Leica C-LUX 1 User manual

91145 01/2006
LEICA C-LUX 1
Perfect for Fun Photography:
Leica’s New Digital Ca era_P. 4
FOUR THIRDS FORUM
Leica Supports the Open Standard
for Digital Photography_P. 8
RANGEFINDER
The New Range aster CRF 1200 –
an Experience Report_P. 10

Heine/Lenz/ZizkaHeine/Lenz/Zizka
Unmistaka le
Now your very own personal Leica M camera can look just the way you want it to, and also e equipped
according to your requirements. At your Leica à la carte dealer, you can take a look at the different
options, actually feel the availa le types of leather, and make your choice for your Leica à la carte. Would
you like to try out the more than 4,000 possi le com inations eforehand? See the configurator at
www.leica-a-la-carte.com.

Leica World News 3
04 LEICA C-LUX 1
Constant co panion: A new ext a
compact digital came a f om Leica
07 LEICA LENSES
No istake: Leica optics a e still the best
and all eady fo digital photog aphy
08 FOUR THIRDS SYSTEM
E bracing the future: Leica Came a
joins the conso tium fo the new standa d
09 LEICA GEOVID 15 x 56 BRF
The first 15 x 56 with an integ ated
angefinde : Roland Zeitle put it to
the test
10 RANGEMASTER CRF 1200
New laser rangefinder:
High pe fo mance without the weight –
the Rangemaste in eve yday use
12 UNIVERSAL LENSES
Well equipped: Two ult a compact zoom
lenses fo the Leica R system cove a wide
va iety of photog aphic situations
14 LEICA M SYSTEM
Always at your service:
Useful accesso ies fo the Leica M
04 A life-size view of the LEICA C-LUX 1
07 LEICA LENSES in a digital world
10 RANGEMASTER CRF 1200
Dear friends of Leica,
Spring and summer with their fresh, green colors are particularly attractive seasons for pho-
tography and nature watching. There are signs of new life at Leica, too. The LEICA DIGITAL-
MODUL-R is now fully availa le and is eing put to excellent use y more and more R pho-
tographers. Our digital compact camera LEICA D-LUX 2 was such a success that it was sold
out after only a few months. In this issue of Leica World News we are introducing the new
LEICA C-LUX 1, the first model in another ultra compact and ele-
gant series of digital compact cameras. Don’t miss it!
There are exciting developments in the legendary Leica M sys-
tem as well: The eagerly awaited digital Leica M camera is to e
launched in the second half of the year. This means a difficult
decision for many a Leica M customer: Should I start putting
money aside for the new camera or snap up one of the high per-
formance lenses first as they can just as easily e used for dig-
ital photography?
Another article in this issue descri es our involvement in the
so-called Four-Thirds Standard, which will pave the way for fur-
ther attractive digital products from Leica.
Leica Sport Optics, used y our nature-loving customers every
day, will e catering for hunting enthusiasts in particular this
summer. In this issue of Leica World News you can find out all a out the new extra powerful
LEICA GEOVID 15 x 56 BRF with 15x magnification and our new compact rangefinder LEICA
RANGEMASTER CRF 1200.
As the new International Sales and Marketing Director, I am pleased to e playing a part in
shaping Leica Camera AG’s right new future. I am especially looking forward to the dialog
with you. Incidentally, we are opening a new we site this summer which should make com-
munication even more effective!
With kindest regards,
Dr. Ralph Nebe,
International Sales and
Marketing Director
Dr. Ralph Ne e

4Leica World News
LEICA C-LUX 1: AN ELE ANT ALL-ROUNDER
In ter s of pure enjoy ent value, Leica Ca era AG’s new ultra co pact high-perfor -
ance digital ca era is hard to beat. Equally suitable for everyday use, leisure and sports,
the LEICA C-LUX 1 is a high-tech product that’s also exudes fashionable elegance, and
akes a state ent about its owner.
CONSIDER ITS petite ut practical dimen-
sions: 3 11⁄16 inches wide, 2 1⁄8inches high.
