Mini M secret revealed: Max aperture is f1!

Cyrus

Cyrus

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A few hours ago a guy who has apparently used an early version of the new "Mini M" has posted some jpegs on his website.
While viewing the lens data with an online EXIF viewer my eyes were struck with the Maximum aperture lens value: f1!

Check here:
http://www.slack.co.uk/slack/Download_files/L1002205.jpg

Now THAT explains why they ask 1k€ *more than a regular X2.

Bye bye RX1 fans:D
 
If I use my Sony NEX-3 with an adapter for Nikon or Leica glass, the aperture is recorded as '1' in the EXIF. Obvioulsy the adapters are 'dumb', there is no electronic connection/communication between lens and body, hence this effect.

So it COULD be that it is an interchangabe lens body with a (non electronic) M mount, or that a dumb adapter was used. Or the EXIF data is indeed, wrong. Or edited...
 
Looking at exif..

<rdf:Description rdf:about=""
xmlns:exif="http://ns.adobe.com/exif/1.0/">
<exif:ExifVersion>0221</exif:ExifVersion>
<exif:FlashpixVersion>0100</exif:FlashpixVersion>
<exif:ColorSpace>65535</exif:ColorSpace>
<exif:pixelXDimension>4928</exif:pixelXDimension>
<exif:pixelYDimension>3264</exif:pixelYDimension>
<exif:DateTimeOriginal>2013-06-02T15:41:37</exif:DateTimeOriginal>
<exif:ExposureTime>10/3200</exif:ExposureTime>
<exif:FNumber>0/0</exif:FNumber>
<exif:ExposureProgram>3</exif:ExposureProgram>
<exif:ISOSpeedRatings>
<rdf:Seq>
<rdf:li>100</rdf:li>
 
Does this mean that we should sell the last M digital cameras to get this one?
 
Not sure if this is up-to-date or accurate but leicarumors posted this article yesterday. I'm gonna preface the information that follows by mentioning that no references for the specs listed or even the "actual name" of the mini M were cited in the article (that I could see) and I didn't see any new Mini M news on Leica's web page/blog:

http://leicarumors.com/2013/06/06/leica-x-vario-type-107-detailed-specifications.aspx/

The full specs on leicarumours are:

  • 16.5MP APS-C sensor
  • Leica Vario Elmar 1:3.5-6.4/18-46mm ASPH lens (28-70mm equivalent): 9 elements in 8 groups, 2 ASPH elements
  • Minimal focusing distance: 30cm
  • ISO range: 100-12,500
  • Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
  • 3" TFT LCD with 921k dots
  • Full HD video
  • Built-in flash
  • Additional accessories will include grip, lens hood, external EVF, several different cases
  • Adobe Lightroom will be included
  • Battery capacity: 360 exposures
  • Dimensions: 133 x 73 x 95mm
  • Weight: 679g - around 24oz (with batteries)
  • Price: around 2,500 EUR
  • Made in Germany

So assuming the optional EVF costs about $500 (conservatively), then the new camera costs about $3k to do part of what its competitors can (I'm thinking of this camera vs. say an XE-1 and kit zoom)??

It's a bummer Leica didn't just offer up an M-mount body with these exact same specs, if it had an EVF or mechanical RF that would've been nicer still. I would drop $3k on that almost without any hesitation.

Otherwise, this looks like an X2 with a zoom lens and a price bump.
 
I'm very curious as to what the max aperture on this new baby will be. Rumours say 3.5-6.4 but it's kind of hard to believe that Leica would put such a slow lens on a camera like this, don't you think? f1? I don't think so. That would be an extremely pleasant surprise, though.

The sample images look really good, though.
 
It seems like it would be pretty tough to put a suitably small and fast zoom lens that still covers an APS-C sensor. Think APS-C kit lenses for DSLRs - they're small but not P&S small.
 
The level of detail within the central zone actually in focus is pretty comparable to that seen with my old Canon G9.

(Keep that the jump from the G9's 12 Mpix CCD to this Leica's 16 Mpix CMOS sensor is only a 15% increase in linear resolution).

The new Leica will of course stomp the G with respect to high ISO and dynamic range. But those properties will not be so observable in a bright, well-lit scene like this one.
 
Okay. okay
the exif data may be incorrect.
However the front element of the lens is huge compared that on the X2.
In that case or a collapsible zoom exist (so Vario name is justified) and max aperture is about f2.8
Or this is a fixed lens with max aperture between f.1 and f.2
 
dogberryjr said:
Whatever the actual maximum aperture is, the focus plane in that shot it darned shallow.
Click to expand...
When you're in the very close-up focusing range the focus plane is always darn shallow. This is of course the case here.

But the background is still too sharp so this screams APS-C sensor and quite modest maximum aperture.

Come as close to your subject with a 24x36 sensor and, say, an f/2 lens used wide-open, and you'll see it by yourself. ;)

All in all that poultry pic doesn't sell me that new toy... Leica should go for another ball-trap session ! :D
 
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