leica c-lux 1 - Leica Camera Polska

91145 01/2006 

LEICA C-LUX 1 

Perfect for Fun Photography: 

Leica’s New Digital Camera_ P. 4 

FOUR THIRDS FORUM 

Leica Supports the Open Standard 

for Digital Photography_ P. 8 

RANGEFINDER 

The New Rangemaster CRF 1200 – 

an Experience Report_ P. 10

Heine/Lenz/Zizka 

Unmistakable 

Now your very own personal Leica M camera can look just the way you want it to, and also be equipped 

according to your requirements. At your Leica à la carte dealer, you can take a look at the different 

options, actually feel the available types of leather, and make your choice for your Leica à la carte. Would 

you like to try out the more than 4,000 possible combinations beforehand See the configurator at 

www.leica-a-la-carte.com.

10 RANGEMASTER CRF 1200 

07 LEICA LENSES in a digital world 

04 A life-size view of the LEICA C-LUX 1 

Dear friends of Leica, 

Spring and summer with their fresh, green colors are particularly attractive seasons for photography 

and nature watching. There are signs of new life at Leica, too. The LEICA DIGITAL- 

MODUL-R is now fully available and is being put to excellent use by more and more R photographers. 

Our digital compact camera LEICA D-LUX 2 was such a success that it was sold 

out after only a few months. In this issue of Leica World News we are introducing the new 

LEICA C-LUX 1, the first model in another ultra compact and elegant 

series of digital compact cameras. Don’t miss it! 

There are exciting developments in the legendary Leica M system 

as well: The eagerly awaited digital Leica M camera is to be 

launched in the second half of the year. This means a difficult 

decision for many a Leica M customer: Should I start putting 

money aside for the new camera or snap up one of the high performance 

lenses first as they can just as easily be used for digital 

photography 

Another article in this issue describes our involvement in the 

Dr. Ralph Nebe, 

International Sales and 

Marketing Director 

so-called Four-Thirds Standard, which will pave the way for further 

attractive digital products from Leica. 

Leica Sport Optics, used by our nature-loving customers every 

day, will be catering for hunting enthusiasts in particular this 

summer. In this issue of Leica World News you can find out all about the new extra powerful 

LEICA GEOVID 15 x 56 BRF with 15x magnification and our new compact rangefinder LEICA 

RANGEMASTER CRF 1200. 

As the new International Sales and Marketing Director, I am pleased to be playing a part in 

shaping Leica Camera AG’s bright new future. I am especially looking forward to the dialog 

with you. Incidentally, we are opening a new website this summer which should make communication 

even more effective! 

With kindest regards, 

04 LEICA C-LUX 1 

Constant companion: A new extra 

compact digital camera from Leica 

07 LEICA LENSES 

No mistake: Leica optics are still the best 

and all ready for digital photography 

08 FOUR THIRDS SYSTEM 

Embracing the future: Leica Camera 

joins the consortium for the new standard 

09 LEICA GEOVID 15 x 56 BRF 

The first 15 x 56 with an integrated 

rangefinder: Roland Zeitler put it to 

the test 

10 RANGEMASTER CRF 1200 

New laser rangefinder: 

High performance without the weight – 

the Rangemaster in everyday use 

12 UNIVERSAL LENSES 

Well equipped: Two ultra compact zoom 

lenses for the Leica R system cover a wide 

variety of photographic situations 

14 LEICA M SYSTEM 

Always at your service: 

Useful accessories for the Leica M 

Dr. Ralph Nebe 

Leica World News 3

LEICA C-LUX 1: AN ELEGANT ALL-ROUNDER 

In terms of pure enjoyment value, Leica Camera AG’s new ultra compact high-performance 

digital camera is hard to beat. Equally suitable for everyday use, leisure and sports, 

the LEICA C-LUX 1 is a high-tech product that’s also exudes fashionable elegance, and 

makes a statement about its owner. 

CONSIDER ITS petite but practical dimensions: 

3 11 ⁄16 inches wide, 2 1 ⁄8 inches high. 

15 

⁄16 inches front to back. A camera like this 

really does fit into any jacket pocket, briefcase 

or handbag. And the sartorially sophisticated 

will even be able to accommodate 

the new ultra compact digital Leica camera 

Leica behind their breast pocket handkerchief! 

In any case, the LEICA C-LUX 1 is the 

ideal companion at home and on holiday, at 

social events, or when you suddenly discover 

something visually memorable while 

walking to your destination, shopping, or 

simply strolling down the street. The LEICA 

C-LUX 1 is always at hand, easy to use, 

compact and unobtrusive. When we say 

it’s compact however, we mean that it’s 

still large enough to hold and operate in 

comfort. After all, even the trend towards 

miniaturization has its sensible limits. 

This new fun-to-use camera proves its 

worth in so many different situations that 

you’ll want to take it everywhere you go. 

