This week’s news round is dominated by all the goings-on in the Leica world. If you fancy a weekend getaway with fellow enthusiasts, here’s your chance. Or, if you would like to buy some used Leica gear with zero-interest financing, head to Mayfair. Perhaps you’ve already picked up a new SL3 or Sofort. In that case, we have some news for you. And if you would like to know what’s going on beyond the Leica world, don’t worry, Ricoh, Fujifilm, Panasonic, and Lomography all get a mention too.
Ricoh compact: GR IV on the way?
We are seeing more references to new Ricoh GR models, which are now said to be imminent. According to Photo Rumors, all GR cameras are out of stock and there has been a suspension of new orders.
The existing GR III (28mm) and GR IIIx (40mm) cameras have achieved something of a cult status among experienced photographers, many preferring it as a walk-about, go-anywhere camera for slipping in a pocket. Despite the siren call of the Fujifilm X100 series, which adds a desirable optical/electronic viewfinder to the mix, the Ricoh wins out on size and weight.
The Fuji is just not as pocketable. Another factor that draws photographers is the stealthy appearance of the rather bland, monochrome Ricoh body. Few strangers would realise that what looks like an out-date, inexpensive point-and-shoot camera could hide such capabilities. DPReview sums up the differences in this article.
What new features should an upgrade bring?
Writing in Techradar, Timothy Coleman lists the five things he wants to see in the forthcoming GR IV. But he still loves the convenience of the outgoing model:
With a 24MP APS-C sensor and smart features such as Snap autofocus, the GR III offers pretty much the best image quality you can get from a genuinely pocketable compact camera. It is so good, in fact, that I spent around $1,000 / £900 on the GR IIIx instead of the latest iPhone (the GR III X has a tighter 40mm focal length compared to the GR III’s 28mm lens, but is otherwise the same). And eighteen months on, I’m still loving it.
Timothy Coleman
Timothy’s top five wishes are 1) keep the small size, 2) add a built-in flash, 3) improve build quality, 4) add a tilting screen and 5) introduce more reliable autofocus.
I don’t think any of us would quibble with most of this, although the desire for a flash is very much a personal thing. I certainly would not include it in my wish list. Instead, I’d suggest a proper on/off switch instead of a button — despite the new trend to a “soft” power control being set by Leica in the new SL3. This is one feature of the GR digital cameras that I really dislike.
Compact is Back: Ricoh GR III and Fujifilm X100VI enjoy huge demand
The Leica Society annual weekend
Here’s a date for your diary, when you can immerse yourself in the Leica world and meet Mike Evans, Macfilos editor, and other contributors. From April 19 to 21, members of The Leica Society are meeting in Leamington Spa, England, for the annual meeting. They move around the country every year — last time was near Swindon in Wiltshire and the year before we were in Buxton Spa, Derbyshire.
In April this year, Society members are gathering at the Woodland Grange Hotel in Leamington Spa and there will be a full programme of speakers and events. Friday is a get-to-know-you evening and on the Saturday (April 20) the guest speaker will be Magnum photographer Ian Berry. On Sunday, there will be a presentation by Frank Dabba Smith who will introduce and show the ARTE documentary film, “The Nazis, the Rabbi, and the Camera”.
The Leica Society is the UK’s largest organisation representing Leica users throughout the country. The annual fee is only £30 or £45 for joint members at the same address. Members receive an excellent quarterly magazine edited by my friend Christopher Angeloglou. They can also participate in events such as the annual meeting. Joining is worth it, if only for the chance to take part in the annual weekend. You will find full details of how to join here.
Fancy spending a weekend with fellow Leica enthusiasts?
Once signed up, you can register for the weekend. The fee for the full weekend is just £80 and this includes lunches, coffee, and tea. Bring a guest for an additional £60 or, if you wish, sign in for just one of the two days (£50, guests £40). When you sign up, you will receive a code to provide a discount on the hotel booking, so make sure you follow the right order of action. It would be really good to meet as many Macfilos readers as possible, so get your credit card and diary out now.
Pentax new film camera to launch this summer
There was much alarm around an expected sensation on the camera market. An entirely new film camera! Well. Leica re-issued the M6, but then again, they were able to build on an unbroken tradition of analogue camera manufacturing. The new M6 was an instant success, but after the first rush, things became normal again — to the point of a hardly concealed discount. All the more promising is the announcement of Pentax/Ricoh launching an entirely new film camera. It is supposed to be newly designed from scratch, and rumour has it that the company even called back retired workers. That is, people who know how to conceive and produce a film advance mechanism, an appropriate shutter design and much more.