15⁄16 inches front to ack. A camera like this
really does fit into any jacket pocket, rief-
case or hand ag. And the sartorially sophis-
ticated will even e a le to accommodate
the new ultra compact digital Leica camera
Leica ehind their reast pocket handker-
chief! In any case, the LEICA C-LUX 1 is the
ideal companion at home and on holiday, at
social events, or when you suddenly discov-
er something visually memora le while
walking to your destination, shopping, or
simply strolling down the street. The LEICA
C-LUX 1 is always at hand, easy to use,
compact and uno trusive. When we say
it’s compact however, we mean that it’s
still large enough to hold and operate in
comfort. After all, even the trend towards
miniaturization has its sensi le limits.
This new fun-to-use camera proves its
worth in so many different situations that
you’ll want to take it everywhere you go.
Incidentally, the new LEICA C-LUX 1 is at
the cutting edge of the incredi ly rapid
technological advances in digital products.
Equipped with a 6 megapixel sensor, it fea-
tures extremely short shutter delay, precise
autofocus measurement, and an optical
image sta ilizer for carefree photography
whatever the occasion. The exquisite LEICA
DC-VARIO-ELMARIT lens further enhances
the camera’s versatility y offering a focal
length range equivalent to 28–102 mm in
35 mm format, providing an unusually
road choice of su jects. It covers typical
wide-angle situations with the focal length
of 28 mm (a unique feature for this class
of camera), ut the LEICA C-LUX 1 also
has no pro lem capturing more distant
su jects at the telephoto settings. As
you’d expect, the cameras optic’s ased
on state-of-the-art aspherical technology.
In short, if you choose the new LEICA
C-LUX 1, you know you’re enefiting from
the legendary optical expertise of Leica
Camera AG.
And that’s not all. The longlife attery is
supported y the outstanding Venus Plus
processor, renowned for high performance
and low energy consumption. The high-res-
olution 2.5-inch 207,000-pixel display pro-
vides a rilliant, high-resolution viewing
image. High-sensitivity settings of up to ISO
1600 com ined with the optical image sta-
Photography type/format 1:1/2.5" CCD senso with 6.37 m effective pixels
(fo aspect atio 4:3)
Dimensions (WxHxD) app ox. 94 x 51 x 24 mm (3 11⁄16 x 2 1⁄8x 15 ⁄16 in)
Weight app ox. 160 g/5.6 oz (with batte y and SD ca d)
Lens LEICA DC VARIO ELMARIT f/2.8-5.6/4.6-16.8 ASPH.
(co esponds to 28–102 mm fo the 35 mm system)
Film speed setting Automatic o manual ISO 80, 100, 200 o 400
(in high-sensitivity mode 800–1600)
Scene modes Simple mode, no mal image, mac o, SCN modes (po t ait,
soft skin, landscape, spo t, night po t ait, self-po t ait, food,
pa ty, candlelight, fi ewo ks, sta y sky, snow, baby1, baby2,
high sensitivity), moving image, eplay
Monitor 2.5" polyc ystalline TFT colo display with 207,000 pixels
Storage medium SD memo y ca d, MultiMedia ca d (still pictu es only)
Scope of delivery Batte y cha ge , batte y, 64 MB SD memo y ca d, AV cable,
USB cable, AC cable, w ist st ap, CD-ROM with softwa e
(Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0, Quicktime Movie Playe )
Warranty 2 yea s
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE LEICA C-LUX 1
ilizer guarantee sharply focused, lur-free
photos even in dim light. A candlelight din-
ner is just as easy for the LEICA C-LUX 1 to
handle as the fast-moving su jects en-
countered in sports, games and other
leisure activities. For all those unexpected
encounters and photo oppourtunities, the
C-LUX 1 is instantly ready for action. It can
even capture exciting video movies in VGA
quality. To sum it up, this little digital Leica
is a true all-rounder for taking an incredi le
variety of photographs, for ho ies or work,
at home or away.

Leica World News 5
A life-size view of the EICA C- UX 1

6Leica World News
The attractively colored leather case is perfect for keeping the
EICA C- UX 1 safe wherever you take it.
