During the landmark May 10th announcement, Leica Camera introduced the 14.1 MP Leica V-LUX 40 to their fine range of compact digital cameras. Boasting a high-performance 20X super-zoom lens with focal length range of 24 to 480 mm, the Leica V-LUX 40 is ideal for almost any photographic situation. The Leica V-LUX 40 will be available in North America from mid-May 2012.

LEICA V-LUX 40

• Leica DC-Vario-Elmar 4.3 – 86 mm / f 3.3 – 6.4 ASPH ( 24 – 480 mm equivalent) zoom lens

• Newly developed 14.1 MP 1 / 2.23“ CMOS sensor

• Simple and intuitive handling, plus manual setting options for more ambitious users

• Fast burst shooting and 3-D photo feature

• 3“ touch screen display with a resolution of 460,000 pixels

• 1080 p-AVCHD full HD video and internet friendly MP4 storage format

• GPS module for the registration of geographical data for the location of every shot including detailed maps on separate DVD

• Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Premiere Elements 10 – the software package for image and video processing, archiving and display.

Leica DC-Vario Elmar 4.3 – 86 mm / 3.3 – 6.4 ASPH (24 – 480 mm equivalent)

The new Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with an enormous focal length of 24 mm super wide angle to 480 mm super tele zoom for photo and video, the V-LUX 40 is prepared for nearly all photographic situations. High precision aspherical elements and an optical image stabilizer are incorporated to guarantee outstanding imaging performance.

Newly developed CMOS Image Sensor with an effective resolution of 14.1 MP

The new 1 / 2.33“ CMOS image sensor in the Leica V-LUX 40 captures 15.3 megapixels (14.1 MP effective) to ensure excellent picture quality. It enables a higher dynamic range as well as particularly noise-free images at sensitivities up to ISO 3200. In comparison with its predecessor, the Leica V-LUX 40 now offers significantly improved image quality, even in low light conditions. In addition to this, its autofocus speed of 0.1 seconds allows even faster focusing on moving subjects.

High Versatility

When it comes to the range of functions, the features of the Leica V-LUX 40 leave nothing to be desired: from a continuous shooting rate of 10 fps at full resolution, and even 60 fps in high-speed mode, to creative modes with effects like miniature world, panorama, and retro. The Leica V-lux 40 offers additional functions for in-camera processing, and the camera is supplied complete with a software package comprising Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10 for post-processing still pictures and video. For even more flexibility, the camera battery can now be recharged from a PC or laptop via the USB connector, or with an AC power adapter.

This high level of handling convenience is further highlighted by its impressive 3“ LCD touch-screen display.

Its integrated GPS module also makes the V-LUX 40 the ideal camera for travelling. It not only registers the location and time in the Exif data of each image file, but also shows any major sights that are located in the surrounding area. The DVD included in the package contains maps of important cities and regions. These can be transferred to an SD card an uploaded to the camera as an aid to orientation in unfamiliar surroundings. Thumbnails of images can also be added to the maps.

Videos in full HD-quality

Full-HD videos captured by the V-LUX 40 impress with their perfect rendition of the finest details, even with fast-moving subjects. This is made possible by recording in AVCHD format at 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution and 50 full frames per second. Another new feature is that videos can now be saved in Internet-friendly MP4 format and be uploaded directly to social media or mobile devices, for example, without any need for conversion. Outstanding audio quality is ensured by an integrated stereo microphone with a built-in wind-noise filter.

Leica X2 Compact Digital

The Leica X2 offers the following:

• Newly developed APS-C CMOS Sensor with an effective resolution of 16.1 MP

• Leica Elmarit 1;2.8/24 mm ASPH (35 mm equivalent: 35 mm)

• Simple operation and manual adjustment possibilities

• High quality materials

• Connection for high resolution electronic viewfinder for new photographic perspectives

• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, the comprehensive solution for modern digital photography

• Made in Germany

New developed APS-C CMOS Sensor with an effective Resolution of 16.1 Mega-Pixel

The CMOS image sensor of the Leica X2 in APS-C format is unusually large for such a compact camera. The result: extremely low image noise, high dynamic range, and accurate color differentiation. The combination of an exceedingly large sensor and high-performance lens sets new standards in image quality in the compact camera category. And this is where the Leica X2 shows its true greatness.

