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Leica Introduces T-System With Typ 701 Model Share This on LinkedIn   Share This on Google   Tweet This   Forward This

24 April 2014

Leica has introduced the a stunningly beautiful compact mirrorless system christened the T System Typ 701 with a single-block, hand-polished aluminum shell, minimal physical buttons, a touchscreen, WiFi, 16-GB of internal memory and two lens for the new T Mount.

The company said the T-System is the world's first camera with a body made completely of aluminium. Machined from a single block of solid metal, it is polished by hand for 45 minutes, a process you can watch in the 45-minute video The Most Boring Ad Ever Made?. The hard edges, we were happy to see, are smoothed out by hand.

Designed with Audi Design, Leica minimized control functions to just Power, Shutter, Movie and two unmarked control dials whose function depends on the exposure mode.

The built-in WiFi is complemented by the free Leica T app for iOS to both share photos and control the camera remotely using the mobile device as a wireless electronic viewfinder.

In an introductory video to the new system, Leica Charmain Dr. Andreas Kaufamnn, sums it up, "Perfection is simplicity."

SPECIFICATIONS

  • 16-Mp APS-C CMOS sensor
  • ISO sensitivity from 100 to 12,500
  • 3.7-inch 16:9 touchscreen LCD with 1.3M dots
  • Two adjacent exposure control dials (functions vary depending on exposure mode)
  • Single shot or Five fps continuous shooting
  • 1920x1080 Full HD movie recording at 30 fps with built-in stereo microphones
  • Built-in popup flash
  • WiFi with remote control by mobile device
  • 16-GB built-in memory plus a SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
  • Support for Adobe DNG Raw files
  • New Leica T mount with two lenses available at launch
  • Body available in an anodized black or natural aluminum finish
  • Includes a Lightroom download
  • Optional 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder with built-in GPS unit
  • Optional SF 26 external flash with a bounce head and built-in LED video light

The Lecia T Typ 701 and its accessories will be available May 26. See the sponsored links below for the price information.

CONTROLS

Physical controls are sparse. The Power switch surrounds the Shutter button. A smaller Movie button sits to the right of that. On the back edge of the top panel two exposure dials are available.

In Program mode, the exposure dials work as a Custom function and Program shift. In Aperture Priority, as Custom and Aperture control. In Shutter Priority, as Custom and Shutter Speed. In Manual, as Aperture and Shutter Speed. And in Scene mode, they perform no function.

The other controls are accessible through the touchscreen's menu system. Michael Reichmann's Leica T Beta Test Report details some issues with that.

LENSES

Note that neither the 701 body nor the two lenses offer optical image stabilization. "Leica says it imposes too large a compromise on the optical design," Andy Westlake reported in his review.

The 23mm prime on an APS-C sensor (1.5x factor) is the equivalent of a 35mm wide angle.

The 27-84mm zoom is a 40x126mm equivalent.

The optional M-Adapter T lets you mount more than 20 different M-System lenses. It fully supports functions like exposure metering, aperture priority mode and manual settings, the company said.

THAT STRAP

A custom carrying strap and wrist strap are attached by a stainless steel pin that is simply pressed into the click-lock mechanism on the body of the Leica T. Removing them is just as easy, requiring just a simple pull.

SPONSORED LINKS

Available May 26, the T System is available for pre-order from these sources:

  • Leica T body only for $1,850 at Adorama (in silver or black) or B&H
  • Leica Summicron-T 23mm/F2 ASPH Lens for $1,950 at Adorama or B&H
  • Leica Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH Lens for $1,750 at Adorama or B&H
  • Leica M-Adapter-T for $395 at Adorama
  • Leica Visoflex Viewfinder in black only for $595.00 at Adorama

RESOURCES

For more information about the new Leica T, see also:


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