Happily, the camera’s intrinsic value is
expressed on the outside as well, with
sound craftsmanship and a modern design
that is oth stylish and practical and makes
this new model instantly recogniza le as a
mem er of the prestigious Leica family. It’s
easy to hold, caresses the senses – whether
in the lack or silver chrome version – or to
put it simply: It looks great. With its slightly
rounded sides, uncluttered front and large
LCD monitor on the ack, the LEICA C-LUX 1
is a real eyecatcher. And it’s a camera that
will give you pleasure for years to come.

Leica World News 7
eica lenses: Cutting-edge technology with
digital compatibility
LEICA LENSES: STILL THE BEST IN A DI ITAL WORLD
What happens to y prized Leica lenses in the brave new digital world? It’s a question
posed by any Leica custo ers. The answer: Leica optics are still the best and, without
exception, fully equal to the de ands of today’s digital technology.
WE ALL KNOW what photography is: light
passes through a lens and ena les the
image formed to e recorded either on a
film or a sensor. This admittedly simplified
description of a complicated process makes
one thing a undantly clear: Every photo-
graph egins at the lens. That’s why Lens
quality is a decisive factor in determing the
quality of the resulting photo. If a lens is
merely mediocre, it is impossi le to pro-
duce a top-quality photo, however sophisti-
cated the downstream factors (film quality,
num er of pixels, etc.) may e. In other
words, a superlative lens is just as impor-
tant in digital photography as it is in analog
photography for achieving first-class results
– may e even more so!
Optically and mechanically, Leica lenses
represent the a solute state of the art.
Although this in itself is nothing new, it’s
definitely worth remem ering in a digital
context. Whereas average-quality lenses in
analog photography still produce average
results, high-resolution digital sensors mer-
cilessly expose the weaknesses of a lens.
Strictly speaking, every lens is something
like the squaring of the circle. After all,
every optical element has various inherent
a errations that impede the process of
achieving a high-resoultion, natural-look-
ing image. Despite these o stacles, an
experienced design engineer may e a le,
y applying cutting-edge simulation and
optimization software, to select and arrange
the individual elements in a lens in such a
way that their individual a erration errors
cancel each other out. This is no easy task
considering the different radii and glass
materials with widely varying refraction
indices, plus the fact that some of the ele-
ments need to move in relation to each
other as the lens is focused or zoomed. But
this is just what Leica aims at – acked y
a wealth of experience
However, the design of the optical system
is only one aspect in the production of a
good lens. Ultra high manufacturing stan-
dards are just as important. Traditionally,
the optical manufacturing specifications at
Leica have always een su stantially tighter
than the industry norm. They have to e,
ecause the tolerances of the various com-
ponents may add up to a total tolerance
that far exceeds our extremely stringent
performance standards. Sometimes even
experienced craftsman find extreme toler-
ances demanded to achieve with automatic
machining techniques, and that’s why cer-
tain lenses are finished individually y hand.
It is a well-known fact that Leica lenses
meet the most extreme precision-mechan-
ical specifications. Not so many people
know that the sensors made for Leica are
specially matched to the demands of the
Leica lenses as well. An ultra-thin protec-
tive filter in front of the sensor ensures that
the performance of the lenses is not
impaired y using a thicker filter glass,
which often results in unwanted reflections.
And whereas the majority of Leica’s com-
petitors use physical low-pass filters when
moiré filtering is required, Leica’s low-pass
filter is integrated on the asis of software
so optimum resulition is maintained This is
the only way to fully exploit the definition
potential of each Leica lens. To state it suc-
cinctly, it not only makes excellent sense
to choose Leica lenses in digital photogra-
phy, it also wise to choose a Leica digital
camera or Digital Modul R ack to comple-
ment them. Leica: The est in quality and
performance, now and always.