Incidentally, the new LEICA C-LUX 1 is at 

the cutting edge of the incredibly rapid 

technological advances in digital products. 

Equipped with a 6 megapixel sensor, it features 

extremely short shutter delay, precise 

autofocus measurement, and an optical 

image stabilizer for carefree photography 

whatever the occasion. The exquisite LEICA 

DC-VARIO-ELMARIT lens further enhances 

the camera’s versatility by offering a focal 

length range equivalent to 28–102 mm in 

35 mm format, providing an unusually 

broad choice of subjects. It covers typical 

wide-angle situations with the focal length 

of 28 mm (a unique feature for this class 

of camera), but the LEICA C-LUX 1 also 

has no problem capturing more distant 

subjects at the telephoto settings. As 

you’d expect, the cameras optic’s based 

on state-of-the-art aspherical technology. 

In short, if you choose the new LEICA 

C-LUX 1, you know you’re benefiting from 

the legendary optical expertise of Leica 

Camera AG. 

And that’s not all. The longlife battery is 

supported by the outstanding Venus Plus 

processor, renowned for high performance 

and low energy consumption. The high-resolution 

2.5-inch 207,000-pixel display provides 

a brilliant, high-resolution viewing 

image. High-sensitivity settings of up to ISO 

1600 combined with the optical image sta- 

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE LEICA C-LUX 1 

Photography type/format 

Dimensions (WxHxD) 

Weight 

Lens 

1:1/2.5" CCD sensor with 6.37 m effective pixels 

(for aspect ratio 4:3) 

approx. 94 x 51 x 24 mm (3 11 ⁄16 x 2 1 ⁄8 x 15 ⁄16 in) 

approx. 160 g/5.6 oz (with battery and SD card) 

LEICA DC VARIO ELMARIT f/2.8-5.6/4.6-16.8 ASPH. 

(corresponds to 28–102 mm for the 35 mm system) 

Film speed setting Automatic or manual ISO 80, 100, 200 or 400 

(in high-sensitivity mode 800–1600) 

Scene modes 

Monitor 

Storage medium 

Scope of delivery 

Warranty 

Simple mode, normal image, macro, SCN modes (portrait, 

soft skin, landscape, sport, night portrait, self-portrait, food, 

party, candlelight, fireworks, starry sky, snow, baby1, baby2, 

high sensitivity), moving image, replay 

2.5" polycrystalline TFT color display with 207,000 pixels 

SD memory card, MultiMedia card (still pictures only) 

Battery charger, battery, 64 MB SD memory card, AV cable, 

USB cable, AC cable, wrist strap, CD-ROM with software 

(Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0, Quicktime Movie Player) 

2 years 

bilizer guarantee sharply focused, blur-free 

photos even in dim light. A candlelight dinner 

is just as easy for the LEICA C-LUX 1 to 

handle as the fast-moving subjects encountered 

in sports, games and other 

leisure activities. For all those unexpected 

encounters and photo oppourtunities, the 

C-LUX 1 is instantly ready for action. It can 

even capture exciting video movies in VGA 

quality. To sum it up, this little digital Leica 

is a true all-rounder for taking an incredible 

variety of photographs, for hobbies or work, 

at home or away. 

4 Leica World News

A life-size view of the LEICA C-LUX 1 


The attractively colored leather case is perfect for keeping the 

LEICA C-LUX 1 safe wherever you take it. 

Happily, the camera’s intrinsic value is 

expressed on the outside as well, with 

sound craftsmanship and a modern design 

that is both stylish and practical and makes 

this new model instantly recognizable as a 

member of the prestigious Leica family. It’s 

easy to hold, caresses the senses – whether 

in the black or silver chrome version – or to 

put it simply: It looks great. With its slightly 

rounded sides, uncluttered front and large 

LCD monitor on the back, the LEICA C-LUX 1 

is a real eyecatcher. And it’s a camera that 

will give you pleasure for years to come. 


LEICA LENSES: STILL THE BEST IN A DIGITAL WORLD 

What happens to my prized Leica lenses in the brave new digital world It’s a question 

posed by many Leica customers. The answer: Leica optics are still the best and, without 

exception, fully equal to the demands of today’s digital technology. 

WE ALL KNOW what photography is: light 

passes through a lens and enables the 

image formed to be recorded either on a 

film or a sensor. This admittedly simplified 

description of a complicated process makes 

one thing abundantly clear: Every photograph 

begins at the lens. That’s why Lens 

quality is a decisive factor in determing the 

quality of the resulting photo. If a lens is 

merely mediocre, it is impossible to produce 

a top-quality photo, however sophisticated 

the downstream factors (film quality, 

number of pixels, etc.) may be. In other 

words, a superlative lens is just as important 

in digital photography as it is in analog 

photography for achieving first-class results 

– maybe even more so! 

