Thanks to Leica, I was invited to the launch event of Leica T-System in Singapore and specifically, the Leica T camera. When you mention Leica, the first thing that comes to your mind is premium quality in their products. I know some of you might already be thinking that they come with a high price tag. In my opinion, with the quality of Leica T camera , it is worth it and not as high (price tag) as you might imagine.
The moment you hold on to a Leica T (Typ 701), you will immediately feel the difference. It feels so premium and the quality is really really good. Actually, this is no surprise because Leica craft the body out of a piece of Aluminum.
Here is the aluminum block and the end product.
The back view.
The front view.
That is not all. Check out the flash. Super good design and smooth.
Here is the side compartment for the SD card and port connector. BTW, the Leica T has a built in 16GB of memory.
I wonder if you have notice about this small little item on some camera. Leica has really put in great effort to ensure that the protection cover for the hot shoe is fitted nicely.
And check out the 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor.
One of the media actually asked the Leica executives why they did not use a Full-Frame sensor like the M series. They mentioned that if they use Full Frame, the lenses will be very bulky. I think that make a lot of sense in designing a compact camera.
Talking about the M-Series, here is some good news. Leica has made it possible for you to use the M-series lenses via the Leica M Adapter T. Check out the lens with the adapter.
A closer look.
The next important factor that is missing on the camera is the electronics view finder. For Leica T, you will need to purchase it separately. Leica provided a nice reason why it is not incorporated into the body.
One reason why they did not provide a built in view finder is that they wanted the camera as compact as possible. Another reason is that the view finder technology improves over years. With a detachable one, one can easily replace it when needed.
The next most interesting things to see are their accessories. Check out this rubber casing that is made of 2 parts.
You can open up to take picture as shown below.
You can also purchase a super well designed strap. It will not scratch the body of the camera. BTW, the way the strap holds on to the camera is patented.
And some bag accessories for you to carry.
By now, y0u should be super interested to know the pricing and availability. It will be available for Pre-Order now. Collection will be from 26th May onwards. As for the pricing, the body itself is S$2,500 and the kit lens is around the same price S$2,500.
Photography in its purest form: the new LEICA T camera system
Fine engineering and sleek design unite for pure, creative photography
SINGAPORE – Leica Camera AG presents a new camera system that unites the fine art of engineering and hand-crafted excellence with design and handling in an entirely new and innovative concept. From the initial idea through to the development process and in its final assembly, the focus of all disciplines involved was on one single thing – perfection. The outcome was the creation of the Leica T-System, a camera with an exquisite finish ‘made in Germany’ that, together with a portfolio of precise, high-performance lenses, offers exceptional versatility and particularly intuitive handling. Unique in design and pared down to the essential functions, the new Leica T-System offers everything anyone could ever need for pure, creative photography and the best image quality.
Sleek AUDI Design
In collaboration with AUDI Design, the typical design language of Leica cameras was revisited and reinterpreted. With its timeless and sleek design, the Leica T picks up the unmistakeable attributes of Leica product design and develops them systematically – with clean lines, smooth surfaces and formal minimalism.
Unmatched Quality, Unrivalled Craftsmanship
One of the camera’s outstanding features is its compact and solid body. This is manufactured with innovative precision techniques from a single block of aluminium at the Leica factory. The use of premium materials and their processing in an elaborate manufacturing process are unique in the history of camera construction and lend the Leica T an unmistakeable look, feel and solidity. Its substantial weight and a newly developed operating concept underline its user-friendly handling and, together, these features ensure an incomparable photographic experience.
Versatile lenses
Two lenses will initially be available for the market launch of the Leica T-System:
- The Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18–56 mm f/3.5–5.6 ASPH. is ideal for creative experimentation with various perspectives and focal lengths. For expansive landscapes, documentary pictures or portraits – whatever the genre, this standard zoom lens offers exceptional flexibility in every situation.
- The fast and compact Leica Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH., with a focal length equivalent to 35 mm in full-frame format, offers a truly classic Leica focal length that is ideal for reportage photography.
The Super-Vario-Elmar-T 11–23 mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH. wide-angle zoom and the Vario-Elmar-T 55–135 mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH. telephoto zoom are scheduled to appear in time for presentation at photokina 2014. Developed by Leica optical designers as precision tools, all Leica T lenses offer the exceptional imaging performance for which Leica lenses are famed.
Cutting Edge Technology
The combination of a newly designed high-performance processor and sensor ensures outstanding picture quality in every situation. The Leica T features a large, APS-C-format, CMOS image sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP) that, due to its size, performance and imaging characteristics, represents the ideal solution in the compact class of the Leica T. It ensures brilliant pictures with outstanding contrast, finest detail resolution and natural colour rendition – even in unfavourable lighting conditions.
Simple and Intuitive
Complementing the purist design of the camera, the operating concept of the Leica T is equally clear, simple and concentrated on relevant functions. At the heart of the concept is the clear design of the touchscreen display. It is generously dimensioned and generates a bright and clear image that allows precise and reliable assessment during image composition and in playback mode. Numerous functions in capture and playback mode can be controlled simply by touching the screen. The only other controls are four ergonomically positioned haptic control elements that are intuitive in their operation. This ensures that camera users can concentrate fully on composing their pictures – without any unnecessary distractions.