MK

8Leica World News
To match the camera: the 50 mm Summilux
with silver chrome finish
FOUR THIRDS SYSTEM: Leica on Board
THE SO-CALLED ‘Four Thirds’ system
was initiated y Olympus and Kodak at the
end of 2002 as an open standard that is
optimized for digital capture and future
development, and is designed to overcome
some of the the technical limitations
imposed y using a format with its roots in
analog camera technology. Basically, the
new standard simplifies the development
of lenses that are compati le with cameras
made y a variety of manufacturers and is
perfectly matched to the size and charac-
teristics of digital image sensors. Once the
type and size of the ayonet mount of the
‘Four Thirds’ forum was standardized as
well, it ecame e possi le to com ine prod-
ucts of different manufacturers going for-
ward. Besides Panasonic – a strategic part-
ner of Leica Camera AG – Leica itself has
now joined the ‘Four Thirds’ consortium and
regards the new standard as a welcome
complement to the successful Leica M and
Leica R system with their wide ranges of
lenses and compact cameras. Moreover,
Leica sees the ‘Four Thirds’ standard as an
opportunity to reach a wider customer
audience for its renowned high-perform-
ance lenses in the rapidly expanding digital
SLR sector.
As a first step toward this end, Leica, in
cooperation with Panasonic, designed its
first D lens in 4/3 mount, the LEICA D
VARIO-ELMARIT f/2.8 – 3.5/14 – 50 mm
ASPH. As you would expect, this lens
meets the exceptionally stringent inspec-
tion and quality control specifications of
Leica Camera AG and it provides outstand-
ing performance. And of course the thought
of using this lens on a future digital SLR of
our own was never far from our mind The
new Leica D Vario-Elmarit is indeed a first
step on the way to our eventual goal of
offering a high-quality lens line for the 4/3
standard. There are also plans for develop-
ing a complete camera together with Pana-
sonic. Leica’s long-term aim in joining the
‘Four Thirds’ consortium is simple and
direct: to carve out a niche with innovative
high-performance lenses aimed at conois-
seurs and professionals in the repidly grow-
ing digital SLR market.
NEW SUMMILUX: It’s available in silver
IT IS NO Coincidence that the 50 mm
lens is often called the standard focal length
for 35mm photography. It has proven im-
mensely useful in so many different situa-
tions that for this reason alone it deserves
a place in the asic outfit of every photo-
grapher. In mid 2004, Leica Camera an-
nounced a completely new design of its
high-speed standard lens – the Summilux-M
f/1.4/50 mm ASPH. The outstanding fea-
tures of this timeless classic for the Leica M
range are enhanced imaging performance
through the use of an aspherical element,
outstanding quality in the close-up range
resulting from its floating-element design
(the last element changes position with
respect to the other optics during focusing)
plus consistently high imaging perform-
ance due to the use of high-refraction glass
and elements with partial dispersion.
Whether it’s used for selective focus in the
macro range, high-contrast availa le light
photography, or landscapes with impres-
sive depth of field, the new 50mm Summilux
delivers convincing performance whatever
the situation. For all those owners of a
classic M outfit in silver who have hesitated
uying one until now, this is your chance:
The LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50 mm
ASPH. is finally availa le in a matching sil-
ver chrome version. Ask your authorized
Leica dealer for details.

Leica World News 9
LEICA EOVID 15X56 BRF
Seeing ore i plies recognizing fine details, discerning ore and ulti ately, knowing
ore about what is being observed. That is exactly what the new LEICA GEOVID15 x 56 BRF
binocular delivers. In addition to providing high agnification, it also offers the observer
the benefits of an integrated laser rangefinder. A test report by Roland Zeitler.
WEI HIN ONLY 1300 g (46 oz), the
15x56BRF has a very alanced and steady
feel. Thanks to its excellent weight distri-
ution, handheld o servation is supremely
comforta le. For prolonged o servation,
the use of a tripod and the Leica Binocular
Adapter is recommended. Because of its
large 56 mm o jective, the inocular can
also e used very effectively at twilight.