Some enthusiasts were even hoping that an analogue GR would come back to the market. A high-end analogue fixed focal length camera might become a considerable success indeed. Just think of the crazy second-hand prices for the occasional Leica CM or Contax T3. Even humble Olympus mju-II cameras (a wonderful product, by the way) sell for more today than they had once cost.
But as we hear, the new film-loading Ricoh/Pentax will be more aimed at the medium segment. Much better than the disposable or entry-level cameras and far, far away from the high-end jewels. First expected in late 2023, the camera is now expected this summer, according to Petapixel (and they are usually well-informed). At any rate, a wonderful outlook. Any commitment to film photography will keep the spirits high among the remaining film manufacturers.
Stefan Daniel: Our partnerships with Panasonic and Fujifilm
James Artaius of Digital Camera World took the opportunity of the SL3 launch to interview Stefan Daniel, Leica’s affable vice-president of photo and technology. He majored on Leica’s policy of technology sharing with companies outside the Leica world, such as Panasonic and Fujifilm. Stefan referred to the cooperation with Fujifilm on the Leica Sofort: “We use their base technology and the camera’s even produced by Fujifilm, so it’s no secret. But you have to make a choice with whom you partner up; otherwise it becomes very difficult because every company has its development methods, and to do it with too many partners the synergies would get lost.”
Stefan then went on to outline the reasoning behind the successful L² Technology alliance with Panasonic, which can be traced back to the early days of cooperation between the two companies 23 years ago. First, he said, it was a case of transferring optical technology to Panasonic and some digital technology to Leica. But it has evolved to more technology sharing. Stefan makes the point that with brand positioning being so different, there is little conflict in the marketplace.
You can find the full interview here.
Here is James Artauius’s review of the Leica SL3.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo v Leica Sofort 2: Which is best?
Which is best, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo or the Leica Sofort. Both come from the same factory, but the Leica has a sprinkling of the Wetzlar gold dust and claims to offer more. Fstoppers has the full story in this back-to-back comparison video recorded by Isman Dawood in sunny Leeds, Yorkshire. Spoiler: The Leica colours are just better and more accurate: “Leica does a fantastic job”!
Firmware update for new SL3 — latest entrant to the Leica world
Just a few days after the launch of the new Leica SL3, the latest entrant to the Leica world of professional-level cameras, a firmware announcement has arrived. In addition to the usual bug fixes, the update includes several operational improvements. You can now tap and hold to lock in video settings and lock the auto ISO settings. It is also now possible to extend the magnification function to manual focus mode, and there is a new optimised sequence for the user profile menu item.
Download the Leica SL3 Firmware 1.1 update here
Lomography’s Lomomatic 110 slips right into your pocket
If you’ve been suffering withdrawal symptoms from the cartridge based 110 film system since 1972, here’s your opportunity to wallow in nostalgia. Lomography has introduced a new 110 film camera, the Lomomatic 110. The camera is pocket sized and is reminiscent of the 110 cameras of yore.
It incorporates a zone-focus system which can be set to 0.8, 1.5, 3 meters and infinity. You even get multiple-exposure and long-exposure modes. As with the original 110 system, the cartridges can be swapped easily. For instance, if you are using colour and fancy a monochrome shot, simply change cartridges.
The format, which was introduced by Kodak in 1972, was essentially a smaller version of the earlier 126 film formal, with most cartridges offering 24 exposures. The Lomomatic 110 Film Camera and Flash with metal body costs £149, although cheaper plastic-bodied versions are available for as little as £89. Film cartridges cost from £7.50.
Visit the UK Lomography shop here
Read a full description of the new camera here at PetaPixel
Small sensor cameras: The game is over. Or is it?
Chris Gampat of the Phoblographer.com doesn’t mince his words when it comes to APS-C and Micro Four-Thirds. It’s time to get real, he says, and admit that the game is over. It’s a typical controversial view that will get the clicks, but does it stand up to scrutiny? OM System and Panasonic MFT users will almost certainly bristle, while many satisfied Sony and Fujifilm fans will be outraged. Are you outraged?
It should go without saying that small sensor cameras pale in comparison to the full-frame cameras on the market. One can say that it’s so that it can accommodate to a more entry-level user. But that’s what the second hand camera market does so well. Fujifilm APS-C cameras are some of the few that hold their value on the used camera market. But we can all agree that Sony cameras never do that — even for the full-frame options.
Chris Gampat
What do you think? Is it game up for the smaller sensors? Have full-frame and medium-format taking over their territory? Here’s one for the discussion columns…
1970 Leica CL prototype for €60,000
A previously unknown prototype of the Leica CL without rangefinder but with a heavily modified body and central hot-shoe has emerged on the website of Austrian dealer, Photo Arsenal Worldwide, who are located in Zell am See. It includes an M-Rokkor f/2.8 28mm lens and a Leica 28mm finder. The dealer believes that the prototype was made in 1970, some three years before the Leica CL was introduced alongside a Minolta version. According to the website Kosmo Foto, Photo Arsenal Wordwide’s Boris Jamchtchik believes that Leica may have sold the prototype to a Thai collector and photographer, Surat Osathanugrah and eventually found its way to a collector in Europe.
