Photokina Countdown

There's so much great photographic gear about to be released in the lead up to Photokina, I'm on the edge of my seat!  The Fuji XE-1 has already been announced, the Sony RX-1 full frame compact has been previewed and Sony is also likely to release a NEX-6 - a NEX-7 with a NEX-5n sensor.

Of course, and the one I am most interested in, is the Nikon D600.  Canon may also release a competitor at the same time, but I predict that this will be later.  Other predictions include a Leica M10 to replace the now 3 year old M9, and a host of Sony D-SLRs.

What I am hoping for is a Pentax full frame DSLR, and I know that would certainly be very interesting for my father.

We all shall see, but exciting times lay ahead this week.

On another note, this sculpture at the Distillery District is as fascinating as it is creepy.  Definatley worth a few shots!!

C64 Memories and Photokina

I saw this mint-in-box Commodore 64 a while ago at the Antique Markets at the St Lawrence Markets.  I made me think for a bit as that a piece of the latest technology when I was in High School is now at an Antiques store!  This makes me feel very old.

Still technology is a wonderful thing, and the upcoming Photokina in Germany will show many of the latest cameras to come out.  New arrivals that are expected include the Nikon D600 and the Fujifilm X200.  There may be an appearance by a Nikon D600 competitor from Canon (a 6D?), and perhaps even a preview of the Leica M10.

All in all it promises to be an exciting show!

Fuji x100

Leica Product Planning

Having worked in Automotive Product Planning for many years, my brain sometimes wonders what Photographic Product Planning would look like.  Take Leica; a company with storied history, but I think they have lost their way in the digital age.  If I was head of their Product Planning and Development Department, this is how I would envisage a Leica lineup in 2014.

Digital Cameras

Leica M10 – 20MP Full Frame M mount Camera with hybrid optical and electronic viewfinder.  CMOS sensor would feature no AA sensor, but with technology borrowed from Fujifilm to prevent colour aliasing.  Sensor would also feature very low noise at high ISO, with ISO 25,000 being almost free of noise.  Screen would be updated to a 3.2”, 1.3 million pixel display.  Traditional Leica styling with standard vulcanite.  Price = $7,000

Leica X1s- A mirrorless camera with an APS-C sized 16 MP sensor for Leica M mount.  Camera would feature a low cost hybrid optical electronic viewfinder and a 3” screen with 1 million pixels.  Styling would feature some traditional Leica styling cues, but with a modern flavour and size would be a little larger than a Sony NEX-7.  Camera only price = $2,500; with Leica 35mm f2.5 Summarit M = $4,000

Leica D-Lux 6 – A mirrorless micro four thirds camera based on a Panasonic GX1, but with Leica styling.  Body only price would be $900.  A kit combined with the Leica 25mm f1.4 Summilux would be $1600.

Film Cameras

Leica M7 – As per current but sold in very limited quantities as special editions only.  Price - $5000 - $10,000 depending on Special Edition

Leica M7-P – Taking a leaf out of Leica’s early 1980’s play book, offer a cost down M7 with a cheaper rangefinder and lower cost materials.  Price would be around $1700, or just above the price of a nice used M6 now.

Sony NEX 3 with Leica 50mm f3.5 Elmar