Leica T (Typ 701) Conclusion
Much like other Leica goods, the Leica T may be something of a hit or miss. Its gleaming metal casing and high retail price give the impression of unrivaled quality. Still, when it comes to the most fundamental features, like the absence of an exposure lock button or the sluggish and inaccurate focusing, it soon disillusions users.
On the other hand, the camera is very comfortable to use and hold, particularly when combined with the Visoflex viewfinder and the 23mm prime lens. Additionally, it can produce exceptional-quality photographs, including a great deal of detail, beautiful colors, and an excellent dynamic range, which will satiate the requirements of even the most particular photographers.
Leica T (Typ 701) FAQs
How much is Leica Typ 701?
The price of the Leica T Typ 701 differs according to location and the package it was initially purchased with. When it was first released, the chassis could be bought for nearly USD 1,850.
How much does Leica T cost?
The price of a Leica T differs not only according to the particular model and package one purchase but also according to the country in which it is purchased. However, prices start at about USD 1,000 for the chassis only, which is significantly less than what you would pay for a Leica T Typ 701 in most cases.
Is Leica Typ 701 image quality good?
Yes, the Leica T Typ 701 has high picture quality because of its APS-C sensor and the exceptional lens quality characteristic of Leica lenses. However, it is possible that it does not possess the same degree of functionality or features as some more modern cameras that are priced similarly.
Leica T (Typ 701) Video
We weren’t expecting much from the video recording quality, full HD 1080 at 30 frames per second. To begin recording the video, choose the red-dot movie button at the top of the device. Unfortunately, because the camera’s fully automated, it has few options for customizing its settings.
You can change the resolution from 1080p to 720p and toggle on or off the video stabilization. The video quality is acceptable, and the focus is quick. On the other hand, the colors have a dull appearance, and the camera has issues with noise and pixelation as well as judder while panning. The Leica T excels in still photography, so if you want to take casual films, you’re probably better off using your smartphone than the Leica T. Having video capabilities, though, is a great bonus.
As for Wi-Fi, Leica has to adjust how it is implemented in practical use. The issue is not with what it has to give (although it is pretty essential compared to what Samsung or Sony can provide) but how well it performs. For example, the T Typ 701 could search for and log onto a Wi-Fi network without any problems; however, it encountered some difficulties when it attempted to connect with an iPhone 5S.
Despite being on the same network as the camera, the Leica T app could not locate the camera. The two could become linked once both devices were reconnected to the web and the app was restarted. However, the camera could not maintain a consistent connection, and when we tried to access Live View to do the remote operation, the relationship failed every time.
In addition, it took some time for the camera to connect to the phone. We attempted a different connection by going onto a Wi-Fi network used far less often. While this resulted in faster pairing times, the camera continued to have problems with stability. We hope Leica will resolve this problem with a firmware update, but if you decide to spend on this camera, you should know that wireless networking is not the camera’s strong suit.
Leica T (Typ 701) Specs
| Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Aluminum |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 4944 x 3278 |
| Other resolutions | 4928 x 3264 (max JPEG), 4272 x 2856, 3264 x 2160, 2144 x 1424, 1632 x 1080 |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 16 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 17 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm) |
| Sensor size notes | No anti-aliasing filter |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 125-12500 |
| White balance presets | 5 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (2 slots) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Superfine, fine |
| File format | JPEGRaw (DNG) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Lens mount | Leica L |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View. | |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.7? |
| Screen dots | 1,300,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManualScene |
| Scene modes | Sport, portrait, landscape, night portrait, snow/beach, fireworks, candlelight, sunset |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Screen/viewfinder | 4.50 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes |
| Flash modes | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/180 sec |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | Flash Range |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3 frames at 1/3 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
| Format | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | No |
| Microphone port | No |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with smartphone control |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | BP-DC13 lithium-ion battery and USB charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 400 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 384 g (0.85 lb / 13.55 oz) |
| Dimensions | 134 x 69 x 33 mm (5.28 x 2.72 x 1.3?) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | Optional |
| GPS notes | Built into optional EVF |
Leica T (Typ 701) FAQs
How much is Leica Typ 701?
The price of the Leica T Typ 701 differs according to location and the package it was initially purchased with. When it was first released, the chassis could be bought for nearly USD 1,850.
How much does Leica T cost?