Classic Focal Length: Leica Elmarit 1:2.8/24 mm ASPH (35mm equivalent)

Countless iconic images in the history or photography were shot with a focal length of 35 mm – the classic lens for photojournalism. The Leica Elmarit 24 mm/f2.8 ASPH lens is equivalent to this famous focal length in 35 mm film format, with its superb optical performance opens up a broad vista of potential uses.

Precise Auto Focus

The Leica X2’S fast, new autofocus feature enables extremely precise and virtually silent focusing. Perfect for situations where spontaneous reactions are essential to capture the right moment. It adapts flexibly to the situation in hand, for example, with a choice AF focusing segments or face recognition. This allows the photographer to concentrate exclusively on their subject.

Design

The design of the Leica X2 also expresses Leica’s commitment to the essentials, thanks to its compact size and classic finish. Reminiscent of the traditional Leica M-Design, the X2 becomes an instant love affair – not just down to its captivating looks, but also the wonderful feel in your hands. Once held, even for a moment, it becomes difficult to put down. The camera’s robustly engineered, full-metal chassis is reassuringly solid, while its leather trim is comfortable to the touch and provides a perfect grip. The superior finish, using the most premium materials, makes the Leica X2 a true pleasure to hold, but its ultimate qualities are revealed when the photographer is shooting.

Most Simple Control

For simple snapshots or painstakingly arranged compositions – the Leica X2 is the ideal camera for anyone with a passion for photography in its purest form. That’s because it enables split-second changes between automatic and manual control. The robust dials on the top plate allow easy setting of the shutter speed and aperture. Moreover, changing the plane of focus, adjusting white balance, and other imaging parameters, allows photographers to consciously influence the look or mood of their images. In live view mode, the generously-sized, high contrast 2.7“LCD screen offers photographers constant control and a clear and detailed view, even in bright conditions.

Leica APO Summicron- M

The LEICA APO-Summicron-M 50mm/f2 ASPH will offer photographers the following advantages:

• High speed standard lens delivering outstanding imaging performance
• Supremely soft rendering of blurred image areas (Bokeh)
• Integrated lens hood, extendable by rotating
• Product package includes milled brass lens front cap
• Exclusive presentation packaging box

The LEICA APO-Summicron-M 50 mm/f2 ASPH was designed like all Leica lenses with the aim of maximizing both contrast and detail even at full aperture. That aim is met in an incomparable manner. The latest milestone in the history of the M-system delivers previously unattained performance levels in terms of all technical parameters. The MTF curves, which describe the sharpness of the image, remain all the way to the edges, even with the aperture open, over 50% contrast. This level of performance has never been achieved previously and demonstrates the exceptional quality of the lens. This allows extremely sharp imaging in all scenarios, with optimal definition right into the corners, even for close-ups.

This lens has an apochromatic correction feature which is a highly complex and sophisticated method of color error correction. It minimizes color fringing at sharp edges, so ensuring that all details are naturally depicted. This is achieved, among other means, by skilfully integrating glasses with anomalous partial dispersion into the lens design. All these qualities allow photographers to get the best possible image quality, especially for large prints.

The Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm/f2 ASPH particularly in combination with high-resolution cameras such as the new Leica M Monochrom will offer photographers the opportunity to produce fine-art photography of a quality never before attained.

Leica Camera has introduced the world’s first full frame black and white digital camera, the Leica M Monochrom. Featuring a black and white sensor, the camera produces images in a sharpness and brilliance never before attained and barely distinguishable from other M cameras with the model name discretely engraved on the hot shoe. The Leica M Monochrom will be available in North America from August 2012

The Leica M Monochrom features the following:

• Newly developed monochrome CCD sensor with a native resolution of 18 million pixels
• 100% sharper imaging thanks to direct processing of raw data with no interpolation
• Extremely low, fine-grain image noise up to ISO 10,000
• Raw data histogram and parameter clipping warning
• Various tones programmable
• Top cover and bottom plate in black chrome finish
• New leatherette body covering
• All-cowhide carrying strap
• Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 software supplied in addition to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
• Exclusive access to the Leica Monochrom Print Service in cooperation with Whitewall
• Original fiber barite print of a Magnum photo from the Leica M Monochrom campaign by J.A. Sobol supplied

THE KEY FEATURES IN DETAIL

Newly developed monochrome CCD sensor with a native resolution of 18 Million Pixel.

