Leica introduces drool-worthy cameras at same sky-high Leica price

Yesterday, Leica introduced two new cameras -- the M9 rangefinder, the smallest camera ever with a sensor the size of 35mm film, and the X1, a new line of fixed-lens APS-C cameras. While insinuating that Leica was influenced by anything Asian is enough to have Leicaphiles try to strangle you with their ascots, it's fitting that they released the cameras on 09/09/09. In China, nine is the emperor's number, the symbol of the bridge between heaven and earth. With these new models, the Emporer of Small, Gorgeous Cameras have a gap between impressive function and that same to-the-Heavens Leica price -- $6,995 for the M9 and $1,995 for the X1.

People -- including me -- have been drooling over the idea of a full-frame digital Leica pretty much since digital photography began. There's something deeply refreshing about the process of taking photos with a rangefinder, and no question that everything Leica makes in its rangefinder lineup has been crafted with the highest care. But Leica doesn't make sensors, and the pairing with Kodak started off the digital M9 with some blemishes, an M8 with serious UV bleed issues. While the new M9 sensor still isn't going to impress D700, or 5DII users with its ISO sensitivity, it is an impressive fear to create a 35mm-sized rangefinder sensor without extreme vignetting.

Most people will never pay $7K for a manual-focus camera, no matter how beautiful. Leica knows that, and revels in it -- it hasn't tried to be a camera line for "most people" for many, many decades. Other than the 18MP sensor, it doesn't even make much sense to talk about features. This camera isn't about features. It's about the idea that, at heart, a camera is a box with a hole in it, so why not make a world-class box and fit it with some of the best lenses ever made?

While the X1 hasn't gotten the spotlight, in some ways it's even more interesting. It's an entirely new line-up, and currently competing with only the Sigma DP2. Now, you can buy three Sigmas and a flash for the price of the Leica, but still $2K is within a lot more people's reach, especially when you don't have to pay thousands for each Leica lens. It's fixed with a 24mm f/2.8 lens with a 1.5x crop sensor, and Leica also sells a large, bright optical viewfinder separately. It does autofocus, has 12.2 megapixels, and shoots at 3 fps. If you like the 35mm frame-of-view, this camera with attached viewfinder can give you that rangefinder feeling. And thanks to the integrated sensor design, it can shoot even more quietly than the M9.

Comments

[bluetooth headset on September 12, 2009 at 04:37 AM]

Well I think that D700 is a level up from your 40D, more comparable to the 5D which is close to the same price.Historically Nikon have been 'in the market' longer than Canon. In the DSLR game they have had several pro and semi-pro cameras, although Canon did take an early lead they are slowly losing ground now (pull you socks up Canon, where's the new 5D?) Want something cheaper? Consider the new Nikon D90 or a budget D60.

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[wholesale dropshippers on March 09, 2011 at 01:52 AM]

I think it is the best camera i have ever seen before with 18 mega pixel. I see it's specs on the other site it's battery time has been increased from it's older version and processing of images is also a bit fast and soft release mode. Every thing invent by men continuously comes with it's drawback so it has too that it freezes when shoot pictures continuously.