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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.

SAMPLE PHOTOS - Taken by me - ©2017, Benjamin Traves

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 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...

Leica SL Review and Sample Images - The new Leica SL (typ 601) / November 22, 2015 by Benjamin Traves

The Leica SL (typ 601) is here and it is fantastic! For sample images just scroll all the way down. I'm working on the review now and will have more of it finished soon.

The Leica SL, a camera nobody really expected, has suddenly arrived. Now, just because nobody expected it doesn't mean it isn't a great camera. Usually companies make decisions on new products based on consumer demand and what the competitors are offering. What is so great about Leica is that, as with Steve Jobs at Apple for many years, they design and build things that nobody knew they wanted or needed. They create devices which are just plain better than anything else, unique / different, and usually able to completely surprise everyone. The Leica SL is definitely the future of the photography industry, and Leica is leading the way.

* This is a "rolling" review, meaning I will be constantly updating it over time.

If you read the specifications it looks like some madman's wishlist of everything ideal to put into a camera (and the new zoom lens as well). In fact, no camera company has ever put this many different popular features together in one single camera, for example, the Leica SL has both GPS and WiFi built into the camera, instead of just one or the other. As far as I know, the only other semi-serious camera to have both of those functions is the Canon 6D (although curiously none of the higher-end Canon or Nikon cameras such as the 5D III / 1DX or the D810 / D4S have either capability). The autofocus is extremely fast. The LCD screen and electronic viewfinder have no visible lag or delay at all. The camera is fully weather sealed, robust, solid. Most consumer cameras are not, except for the few I just mentioned which are the best Nikon and Canon make. Those, until now, were the only cameras I would put any real faith in with regard to durability and "survivability" in extreme conditions.

Inside, the Leica SL is much the same as the new Leica Q, with a 24 megapixel full-frame sensor and Maestro series processor. On the outside, however, it is a different animal entirely. While still managing to be smaller than the S series, which isn't hard, the new SL is still quite substantial, particularly when paired with the new 24-90mm zoom lens. On the outside, it has a fantastic eyepiece for the EVF and a very nice "transflective" display on top which is easily visible even in bright sunlight. Even with Leica's minimal interface, borrowed from the S series, it's quite easy to learn what each of the unlabeled buttons does and if you get lost just press any of them. A little hint icon will pop up next to each one, and these vary based on being in shooting mode (live view) or playback of photos already taken.

* I will be adding much more to this review soon, once I've had sufficient time to shoot with the SL a bit more. Also lots more sample images coming soon!

PROS:

- Image quality. Just fantastic. That's why you buy (and carry) a camera like this.

- Fast, silent (truly silent) autofocus.

- Build quality is top notch, and every button and dial feels perfect to use.

- The 24-90mm zoom lens is just optically incredible, no noticeable distortion and extremely sharp edge to edge throughout the zoom range.

- I'm just going to go ahead and put image quality again.

CONS:

- This is major, the bottom edge of the camera digs into my side / hip as I'm carrying it slung on my shoulder. It is a very sharp metal edge, not rounded like pro DSLRs are at the bottom. I understand the desire for clean, crisp lines but it negatively impacts the comfort and ergonomics of this camera.

- I wouldn't exactly consider either the price or weight as a con because it really just depends on the individual. What's heavy and expensive to one person is just professional quality and construction to another. But it is certainly not light. Or inexpensive.

- Very small complaint, but this anodized black aluminum for the body and lens are just absolute fingerprint magnets. Also tends to get condensation all over when you transition from cool indoor areas to tropical humidity here in Miami.

All Images ©2015, Benjamin Traves

New Leica S (typ 007) Review & Sample Images / August 25, 2015 by Benjamin Traves

The brand new (but announced 11 months ago) Leica S typ 007 is finally here! I plan on borrowing one from Leica Store Miami as soon as possible for sample image purposes, although I've already held one and played around with it a bit. Should be able to take one for a spin fairly soon, so stay tuned.

My first impression from using the new S (typ 007): It is VERY FAST. Absolutely the fastest medium format camera I've ever used in my life. I have used everything from the original Leica S2 to the Phase One IQ180 and newer IQ3/XF body from Phase (not counting Hasselblad here because they are not user friendly whatsoever), and I can tell you this new S is phenomenal. And they dropped the price from the originally planned $25,000 to $16,900!!!

Everyone currently waiting for one this past year will be happy to hear that it is not only worth the wait, but comes with a very, very good price point. There are some caveats though, and I'm hearing that the warranty situation will work differently than with past S cameras. More on that soon, once I confirm with Leica.

So, the takeaway from this: Unquestionably the best medium format camera to actually use. Image quality looks phenomenal on a retina MacBook Pro. You can decide for yourself, very soon.

Image samples:

New Leica Monochrom is here! Officially known as the "Leica M Monochrom (typ 246)" / April 30, 2015 by Benjamin Traves

I have had my hands on a prototype of the new Leica M Monochrom (typ 246) and it is fantastic!

Officially, it is known as the "Leica M Monochrom (typ 246)" but the internal code name of the camera in development at Leica (before it was announced today) was "Elliott" after the legendary photographer Elliott Erwitt.

Leica has posted information and some incredible sample images by photographer Ragnar Axelsson.

Long story short, it is the same body as the Leica M-P (typ 240) but with a black chrome finish similar to the previous Monochrom camera. There is a sapphire crystal protecting the rear LCD, as with the previous Monochrom and the current M-P 240. No markings on the body, which is different from the engraved top plate of the M-P, but similar to the previous Monochrom. Sensor is the 24 megapixel CMOS from the M-P but without an RGB color layer, hence the "monochrome" images, even for the raw files (the raw file format is DNG for all Leica M cameras, in case you're new to Leica). All accessories from the current M/M-P should be compatible with the new Monochrom (typ 246).

If you want to read a very in-depth review of the camera with lots of great sample images by David Farkas, check it out on Red Dot Forum

Another great interview (and photos) with Ragnar Axelsson on the official Leica Camera Blog

You can pre-order the new Monochrom at Leica Store Miami

I will be shooting with the new Monochrom (typ 246) and posting sample images (and video) soon!