Optically and mechanically, Leica lenses 

represent the absolute state of the art. 

Although this in itself is nothing new, it’s 

definitely worth remembering in a digital 

context. Whereas average-quality lenses in 

analog photography still produce average 

results, high-resolution digital sensors mercilessly 

expose the weaknesses of a lens. 

Strictly speaking, every lens is something 

like the squaring of the circle. After all, 

every optical element has various inherent 

aberrations that impede the process of 

achieving a high-resoultion, natural-looking 

image. Despite these obstacles, an 

experienced design engineer may be able, 

by applying cutting-edge simulation and 

optimization software, to select and arrange 

the individual elements in a lens in such a 

way that their individual aberration errors 

cancel each other out. This is no easy task 

considering the different radii and glass 

materials with widely varying refraction 

indices, plus the fact that some of the elements 

need to move in relation to each 

other as the lens is focused or zoomed. But 

this is just what Leica aims at – backed by 

a wealth of experience 

However, the design of the optical system 

is only one aspect in the production of a 

good lens. Ultra high manufacturing standards 

are just as important. Traditionally, 

the optical manufacturing specifications at 

Leica have always been substantially tighter 

than the industry norm. They have to be, 

because the tolerances of the various components 

may add up to a total tolerance 

that far exceeds our extremely stringent 

performance standards. Sometimes even 

experienced craftsman find extreme tolerances 

demanded to achieve with automatic 

machining techniques, and that’s why certain 

lenses are finished individually by hand. 

It is a well-known fact that Leica lenses 

meet the most extreme precision-mechanical 

specifications. Not so many people 

know that the sensors made for Leica are 

specially matched to the demands of the 

Leica lenses as well. An ultra-thin protective 

filter in front of the sensor ensures that 

the performance of the lenses is not 

impaired by using a thicker filter glass, 

which often results in unwanted reflections. 

And whereas the majority of Leica’s competitors 

use physical low-pass filters when 

moiré filtering is required, Leica’s low-pass 

filter is integrated on the basis of software 

so optimum resulition is maintained This is 

the only way to fully exploit the definition 

potential of each Leica lens. To state it succinctly, 

it not only makes excellent sense 

to choose Leica lenses in digital photography, 

it also wise to choose a Leica digital 

camera or Digital Modul R back to complement 

them. Leica: The best in quality and 

performance, now and always. 

MK 

Leica lenses: Cutting-edge technology with 

digital compatibility 


FOUR THIRDS SYSTEM: Leica on Board 

THE SO-CALLED ‘Four Thirds’ system 

was initiated by Olympus and Kodak at the 

end of 2002 as an open standard that is 

optimized for digital capture and future 

development, and is designed to overcome 

some of the the technical limitations 

imposed by using a format with its roots in 

analog camera technology. Basically, the 

new standard simplifies the development 

of lenses that are compatible with cameras 

made by a variety of manufacturers and is 

perfectly matched to the size and characteristics 

of digital image sensors. Once the 

type and size of the bayonet mount of the 

‘Four Thirds’ forum was standardized as 

well, it became e possible to combine products 

of different manufacturers going forward. 

Besides Panasonic – a strategic partner 

of Leica Camera AG – Leica itself has 

now joined the ‘Four Thirds’ consortium and 

regards the new standard as a welcome 

complement to the successful Leica M and 

Leica R system with their wide ranges of 

lenses and compact cameras. Moreover, 

Leica sees the ‘Four Thirds’ standard as an 

opportunity to reach a wider customer 

audience for its renowned high-performance 

lenses in the rapidly expanding digital 

SLR sector. 

As a first step toward this end, Leica, in 

cooperation with Panasonic, designed its 

first D lens in 4/3 mount, the LEICA D 

VARIO-ELMARIT f/2.8–3.5/14–50 mm 

ASPH. As you would expect, this lens 

meets the exceptionally stringent inspection 

and quality control specifications of 

Leica Camera AG and it provides outstanding 

performance. And of course the thought 

of using this lens on a future digital SLR of 

our own was never far from our mind The 

new Leica D Vario-Elmarit is indeed a first 

step on the way to our eventual goal of 

offering a high-quality lens line for the 4/3 

standard. There are also plans for developing 

a complete camera together with Panasonic. 

Leica’s long-term aim in joining the 

‘Four Thirds’ consortium is simple and 

direct: to carve out a niche with innovative 

high-performance lenses aimed at conoisseurs 

and professionals in the repidly growing 

digital SLR market. 

NEW SUMMILUX: It’s available in silver 

IT IS NO Coincidence that the 50 mm 

lens is often called the standard focal length 

for 35mm photography. It has proven immensely 

useful in so many different situations 

that for this reason alone it deserves 

a place in the basic outfit of every photographer. 

