Fujifilm has launched the GF670 medium-format folding rangefinder camera. The camera is known Fujifilm GF670 in the United Kingdom while in the rest of Europe it is called the Voigtländer Bessa III.

“Medium format photography is enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment,” – says Fujifilm’s Product Manager for film products, Gabriel Dacosta. Fujifilm also promises that the camera will deliver sharp, high quality images with a unique look that film photography offers. At the same time you will be able to print very large high resolution photographs.

The camera offer 6” x 6” and 6” x 7” format shooting – you can easily switch between these formats, - with 120 and 220 roll film. It is equipped with Fujinon EBC 80 mm lens and coupled rangefinder.

The GF670 features manual shutter speed control as well as the possibility of aperture priority automation. The camera has an Electronic Leaf “whisper quiet” shutter with shutter speed ranging from 4 to 1/5000 seconds including bulb settings and flash synchronization at all shutter speeds. It also offers -2/+2 exposure compensation.

The camera is equipped with an exposure counter display, and an ISO setting dial, it has a hot shoe flash mount and a PC sync connection socket.

Fujifilm GF670 Film Camera – Key Features:

• Medium Format
• Shooting Format: 6” x 6,” 6” x 7”
• Manual Shutter Speed Control
• Aperture Priority Possible
• 2/+2 Exposure Compensation
• Shutter Speed: 1/5000 – 4 seconds, Bulb
• Hot Shoe Flash Mount
• PC Sync Connection Socket
• Body Color: Silver
• Price tag: £1,700 (UK)

The Leica M9 Rangefinder is the world’s first digital system camera of its size to be built with a 24×36mm CCD sensor so that it is capable of capturing the full 35-mm format in ultra-high resolution. The camera is desingend for those who set the highest standards in image quality.

The camera features 18 megapixels of resolution and 2.5-inch LCD monitor. The combination of a high-resolution sensor, high performance M lenses and careful processing of the digital picture data provides the best picture results under all conditions.

The menus of the Leica M9 include an intuitive four-way switch and dial combination. There’s an ISO button on the camera, and all other functions can be easily accessed by pressing the set button: white balance, image-data compression, resolution, exposure correction, exposure bracketing.

Also, the user profiles can be programmed with any combination of camera and shooting settings.

The M9 becomes the smallest full frame system camera in the world. Its closed, full-metal housing, made from a high-strength magnesium alloy, protects its inner mechanisms. The camera is available in classic black vulcanit finish or elegant steel grey with leatherette finish.

A license for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, a professional digital workflow solution, is available with the camera for both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows operating systems. The software is a free download for LEICA M9 customers.

Leica M9 Rangefinder Camera – Specifications:

• 35mm CCD Sensor
• 18.00 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 5212 x 3472
• Non-TTL bright-line Frame Rangefinder w/ Automatic Parallax Compensation
• 0.68x Viewfinder Magnification
• 2.5 in. LCD Monitor with 230,000 dots
• Lens Mount: Leica M bayonet
• No Image Stabilization
• Manual focus only
• Sensitivity: ISO 80 - 2,500
• Shutter Speed: 32 - 1/4000 second
• Exposure Modes: Aperture, Manual
• Metering Modes: Center-weighted with working aperture
• Continuous Shooting: 2.0 fps for 8 Frames
• Recording Medium SD, SDHC, MMC Memory Cards
• File Format: .DNG Raw, JPEG
• Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery
• Price: $6,995.00

Official Information: us.leica-camera.com.

The Leica M8.2 is the updated version of the M8 the first digital rangefinder. This German-made camera features 10.2 megapixels of resolution, 2.5-inch LCD and the crop factor less than the APS-C size sensors at 1.33x.

The new model retains the key characteristics of the Leica reportage camera such as the compact shape, the exceptional image quality and the unique picture composition with the Leica rangefinder.

Principal differences then between the M8 and M8.2 include a less vibration-prone shutter mechanism and scratch-proof sapphire crystal LCD cover. Another welcome improvement is the new charger that is even supplied with an 12-volt adaptor to use in the car.

The new snapshot mode was added to allow for good results without knowing a lot about photography. The camera controls all the key features automatically, such as automatic exposure (aperture priority), automatic ISO speed setting and automatic white balance.

Another new feature is a quick override setting: When the shutter release button is sustained as far as the first pressure point, a correction of +/- 3 stops in 1/3 steps can be made with the dial on the back of the camera.

The M8.2 also features an Auto-ISO function that can be selected in all operation modes of the Leica M8.2. It is quite versatile as you can choose both a maximum ISO setting and exposure time.

Camera Reviews:

Photographyblog.com:
It’s not an easy camera to use and get the very best out of immediately as the lack of hand-holding forces you to re-consider every aspect of the picture-taking process, but that’s not a bad thing.

Sample Photo Galleries: photographyblog.com.

Leica M8.2 - Specifications:

• 27 x 18 mm 1.33x CCD Image Sensor
• 10.3 Megapixels
• Sensitivity: ISO160 - ISO 2500
• Lens mount Leica M bayonet
• Exposure control: Aperture priority mode, Manual exposure control, Snapshot mode, Picture modes
• 2.5“ Color LC Monitor with 230,000 pixels
• Maximum Image Size: 3916 x 2634 pixels
• File Format: DNG, JPEG (Fine / Basic), DNG + JPEG
• SD and SDHC Memory cards
• Viewfinder: Rangefinder with Automatic Parallax Compensation
• Shutter Speed: 32 - 1/8000 sec
• White Balance: Auto, 6 Presets, Manual, Color Temp.
• Metering: Center Weighted
• All-metal Magnesium Alloy Camera Body
• Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
• Battery Life: 500 shots per charge
• Dimensions: 139mm (w) x 80mm (h) x 37mm (d)
• Weight: 600g
• Retail Price: $5999

All about Leica M8 and M8.2 System