However, the past weekend presented an opportunity to go to a beautiful local park with my family. Some of the vantage points there are stunning and with fluffy clouds overhead, it seemed the perfect opportunity to give it a shot and see if it could renew my enthusiasm.

I didn’t enjoy the experience.

I guess that with a multifaceted discipline like photography, you typically end up veering towards what you like best.

The experience was positive in the sense that it confirmed that the process is too long winded…for me.  We all have our likes and dislikes, and traditional landscapes are not something that is going to inspire me to go out of my way to shoot.  The only other positive is that I have a new respect for those that can and do it well.

Just like the kids in the shot below (taken on the walk back to the car), I’m not interested.

Robert

• Leica M Monochrom – a B&W only version of the M9 / P
• Leica M9-P Edition Hermes
• Leica APO – Summicron-M 1:2/50mm ASPH
• Leica X2
• Leica V-LUX 40

Most will focus on the Monochrom and the Summicron, and the eye watering prices attached to them; approx £5,400 and £4,900 respectively.

The Monochrom has been billed as “The future of monochrome digital photography”. By removing the Bayer filter, it has turned a standard M9 / P into a B&W camera, featuring higher dynamic range, ISO sensitivity, and resolution. Aesthetically, is looks the same as the M9-P but with no inscription on the top plate. The only recognition is a very small engraving on the hot shoe. The package comes with Adobe LR, Nik’s excellent Silver Efex Pro 2, a leather strap, and a specialised printing service by White Wall.

The price is the same as the current M9-P, but offers a 2 year warranty.

The Monochrom is a very bold statement of intent that the M9 form factor is not yet dead. In fact if Leica were to offer the Monochrom as an upgrade in the future to existing M9 owners, it could indicate a further commitment to future developments such as colour sensors with higher ISO, Megapixels, dynamic range and the like. Owners could extend the life of their investment by upgrading as and when Leica decides to release upgrades.

The Summicron aims to be Leica’s reference lens. At £4,900 it had better be unbelievable. At almost twice the cost of the very highly regarded 50mm Summilux (which is one full stop faster), it has turned the price list on its head.

The pricing of the Cron 50 could be an indication of Leica’s intent of being first and foremost an optics specialist. If this lens represents the future of new lenses, how much would a new Lux or Nocti be? Surely it would drive prospective adopters out of the market.

As I write, there are no example shots available to draw any conclusion on whether the price tag is justified.

Personally, I don’t know if I’m happy of not with the news, but the coming weeks and months the reviews will be very interesting.

Robert

If you follow Leica, you will no doubt be aware of the almost fever pitch like speculation of what they are going to announce. Some of the current favourites are:

• Launch of the new M10 (its is May 10th after all)
• A B&W only M9
• Launch of the X2
• Launch of the new S3
• A bunch of new lenses including an upgraded 50mm Summicron, and a new 35mm Noctilux
• Digibacks for M film cameras
• The resurrection of the R range
• A mirrorless EVF solution

What is known is that there have been no leaks from either Leica or any affiliates (dealers, reps, Magnum etc) at this point. A shroud of secrecy has covered Solms thus far. The above is purely conjecture, with some ideas more credible than others.

Everyone has their wish list, and of course, everyone will be right…tomorrow

What are the facts?

• It is clear that Leica are starting work on a new production facility, but whether that is for increasing current camera and lens capacity or adding new toys to the line up is not know.
• Leica wants to increase their share of the overall market to 1% (currently less than 0.5%). I very much doubt that Leica will get there by selling rangefinders and medium format cameras.
• Leica is production constrained. They can’t make their current line up fast enough.
• The market has moved on. Nikon and Canon have released new flagship models in the past few months.
• The Leica brand is extremely valuable, synonymous with quality and design.

Draw your conclusions from there.

The only certainty is that the community will be happy to see a re-confirmation that Leica continues with the tradition of being the innovation-led company it has always been….

Roll on tomorrow

Robert

A real treat for the office workers going home for the weekend.

Shot taken wit an Iphone 4S

Today is the first day of the “A Journey Through Light” site and blog.

I’ll be posting pics on a frequent basis, and I hope that you’ll find something here to interest and hopefully inspire you.  I am not a professional photographer; I don’t do this for a living, and I have never tried to sell a photo.  I simply like taking pictures of things that have interested me.

I hope you enjoy the ride

Robert