. Raffle ticket prices are $10 per ticket, $60 for a book of ten, or $100 for a book of twenty. Not bad for prizes worth several thousand dollars.

 

Hurry, as your tickets must be purchased by July 12, 2013!

 

So, what makes a $7,300 50mm lens? Well, the APO M Aspheric 50mm is probably the most well-corrected, high tech 50mm lens ever made. APO stands for apochromatic correction, which ensures that all colors in the image focus at exactly the same point. An aspheric element, which requires exotic manufacturing techniqe, corrects for other aberrations.

 

(Click Here) to read more about the lens on Thorsten Overgaard's site.

 

Personally, I'm going for the APO Summicron when I win. I'll be happy with any of the prizes, however.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Fred Bonatto Shares Bosnia on getdpi.com With His Leica M8

I always really liked the Leica M8. Yes, it had a cropped sensor. Yes, you had to use UV/IR filters. Yes, lens coding was a pain, especially for people like me who don't have the latest (coded) lenses. But, it sure could make a nice image when all the right pieces were in place.

 

Fred Bonatto (username bonatto on getdpi.com) has shared some images from Bosnia, taken with his M8.

 

 

Image Source: http://www.getdpi.com/forum/leica-m-x-r/44317-bosnia-m8.html

 

(Click Here) to read bonatto's post, and see several more excellent Leica M8 images.

 

Here's one that I shot with my M8. I sold my M8 when I got the M9.

 

Eric Felton Orchestra, by Reed A. George

Leica M8, Minolta Rokkor 40mm f2 Lens

iso 640, f2, 1/90 sec.

 

The M8 delivered beautiful, not-overstated color. But, I think it really excelled at black and white.

 

In my humble opinion, the M9 does everything that the M8 did, and much more. Full frame, no filters required, manual lens settings (or coding, if you need them). The M8 was capable of magic when things were all correct; the M9 is capable of magic any time.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Saturated Colors and Emotion - A Leica Strength, I Believe

Me & My Balloon

Image Source: http://www.rangetraveler.com/me-my-balloon/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=me-my-balloon

 

This shot was made with a digital Leica M9-P and teh Leica 50mm Summilux. When I look at this, especially the saturated red balloon, and the enhanced vignetting, darkening the areas surrounding the child, I can almost remember what it felt like to be a little kid. Wearing my hood up, with my new balloon, in a world of my own. I think this image really succeeds in taking us elsewhere, in time and space.

 

There is clearly some significant post-processing in this image.

 

(Click Here) to see the original post on rangetraveler.com

 

The color here reminds me of what I get with one of my favorite old lenses, a Leica Summaron 3.5cm f3.5 thread mount (LTM) lens. Here's an example of what my lens produces, without boosting saturation, etc.

 

Autumn Colors, by Reed A. George

Leica CL, Leica 3.5cm f3.5 Summaron Lens

iso200 Film

 

I'll be featuring my Summaron at some point in the coming months on my M9, as part of my "Whole Lotta Leica" series. I'm always pleased with the images this tiny little lens produces.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com