The price of a Leica T differs not only according to the particular model and package one purchase but also according to the country in which it is purchased. However, prices start at about USD 1,000 for the chassis only, which is significantly less than what you would pay for a Leica T Typ 701 in most cases.
Is Leica Typ 701 image quality good?
Yes, the Leica T Typ 701 has high picture quality because of its APS-C sensor and the exceptional lens quality characteristic of Leica lenses. However, it is possible that it does not possess the same degree of functionality or features as some more modern cameras that are priced similarly.
Leica T (Typ 701) FAQs
How much is Leica Typ 701?
The price of the Leica T Typ 701 differs according to location and the package it was initially purchased with. When it was first released, the chassis could be bought for nearly USD 1,850.
How much does Leica T cost?
The price of a Leica T differs not only according to the particular model and package one purchase but also according to the country in which it is purchased. However, prices start at about USD 1,000 for the chassis only, which is significantly less than what you would pay for a Leica T Typ 701 in most cases.
Is Leica Typ 701 image quality good?
Yes, the Leica T Typ 701 has high picture quality because of its APS-C sensor and the exceptional lens quality characteristic of Leica lenses. However, it is possible that it does not possess the same degree of functionality or features as some more modern cameras that are priced similarly.
Leica T (Typ 701) Review — First Impressions
by Mike Tomkins
Preview posted 04/24/2014
For most people, the Leica brand summons to mind two things: photographic excellence, and top-shelf style. The Leica T (Typ 701) is true to type, positively oozing both qualities — on paper, at least. But while Leica’s designs are often called retro, the Typ 701 unashamedly bucks that trend. There’s no rangefinder here: Instead, the Leica T accepts an optional electronic viewfinder with integrated GPS. And while you still get twin control dials, there’s also a touch-screen display — and an unusually large one, at that. The Typ 701 even sports in-camera Wi-Fi wireless communication. This is a Leica for the modern age!
It’s also quite a bit smaller than the company’s rangefinder cameras (134 x 69 x 33mm), especially in terms of height, not to mention a whole lot lighter (339g without battery, 384g with). That’s actually a little surprising, because the Leica T’s attractive, Audi Design-styled body is milled from a solid block of aluminum — a first for a camera, claims its maker.
The Typ 701’s body is an interesting mixture of up-to-date design with the craftsmanship of days gone by. After machining, its clean, modern lines are polished by hand for 45 minutes. Lettering on labels is even milled and hand-inked, whereas the labeling on most cameras would simply have been screen-printed.
And while either side of the Leica T sports lugs for a shoulder strap, these can cleverly be removed with a quick press of a release pin in an adjacent hole. Removable dummy plugs fill the space formerly occupied by lugs, and hey presto — those of you who never use straps have a camera with a smoother, sleeker look.
| Got a while? Put your feet up and watch as the Leica T is lovingly polished, from start to finish. They do this with each and every camera, before hand-inking the milled-out lettering for labels. |
The Leica T will be offered in anodized silver or black finishes. In the US market pricing is set at around US$1,850 for the Leica T camera body. The first two lenses are priced at US$1,950 for the 23mm f/2.0 prime, and US$1,750 for the 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom. The electronic viewfinder accessory is priced at around US$600, and the Leica M-mount adapter is the most affordable item at US$400 or thereabouts. Although availability hasn’t yet been disclosed, ordering will be possible from May 26th though Leica Stores, Leica Boutiques and select dealers.
Leica T (Typ 701) Image Quality
The DNG Raw files produced by the Leica T have a very high image quality, with plenty of detail and information in the highlight and shadow areas. This allows for a great deal of flexibility when post-processing the images.
The noise is handled extremely effectively, partly because of the reasonable resolution of 16 megapixels, and the pictures are entirely usable up to an ISO of 3,200. ISO 6,400 can be used when there is no other option, but ISO 12,500 pushes things too far and requires so much noise reduction that every little detail is preserved in the final image.
The two lenses we utilized with our review unit, the Summicron-T 23mm f/2 and the Vario-Elmar-T 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, produced outstanding results in every scenario, even though they exhibited considerable color fringing in conditions with strong contrast.
What we weren’t highly thrilled about within the Leica T was the autofocus, which, to be quite honest, was not something we expected to perform exceptionally well initially.
The autofocus on the T is relatively sluggish (particularly when light is scarce), and it frequently fails to latch onto the subject that the photographer wants it to concentrate on. This is similar to the autofocus on prior Leica-exclusive digital cameras such as the X, X2, or X Vario (again, especially when the light gets sparse).
