Henri Cartier Bresson, padre del fotogiornalismo ed icona Leica indiscussa, ne avrebbe quasi certamente avuta una nel proprio corredo fotografico.
La nuova Leica M MONOCHROM è, in pratica, una M9 specializzata però per la fotografia in "biancoenero", stante l'assenza di filtro Bayer e, quindi, di tutta la serie di implicazioni che esso comporta, prime fra tutte demosaicizzazione ed interpolazione.
Il sensore full-frame da 18MPixel è così in grado di restituire un dettaglio maggiore rispetto ad un equivalente con color filter array.
La dotazione software della M MONOCHROM, come da Comunicato Stampa sotto-riportato, comprende Adobe Photoshop Lightroom nonché una copia full di Silver Efex Pro 2, l'applicativo professionale di Nik Software specifico per l'elaborazione delle immagini in biancoenero.
Seguendo la filosofia Leica, e dal momento che la nuova M non è una semplice "macchina fotografica", la Casa di Solms ha stretto accordi con il service di stampa professionale Whitewall dei cui servizi si potranno avvalere i Clienti Leica, previa registrazione della propria M.
Nelle fotografie, la M MONOCHROM appare con il nuovo Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH., obiettivo standard apocromatico, 8 elementi in 5 gruppi, che riafferma, grazie alle dimensioni compatte ed alla qualità ottica eccezionale, l'essenza dei rangefinder M.
Corpo macchina M MONOCHROM ed obiettivo Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH., saranno disponibili entrambi dal mese di Luglio a prezzi di 7.950USD e 7.195USD rispettivamente.
Ai link in calce, le pagine prodotto ufficiali in lingua italiana; di seguito, foto e Comunicati Stampa.
Leica M MONOCHROM Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH
Press Release Ufficiale M MONOCHROM
LEICA M MONOCHROM:THE FUTURE OF BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
Solms Germany (May 10, 2012) - LeicaCamera AG presents the Leica M Monochrom, the world's first digital cameraexclusively for full-frame, 35 mm black-and-white photography. Featuring asensor designed specifically for this purpose, the new addition to the Leicaportfolio enables photographers to capture images in outstanding black-and-whitequality, setting entirely new standards. The latest camera in the flagshipLeica M-System, the Leica M Monochrom continues the successful story of theLeica rangefinder system, which has written numerous chapters in the history ofinnovative photography.
"Black-and-white photography is more popular than ever before. Even today,it has lost none of its fascination as an expressive medium, not even foryounger generations of photographers. This is confirmed by the numerousmonochrome images shown by members of the M-Community, who we are in constantcontact with," said Jesko von Oeynhausen, Product Manager for the M-System atLeica Camera AG. "For the first time ever, we are offering an opportunity toconsistently and authentically explore black-and-white photography with the MMonochrom, a tool that is unique in the digital world. The camera's exclusivelyblack-and-white sensor brings an enormous technical benefit that is reflectedin the amazing imaging quality it delivers."
The 18 MP image sensor of the M Monochrom is perfectly matched to the uniqueproperties of the Leica M-System and the superior performance of LeicaM-Lenses. As the sensor does not 'see' colors, every pixel records trueluminance values - as a result, it delivers 'true' black-and-white images thatare significantly sharper than comparable exposures from a camera with acolor-sensitive sensor.
To allow precise control of tonal values, the Leica M Monochrom offers a rawdata histogram display to exhibit original, unprocessed and unmodified rawdata. This, combined with a configurable clipping display, allows precisecorrection or optimization of exposures.
At the touch of a button, images captured by the M Monochrom can beconverted with characteristic toning effects from black-and-white filmphotography (sepia, cold or selenium toning). All users need to do is save theimage in JPEG format and select the desired toning effect - simply andconveniently, with no need for post-processing.
The classic, iconic design of the Leica M-cameras is carried forward by theLeica M Monochrom. The matte-black finish of the chromed top deck allows thecamera to be an unobtrusive tool. Only an engraved script on the accessory shoereveals the product name. The camera features particularly soft leather trim withideal grip that perfectly complements the camera's discreet character. Thecamera package also includes a genuine leather carrying strap in premiumfull-grain cowhide.
The M Monochrom is supplied complete with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, aprofessional digital workflow solution. The software is available to customersas an online download after product registration. Adobe Photoshop Lightroomoffers a wide range of functions for the management, processing andpresentation of digital images. For example, this software allows for thecreation of simple print layouts, slide shows and photo books.
A full-version of Silver Efex Pro 2, the world's leading black-and-whiteimage processing software, is also included in the package. Silver Efex Pro 2offers an impressive collection of unique and powerful, darkroom-inspired toolsfor the creation of high quality black-and-white images. Silver Efex Pro 2emulates over 20 different types of black-and-white film to recreate the gloryof classical black-and-white film photography. The emulation of each film typeis based on the analysis of many rolls of the respective type and guaranteesperfect reproduction of the characteristic look of many popular films from ISO32 to ISO 3200.
For the production ofhigh-quality black-and-white prints, Leica Camera AG also offers a uniqueservice in collaboration with Whitewall. After registering their Leica MMonochrom on the Leica website, customers can have their digital images fromthe M Monochrom printed on premium-quality baryte paper. These prints can beordered from Whitewall through a personal link.