PetaPixel has the full story here.
Enter the Leica world with pre-owned 0% financing in the UK: But be quick…
Between now and the end of March, UK residents can enjoy interest-free financing of pre-owned Leica equipment at the Leica Store Mayfair. The credit facility, limited to a period of 12 months, is available on all pre-owned Leica orders over £5,000 and with a minimum deposit of ten percent. Purchasers can visit Leica Store Mayfair in person or order through the Leica Classic Online Store.
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Mmm…I give very very little weight to anything in “The Phoblographer” website. Sorry. I just don’t find the source knowledgeable or reliable.
My camera dealer told me the other day that Leica will come up with a small sensor camera that would not be a rebadged Panasonic. Aps-c cameras whatever the brand are just fine if you attach a good lens on them and lighter than any FF cameras (with the exception of the Sigma fp or fpL). Anything between 16 and 24 MP is more tghan enough in most cases as well
I think this is the D-Lux 8 although it could have a different name and may be different in spec to the 7. But no Panasonic version.
Hi Jason, an interesting article.
I do not think the amazing Ricoh and Fujifilm X100 series cameras are in the same market space. I have owned both and did not get on with the Ricoh – no viewfinder is useless to me no matter how pocketable. I just received the Fujifilm X100VI yesterday and sold my fujifilm X100V for more than I paid for it – hey, this has retained value better than Leica which has amazing value retention. I even like my Fujifilm X100VI better than my Sold Leica Q2. I just do not get on with 28mm. Please do not tell me I can crop – the cropped wide angle images just are not the same.
I get tired of the forecast demise of MFT and APS-C. It has been forecast for years by people that do not use or understand the product or market space. Strangely companies would not invest in new products if there was no market. Panasonic released the amazing G9 II not all that long ago as well as vlogging (whatever that is 😀). I am in the process of selling my extensive Leica/Panasonic/Sigma L mount system and M11 system including Leica M 95/1.5 (the most sensational lens I have ever owned). I now have a sensational MFT system. Topaz AI software including Denoise, Sharpen, and Gigapixel have transformed my photography equipment needs. However, the AI software does require a powerful computer with an expensive appropriate video card – but seriously this is a fraction of the price of most Leica equipment. Yes, you do not get the max in minimal depth of field but on the other hand you do get a lot more depth of field at equivalent full frame apertures which is wonderful for most subjects and especially macro. I have started using the spectacular landmark Olympus 90/3.5 2x macro which is equivalent to 180mm! Also, handheld is not an issue with the amazing real image stabilization available with MFT cameras. I would buy a MFT camera and the 90mm just for macro if I still owned a full frame camera system – it is so game changing. I have used a Panasonic G9 system in the past and regret selling it. I have recently received the amazing OM System OM-1 Mark II and love how light it is as well as the colour science. Spectacular glass that I have used in the past and acquired again are: Pana Leica 12-60, Olympus 17/1.2 25/1.2 45/1.2, 75/18. New amazing glass include: Oly 40-150/4, Oly 8-25/4, Oly 90/3.5 macro. I also so to own the spectacular sensational Pana Leica 200/2.8 (400 mm equivalent) but probably will not purchase again as it is in my 3 percent of images and I now can crop and use topaz gigapixel which does not impact quality-how wonderful!
MFT and APS-C have their own strengths. Just buy what gives you joy and ignore the armchair pontificating incompetent people. Stop buying based on specification improvements that that no relevance on your photography. A new camera is not going to improve your images for 95 percent of us. Education of workshops will do far more for you than new equipment.
I must now get out with my truly lovely Fujifilm X100VI – or should I sell it for a major profit? I should have put myself on the list for 4 before preordering started but I am not greedy unfortunately.
I agree, the Ricoh needs a viewfinder and that’s the only reason I haven’t bought one. I still sometimes use my film version and even that has a viewfinder even though it’s optical. Still hoping Leica will come up with a new compact even if it has a fixed lens. A bit smaller than the Q and 24mp would be fine.
In general, I am with you on the lack of a viewfinder. However, a built-in viewfinder would alter the size of the camera, unless it is a pop-up version similar to that on the Sony RX100. But you know this, of course. I’ve used the GR and GRIII for several years and have put up with the lack of viewfinder simply because the camera can be slipped in the pocket. It’s the camera I take out with me when I don’t want to carry anything bigger (which, in my case, means an M11 or Q3). I also pack it when travelling, mainly as insurance for a failure of the larger camera; occasionally, however, I do travel with the Ricoh alone if I want to go light. I suppose the Fuji is the alternative for those who must have a viewfinder, and I don’t see much scope for an inbetweener with a Ricoh badge.