The MyCamera menu of the Leica T offers even greater flexibility, even for spontaneous snapshot situations, and can be configured and programmed with settings to meet the user’s own personal requirements. This means that the photographer always has fast access to the most frequently used features and presets.
Wi-Fi connectivity
The Leica T is the first system camera from Leica to feature an integrated Wi-Fi module. Pictures and videos can be wirelessly transmitted straight from the camera to a smartphone, tablet or computer, and can then be shared by email, or on Facebook or other social media. A free Leica T app for iOS devices is available now.
A particularly practical feature of the app is the remote function. This lets users wirelessly connect their smartphone or tablet to the camera and use it as an electronic viewfinder for the Leica T and, amongst other functions, allows remote setting of the shutter speed and aperture values – for example for shots with the self-timer function or from unusual angles.
Comprehensive Accessory Range
The Leica T-System also offers a multitude of accessories:
- The high-resolution electronic viewfinder with a selectable, integrated GPS feature, developed especially for the Leica T-System, is perfectly harmonised with the camera. Its tilt and swivel function makes it particularly practical for creative photography and enables shooting from different viewpoints and unusual angles.
- The new Leica SF 26 flash unit, which provides additional opportunities for flash exposures or fill-in flash for brightening subjects. The angle of the flash reflector is adjustable. Whenever needed, the unit can even be used as an LED light source for video recording.
- The Leica M-Adapter T, which allows users to mount and use Leica M-Lenses on a Leica T body. The adapter features a sensor for 6-bit coded M-Lenses. This fully supports Leica T functions such as exposure metering, aperture priority mode and manual setting capability.
Designed to Capture User’s Personality
Further camera accessories in four trendy colours – melon yellow, orange-red, black and white – and an extensive range of premium bags and cases, all of them courtesy of AUDI Design, systematically continue the Leica system concept. Individual accessories build on and complement one another, and some offer unique options for personalised combination.
With its materials mix of hard plastic and elastic silicone, the Leica T-Snap for the front of the camera provides optimum protection against scratches and inadvertent knocks. Its unique design lends the camera an eye-catching and personalised look. The soft silicone T-Flap is the ideal complement to the T-Snap. It clicks easily into the T-Snap to protect the back of the camera with the display screen and controls when the Leica T is not in use. The design and colours of the carrying strap and wrist strap are perfectly matched to the modern T-Snap and T-Flap accessories.
Both the T-Snap and T-Flap can be attached to the Leica T by Easy-Click, a system for connecting accessories to cameras that is unique throughout the world. True to the clean and uncluttered design concept of the camera, protruding strap lugs have been omitted. Carrying straps and the wrist strap now fuse with the camera to create a single entity and can be detached in a flash. The range of accessories for the Leica T also offers a leather holster, a leather protector and a system bag.
The Leica T is available at the Leica Stores located at Raffles Hotel Arcade, Mandarin Gallery and ION Orchard as well as authorised Leica dealers starting from 26th of May 2014. The range of accessories will be available following the launch of the camera.
Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®, a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac® OS X and Microsoft Windows®, is also included in the Leica T package. This digital image processing software offers a comprehensive range of functions for the management, processing and presentation of still pictures and video recordings. Leica customers can download the software free from the Leica website after registering their camera.
A One-Day-Only Opportunity to Experience The New Leica T
For one day only, Wednesday 30th April 2014, lovers of pure photography and budding enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to experience the world of the new Leica T at a special open house at the National Design Centre. This will be an opportunity for members of the public in Singapore to be some of the first in Southeast Asia to touch, feel and use the newest addition to the Leica family.
In addition to trying out the Leica T for themselves at the Photo Studio, visitors to the Open House will enjoy a multi-sensory experience of the Leica T, as well as an exhibition of incredible images photographed by the new Leica camera system.
The Open House details are as follows:
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: National Design Center, 111 Middle Road
Access via Queen Street
For more information, kindly email marketing.lcap@leica-camera.com
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About Leica Camera
With a long heritage of over 165 years in quality German engineering Leica hand-crafts the world’s finest cameras, the world’s most brilliant lenses and sport optic tools. We capture and preserve memorable moments for the world with customer-orientated, inspirational, premium solutions. Leica helps transform vision into personal creative fulfilment, in many cases nurturing a fervent passion for expression that spans the decades.
Leica Camera has been in the frontline of photojournalism and related activities be it the Oskar Barnack Award for high quality reportage photography or presenting photographs taken by international photographers through its galleries that offer access to life’s hidden stories. In Germany, we build the world’s finest cameras and nurture the true, iconic soul of photography.
About Leica Camera Asia Pacific
Leica Camera Asia Pacific started operations in Singapore in March 2011. Led by Managing Director Sunil Kaul, emerging and developing markets such as Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan contributes to annual sales and growth to the premium German technical luxury brand in Asia Pacific.
