The Leica SL update - after two years of regular use / January 8, 2018 by Benjamin Traves

The SL is Leica's most technologically advanced imaging system ever, period.

It was the most advanced camera on the market when it was launched two years ago. Touch screen, WiFi, GPS, USB 3.0 were not found on ANY OTHER serious full-frame pro cameras. Let that sink in for a moment. Leica absolutely destroyed the competition with this camera, yet almost nobody realized it except for existing Leica aficionados. Everyone else kept using inferior equipment because they did not know anything about this camera. Most people still don't, and I think it is a tragedy. Two years later, it is still ahead of its time.

The SL is simply brilliant.

I did not say it is Leica's "best" camera because I think that word is too easily thrown about with other reviewers these days. Consider what you will be doing with a camera and that what is best for you may not be best for everyone. Also I love the M series dearly and it's amazing to me that Leica produces both of these very different types of cameras. This is the same company that still makes THREE different film cameras as well, so don't be too surprised. They have some impressive range for such a small camera company relative to the "big three" which is how I refer to Canon, Nikon, and Sony.

Leica CL Review and Sample Photos / November 29, 2017 by Benjamin Traves

The brand new Leica CL has arrived!

I have been testing it and I will be posting my thoughts and more importantly, lots of sample photos very soon. Check back for more!

Leica CL - my first quick conversion to B&W from a raw file (DNG)

Quick unscientific test of dynamic range. Full sunlight to heavy shadow, and the CL did pretty well.

Below is a slideshow gallery of some of the test photos I took in a wide variety of light conditions. All were DNG processed in Lightroom and adjusted slightly to suit my preferences. Some of them have a film look which I added. The files look great to me so far and I'm looking forward to shooting more soon.

LEICA M10 Review & Hands On with Sample Photos / January 19, 2017 by Benjamin Traves

THE NEW LEICA M10 HAS ARRIVED!

I'm very excited to finally be able to talk about the newest Leica M camera, the M10. It keeps all the things I liked about the M typ 240 and fixes many things I didn't like. It might just be the perfect camera for me.

UPDATES -

HANDS ON: Finally! So glad to try it out, and it really is as good as I hoped. I'm not just saying that. It is VERY, VERY GOOD!

Yes, it's that good. Think SL image quality in a slim M body with only the features essential to real photography. I'm very excited about this. Looking forward to posting some of my own images soon but for now please enjoy the beautiful product photos by Leica Camera AG.

IMAGE QUALITY: Fantastic, of course, but does seem to be a bit different than the SL and Q sensor output. I've shot both of those quite a bit as well, and this is definitely something different.

Note: This is a "rolling review" meaning I will first post the product photos provided by Leica and later put all of my own images from the M10.

** PRE-ORDERS: I'm happy to say you can now speak to me directly about ordering your new M10. That's why there are no ads on my website, because I work for an official LEICA Dealer which means you can actually talk to me and buy directly from me. For inquiries, please CONTACT ME and we can discuss important issues like whether you want your Leica M10 in silver or black. In all seriousness, I do not bias my reviews to sell cameras. I merely ask that if you have independently decided to purchase a Leica, please do so with me as it helps me out and I'd love to continue posting more good content with zero ads and clutter. My position at a major camera store (and authorized dealer for most camera brands) allows me to sell cameras and lenses from all the popular brands, not just Leica. I am able to discuss nearly any other camera available today with relative familiarity. Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Zeiss, Hasselblad, Phase One, and also lighting companies such as Broncolor and Profoto. If you have a camera question, I can help.

"Official" Leica press images, followed by my own assessments of the new camera.

Here are the first sample photos taken with the M10. For now, I'm stuck shooting out of a window until I get the OK to take this baby outside.

Many more sample images will be posted soon...

LOW LIGHT / HIGH ISO

Here's the first low-light "Max ISO" test at 50,000 with NO noise reduction applied to the raw file in Lightroom. This is the "worst" it will get at maximum ISO, which of course you shouldn't ever use anyway, on any camera. But people will ask me, so here it is:

Here's one shot at ISO 25,000 handheld, out a window, at night, with the 90mm Summicron at f/2

Leica Q closeup / macro test photos / March 23, 2016 by Benjamin Traves

I tested out the macro feature built in to the Leica Q, and it works quite well for the purpose of photographing other gadgets. I don't normally do much macro so I can't speak to the "pro" requirements but it worked fine for me.

The Q camera I used for these images is from Leica Store Miami.

* Images were adjusted in Lightroom. These are customized, not the colors you would get straight from the camera. The Leica Q has a very accurate color rendering. These are much more blue but I like it to emphasize the silver of the iPhone.

More sample images coming soon...

Thanks to Leica Store Miami for loaning me the Leica Q

Leica X-U is here! Now you really can always have a Leica with you! / January 21, 2016 by Benjamin Traves

The Leica X-U (photo by Leica Camera AG)

The best camera is the one that's with you, unless you've ever owned an underwater compact camera. The Leica X-U is about to change all that. Nothing on the market has ever inspired much confidence in terms of image quality, even if the waterproofing and shock resistance were neat (often essential) features. Not since the Nikonos (film) series has anything compact been worthwhile for serious underwater photos. Not counting the pro standard of using a DSLR in an underwater housing, this is the best possible underwater / outdoor adventure camera.

Even if you do count housed DSLRs as an option (typically double the cost of your camera by itself), consider that this new Leica X-U has an APS-C sensor, the same as in most DSLRs on the market today. So, what are you giving up, really? Interchangeable lenses (I would have probably put a 35mm lens on mine anyway). An optical viewfinder (difficult to use underwater) and you'll still have Live View so that's roughly the same. AND, this has macro mode plus a built-in macro flash, so no dorky, bulky flash arms protruding from either side of your heavy, borderline unmanageable underwater housing rig. In short, this camera packs a lot in a small form factor.

A visit to either the Florida Keys or maybe even the Bahamas seems necessary now...

Benjamin Traves