In Focus Blog

Leica Camera just announced the Leica V-LUX 3, a fantastic addition to Leica’s line-up of digital compact cameras. The V-LUX 3 focal length range of 25mm – 600 mm and its full HD video recording function, the new Leica V-LUX 3 expands Leica’s range of digital compact cameras. This innovative “all-in-one” camera combines classic photography functions with video quality that is on par with premium camcorders. We’ll post again once we’ve got a chance to check the camera and have some images to share. Read on for specifications and features from Leica.

Leica V-LUX 3:
• Focal range of 25mm – 600mm, with a 24x super telephoto zoom for photo and video modes
• 12.1 MP CMOS sensor and a burst shooting speed of 12 frames per second at full resolution
• Full HD video recording function with stereo sound
• Electronic viewfinder and 3 inch tilting display
• Compact design but packed with features of an entry-level DSLR camera
• Packaged with Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premier Elements
• 2-year warranty
Features of the Leica V- LUX 3
The Leica Vario-Elmarit 4.5-108mm f/2.8-5.2 ASPH. lens has an impressive focal length range, from 25mm super wide angle to 600mm (35mm equivalent), with 24x super telephoto zoom for photo and video modes, providing the perfect solution for almost any photographic situation. The newly developed 12.1 MP CMOS sensor delivers exceptional picture quality and a burst shooting speed of 12 frames per second at full resolution, making it one of the fastest in its class. The camera also delivers full HD quality videos with stereo sound and HDMI connectivity. The 3″ tilting display can be rotated in almost every direction, making it easy to take worm’s eye view or overhead shots. Compact in design, the camera is easy to transport, making it the ideal companion wherever one goes.

Adobe Photoshop Elements Premiere Elements will be offered as free downloads, a complete software package for editing photos and videos. Customers can request this by registering in the “Customer Area” of Leica Camera’s homepage.

Submitted by George Ligos

Daughter-in-Law Lisa Ligos baked this cake to celebrate the 80th birthday of George Ligos. Lisa bakes specialized forms of cakes for all occasions.

We’ve received several phone calls starting today about Leica’s new firmware for the M9. Although this was a rumor earlier today, it is now confirmed as I just received the official announcement from Leica. The M9 firmware version 1.116 is now available for download for registered owners of the M9.

Leica M9 v1.116 firmware download    Full Firmware installation instructions

Leica M9 Downloads Index with full info about the camera, detailed instructions and available downloads. Please give us a call if you have any questions.

This firmware updates the following as taken from the Leica announcement:

The improvements in the Firmware Version 1.116 are:

Camera Performance:

• Faster zooming into the last picture taken.
• Speed of SD-card formatting enhanced.
• Image quality of “thumbnail” pictures improved.
• SD- Card compatibility improved*
• correction at ISO 2500, interpolated for intermediate ISO steps.
• New ISO setting-related vignetting correction: strongest correction at ISO 160, and lowest
• Magenta colour shift correction for the following wide angle lenses improved: M 18mm/f3.8 ASPH (11649), M 21mm/f2.8 ASPH (11135), M 24mm/f3.8 ASPH (11648), M 28mm/f2 ASPH (11604), M 28mm/f2.8 ASPH (11606)

Bug fixes:

• Transfer of large data amounts to a Mac in USB-Mass storage mode.
  Sensor cleaning mode with battery capacity <50%.
  Function “Deleting all images” while zoomed picture is shown on screen.
  Function “Deleting all images” from a SD card with non-M9 pictures on it.
  Interrupting a long exposure by switching off the camera.
  Zooming into pictures with “Vintage B+W” setting.
  Max aperture value” in EXIF data corrected for the following lenses: M 35mm/f1.4 (11869, 11870, 11860), M 50mm/f0.95 ASPH. (11602), M 50mm/f1.2 (11820), M 135mm/f3.4 APO (11889), M 135mm/f4 (11851, 11861)
  Wording issues in English, Japanese and traditional Chinese menus
  Various other minor bug fixes.