Dear classic photographers and Leica enthusiasts,

Thank you for allowing me to share news and some of my thoughts with you.

Carl Zeiss and Camtec!

We have succeeded in securing a relationship with Carl Zeiss. Camtec now carries the prestigious Zeiss Ikon camera, Carl Zeiss M-mount lenses and viewfinders, and Carl Zeiss lenses for Nikon and Pentax single-lens reflexes. While one associates products from Zeiss with optical superlatives, I am also impressed by their reasonable prices.

With this announcement, we have fundamentally augmented our rangefinder presence. Very soon, our website will be refreshed to clearly present and differentiate outstanding products from Leica, Voigtlander and Zeiss. The synergies between the three lines give unparalleled opportunities to photographers to reach their creative potential and enhance their passion for photography.

The Zeiss Ikon system is designed to take complete advantage of major improvements in optical formulations and manufacturing techniques. Not surprisingly, the fit and feel of the lenses is above reproach. Engineered to the highest level of quality, the camera possesses a degree of refinement that contributes to an unparalleled photographic experience. In future issues of M Vision, I will describe attributes of this system that, I believe, holds untold potential for rangefinder connoisseurs.

Capa negatives in great condition!

The safe recovery of Robert Capa’s Spanish Civil War negatives has put photojournalism, and war photography in particular, back on the front line of public awareness.

Rarely does a month go by that a pundit does not proclaim photojournalism dead, or, at best, on life support. It has been made superfluous by newsreels, cable TV, videos, the Internet and most recently, my younger daughter’s cell phone camera. Now, interest in this long-established genre has been rekindled by a story that seems lifted from a Hollywood script.

When Capa fled Paris in 1939 to avoid the Nazi invasion, he left the Spanish Civil War negatives behind. Randy Kennedy’s article in the January 27, 2008 New York Times, gives an excellent recounting of the discovery and recovery of these significant negatives. The 70-year-old films are nitrate based, a notoriously brittle and flammable material. Fortunately, they appear to be in excellent condition.

Perhaps the negatives will clear up the controversy as to whether the iconic image of the shooting death of Loyalist soldier Federico Borrell García was real or staged. That is not of primary importance. The body of work transcends academic wrangling. We now have a portal to better understand and appreciate the birth of modern war photojournalism.

War photography has the power to change the course of history. My first recollection of its persuasiveness is waiting for Life Magazine and being mesmerized by the rawness of Larry Burrows´ reportage. In their own living rooms, the American public confronted the horrors of Vietnam.

February 1, 2008 marked the 40th anniversary of an image that galvanized America. Eddie Adams photographed the street execution of a Viet Cong prisoner, a split second that was recalled by retired photographer and Associated Press photo editor Horst Faas.

“Running my Nikon eyeball quickly over a roll of black-and-white film from Eddie Adams, I saw what I had never seen before on the lightbox of my Saigon editing desk: The perfect newspicture - the perfectly framed and exposed "frozen moment" of an event which I felt instantly would become representative of the brutality of the Vietnam War.

The 12 or 14 negatives on that single roll of film, culminating in the moment of death for a Viet Cong, propelled Eddie Adams into lifelong fame. The photo of the execution at the hands of Vietnam's police chief, Lt. Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Loan, at noon on Feb. 1, 1968 has reached beyond the history of the Indochina War - it stands today for the brutality of our last century.” ©Horst Faas

Bridges of Madison County aside, the idea that a passionate individual with a camera can be a catalyst for change is not just a romantic notion. It is the cornerstone of photojournalism and the reason that photojournalists will endure.

Steven Lee to pursue other opportunities

I have been critical of many decisions made by Steven Lee during his brief tenure
as CEO of Leica Camera AG. From product shortages to draconian price increases, his reign was riddled with questionable pronouncements and poorly executed strategies. The final straw came on the heels of an interview with the respected British publication, Amateur Photographer, where he implied that a full-frame digital M8 might be available by Photokina. It won’t! He also indicated this development could be retrofitted to present M8s. I am no engineer but, when I read this fantasy, I knew such an implementation to be impossible.

His firing on February 22 must not herald the return of the old, complacent corporate culture. At the helm of Leica, we need a leader with a strong mandate not merely for change, but intelligent change. There has to be a realization of Leica’s unique position in the photographic world. Empty proclamations should be verboten. Leicaphiles need not be told of the new and improved breakthrough of the month. Leica must set its own agenda, report on real developments and, above all else, deliver excellence. What we need is less talk and more stock!

Factory incentives

Longtime readers of this newsletter know how frustrated I have been with the availability of M-mount lenses and accessories. Kudos are due to the Boys of Solms who have pulled up their socks and produced an ample supply of sought after lenses like the 21mm F2.8 and 24mm F2.8 Elmarits.

The company has announced incentives ending June 30, 2008, offering substantial savings on certain product combinations.

Leica Exclusive-Set M: Save $1095 on a set containing an M8 in black or silver and either a Summicron-M 28mm/f2 ASPH or an APO-Summicron-M 75mm/f2 ASPH.

Leica Summarit-Set M: Save $695 on a Leica M8, a Leica M7 or a Leica MP in black or silver and a Leica Summarit-M lens of your choice.

This Just In.

Leica is spring cleaning and I have just secured several M bodies and some kits at a substantial discount. Here is a listing of what I will be receiving.