Therefore, if fast and dependable focusing is a must for how you like to picture, the Leica T is probably not the camera you should be searching for. If, on the other hand, you place a high priority on unadulterated image quality, you will fall in love with the camera’s output very soon.
First-impressions*
By Andy Westlake
Assessing a camera like the Leica T comes with its own set of problems. The first is suspension of disbelief at the pricing — Leica has become a premium, essentially ‘designer’ brand, but even so the idea of spending £2700 for a mirrorless camera with no built-in EVF and a slow zoom lens is difficult to accept rationally. But exclusivity has become part of Leica’s continued existence, and manufacturing this kind of product in Germany (complete with 45 minutes of hand-finishing each body shell) both contributes to, and helps justify, the high price. The design is — quite deliberately — all about desire over reason.
And the T is, without doubt, a desirable object. That solid aluminum shell gives it a unique feel and heft. The smooth metal finish isn’t remotely the most practical, but it does give the camera a wonderful feel in your hand. It’s terribly easy to be seduced by the purity and single-mindedness of the T’s minimalist, and ever-so-modern design.
This leads onto the next problem, that of deconvoluting the style from the substance. The T is a lovely object to hold, and I really enjoyed my time with it, including taking it out for a couple of sessions shooting. But I have to acknowledge that at least part of that enjoyment came from precisely those attributes that will make it prohibitively expensive to normal photographers.
However, I think there’s some real substance too. The combination of twin control dials for setting exposure, alongside a clear and simple touch interface for everything else, shows other manufacturers that it can indeed be done. We’ve seen touch interfaces that genuinely work well (such as Canon’s), along with others that are rather less successful, but the T strikes me as perhaps the most successful attempt yet to marry modern smartphone design with physical camera controls. Not everyone wants that in a camera, of course, but some will find it compelling.
The T also turns out to be a genuinely nice camera to use. Focusing, at least with the 18-56mm lens, is fast enough to make it competitive with modern mirrorless cameras, albeit not quite as fast as the very best of them. It’s also almost completely silent. The twin dials let me tweak aperture and exposure compensation easily with my thumb, with the camera providing reasonably accurate on-screen feedback of how the image would turn out. My main gripe is that the process for moving the focus point is convoluted and frustrating, so I resorted to using center-point focus and recompose instead. This works OK with a slow zoom, but I can’t help but feel a touchscreen-equipped mirrorless model should behave better.
We don’t generally talk much about image quality from a pre-production camera or lens, but it already seems clear to me that the 18-56mm is an impressive performer for such a small lens. It looks to be impressively sharp corner-to-corner wide open at all focal lengths, with relatively low chromatic aberration too. Leica has adopted the thoroughly modern design practice of automatically correcting distortion in software, so you won’t see any in your images unless you go out of your way to find it using a non-mainstream Raw converter. The overall result is that it delivers consistently good-looking images.
Similar praise can’t, sadly, be heaped on the camera’s JPEG output. At it’s best, the camera can give pleasing results with bright, punchy colors. But the auto white balance can be overly-enthusiastic about neutralizing real color, and the metering has a slight tendency towards overly-bright exposures. These things can be fixed if you keep an eye out when you’re shooting, though, and even more so if you shoot in Raw. Indeed the camera records easily-opened DNG files and comes with a copy of Adobe Lightroom; but we wonder how many buyers who are attracted to the T over, say, the Fujifilm X system will actually work like this.
Overall, then, the Leica T is a lovely camera to hold and use, with a touchscreen interface that will feel instantly familiar to smartphone users. Both lenses are sure to be superb, too. Of course rationally, the pricing looks absurd, but even so the Leica red dot is sure to have an irresistible draw for some.
