Lens

The new Novoflex LEM/VIS II adapter set for Leica M (Type 240 is now available in the U.S.A. B&H has it listed for $380 USD and ships in 7-14 business days. The LEM/VIS II is both an adapter and extension tube set in one: it allows using Visoflex specific lenses on the Leica M without the reflex housing (focusing up to infinity) and can also be used for macro photography. By combining the extensions (3 inner rings, 10mm each) you can achieve magnifications between 0.28:1 – 0.84:1.

In some of the press materials surrounding the introduction of the new Leica T (Type 701), there's one shot of the T amongst many M lenses, showing compatibility through the use of the M-Adapter T. What's interesting to note is the 35mm lens pictured... It's not the current Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH lens we all know and love! Rather, it appears to be a new version - leaked by Leica themselves. Later versions of this image show the current lens. We suspect this long-awaited update might be a new APO-Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH lens!

Over on the Washington Post in a piece called, "Why Leica Camera decided to leave its beloved R series behind" they ponder the reasons why Leica killed off the much-loved, though perhaps "non-critical" (to the bottom line) R series of cameras and lenses. Even today with the Leica M (Type 240) posing as the "R solution" we were promised years ago... It's sad to see - at least the lenses - end this way. Read more below.

RocketNews24 (Japan) has an interesting article called "Tsunami survivor’s Y1.2 mil camera: heart-felt gift or PR stunt?" -- about an 18-year-old high school student from Miyagi Prefecture’s Shiroishi city. She began high school just weeks after the 2011 tsunami -- which tore through her town, destroying much of it and killing many of her classmates. Read more below about the controversy that followed - along with more on that fancy red APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH lens.

Leica is promising a "special highlight" on April 24, 2014 in Berlin at 7pm... Telling us to keep the evening free and be excited. It's definitely going to include the new mirrorless camera we mentioned earlier. That being the case, one or more lenses to go with it shouldn't be unexpected. Read more below, which has all the info and is chock full of updates on what to expect!