With its full, native resolution of 18 megapixels, the Leica M Monochrom delivers 100 % sharper images than with color sensors. The fact that its sensor does not “see” color means real brightness values are available for each individual pixel. That is to say, the sensor of the M Monochrom produces a “genuine” black-and-white image directly. In combination with the brilliant imaging performance of Leica lenses and the perfect matching of the sensor to the M system, this creates pictures of outstanding sharpness and natural brilliance, with no need to sharpen the image in post-processing. The result is incomparable picture quality, such as would normally only be expected of a medium-format camera. The impressively low noise level of the monochrome CCD sensor delivers an extremely fine-grained image, which is not perceived as disturbing even at the highest ISO settings.

Raw data histogram and parameter clipping warning

The Leica M Monochrom impresses discerning users and fine-art photographers with a raw data histogram for exact control of tonal values. In contrast to standard histograms, it depicts the actual raw data, unprocessed and uncorrupted. Especially in combination with the parameter clipping view, this enables exposures to be optimized with great precision in order to fully exploit the available dynamic range.

Tones

Whether sepia, cool or selenium – with the M Monochrom images can be adjusted to the characteristic tones of analog black-and-white photography at the press of a button.

Design

The classic, iconic Leica M camera design is embodied in the Leica M Monochrom. The mat black chrome-finish top cover imbues the camera with the look of a discrete, unassuming instrument. Only an engraving on the black accessory shoe reveals the product’s name. The camera features an extremely soft, tactile leatherette body covering which is perfectly in keeping with the discrete overall look. The camera comes with a real-leather carrying strap made of high-grade cowhide. Additionally there is a new handgrip available, featured with the same black chrome finish and the same leather trim as the camera.

Silver Efex Pro included

A full version of the world’s leading black-and-white image processing software, Silver Efex Pro 2, is supplied. Silver Efex Pro 2 incorporates a unique and powerful set of darkroom-inspired tools to produce top-quality black-and-white pictures. Silver Efex Pro 2 emulates over 20 different black and white film types to recreate the classic monochrome look of film. The emulation is based on detailed analysis of multiple rolls of each film type. This results in accurate reproductions of popular film from ISO 32 to ISO 3200.

Leica Monochrom prints

For passionate black-and-white photographers looking to retain the accustomed brilliance and quality of their images in print, Leica offers a unique service. In cooperation with the photo processing lab Whitewall, the Leica Monochrom Print Service enables M Monochrom customers to obtain superb black-and-white prints of their work. This involves developing the digital images from the Leica M Monochrom on genuine fiber barite photographic paper.

Thanks to use of the classic wet-chemistry silver process, the developed prints are indistinguishable from hand-made prints of analog images. Customers looking to utilize this exclusive service can order prints directly from Whitewall after registering their M Monochrom. This service is initially only available to Leica M Monochrom customers.

New Leica M-Monochrome

Today in Berlin, Leica unveiled their newest products. The announcement was a highly anticipated event and did not disappoint. Here is a brief list of the goods. We will send more information and details over the next few days as we sort out what just happened, and we will update you when the products become available at Kurland Photo.

1.) Leica M-Monochrome. A full framed digital Black and White.

2.) Leica X2- Improved Leica’s already amazing line of Compact Digital cameras

3.) Leica V-Lux 40- User Friendly digital bursting with new features

5.) Leica expands S-system with S-Adapter H, for Hasselblad H Lenses

6.) Leica APO- Summicron M-lens. 50mm, F/2 ASPH

7.) Leica M9-P limited edition “Edition Hermes”

For months the photo world has been ready for Leica to unveil its plans for the future. May 10th has been the date circled on our calendars and we’ve all had our fill of internet rumors and wild ideas about what exactly this announcement will bring. Well, the time is here. On Thursday, Leica will let us all know what’s new in the world of high end photography. The announcement will be made in Berlin this Thursday afternoon and Kurland Photo has the honor of being invited. We will be heading to Germany to take part in the event. As soon as we get the news we will pass it along to you. Keep posted here or on facebook.

2012 has already been an exciting year for both Leica and Kurland Photo. Leica has been working to open up a handful of new high end boutique camera shops. The most recent of which opened this past week in Washington D.C. and construction on Kurland Photo’s new Leica store will begin shortly. Whatever Thursday’s announcement is, we are sure it will be just one more step in the evolution of the Leica brand. Check back Thursday for the exciting news.