In mid 2004, Leica Camera announced 

a completely new design of its 

high-speed standard lens – the Summilux-M 

f/1.4/50 mm ASPH. The outstanding features 

of this timeless classic for the Leica M 

range are enhanced imaging performance 

through the use of an aspherical element, 

outstanding quality in the close-up range 

resulting from its floating-element design 

(the last element changes position with 

respect to the other optics during focusing) 

plus consistently high imaging performance 

due to the use of high-refraction glass 

and elements with partial dispersion. 

Whether it’s used for selective focus in the 

macro range, high-contrast available light 

photography, or landscapes with impressive 

depth of field, the new 50mm Summilux 

delivers convincing performance whatever 

the situation. For all those owners of a 

classic M outfit in silver who have hesitated 

buying one until now, this is your chance: 

To match the camera: the 50 mm Summilux 

with silver chrome finish 

The LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50 mm 

ASPH. is finally available in a matching silver 

chrome version. Ask your authorized 

Leica dealer for details. 


LEICA GEOVID 15X56 BRF 

Seeing more implies recognizing fine details, discerning more and ultimately, knowing 

more about what is being observed. That is exactly what the new LEICA GEOVID15 x 56 BRF 

binocular delivers. In addition to providing high magnification, it also offers the observer 

the benefits of an integrated laser rangefinder. A test report by Roland Zeitler. 

WEIGHING ONLY 1300 g (46 oz), the 

15x56BRF has a very balanced and steady 

feel. Thanks to its excellent weight distribution, 

handheld observation is supremely 

comfortable. For prolonged observation, 

the use of a tripod and the Leica Binocular 

Adapter is recommended. Because of its 

large 56 mm objective, the binocular can 

also be used very effectively at twilight. 

The optics are treated with an abrasion 

resistant Leica HDC coating. This yields 

a razor-sharp image with superb color 

fidelity and rich contrast. It is precisely the 

high image brilliance with good contrast 

that makes it possible to discern fine 

details at this high magnification that would 

otherwise remain hidden. Furthermore, 

the binocular offers the possibility of laser 

rangefinding from 10 m (10.9 yd) to approximately 

1200 m (1312 yd). To this end, a 

laser beam is emitted along the main axis 

of the lens, the reflected light is gathered 

by the lens and directed to the measuring 

cell by means of a beamsplitter prism. 

The distance is shown immediately by 

means of a red LED display in the right ocular. 

An outline of the measuring field is also 

shown in the same ocular. The intensity of 

the LED display automatically adjusts itself 

to the ambient brightness. There is no 

flare. By pressing the key on the top of the 

binocular continuously, the measurement 

shifts to a scanning mode. This is ideal 

when one wishes to measure the distance 

to different or rapidly moving subjects in 

rapid succession. The large focusing drum 

is positioned conveniently at the central 

shaft. The diopter compensation can be 

set at the left ocular and parallax compensation 

is provided for the LED display at the 

right ocular. The LED display can thus be 

adjusted for optimal focus. The oculars are 

optimized for eyeglass-wearers with rotating 

eyecups with two click positions. 

Thanks to the use of roof prisms with 

phase correction (P40 coating), the binocular 

is very slender, but 210 mm (8.4 inches) 

high. The very sturdy aluminum die-casting 

is completely coated with a soft, grippable 

rubber armoring. The Geovid easily withstood 

rough handling and several strong 

impacts. It remained watertight when 

Top class optics, dependable measurements thanks to the high performance laser: 

Roland Zeitler tests the new Leica Geovid. 

immersed in a 50 cm (nearly 20 inches) 

deep water container. It is also filled with 

nitrogen to prevent the interior from steaming 

up. 

The new 15x56 can be used for numerous 

applications. During a hunt, a ram can still 

be viewed very clearly at 100 or 150 m 

(109 or 164 yd). Strong roebuck antlers 

can easily be discerned at great distances 

without alarming the game. I especially 

appreciated the powerful magnification 

while hunting in a field where game was 

standing in the open at a great distance – 

or when a fox was moving under the cover 

of a distant hedge. Mounted on a tripod, it 

is simply perfect for hunting varmints such 

as prairie dogs or woodchucks. Being able 

to ascertain the measured distance to the 

game is most important for a successful 

hunt. It is probably also ideal for hunting on 

horseback, in the wilds of the Yukon, or in 

Montana. It can be used equally very effectively 

for hunting rams or mountain goats 

or for stalking wapiti or moose. In such situations, 

observation and shooting must, of 

necessity be performed at great distances. 

When a wapiti buck is standing in the 

shade of a tree during the early hours of 

the morning, the bright optics reveal the 

details of its antlers. It enables you to 

decide whether it is legal for shooting or 

whether it is to be spared. 

In practice, the very quick rangefinding and 

the LED distance display were most impressive. 

The binocular performed dependably 

and accurately. Game could readily be 

ranged up to approximately 1150 m (1258 

yd), highly reflective subjects like houses 

even up to 1368 m (1496 yd). The high-performance 

laser also permits distance 

measurements under difficult conditions. 