*M7 body, silver with 0.72 viewfinder: C$2795.00 *M7 body, black with 0.85 viewfinder: C$2595.00 *M7 starter kit with Summicron 50mm/f2: C$3795.00 *MP body, silver with 0.72 viewfinder: C$2795.00 *M8 body, black: C$4395.00 *Elmarit 28 mm ASPH: C$1495.00 *The Silver M7 and the black 0.85 M7 are in exceptional good condition. And for you SLR photographers out there; * R9 with a DMR in prestene condition: $5695.00 All demo merchandise come with an 18-month Leica Camera AG warranty. More used / Demo items

Leica M8 upgrade program.

What do the Boys of Solms have in common with Ponce de León? The Spaniard explored the New World, allegedly seeking the Fountain of Youth. A new program of upgrades for the M8 promises a camera that can be modernized to avoid obsolescence. Leica engineers should fend better than the adventurer credited with discovering Florida. The state is more renowned for retirees driving Buicks than for its youthful drive. Leicas lack turn indicators and a dispensation allowing a left-hand turn from the right lane!

I’d like to commend the company for their continued investment in ongoing research and development to improve the M8. It will not become another obsolete digital camera. These upgrades are not just the digital equivalent of a tummy tuck. New firmware downloadable as of February 1, can hone the cameras white-balance. Shutter noise issues have been addressed in a replacement shutter installed by Leica factory technicians. The new shutter has a top speed restricted to 1/4000 second, down from 1/8000. Unless you’re intent on producing photos in the tradition of William Edgerton but are not willing to use a strobe, this trade off to attain a quiet, more Leica-like release, is a fair compromise.

Modernized M8s will be returned to users with a 2-year warranty. Actual implementation of the program won’t begin until the end of August 2008 but, as of August 1st, you can reserve your priority by purchasing a personalized certificate to upgrade your M8 with your choice of the options outlined below. If any part of this program appeals to you, please drop me a line.

All M8 owners have the option of the following upgrades:

The fact remains that out of the box, the M8 remains a formidable tool. If you are happy with your camera’s attributes and performance, there is no reason to partake in this program. Upgrading is an option made available by the company that underlines its commitment to its customers, and their investment in digital imaging.

No Mojave Desert mirage: from the capital of glitz comes an amazing commitment.

What do you get when you mix digital-photography hyperbole with the over-the-top excess of Las Vegas? The answer is the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) 2008 convention. Buried in the plethora of puffery were some interesting developments and products, and one real announcement of substance. Fujifilm issued a press release that contained an unwavering pledge to the future of traditional photography.

“…Even as the company innovates in digital imaging technology, Fujifilm remains true to its heritage and to the acknowledged superior image quality delivered by professional photographic film products. Fujifilm is committed to further expanding the world of imaging whether in digital or analog technologies.” ©Fujifilm, Valhalla, NY, Jan. 24, 2008.

Voigtlander continues to develop lenses that make rangefinder photography a pure joy. Their latest offering is the 35mm f1.4 Nokton Classic. This lens is available in both multi coated and, for those inspired by the radiant black-and-white images from the 1950’s, single-coated versions. It is very reasonably priced at C$559.95. We received our first allocation of this lens. Please contact me to reserve yours.

Conjecture about the Eagle’s digital aspirations was as long as the lineup of Midwesterners at a casino buffet. Despite Cosina’s insistence that they will not follow this path, new full-frame sensors from several producers will make sourcing the technology more affordable for small, niche companies. However, the corporate line at Carl Zeiss is clear. Their digital future will unfold if and when a full-frame sensor becomes available.

The fallout from the sacking of Steven Lee confirms that there will be no full-frame M8 for Photokina. The announcement on February 26 from Leica Camera AG does not mince words.

“Already, in the working hours since the departure of Steven Lee, the Leica product development team has begun to review the M system strategy. It is too early to say what changes will be made. However, it is likely that the path may differ from the one set by Steven Lee. In any case, the M8 will continue to be our flagship camera into 2009. We can confirm that comments made during PMA regarding the possibility of an M8 upgrade to full frame were premature and we apologise if one of them gave a too optimistic outlook.

It is true that it is the desire of Leica to consider full frame within the M system. However, the final decision regarding the appropriate camera body configuration has yet to be made.”

April showers bring May flowers, and the M Vision Atelier!

	From the Indonesian archipelago to the James Bay coast, from Beijing to Port-Au-Prince, Carl and Conrad are recognized as world-class photojournalists. These self-effacing Montrealers will guide us through exercises and assignments, offering friendly critiques and encouragement. The building blocks of place, happening and purpose, will be anatomized as we develop our own photo essays.
Carl Valiquet		Conrad Duroseau

Silver halide or silicon, the atelier is open to all. Our instructors are bilingual, so bone up on your Franglais. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring an inquisitive mind and a healthy appetite, and prepare yourself for a great time.

Lessons from the baggage claim.

Visiting the shop recently, Daniel Wiener entertained me with this story of how Annie Leibovitz influenced his career.

“A long time ago, after an assignment in the Nevada goldfields, I was flying back east with a client. We left Reno on a short hop to San Francisco and transferred to the red eye to JFK. All went smoothly until we arrived at the baggage claim. We waited, and waited, and waited some more. At the expense of other passengers’ bags, the carousel was filled with aluminum cases. I’m not certain, but I think we counted 18 such cases labeled as the property of Annie Leibovitz. My client turned to inform me that if I should ever travel with more than two bags, he would never hire me again. Years passed. Annie’s already formidable fame and, no doubt, fortune grew exponentially. As for me, I never paid an excess baggage charge.”

M Vision is a collaborative effort.

The last story is a perfect segue to reveal that Daniel has been my collaborator for several issues of the newsletter. Without his help, the effort would have less panache, more hiccups, and still more grammatical errors!

Always looking forward to your comments. Photographically yours, Jean Bardaji Leicaboutique.com & Camtec Photo