Victor R. Caivino/AP

Shooting the Moon

The moon on Saturday night was at the largest it has appeared in our sky in several years. It was a “Supermoon”, or a coincidence in the orbital timing that lets us see an enlarged view of the moon. The “perigree”, or the night of the year that the moon is at its closest point, fell this year on the same day as the May full moon (the event is officially called a perigee-syzygy). This serendipity sent throngs of photographers and space viewers outside to get a good seat for the rare celestial event.

Did you get to see it? Did you get the photograph you wanted? If you were in New York, then probably not. We were unlucky enough to have a hazy cloud cover most of the night. Thankfully, much of the world was luckier than we were. Early images of the Supermoon have come in and they are incredible. The great image above from Victor R. Caivino (AP) was taken as the moon passed the Rio De Janeiro horizon. The photo was snapped as the moon rose behind the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue.

Caivino wasn’t alone as shutterbugs from around the world positioned themselves near iconic buildings, statues, landscapes, skylines, etc. Shooting the moon itself is nothing special without perspective of course and with photo technology at an all-time high, these images of the moon may turn out to be some of the greatest ever captured from earth.

The moon was the closest it will get to the Earth for all of 2012 and appeared larger because of that. The perigree and a full moon coincide about once every 412 days, however an exact matchup only happens every 18.6 years. At its peak, the moon is about 221,802 miles from Earth. That’s about 15,300 miles closer than average. The apparent size of the moon can appear as much as 14% larger than a normal full moon.

Congratulations to everyone who was able to get some great photographs of the event. For some samples, click over to space.com for a great gallery of supermoon photographs.

St. Isaak Cathedral, St. Petersburg-- Dmitri Lovetsky/AP

V838 Monoceroti Superstar photographed from Hubble

22 Years of Hubble Space Photographs

Last week’s Space Shuttle flyover of New York City got the world thinking about Space. It also got us thinking about all the amazing images from deep space that have become common place in this day and age. Most of them are from the Hubble Space Telescope. Launched in April 1990 by the Shuttle Program nearly 22 years to the day that the Enterprise was flying over the Statue of Liberty, the Hubble Telescope has been sending back wondrous shots of Stars, Nebulae, and distant galaxies ever since.

Named after famed astronomer Edwin Hubble, the largest telescope to be sent into orbit seemed to be doomed from the start. Soon after it began sending images back to earth, a fundamental flaw was found in the optic mirror that threatened the quality of its photographs. Then in 1993 a mission to Hubble successfully fixed the flaw and it became the first telescope to be repaired in space. Now, since the Shuttle program has been shut down, and funding for future missions are not secured, the future of Hubble may also be in jeopardy. Space is rough place for such an intricate instrument. Without undergoing normal repairs and corrections to the natural orbital decay, the Hubble might soon break down and eventually come crashing through our atmosphere and back to earth. Experts say that this could happen as soon as 2019.

Omega Swan Nebula

Losing the use of Hubble would be a shame. For the last 22 years it has given us images of the cosmos that previously existed only in Science Fiction movies and our imaginations. But those photographs did more than just excite our creative side. The images from Hubble has given scientists, and astrophysicists evidence in landmark scientific discoveries like determining the rate of our expanding universe. We should be thankful for the photographs we have and make sure that we continue to search for new and better ways to photograph our cosmos. Shooting space is area of photography that photographers dream of. Maybe someday it will become as easy as shooting the moon.  Speaking of the moon, the Moon will appear at the largest it will all year to us this weekend.  So, if you are outside on Saturday night bring your camera and look up.

All of the photographs that have been taken by the Hubble will eventually be made available to the public, with some being held for an average of one year to be used exclusively by the various projects working with NASA.

To see more of the Hubble archive visit their website here: Hubble.

This was a very busy week for photography around the internet. Here is a brief look at some of the photographs making the news.

If you are from New York City, are on facebook or have spend anytime on the internet last week, surely you saw some never before seen photographs of New York’s past. New York’s department of records announced it will publically release 870,000 photographs for available via a new digital database. The photos ranging from police crime scene photos to images of iconic structures like the Brooklyn Bridge undergoing renovations. Besides being a collection of New York history, it is also a record of photographic history. Many of the shots were kept as glass plates or other out-dated photo technology. The photos taken mostly by anonymous city workers or long forgotten department photographers will be available for non-commercial use to share as you like. They will also be available for purchase as quality prints.