From photojournalism and available light photography to discreet,artistically aesthetic, creative compositions - the Leica M Monochrom adaptsflexibly to every application and enables the expression of personalphotographic style and consciously creative composition. The enormous potentialperformance of the current M-Lens portfolio, with focal lengths from 16 to 135mm, is also fully accessible. In line with Leica's renowned commitment toextreme system compatibility, almost all lenses of the Leica M range builtsince 1954 can still be used on the M Monochrom.
All characteristic properties of the Leica rangefinder system are alsopresent in the new Leica M Monochrom. This, for instance, also includes thesystem's intuitive and discreet handling. Its manual focusing based on thecombined viewfinder and rangefinder concept and aperture priority exposure modeis an aid to photographers rather than placing undesired limitations on theircreative freedom. In combination with the monitor display on the back of thecamera, the simple menu navigation needs only a few control elements to enablerapid access to the entire range of camera functions. Together with its compactconstruction, the camera's almost silent shutter benefits discreet andunobtrusive photography. Photographers can even select the appropriate momentfor re-cocking the shutter. When longer exposure times requiring an extremelysteady camera stance are essential, a slight pressure on the shutter releasebutton in 'soft release' mode is sufficient.
All functions of the Leica M Monochrom are constructed with extremerobustness and a long working life in mind. Its one-piece, full-metal housing,made from a high-strength magnesium alloy, and the top deck and bottom plate,machined from solid brass blanks, provide perfect protection for its preciousinner mechanisms. The digital components and shutter assembly of the M Monochromare similarly constructed with a view to a lifetime of endurance. Forphotographers, this provides absolute reliability over decades of use. Theexperienced hands of Leica technicians at the factory in Solms are responsiblefor the assembly and calibration of M Monochrom bodies and the precise testingof all mechanical and electrical components. Leica Customer Care has decades ofexperience in repairs and maintenance and therefore creates a solid foundationfor long life and enduring value. Even today, the service department maintainsand repairs all M-Cameras built since 1954.
The Leica M-System has played a significant role in the development of thecompany's performance in recent years. The annual figures have beencorrespondingly positive since the launch of the Leica M9 in September 2009 andare now registering record revenues.
The Leica M Monochrom in black chrome will be available from Leica dealersincluding the Leica Store Washington DC beginning in late July 2012.
Press Release Ufficiale Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH
LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 50 MMF/2 ASPH.: THE NEW MILESTONE IN LENS CONSTRUCTION
Solms, Germany (May 10,2012) - LeicaCamera AG presents a new milestone in the history of lens construction: theLeica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. With the goal of creating a lens thatfully achieves the opportunities offered by high-resolution camera systems,Leica engineers have successfully redefined the limits of what is technicallypossible. The result is an extremely high-performance lens that sets entirelynew standards and currently stands as an exceptional talent amongst thestandard lenses of the Leica M portfolio.
This new reference lensachieves the best test results ever seen in the Leica M-Lens program. The MTFcurves of the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. that describe the contrastof fine details and, in turn, the image sharpness, confirm its outstandingperformance. Even the finest details are resolved with more than 50% contrastacross the entire image field. This previously unattained value confirms theexceptional positioning of this lens. All images captured with the LeicaAPO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. in any photographic situation show extremesharpness and resolution of details from corner to corner of the image.Additionally, the apochromatic correction of the lens minimizes chromaticaberration on sharp edges to ensure natural rendition of every detail. As aresult, photographers benefit from the best possible reproduction results atany print size.
The outstanding performanceof the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. is founded on the perfectinteraction of all its design and construction parameters, from opticalcalculation and choice of materials to the sophisticated and elaborate manufacturingand finishing of the lens. Together with more than 150 years of experience inthe design and construction of optical instruments, Leica's reputation as themanufacturer of the world's best lenses is once again emphasized.
The new design of the LeicaAPO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. is based on the optical design of itspredecessor that has been on the market since 1979 and is the oldest lensrepresented in the Leica M portfolio. The classical specifications, 50 mm focallength and a maximum aperture of f2, offered an ideal starting point forfurther development. As such, Leica's expert lens designers were able toconcentrate exclusively on the improvement of imaging quality within thesestandard specifications.
In its optical design, theLeica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. is oriented on particular features of theSummilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. and the Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. lenses. Forinstance, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. also incorporates afloating element. The lens group behind the diaphragm is designed as a floatingelement that changes its position relative to the front group during focusing,ensuring that the lens achieves outstanding imaging quality throughout itsfocusing range, including at closer focusing distances.
The realization of theapochromatic correction of the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. involvedthe use of specially formulated glasses based on original developments from theformer Leitz glass laboratory. The use of such glasses requires great effort andmany years of experience. As a result of the consistent advancement of opticalprocesses, working with these high-quality glasses has been refined to such afine art that they are integrated in the best possible quality into Leicalenses as evidenced today in the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH.
As a particularly reliableproduct with enduring value and made in Germany, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. is manufactured from only the best materials and is assembled inan elaborate process completely by hand at Leica's factory in Solms. Thecombination of cutting-edge technologies and painstaking manufacturingprocedures guarantees the consistently excellent quality of every single Leicalens.
The Leica APO-Summicron-M50 mm f/2 ASPH. in black finish will be available from Leica dealers includingthe Leica Store Washington DC from late July 2012.
Allegati:
Leica IT, M MONOCHROM Official Page
Leica IT, APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH., Official Page