Leica T (Typ 701) Specs
| Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Aluminum |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 4944 x 3278 |
| Other resolutions | 4928 x 3264 (max JPEG), 4272 x 2856, 3264 x 2160, 2144 x 1424, 1632 x 1080 |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2 |
| Effective pixels | 16 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 17 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm) |
| Sensor size notes | No anti-aliasing filter |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 125-12500 |
| White balance presets | 5 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (2 slots) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Superfine, fine |
| File format | JPEGRaw (DNG) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Lens mount | Leica L |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View. | |
| Articulated LCD | Fixed |
| Screen size | 3.7? |
| Screen dots | 1,300,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManualScene |
| Scene modes | Sport, portrait, landscape, night portrait, snow/beach, fireworks, candlelight, sunset |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Screen/viewfinder | 4.50 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes |
| Flash modes | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/180 sec |
| Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | Flash Range |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±3 (3 frames at 1/3 EV steps) |
| Videography features | |
| Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
| Format | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| HDMI | No |
| Microphone port | No |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n with smartphone control |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | No |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | BP-DC13 lithium-ion battery and USB charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 400 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 384 g (0.85 lb / 13.55 oz) |
| Dimensions | 134 x 69 x 33 mm (5.28 x 2.72 x 1.3?) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| GPS | Optional |
| GPS notes | Built into optional EVF |
Leica T (Typ 701) Conclusion
Much like other Leica goods, the Leica T may be something of a hit or miss. Its gleaming metal casing and high retail price give the impression of unrivaled quality. Still, when it comes to the most fundamental features, like the absence of an exposure lock button or the sluggish and inaccurate focusing, it soon disillusions users.
On the other hand, the camera is very comfortable to use and hold, particularly when combined with the Visoflex viewfinder and the 23mm prime lens. Additionally, it can produce exceptional-quality photographs, including a great deal of detail, beautiful colors, and an excellent dynamic range, which will satiate the requirements of even the most particular photographers.
Electronic Viewfinder
The T gets an all-new accessory electronic viewfinder, known as the Visoflex (Typ 020). It uses a 2.36M dot LCD display and offers a decently high magnification (~0.7x equiv), with an image size close to the optical viewfinders found in full frame SLRs. The EVF tilts upwards by 90 degrees, as is the current fashion, but more unusually, also incorporates a GPS unit for geotagging your photos.
| The Visoflex has a large round eyepiece, with an sensor that allows auto-switching from the LCD when the camera is brought up to your eye. The dial on the side changes the diopter, for users with less-than-perfect vision. | The EVF uses an array of additional contacts on the shoe itself; this reduces bulk compared to the finder for the X2, X Vario and M (Type 240), but means the two aren’t cross-compatible. The contacts can be protected by a plastic cover when not in use. |
|---|
Body & Design
The Leica T has a sparse, utilitarian design with very few external controls. There’s a prominent, although shallow, handgrip on the front, and the rounded ends pay homage to the traditional Leica M body shape. The front of the camera features only the lens release button, an autofocus illuminator lamp, and Leica’s famous red dot. The T doesn’t even have traditional strap lugs; they’re replaced by little sockets on each side, which in this shot are concealed by plug-in covers.
The back of the camera is dominated by the large touchscreen. It’s a 3.7″ unit with a 16:9 aspect ratio, and 854×480 pixel RGB resolution. The result is an exceptionally clean, stylish design that is unashamedly intended to make the camera an object of desire, as well as a photographic tool. In keeping with the emphasis on style, the black LCD surround wraps round to the sprung plastic door that covers the camera’s SD card slot and micro USB port.
Top of camera
Here you can see the T’s pretty sparse top-plate. The hot shoe for mounting either the electronic viewfinder or an external flash is placed on the lens’s center-line (it’s covered here), with tiny grilles for the stereo microphones on either side. There are just five physical controls — two dials for changing exposure parameters, shutter release and movie record buttons, and the power switch. Pulling the latter past the ‘ON’ position releases the pop-up flash, which can be pushed back down flush with the top-plate when not in use.