Photographing 360 Degrees

Earlier this week, we profiled the amazing photography of Greek Photographer Chris Kotsiopoloulous. His rendering of an entire day in one shot was represented in a 360 degree realization. This week another profile featuring photographer Randy Scott Slavin was making the rounds. Slavin has been experimenting with photo techniques to capture an actual 360 degree panoramic shot. The hope is to create a photograph that is as close to what the human eye sees than the normal 2 dimensional prints we have come to expect. The outcome is very similar to that of Kotsiopoloulos. Check out this article for more details.

World Trade Now Tallest

As we wrote here a few weeks ago, the new 1 World Trade Center building was to surpass the height of the Empire State building soon.  “Soon” became Monday. The Tallest point in Manhattan is now the new tower downtown and work will soon begin erecting the antanae that will soar above the skyline reaching the patriotic height of 1,776 feet.  Like we mentioned in our earlier post about it, the construction gave many photographers an opportunity to document history.  This week in the Sunday New York Times Magazine and the NY Times Lens blog, Photographer Damon Winter writes about his own experience being “embedded” with the “Cowboy Of The Sky”.

In Case You Spaced Out

And finally, as we posted here last week, the long awaited fly-over of the Space Shuttle Enterprise gave many New Yorkers a once in a lifetime photo opportunity on Friday. Did you get a chance to take some yourself. If you did, share them with us. If you didn’t and just want to enjoy the phographs of others check some of them here, or here, or here on Kurland Photo’s facebook page.

Patience is a virtue of great photography. How long are you willing to wait for a shot? Photographers often wait days, weeks, or years for the conditions to be perfect for a shot they’ve been dreaming about. This waiting often includes research, test shots, equipment changes, light meter readings, etc. All this effort just to capture the perfect moment. But what if that moment is an entire day? What if that “waiting” wasn’t mere preparation but the time it took to take an actual photograph?

That is what Greek Photographer Chris Kotsiopoloulos has tried to accomplish. In an extreme photographic experiment, Kotsiopoloulos has created a photo of an entire day. Not as much a time lapse photo as it is a panorama of time. The photo (seen above) is rendered in a 360 degree long exposure and captures the sky above Sounio, Greece over a 24 hour period. Using a Canon 550D, he needed extreme patience and precision work to accomplish this amazing feat of art and science.

Kotsiopoloulos explains his process on the Earth Science Picture of the Day website

“After wondering for some time whether it was possible to image the sky from one morning to the next where I live in Athens Greece, I decided to give it a try. After hours of planning and preparation, and a full day of shooting, the image above is the result of this labor of love. It took me about 12 hours to pull together and process a single image that included over 500 star trails, 35 shots of the Sun and 25 landscape pictures. My plan was to make the image on the day of the solstice (December 21) when the Sun’s stay in the sky was short (in the Northern Hemisphere) and the star trail durations were long. Of course, trying to find clear weather for a given 24-hour period is not an easy chore. However, I was patient, and the weather eventually cooperated (on December 30-31, 2010). I had to stay at the same place for approximately 30 hours. In addition, I was on location 2-3 hours before sunrise in order to make the preparations and test shooting. I also needed to stay an extra 2-3 hours the second day so as to shoot part of the Sun’s sequence that I lost the first morning due to clouds. I chose Sounion (Temple of Poseidon) as the setting for this project. Click on image to see labels.

I began the shooting the morning of December 30, 2010, taking photos with my camera on a tripod facing east. The day portion of this shoot is composed of a dozen shots covering the landscape from east to west as well as the Sun’s course across the sky, from sunrise to sunset. I recorded the Sun’s position exactly every 15 minutes using an intervalometer, with an astrosolar filter adjusted to the camera lens. In one of the shots, when the Sun was near its maximum altitude, I removed the filter in order to capture a more dramatic shot that showed the Sun’s “glare.” After sunset, I took various shots with the camera facing west-northwest in order to achieve a more smooth transition from the day portion to the night portion of the image. The night portion is also composed of a dozen landscape shots but this time from west to east. After the transition” shots, I took a short star trail sequence of approximately half an hour duration, with the camera facing northwest. At 7:30, I turned the camera to the north and started taking the “all-night” star trail shots — lasting almost 11 hours. After accomplishing this, I then turned the camera to northeast and shot another short half an hour star trail sequence, and then finally, with the camera now facing east-northeast, I took a series of night-to-day transition shots.”

This is some inspiring work!