For those who cut their photographic teeth on the film cameras of old, the name “Leica” is very familiar. They were pioneers of the 35mm camera in 1925. Their cameras have been the tool of choice for photojournalists, travel photographers and photographic artists since 1954 when their M range finder was released. The Leica is loved and appreciated for its fine workmanship, intuitive controls and whisper quiet shutter. Henri Cartier Bresson was using a Leica when he said that his camera was “an extension of his arm”.
Since the advent of the digital age, film cameras have fallen out of favor. Leica’s film cameras have become very expensive collector’s items. The digital cameras made by Canon and Nikon have become the tool of choice for pros and serious amateurs alike.
There’s good news for the Leica devotee. In November the company will release a new, digital version of the M range finder, the M8. It looks and feels like the old models. It has the sleek, clean look of the original M models. It even accepts the old M lenses produced as far back as 1954.
The new M8 has a 10.2 megapixel sensor which is not up to par with the Canon EOS 5D at 12.8 megapixels. It also can’t claim the super quiet shutter that it had been known for in the past. At a price of $4,795 (body only) Leica can’t compete in price either. (Canon is almost $2,000 less). However, this could be the time for Leica users to switch to digital. This is a very fine professional camera, designed to take great pictures. And you can preserve your investment in lenses since they are compatible.
Get details at www.leicacamerausa.com BACK TO HOME PAGE
Recent Comments