Body Elements
| The T uses an all-new mount, called (appropriately enough) the T-mount. It’s unusual in having a four-pronged bayonet — most mounts have three. This means a relatively small rotation angle is needed to attach and remove the lens. Sitting centrally in there is the same 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor used in the X-Vario zoom compact. We don’t expect to see a full frame ‘T’ anytime soon, but there certainly seems to space to allow for one in future. |
|
|---|---|
| The built-in flash pops-up out of the top plate, released by pulling the power switch to a sprung position beyond ‘ON’. It has a guide number of 4.5m at ISO 100, which is pretty typical for this kind of unit. | |
| The T also has a top-plate hot shoe for attachment of an external flash, including the co-announced SF 26 unit which features a bounce head and built-in LED video light. The hot shoe is also used for the optional electronic viewfinder, and in this shot you can just about see the gold-colored contacts that make up its interface. |
|
| A sprung plastic door on the side provides access to the SD card slot, although the 16GB internal memory could well make this redundant for many users. Underneath this is a micro USB socket, which can be used not just to transfer images to a computer, but also to top-up the battery. Oddly, for a modern camera, there’s no HDMI output, though. |
|
| The T’s decidedly sparse design extends to its baseplate, which is more-or-less plain metal. There aren’t embellishments at all — just the battery compartment and release catch, and the noticeably off-center tripod socket. The unconventional, but eminently sensible battery design is borrowed from the Leica S medium format SLR. There’s no battery door; instead the battery has an integrated cover that fits flush with the baseplate. |
|
| The battery is released from the camera using the switch alongside; a clever secondary catch means it won’t fall out, but needs to be pushed back in slightly to release it fully (a bit like removing an SD card). The BP-DC13 battery is a 7.2V, 985mAh unit that provides 7.1Wh. According to CIPA standard tests it’s good for about 400 shots per charge. Leica says it will charge in about 160 min, using the supplied external charger. |
In your hand
The T is on the large side for a ‘rangefinder style’ mirrorless camera, but this isn’t bad thing; if anything it makes it easier to hold. The smooth surfaces don’t provide much purchase though, so we’d advise adding the security of a strap. If you find yourself inadvertently operating the touchscreen, it can be temporarily deactivated by swiping down the right side of the screen.
| The T’s handgrip may look strange but it actually works quite well — the final joint of your fingers wraps around the edge to give a reasonable hold. | There’s plenty of space on the camera back for your thumb, simply because there are no buttons at all. The top-plate dials are well-placed for operation by your thumb. |
|---|
Leica T (Typ 701) Video
We weren’t expecting much from the video recording quality, full HD 1080 at 30 frames per second. To begin recording the video, choose the red-dot movie button at the top of the device. Unfortunately, because the camera’s fully automated, it has few options for customizing its settings.
You can change the resolution from 1080p to 720p and toggle on or off the video stabilization. The video quality is acceptable, and the focus is quick. On the other hand, the colors have a dull appearance, and the camera has issues with noise and pixelation as well as judder while panning. The Leica T excels in still photography, so if you want to take casual films, you’re probably better off using your smartphone than the Leica T. Having video capabilities, though, is a great bonus.
As for Wi-Fi, Leica has to adjust how it is implemented in practical use. The issue is not with what it has to give (although it is pretty essential compared to what Samsung or Sony can provide) but how well it performs. For example, the T Typ 701 could search for and log onto a Wi-Fi network without any problems; however, it encountered some difficulties when it attempted to connect with an iPhone 5S.
Despite being on the same network as the camera, the Leica T app could not locate the camera. The two could become linked once both devices were reconnected to the web and the app was restarted. However, the camera could not maintain a consistent connection, and when we tried to access Live View to do the remote operation, the relationship failed every time.
In addition, it took some time for the camera to connect to the phone. We attempted a different connection by going onto a Wi-Fi network used far less often. While this resulted in faster pairing times, the camera continued to have problems with stability. We hope Leica will resolve this problem with a firmware update, but if you decide to spend on this camera, you should know that wireless networking is not the camera’s strong suit.
Movie mode
The Leica T has a movie mode, but rather like with Fujifilm cameras, it feels somewhat as though it’s been bolted-on mainly because it has to be on the marketing spec sheet. So while you can start movie recording at any time simply by pressing the red button on the top plate, you don’t get a lot of manual control at all. You have no control over Frame rates or bitrate either — the only choice is between 720p or 1080p resolution (both at 30fps).
You can set exposure compensation at the start of recording, but the camera simply ignores any aperture or shutter speed setting you may have made. If AF is enabled, the camera will set itself to multi-area continuous focus mode, and perform a visually-distracting AF cycle at the start of every recording. Worse still, it will then continually try to readjust focus on whatever it decides should be the subject. You can’t use focus lock before the start of recording, because the T simply doesn’t have that function, so the best option is to switch to manual focus.
Sound recording is via tiny stereo microphones placed on the top plate, with no option to plug in an external microphone. The camera offers no control over sound recording volume, but it does at least have a selectable wind-cut filter.
Leica T (Typ 701) Lenses and accessories
At launch, the Leica T will be accompanied by two lenses: a prime and a zoom. The Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH is a tiny prime lens that delivers a traditional 35mm equivalent moderate wide-angle view. At the same time, the Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 is a compact zoom lens that offers a range comparable to 27-84mm.