The optics are treated with an a rasion
resistant Leica HDC coating. This yields
a razor-sharp image with super color
fidelity and rich contrast. It is precisely the
high image rilliance with good contrast
that makes it possi le to discern fine
details at this high magnification that would
otherwise remain hidden. Furthermore,
the inocular offers the possi ility of laser
rangefinding from 10 m (10.9 yd) to approx-
imately 1200 m (1312 yd). To this end, a
laser eam is emitted along the main axis
of the lens, the reflected light is gathered
y the lens and directed to the measuring
cell y means of a eamsplitter prism.
The distance is shown immediately y
means of a red LED display in the right ocu-
lar. An outline of the measuring field is also
shown in the same ocular. The intensity of
the LED display automatically adjusts itself
to the am ient rightness. There is no
flare. By pressing the key on the top of the
inocular continuously, the measurement
shifts to a scanning mode. This is ideal
when one wishes to measure the distance
to different or rapidly moving su jects in
rapid succession. The large focusing drum
is positioned conveniently at the central
shaft. The diopter compensation can e
set at the left ocular and parallax compen-
sation is provided for the LED display at the
right ocular. The LED display can thus e
adjusted for optimal focus. The oculars are
optimized for eyeglass-wearers with rotat-
ing eyecups with two click positions.
Thanks to the use of roof prisms with
phase correction (P40 coating), the inoc-
ular is very slender, ut 210 mm (8.4 inches)
high. The very sturdy aluminum die-casting
is completely coated with a soft, grippa le
ru er armoring. The Geovid easily with-
stood rough handling and several strong
impacts. It remained watertight when
immersed in a 50 cm (nearly 20 inches)
deep water container. It is also filled with
nitrogen to prevent the interior from steam-
ing up.
The new 15x56 can e used for numerous
applications. During a hunt, a ram can still
e viewed very clearly at 100 or 150 m
(109 or 164 yd). Strong roe uck antlers
can easily e discerned at great distances
without alarming the game. I especially
appreciated the powerful magnification
while hunting in a field where game was
standing in the open at a great distance –
or when a fox was moving under the cover
of a distant hedge. Mounted on a tripod, it
is simply perfect for hunting varmints such
as prairie dogs or woodchucks. Being a le
to ascertain the measured distance to the
game is most important for a successful
hunt. It is pro a ly also ideal for hunting on
horse ack, in the wilds of the Yukon, or in
Montana. It can e used equally very effec-
tively for hunting rams or mountain goats
or for stalking wapiti or moose. In such sit-
uations, o servation and shooting must, of
necessity e performed at great distances.
When a wapiti uck is standing in the
shade of a tree during the early hours of
the morning, the right optics reveal the
details of its antlers. It ena les you to
decide whether it is legal for shooting or
whether it is to e spared.
In practice, the very quick rangefinding and
the LED distance display were most impres-
sive. The inocular performed dependa ly
and accurately. Game could readily e
ranged up to approximately 1150 m (1258
yd), highly reflective su jects like houses
even up to 1368 m (1496 yd). The high-per-
formance laser also permits distance
measurements under difficult conditions.
Precise rangefinding a ility paired with
top-class, sharp and rilliant optics made it
a genuine pleasure to use this new Geovid
inocular.
The slender Geovid was easy to carry and
it readily made excellent handheld o ser-
vation possi le. All in all, it is a truly practi-
cal o servation instrument for specialized
fields of application, for which it is supreme-
ly suita le.
ROLAND ZEITLER
Top class optics, dependable measurements thanks to the high performance laser:
Roland Zeitler tests the new eica Geovid.

THE NEW Leica Laser Rangefinder CRF
1200, while maintaining the very same
high standard of performance, is now much
smaller and handier than its popular pred-
ecessor. The new Rangemaster 1200 is just
a out palm-size. Weighing only 220 g
(7.8 oz) with the attery, it practically dis-
appears in your hand! Its small size even
allows it to e stowed in a purse or a pocket.
Of course it also fits in any pocket of a
hunting jacket. It even fits well in a Napoleon
pocket. That is especially useful in regions
with cold climates like the Arctic, ecause
then it enefits from the warmth of the
ody, so the performance capa ility of the
attery (3 Volt CR2 Lithium) is maintained
in such frigid areas.