Precise rangefinding ability paired with 

top-class, sharp and brilliant optics made it 

a genuine pleasure to use this new Geovid 

binocular. 

The slender Geovid was easy to carry and 

it readily made excellent handheld observation 

possible. All in all, it is a truly practical 

observation instrument for specialized 

fields of application, for which it is supremely 

suitable. 

ROLAND ZEITLER 


LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 1200 

Hunters will really appreciate it: The new Leica Laser Rangefinder CRF 1200 delivers the 

same high performance, yet it is even smaller and lighter than its illustrious predecessor. 

Roland Zeitler tested the new Rangemaster, at times even under extreme cold weather 

conditions. 

Small, lightweight, high-performance: 

The new Rangefinder in practical use. 

TECHNICAL DATA AT A GLANCE 

Front lens diameter 

Magnification 

Exit pupil 

24 mm 

7x 

Twilight factor 13 

Field of view at 1000 m 

3.4 mm 

115 m 

Field of view at 1000 yds 347 ft 

Diopter compensation 

Prism system 

Dimensions (W x H x D) 

Weight 

Watertightness 

Body 

Range 

Measurement accuracy 

Display 

+/- 3.5 diopters 

THE NEW Leica Laser Rangefinder CRF 

1200, while maintaining the very same 

high standard of performance, is now much 

smaller and handier than its popular predecessor. 

The new Rangemaster 1200 is just 

about palm-size. Weighing only 220 g 

(7.8 oz) with the battery, it practically disappears 

in your hand! Its small size even 

allows it to be stowed in a purse or a pocket. 

Of course it also fits in any pocket of a 

hunting jacket. It even fits well in a Napoleon 

pocket. That is especially useful in regions 

with cold climates like the Arctic, because 

then it benefits from the warmth of the 

body, so the performance capability of the 

battery (3 Volt CR2 Lithium) is maintained 

in such frigid areas. 

I used the predecessor of this new model 

at full capacity in the Canadian Arctic at 

minus 40 degrees Celsius (which is also 

minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit). The small 

laser rangefinder can, of course, also be 

carried in its convenient Cordura belt case, 

Roof prism system with P40 phase-correcting layer 

113 x 74 x 34 mm (4 7 ⁄16 x1 3 ⁄8 x 3 inches) 

approximately 220 g (7,8 oz) including the battery 

Up to 1 m (3.2 ft) water depth (0.1 bar) 

Maximal measuring time approximately 0.9 s 

Carbon-fibre-reinforced synthetic material with soft lacquering 

From 10 m to approximately 1100 m (11 to 1203 yd) 

+/- 1m up to 366 m, +/- 2 m up to 732 m, +/- 0.5% beyond 732 m 

+/- 1.1 up to 400 yd, +/- 2.2 up to 800 yd, +/- 0.5% beyond 800 yd 

LED display 4 digits, automatic brightness adjustment 

Laser Eye-safe, invisible laser in accordance with EN and FDA Class 1 

Laser beam divergence 

Advantages 

Disadvantages 

2.5 x 0.5 mrad 

Very reliable distance measurement, large measurement range, 

Very small, lightweight and handy, one-hand operation, robust and 

watertight, high-grade optics (monocular), flare-free display 

None 

which is tear-proof and virtually impervious 

to climate changes. The case has a quick 

closure that can be opened quietly for fast 

removal of the new Rangemaster from the 

belt case. An eyelet even makes it possible 

to carry it on a cord around the neck. In 

spite of its reduced overall size, the lens 

diameter has been increased from 21 to 24 

mm, which further enhances its optical performance 

by approximately 15%. 

The body of the new Rangemaster consists 

of a sturdy, impact-resistant and fibre-reinforced 

synthetic material. It protects the 

optics and the electronics perfectly, even 

against rough handling. The threaded battery 

compartment cover, with its star-textured 

surface and a central slot for a coin, 

is also pleasantly convenient. As a result, 

the cover can easily be unscrewed by hand 

without any tools, for quick and comfortable 

battery replacement wherever you 

happen to be. The black soft lacquer surface 

of the body has a velvety matte finish 

that is slip-proof and has a ‘warm feel’ 

even in very cold temperatures. The flat 

lower part has a tubular housing for the 

optics and the 7x24 monocular. 

The upper portion has a molded grip 

recess and a button for activating the laser. 

The rangefinder can be held very comfortably 

at eye level. The index finger comes to 

rest practically automatically on the activating 

button. This very ergonomic shape 

is combined with attractive styling. The 

vertical positioning in the hand results in 

an optimal alignment during observation. 

The new rangefinder is virtually predestined 

for one-hand operation. The ocular 

has a steep thread for quick diopter adjustment 

(+/- 3.5 diopters) that turns uniformly 

and smoothly even in cold temperatures. 

