Leica Camera AG has launched the new Leica T-System, which has been developed in collaboration with AUDI Design and is based upon a camera with a 16.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor.
Front view of the Leica T (Typ 701) camera. (Source: Leica Camera AG.)
The body of the new Leica T (Typ 701) camera has been fabricated from a single block of solid metal and polished by hand for 45 minutes. Its design is simple, with a large (3.7-inch) touch-screen and four haptic control elements providing logically designed, intuitive and ergonomic handling. The camera features large, APS-C format, CMOS image sensor with more 16.5 million photosites. Images can be recorded in JPEG or DNG.RAW formats and the camera supports full HD (1080p) and HD (720p) video at 30 fps, recorded in the MP4 format. The supported sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 12500. Autofocusing is contrast based; shutter speeds range from 30 seconds to 1/4000 second and continuous shooting is supported at up to five frames/second with a 12-shot buffer capacity. The camera has a single slot for SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards.
Rear view of the Leica T camera showing the My Camera quick control screen. (Source: Leica Camera AG.)
The new camera’s lens mount is different from existing Leica mounts and includes contacts that provide electronic communications with the camera. 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. covers a standard zoom range and suits a wide variety of subjects. With a focal length equivalent to 35 mm in full-frame format, the fast and compact Leica Summicron-T 23 mm f/2 ASPH. offers a classic Leica focal length that is ideal for reportage photography. Leica will release an M-mount adapter that allows other lenses to be used on the Leica T, although autofocusing won’t be supported with those lenses. Additional T-mount lenses, 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.
A selection of M-series lenses that can be used with the Leica T, which is shown with the two dedicated lenses that will launch with the camera. (Source: Leica Camera AG.)
The Leica T is the first system camera from Leica to feature an integrated Wi-Fi Module, which allows images and videos to be shared wirelessly from the camera to a smart-phone, tablet or computer. They can then be shared by email, or on Facebook or other social media. A free Leica T app for iOS devices is available now. An Android app hasn’t been released so far. The iOS app includes a remote function that supports remote access to camera functions such as live viewing and control of shutter speed and aperture values plus the self-timer function.
Some of the accessories available for the Leica T camera. (Source: Leica Camera AG.)
A wide variety of accessories is available for the new camera, all developed especially for the Leica T- System. They include a high-resolution electronic viewfinder with a tilt and swivel head and selectable, integrated GPS feature. Also available is the new Leica SF 26 flash unit, which provides additional opportunities for flash exposures or fill-in flash. This unit can also be used as an LED light source for video recording. Another practical accessory is the Leica M-Adapter T, which allows users to mount and use Leica M-Lenses on a Leica T body. Further camera accessories are available in four trendy colours ““ melon yellow, orange-red, black and white ““ and include an extensive range of premium bags and cases.
The Leica T will be available from May 26th, 2014 at an RRP of AU$2300 for the camera body. The Leica Summicron-T 35mm f2 Lens will be priced at AU$2500, while the Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 Lens will be AU$2300. The camera will be released through specialist outlets. For more information, visit http://en.leica-camera.com/Photography/T-System/About-the-T-System.
