Leica trots out D-LUX 4, C-LUX 3 and M8.2 digital cameras

We'll be straight with you -- we're still struggling to wade through Google's machine translation of a few Polish releases, but the long of short of it is that Leica has finally announced the long-expected M8.2, D-LUX 4 and C-LUX 3. All the good stuff (pricing, ship dates, availability regions, etc.) seems to be missing, but the Leica faithful won't mind paying a translator to figure out what the links below really mean.

Read - D-LUX 4 and C-LUX 3
Read - M8.2

[Thanks, Peer]

[Kizul Emeraldfire Posted Sep 13th 2008 1:01PM]

…am I the ONLY one who thinks that these cameras actually look cool?

Looks aside, if I had the money — I would TOTALLY get one of these. No clue (yet) as to exactly what I'd take pictures of, but I would SO get one. o.o

[xValentine Posted Sep 13th 2008 2:16PM]

Oh come on, you are just trying to get "highly ranked" status.

Admit it, that thing looks hideous.

[CJ Posted Sep 15th 2008 9:13AM]

Personally, if I had the money, I WOULDN'T buy one of these, because, being a Rangefinder style camera, are welded firmly into the Pro category, and I mean clever beyond their years of experience pro. I would barely be able to get a halfway decent photo out of this (and by that, I mean a halfway decent photo for a camera of this calibre).

I'd much rather go for a full-frame Cannon 5D or similar, simply because of the semi-automatic nature of those sorts of cameras.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 13th 2008 3:28PM]

It looks a lot better without an external finder -- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/Leica-01.jpg

That's the black M8 with optional grip and 35mm Summilux.

[CJ Posted Sep 15th 2008 9:15AM]

Ah, it may look better, but that external rangefinder is exactly what makes this camera more special than many of the other cameras out there (all facts that it's made by Leica and the lens aside).

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2008 11:45AM]

Too all the people going on about how "ugly" this camera is:

It is a positively gorgeous and solid piece of gear, second to none in the industry ever. Leica has consistently made the finest cameras on earth, the general look of their cameras has never really changed, because it's a classic.

Honestly, people get so involved about design and fashion when modern cameras last a few years at most, while this magnificent machine here will last literally for generations... and I know: I use my grandmother's film-bound Leica all the time.

So stop complaining about its looks: you're revealing your ignorance in doing so.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 15th 2008 10:20AM]

The external finder is only necessary when using lenses wider than 24mm and longer than 90mm -- the M8 has a built-in rangefinder mechanism and bright-line viewfinder for 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm lenses. Unless you're shooting really wide or telephoto, there's no need for an external finder on the camera.