I used the predecessor of this new model
at full capacity in the Canadian Arctic at
minus 40 degrees Celsius (which is also
minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit). The small
laser rangefinder can, of course, also e
carried in its convenient Cordura elt case,
which is tear-proof and virtually impervious
to climate changes. The case has a quick
closure that can e opened quietly for fast
removal of the new Rangemaster from the
elt case. An eyelet even makes it possi le
to carry it on a cord around the neck. In
spite of its reduced overall size, the lens
diameter has een increased from 21 to 24
mm, which further enhances its optical per-
formance y approximately 15%.
The ody of the new Rangemaster consists
of a sturdy, impact-resistant and fi re-rein-
forced synthetic material. It protects the
optics and the electronics perfectly, even
against rough handling. The threaded at-
tery compartment cover, with its star-tex-
tured surface and a central slot for a coin,
is also pleasantly convenient. As a result,
the cover can easily e unscrewed y hand
without any tools, for quick and comfort-
a le attery replacement wherever you
happen to e. The lack soft lacquer sur-
face of the ody has a velvety matte finish
that is slip-proof and has a ‘warm feel’
even in very cold temperatures. The flat
lower part has a tu ular housing for the
optics and the 7x24 monocular.
The upper portion has a molded grip
recess and a utton for activating the laser.
The rangefinder can e held very comfort-
a ly at eye level. The index finger comes to
rest practically automatically on the acti-
vating utton. This very ergonomic shape
is com ined with attractive styling. The
vertical positioning in the hand results in
an optimal alignment during o servation.
The new rangefinder is virtually predes-
tined for one-hand operation. The ocular
has a steep thread for quick diopter adjust-
ment (+/- 3.5 diopters) that turns uniform-
ly and smoothly even in cold temperatures.
Its rather tight movement prevented unin-
tentional setting changes during field use.
The ocular is, of course, optimized for eye-
glass wearers and covers the complete
field of view of 115 m at 1000 m (126 yd at
1094 yd). The ocular is equipped with a
collapsi le eyecup.
The optics deliver a rilliant, right and
razor-sharp image. The very high contour
sharpness is extraordinary, as is the clear,
dimensional image, which has very good
contrast. Resolution is also remarka ly high.
10 Leica World News
Small, lightweight, high-performance:
The new Rangefinder in practical use.
LEICA RAN EMASTER CRF 1200
Hunters will really appreciate it: The new Leica Laser Rangefinder CRF 1200 delivers the
sa e high perfor ance, yet it is even s aller and lighter than its illustrious predecessor.
Roland Zeitler tested the new Range aster, at ti es even under extre e cold weather
conditions.
Front lens diameter 24 mm
Magnification 7x
Exit pupil 3.4 mm
Twilight factor 13
Field of view at 1000 m 115 m
Field of view at 1000 yds 347 ft
Diopter compensation +/- 3.5 diopte s
Prism system Roof p ism system with P40 phase-co ecting laye
Dimensions (W x H x D) 113 x 74 x 34 mm (4 7⁄16 x13⁄8x 3 inches)
Weight app oximately 220 g (7,8 oz) including the batte y
Watertightness Up to 1 m (3.2 ft) wate depth (0.1 ba )
Body Ca bon-fib e- einfo ced synthetic mate ial with soft lacque ing
Range F om 10 m to app oximately 1100 m (11 to 1203 yd)
Measurement accuracy +/- 1m up to 366 m, +/- 2 m up to 732 m, +/- 0.5% beyond 732 m
+/- 1.1 up to 400 yd, +/- 2.2 up to 800 yd, +/- 0.5% beyond 800 yd
Display LED display 4 digits, automatic b ightness adjustment
Maximal measuring time app oximately 0.9 s
Laser Eye-safe, invisible lase in acco dance with EN and FDA Class 1
Laser beam divergence 2.5 x 0.5 m ad
Advantages Ve y eliable distance measu ement, la ge measu ement ange,
Ve y small, lightweight and handy, one-hand ope ation, obust and
wate tight, high-g ade optics (monocula ), fla e-f ee display
Disadvantages None
TECHNICAL DATA AT A GLANCE