Both of these cameras have a design philosophy that is entirely up to date, as seen by their electronic mounts, their near-silent internal focusing, and their electronically-coupled manual focusing. Its top plate has five controls: a shutter button, a video record button, a power switch, and two dials; nonetheless, the giant 3.7-inch touchscreen controls every single other feature “touchscreen with a ratio of 16:9.
Leica T (Typ 701) Conclusion
Much like other Leica goods, the Leica T may be something of a hit or miss. Its gleaming metal casing and high retail price give the impression of unrivaled quality. Still, when it comes to the most fundamental features, like the absence of an exposure lock button or the sluggish and inaccurate focusing, it soon disillusions users.
On the other hand, the camera is very comfortable to use and hold, particularly when combined with the Visoflex viewfinder and the 23mm prime lens. Additionally, it can produce exceptional-quality photographs, including a great deal of detail, beautiful colors, and an excellent dynamic range, which will satiate the requirements of even the most particular photographers.
Leica T (Typ 701) Lenses and accessories
At launch, the Leica T will be accompanied by two lenses: a prime and a zoom. The Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH is a tiny prime lens that delivers a traditional 35mm equivalent moderate wide-angle view. At the same time, the Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 is a compact zoom lens that offers a range comparable to 27-84mm.
Both of these cameras have a design philosophy that is entirely up to date, as seen by their electronic mounts, their near-silent internal focusing, and their electronically-coupled manual focusing. Its top plate has five controls: a shutter button, a video record button, a power switch, and two dials; nonetheless, the giant 3.7-inch touchscreen controls every single other feature “touchscreen with a ratio of 16:9.
Introduction
I came to the Leica T for rather unconventional reasons. For many, the T system is an introduction to the Leica brand or perhaps an upgrade from the Leica X series with the perk of interchangeable lenses. For me, though, it was a way to test out the chops of a Leica CMOS sensor. After shooting the Leica M8.2 for a while I wondered what my eventual upgrade plan would be. The M9 is the only fullframe digital M that has the Kodak CCD sensor (which the M8 has in a crop format). Alternatively, there’s the M type 240 which sports a 24MP CMOS sensor and sells for almost the same price as an M9. Yes there’s also the new Leica M10, and maybe by the time I do eventually upgrade I’ll be able to even think about affording it. In the meantime, it’s not really on my radar.
The M9 has an 18 megapixel sensor, which for most intents and purposes is quite fine. I know with the M9 I’ll get the same look and quality that I get on the M8 only fullframe. It sounds perfect on paper, but the M9 unfortunately suffered from an issue with the sensor that caused it to corrode in certain conditions. The issue has been acknowledged by Leica and they offered a free sensor replacement program for some time, which they unfortuately have now discontinued in Q3 2017. All M9s with sensors replaced after 2015 as far as I know have gotten a sensor that is cured of any possibility of corrosion, however any of the M9s with sensors older than that could potentially be ticking timebombs. Leica has never released statistics over how widespread the problem was on the originals. But me, being a cautious kind of guy, I have a hard time shelling out almost $2k for a camera that may need a $1k sensor replacement at any moment. On the other hand, there are plenty of used M9s available with the ‘cured’ sensor, however these models fetch prices almost the same as those of the newer, beefier M240. Sure the M9 and its CCD sensor has a respectable cult following, but the CMOS sensor of the M240 has its perks as well. Better low light capabilities, more megapixels, and video functionality, are the ones that stand out to me. And I’ve always been rather skeptical of the CCD vs CMOS debate as I’m convinced the color rendition and other debateable qualities have a lot to do with the image processing software built into the camera firmware. This is why Canon has a look, Nikon has a look, and Sony has a look, despite all using Sony CMOS sensors.
Enter the Leica T. I picked up this camera never intending to make it my main camera system by any means. Instead, it was a test bunny. I would pair it with my M-mount glass (Leica, Voigtlander, Zeiss) and see how these lenses rendered on a CMOS sensor in a Leica camera. The reason I picked the T was because after a mediocre reception and eventually the announcement of the TL2, used Leica T bodies began selling for very low prices and I managed to scoop one up for about $540 in the local classifieds. By comparison, Sony a6000’s with a kit lens sell for about the same prices in the very same classifieds. It was an opportunity I didn’t feel like passing up.
So, with that out of the way, on to the review!