Hi, just to clarify for everyone, the Ricoh is an amazing camera. Because it does not have a viewfinder, it is tiny and pocketable. For those, that need a viewfinder, the Fujifilm X100 series are one of a number of great options including the magnificent Leica Q series. None of these cameras are truly in the same market segment. I could have afforded the Q3 but the 28mm does not work for me. I would actually prefer a 50mm small camera but the 35mm equivalent Fujifilm X100VI is closest to my needs and is delightful to use.
I am in a bit of a different situation from many (most?) here: the question for me isn’t pocketable, it’s ‘purse-able’ 🙂
Completely agree about buying what gives you joy. I took a MFT D-Lux Typ 109 to Japan in 2018; in 2023 it was an APS Fuji X-E3. I took RAW and loved what I got with each of those. None, BTW, seemed to need enhancement after RAW processing.
But, following advice here, I used some of the free trial AI programs on my 2023 RAWs. I wasn’t so happy with what happened to the smaller Japanese characters. The tiffs I generated came out fine; the AI programs really had no idea what to do with the characters, adding extra lines, erasing some lines — in general, making the characters illegible.
My first suspicion is that I’m not doing it properly, but my second is that these programs weren’t trained on languages like Thai, Chinese or Japanese. Anyone here have experience with those?
I was given a Sofort 1 some years ago. It works as I would expect for a very basic camera. The spec of the Sofort 2 sounded more interesting. That is apart from the local retail price-an eye watering twice that of the Fuji Instax Mini on which the Sofort 2 is “based”.
So i bought the Fuji Instax Mini. It works very well and after some fine tuning in the menu I am getting excellent colour rendition in the instant prints. I don’t have a Sofort 2 to make the direct comparison made in the FStoppers review mentioned above but I cannot agree with some of the conclusions he draws on the apparent colour differences. I suspect that the Sofort 2 and Instax are absolutely identical under the skin and any differences he sees are due to differences in the set up of the two cameras he used. Either that or some of the Leica gold dust blew into his eyes.
Using MFT alongside Full Frame, I see a justification for both large and small sensors. Olympus/OM System Pro lenses are excellent and compact, which makes them great travel companions. You can put everything you need for the most demanding assignments in a medium-sized back and rely on achieving excellent results (if you know how to handle your gear). In my eyes, it’s horses for courses, but if Panasonic will not bring new cameras for MFT rather sooner than later, OM System will be let alone, and they won’t be able to save the system on their own. So, Chris Gamapt might be right in the lens, but not because the sensor size is bad but because of companies’ strategies. JP
Wonderful diary update, thank you!
I’m envious that UK members get to attend an event like this. The US is so vast that travel to a meeting in NYC or LA is on different scale. I’m however grateful to my local AD Dan Tamarkin who hosts exhibitions in his gallery space, meetups with owners, and photo walks that allow us to share our experiences.
GRIII rumors beg the question about the possible Leica DL-8 Mike mentioned earlier. That might make an interesting refreshed alternative, particularly if it had a fold out screen.
The death of M43 and APSC. NOT SO FAST! With relatively cheap denoise software there’s more life to be squeezed out of both formats yet I would think.
Thanks, Jon. The LSI is active and has frequent events in the USA. I seem to remember Chicago being on the list in the recent past. And Dan Tamarkin is a keen member; I met him at the Dublin meeting in 2022.
The compact question is interesting. There is no doubt that there is a great deal of interest in fixed-lens compacts, with the GRIII, X100VI and Q3 being the hottest of properties. I have wondered whether an MFT fixed-focal length camera would be a success for Leica — a sort of cut-price Q3 — but I am not sure. Ricoh and Fuji would be tough to compete with and there’s a good argument for Leica continuing to get its pound of flesh out of the pricey Q3.
I think Jason added the link to the “death of M43 and APS-C” with tongue in cheek. Chris Gampat isn’t shy when it comes to creating a catchy title to draw in the readers.
Thanks Mike,
There has been a rumor for a while that Leica could launch a “Q-S”. Threading that needle would be tricky unless it used the old Q2 47MP sensor ideally with PDAF. Pricing would need to be a bit north of the X100VI ($2,999?) and a sensible non cannibalizing distance from the Q3 pricing ($3,999?)
There was a strong rumour of a Q-E with the Q2 body and sensor but this did not materialise and I now think is unlikely. But I suppose there is an outside chance still.