Dear classic photographers and Leica enthusiasts,

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

It’s open season on jackalopes!

Visited any truck stop in Wyoming recently? If so, you couldn’t miss seeing postcards of the rare jackalope. Rumored to be a cross between a jackrabbit and an antelope, this antlered rabbit is a running gag that the locals never tire of playing on gullible tourists.

The announcement that the boys from Solms were introducing a new, more accessible line of lenses tagged Summarit, had some Leicaphiles claiming that this was a cross between a Summicron and an Elmarit, while others checked their calendar to confirm that this was not April 1. I, for one, can assure you that this is no hare-brained scheme!

First off, let’s debunk the scuttlebutt that these lenses are made in Japan. The lenses are marked Made in Germany. I’m personally very happy with the news. It is good to see Leica put their efforts into developing new products that will enhance the Leica photographic experience and widen the client base, rather than producing another commemorative, limited-edition camera that only appeals to collectors. Kudos to Stephen Lee!

What’s in the Summarit product line? 4 new compact lenses that will sell for well below the two thousand dollar mark. Good news indeed, although I’m certain that my accountant would not refer to that as accessible! When compared to the astronomical price hike on the WATE 16-18-21- f4, the Summarits are real bargains.

As for the WATE, overnight this lens had its price inflated by C$1500.00, reaching the stratospheric level of C$5795.00. This product is a bit over six-months-old, but the reason given for the bloated new price was the ‘rising cost of raw materials’. In the name of the Hunt brothers, what single commodity, be it metal, rare earth, or whatever, has gone up several fold to justify the $1500+ hike on a product that weighs a mere 335 grams?

Along with news of the price increase, comes news that you can’t buy the WATE without purchasing that big, complicated, technical marvel of a viewfinder. In the past, quite a few of my clients opted to save about one thousand dollars and buy the WATE without the Universal WA viewfinder. With the help of a modified Voigtlander 21mm finder, they were able to enjoy a great lens at a substantial saving. This option is no longer available. When you part with that hard-earned thousand, you can take solace in the Leica press release that thanks you for understanding!

Not only for the new kid on the block!

Leica is offering a 30% discount (C$700) on the Digilux 3 to anyone who registers on the Leica site with a serial number for a Leica product purchased in the last 50 years. Talk about a long-term loyalty program!

This generous offer applies only to the Digilux 3. In my opinion, this is a fine D-SLR that comes equipped with a first-rate zoom lens equivalent to 28-100 mm. It’s a combination capable of producing true-to-life 7.5-megapixel images. I just wish that the body-lens combo had a smaller profile, and the optical viewfinder was a shade brighter.

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Somewhere else in the Solms complex…A new line of High-Definition Binoculars!

When they need to differentiate a Red-breasted Sapsucker from a Red-bellied Woodpecker, birdwatchers from Point Pelee to Tofino can attest to Leica Ultravid binoculars being the finest binoculars on the market! This year, the line is being upgraded to HD status.

The Ultravid HD are packed with over 200 innovative changes including Fluorite-Ion lenses and newly-developed lens and prism-coating technology for less chromatic aberrations and brighter images in any light. The focusing mechanism is also upgraded and body construction is improved to make them even more waterproof. I am expecting the HD line to arrive in November. Drop by for a demonstration.

At the Leica Gallery in New York... Two Canucks who don’t need to say they are sorry.

It’s more than a rumor but not yet confirmed: the Leica Gallery in New York City will host a show for George Zimbel and Steve Simon. George and Steve are two highly-accomplished Montreal photographers. George is actually an American by birth and Steve is now living in New York, nevertheless we’re taking credit for the two of them. George is a world-renowned Leica user with a career that has spanned over half a century. Steve is a reportage photographer with many awards and several books to his credit.

The show is planned for next March. The Leica Gallery on Broadway in Soho is a beautiful venue I never miss dropping by when in NYC. I’ll be making the pilgrimage next spring to feast my eyes on original prints by these two very-talented photographers whom I am proud to call friends.

The LHSA is meeting at “Photographic Mecca”

In October, The Leica Historic Society will hold it’s annual meeting in Rochester, New York.

This 30th LHSA meeting promises to be the largest and the most exciting meeting yet. The 5-day event is filled with exceptional programming. Planned are a visit to the Museum Of Photography and the George Eastman House. Among the featured speakers are Stefan Daniel, Product Manager, M-System for Leica Camera AG, and Jim Lager, arguably the foremost Leica historian today. M8 users may consider joining the one-day workshop by Justin Staily. a Leica USA product specialist.

The keynote speaker for the Saturday evening gala dinner, will be Constantine Manos.
A longtime member of Magnum Photos, Constantine is a master of both black-and-white and color media. Attending that evening is reason enough to make the trip.
Non-members could still sign up by visiting this link: http://www.lhsa.org/conferences.html

The other Greece.

In July, my wife and I took a vacation in Northern Greece or Makedonnia as the Greeks call it. We did not run into the young, hard-bodied tourists that party all day and party again all-night long. We did, however, run into beautiful, well-preserved authentic villages like Metsovo, where the only social activity appears to be walking around or gathering in the big town square and engaging in heated discussions. We also very much enjoyed our stay in Thessaloniki, a multi-cultural, multi-layered bustling metropolis with an omni-present joie-de-vivre. Some of the photographs I took can be viewed here:

Two New Voigtlander Lenses

Recently, Voigtlander added two new lenses that have been met with enthusiasm and accolades: the M-mount Skopar 25mm F4 and 21mm F4. These two new lenses do not require an L/M adapter to be used on an M camera, and offer high-quality wide-angle options at a very attractive price.

We at Camtec Photo have been selling Voigtlander products for three years. Recently we established a direct supply link to the manufacturer in Japan. This new arrangement assures best availability and most-competitive prices for Voigtlander cameras, lenses and accessories.

Last, but certainly not least…

I am planning a Leica demo-clinic on October 26 and 27. The demo-clinic will feature special guests from Leica Camera USA.

There will be a complete demonstration of the new Summarit lenses, plus the latest news and technical updates on the M8.

Sitting at the checkup counter will be my friend, and the best Leica technician this side of the Atlantic, Mr. Jerry Smith. Please mark you calendars and stay tuned!

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