Its rather tight movement prevented unintentional 

setting changes during field use. 

The ocular is, of course, optimized for eyeglass 

wearers and covers the complete 

field of view of 115 m at 1000 m (126 yd at 

1094 yd). The ocular is equipped with a 

collapsible eyecup. 

The optics deliver a brilliant, bright and 

razor-sharp image. The very high contour 

sharpness is extraordinary, as is the clear, 

dimensional image, which has very good 

contrast. Resolution is also remarkably high. 


Smart appearance: The new Leica Rangemaster CRF 1200 – Shown actual size 

There were no unpleasant reflections in 

backlit situations or with in viewing snow 

scenes. The high-grade multi-coated optics 

delivered superb performance even under 

difficult lighting conditions. That also 

applies to its use at twilight. The monocular 

with its phase-corrected roof prism 

delivers an undistorted image, even in dim 

light or in backlit situations. The phase 

correction prevents interference effects. 

Therefore the new Rangemaster 1200 is 

useful not only for measuring distances, 

but also for monocular observation. The 

exterior lens surfaces of the objective and 

the ocular are equipped with a very hard, 

scratchproof coating. Rubbing them with 

my coarse gloves did not affect the coating 

in the least. 

The laser beam is emitted through a lens in 

the lower part of the body and the reflected 

laser light is captured by the objective lens 

of the monocular and conveyed to a receptor 

cell. Sophisticated short-time measurement 

technology is used to compute the 

distance in meters (in yards for Anglo-American 

regions), based on the time elapsed 

between the emission and the return of the 

laser signal. An LED display in the monocular 

shows the measured distance. During 

the measurement process, a square red 

target area is also outlined in the monocular. 

The brightness of the red display is automatically 

adjusted to the ambient brightness. 

It is thus very easy to see in all kinds 

of lighting conditions, without flare or 

excessive brightness. It does not employ a 

lower quality liquid crystal display. A blinking 

signal indicates insufficient battery 

power. The electronics independently recognize 

different measurement conditions 

and automatically set the appropriate 

mode – for example, during rain or snow, 

so that the rangefinder will not be fooled by 

raindrops or snowflakes. Only fog creates 

problems for all laser rangefinders. But the 

view is very limited in such cases anyway. In 

practical use, the laser functioned extremely 

dependably and accurately: +/- 1 m at 

distances of up to 366 m (+/- 1.09 yd at 

distances of up to 400 yd). 

Holding the button in activates the scanning 

mode, which displays the measurement 

results continuously. That enables 

hunters to measure the distances to migrating 

game. The very rapid display of different 

distances is truly remarkable. Distances 

to subjects with good reflectance, 

such as the sides of a house, can be measured 

from as far away as approximately 

1300 m (1422 yd). A dark spruce forest 

was ranged at exactly 1147 m (1254 yd). 

Even under very difficult reflecting conditions, 

it was always possible to obtain reliable 

measurements of distances of up to 

900 m (984 yd). It was no problem at all to 

measure the distance of game situated 

500 or 600 m (547 or 646 yd) away. A roebuck, 

for example, was ranged at 558 m 

(610 yd), a stag at 783 m (856 yd) and a 

goose was found to be 657 m (719 yd) 

away. No measurements can be made at 

distances less than 10 m (10.9 yd). 

Game can thus be ranged from camouflaged 

positions, and branches or other vegetation 

within the field of view will not affect 

the measurement results. In difficult rangefinding 

situations, the scanning mode still 

makes it possible to measure the distances 

to objects adjacent to the actual subject 

very quickly – the rock, for example, on 

which a mountain goat is standing. 

The new Rangemaster is eminently versatile 

for uses ranging from playing golf to 

hunting. 

It measures distances very accurately even 

under the most difficult conditions. The 

specified measuring range is 10 to 1100 m 

(11 to 1203 yd). 

Only 113 mm long, 34 mm wide and 75 mm 

high (4 7 ⁄16 x 1 3 ⁄8 x 3 inches) and weighing 

only 220 g (7,8 oz), it is supremely handy 

and quick to use. Its brilliant optics make it 

very easy to distinguish fine details and to 

observe the subject accurately. For distant 

shots beyond the calibrated shooting distance, 

the hunter is compelled to rely on 

accurate distance measurements in order 

for the shot to achieve the desired success. 

Only the laser rangefinder can provide 

this distance information dependably. 

The Leica Rangemaster 1200 is no burden, 

even in extreme terrain, yet it provides 

invaluable assistance for a successful shot. 

I appreciate it for hunting deer and foxes in 

my home range just as much as I value it 

for hunting mountain goats or snow goats 

in remote high mountain regions of the 

Rocky Mountains. 

ROLAND ZEITLER 


UNIVERSAL LENSES 

Ideal for traveling. Zoom lenses make photography easier and reduce the amount 

of equipment to the essential. Two lenses for the R series that make a perfect team. 

Two versatile lenses are sufficient as the basic outfit for R cameras: the LEICA VARIO-ELMAR 

f/3.5–4/21–35 ASPH. and the LEICA VARIO-ELMARIT f/2.8–4.5/28–90 mm ASPH. 

THERE’S A LOT to be learned from professionals. 

Press photographers have to 

get in close to the action if their pictures 

are to tell exciting stories. That’s why they 

prefer to use short focal lengths. The results 

are densely packed, powerful photos that 

make you feel as if you are part of the 

action. It is the wide-angle view in particular 

that creates a sense of immediacy and 

therefore a certain authenticity. The photo 

becomes the “truth”, and, because the lens 

only has to be stopped down slightly for the 

depth of field to reach from the foreground 

to infinity, it has a lot to tell. A successfully 

composed wide-angle photo is like a wellwritten 

essay. 

One of Leica’s lenses for its R SLR system 

is an ideal tool. The LEICA VARIO-ELMAR-R 

f/3.5–4/21–35 mm ASPH. embraces the 

most common wide-angle focal lengths of 

21, 24, 28 and 35 mm while measuring a 

mere 66 mm. Yet due to the complex design, 

the imaging performance is comparable 

with that of fixed focal length lenses. 

If you have to take photos in a large crowd 

where you hardly have room to move, you 

can track moving objects, zoom in at the 

right moment and take a frame-filling photo. 

For the reporter, who has little time to 

react to what is happening, this is a big 

help. And because the Vario-Elmar-R is 

designed as a dual-ring zoom with the 

focus set by the first ring and the focal 

length by the second, there’s no risk of 

making the wrong adjustment when in a 

hurry. But what is it that determines the 

success of a feature on a specific subject 

Certain parts of the picture need highlighting 

without losing the sense of the whole. 

The portrait of an artist in the middle of his 

studio, for example. This is where the wideangle 

zoom comes into its own, allowing 

the photographer to get close to the person 

and make him or her stand out from 

the width and depth of the surrounding 

space. The contrasts of the fore- and background 

have the same priority, no information 

is lost. What, for example, would a family 

or club celebration be without the group 

photo to remember it by Indoor group portraits 

in particular are the domain of the 

wide-angle zoom. Just imagine travel photography 

– impossible without a wide-angle. 

The dune landscapes of the Sahara, the 

dramatic canyons in the west of the USA, 

the towering mountain panoramas of the 

Alps – only a wide-angle lens can create 

the epic effect of depth stretching into 

infinity. And in contrast to this, of course, 

the narrow ravines of Bryce Canyon with its 

eroded bends as in our illustration. It can 

only be accessed in a few places, so certain 

views can only be chosen and determined 

with a wide-angle zoom. The optical 

quality of the lens is particularly noticeable 

at the edges of the photo. Which naturally 

makes it ideal for interior architectural 

shots, too. 

If you add another zoom lens to your camera 

outfit, you’ll be equipped for (almost) 

everything. From the medium wide-angle 

to the slight telephoto range, the LEICA 

VARIO-ELMARIT-R f/2.8–4.5/28–90 mm 

ASPH. is a virtually universal lens that photographers 

will particularly appreciate when 

traveling. Because it combines all common 

focal lengths in terms of focal length spread 

in one lens, it can be used as a standard 

lens that doesn’t need changing on the 

move. You can choose from a wide shot all 

the way through to a picture of a child’s 

laughing face by simply zooming the 

required frame. In portrait photography the 

lens is unbeatable. Combining a large 

aperture with a long focal length setting, 

you can separate people from the back- 


top: In the narrow ravines of Bryce Canyon in the USA, a wide-angle zoom lens comes into its own: Left: It is the unfocused movements of the water 

that turn this photograph into an idyllic still life. Right: A telephoto setting with a large aperture makes people stand out against the action. 

Photos: Franz Bagyi 

ground which is then defocused. Or highlight 

them against the crowds at a large 

event, as the photo of the couple from the 

Carnival in Venice clearly shows. This 

works equally well with objects in nature: 

look how the blurred swathes of water set 

the stage for a solitary pine cone on a 

mossy stone. Often enough, it is the details 

that make a subject interesting: a window 

cross, a door handle, a weathered poster, a 

person’s hands. It is the selective view of 

the longer focal length that captures the 

essence of a scene. 

HANS-EBERHARD HESS 


ALWAYS AT YOUR SERVICE: USEFUL 

ACCESSORIES FOR THE LEICA M 

HANDGRIP M: Secure handling, and more 

Photographers trying to create special lighting 

effects (for example by holding the flash 

off camera) often come up against a sticky 

problem: they have to hold the camera in 

the other hand and press the shutter release 

at the same time! The Handgrip for 

the Leica M guarantees comfortable and 

secure camera handling in such situations. 

It is quickly and easily screwed into the camera’s 

tripod thread and allows you to fire 

the shutter. Another advantage is that the 

Handgrip M has its own tripod thread located 

directly beneath the lens axis, providing 

much better balance with a tripod-mounted 

camera. This practical handgrip fits all 

Leica M models with the exception of the 

LEICA M5. 

Photo: Alexander Göhr 

TABLETOP TRIPOD: Always at the ready 


The Leica’s ergonomic design is legendary, 

and many great Leica photgographs have 

been shot hendheld at shutter speeds as 

slow as 1 ⁄15 sec or so. When using even 

slower shutter speeds, however, a tripod is 

indispensable – and the best tripod is 

always the one you take with you; in other 

words a tripod as compact and lightweight 

as possible. This is the idea behind Leica’s 

tabletop tripod and the reason for its 

decades of success. With three folding legs 

that can be locked in any position, this 

space-saving accessory gives you the extra 

stability required to prevent camera shake. 

The combination of tripod and ball-andsocket 

head allows the photographer to 

switch from landscape to portrait format in 

a matter of seconds, providing a compact 

and flexible tool that guarantees sharp pictures 

whatever the situation. The Leica 

tabletop tripod can also be used vertically, 

for instance when pressed against a wall. If 

the legs are pulled apart so that they are 

opposite each other, it can even be held 

against your shoulder or chest to provide 

the extra support you need. 

LENS CARRIER M: Well equipped and versatile 

This classic lens carrier for rangefinder 

Leicas has served many of the great names 

names in Leica M photography. It screws 

into the tripod socket and holds a second 

lens while the first is in shooting position 

on the camera. This kills three birds with 

one stone, so to speak. First, it is an exceedingly 

compact and tidy way of carrying a 

small camera outfit around on a neck strap. 

Second, the lens on the carrier can also be 

used as a hand grip to stabilize the camera 

for hendheld photography at slow shutter 

speeds. And third, it can even serve as a 

mini tripod. Incidentally, the lens carrier M 

does not hamper film changing in any way 

— the T-screw on the baseplate is still freely 

accessible. The lens carrier M fits onto all 

LEICA M models except for the LEICA M5. 


Imprint 

LEICA WORLD NEWS 

Is published twice a year in spring and autumn 

PUBLISHER 

Leica Camera AG, Oskar-Barnack-Straße 11, 

D-35606 Solms, Germany 

Tel. +49 (0) 6442 208-111 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Hans-Michael Koetzle DGPh 

ALSO WORKING ON THIS ISSUE 

Team Leica Distribution Germany, Team Product Management, 

Team Product Communication, Team Leica Akademie, 

Roland Zeitler, Hans-Eberhard Hess 

ART DIRECTION 

Lucie Schmid / Horst Moser, independent Medien-Design, 

Widenmayerstraße 16, D-80538 Munich, 

Tel.+ 49 (0) 89-29 00 15-0 

TYPESET/LAYOUT-FINISH 

independent Medien-Design: Peter Oberressl 

PROJECT COORDINATION 

Leica Camera AG: Alexandra Althof 

independent Medien-Design: Stephanie Wiesner 

LITHO 

Zehentner & Partner, Munich 

TRANSLATION 

Rolf Fricke 

PRINT 

Dönges Druck und Medien, Dillenburg, Germany 


“For me, it’s indispensable !” Extreme free climber 

Stefan Glowacz uses a Leica Ultravid 32 to plan his route up the face of a 

mountain. But the ultra-light and ultra-rugged Ultravids are ideal companions 

not only in the toughest climbs, but also for nature and animal observation. 

With meticulously selected materials and highest quality optics, they provide 

fascinating visual experiences that will remain unforgettable. Experience the 

Leica Ultravids at your local dealer or conveniently on the internet. 

Leica Camera AG / Oskar-Barnack-Straße 11 / D-35606 Solms / Telephone +49 (0) 6442-208-111 / www.leica-camera.com 

LEICA ULTRAVID 10 x 32 BR 

LEICA ULTRAVID 8 x 20 BR

Fast, stylish, compact : 

LEICA C-LUX 1 

Elegance that’s more than skin deep 

The LEICA C-LUX 1 is an attractive companion 

: be it in black or silver finish and 

thanks to its metal body measuring a 

mere 5 x10 cm, you’ll want to take it with 

you wherever you go. And the camera 

features more than just a flashy appearance. 

Its Leica wideangle-to-tele zoom 

lens, 6 megapixel resolution, ultra short 

shutter delay, precise autofocus measurement, 

and the selection of scene modes 

will make it easy to capture those precious 

moments. See for yourself at your 

local Leica dealer or now on the internet. 

www.leica-camera.com

leica c-lux 1 - Leica Camera Polska

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