The long-awaited upgrade to the Leica T arrived today with a list of improvements but no radical design changes. Main features of the new model are a doubling of the buffer size to 32GB and an improved autofocus system, particularly when in continuous mode. An L has appeared after the model designation in line with the new TL/SL system naming convention. The camera now supports SL lenses with stabilisation and offers the opportunity to use R-System lenses with the R-Adapter L. In addition there is a new companion app which is now also available for Android in addition to iOS.
The silver and black models continue with the same design and appearance as before but a new titanium-finish camera is distinguished by bevelled edging on the top and bottom plates.
Adding to the TL accessory range are a leather protector and matching neck strap in four colours, stone grey, black, cemento or red.
The new TL in black, silver and titanium anodised finish will be available in British retailers from mid-November at a suggested retail price of £1,450 including VAT.
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FULL LEICA PRESS RELEASE
Boldly different:
Leica presents the TL-System
Unique design in titanium, silver or black finish, combined with precise, high- performance lenses and a host of smart accessories
8 November 2016
Leica Camera has today announced the Leica TL. Building on the Leica T camera system, which has been continually enhanced in terms of speed, handling and flexibility since its launch in 2014, the new generation Leica TL now offers further innovative features, improved functionality, and a series of exciting new design elements.
Developments include the doubling of the internal buffer memory to 32GB, improved autofocus, particularly in AF-C mode, and optimised compatibility with lenses from other camera systems in the Leica range. For example, the Leica TL now supports SL-Lenses with OIS and allows the use of Leica R-System lenses in combination with the R-Adapter L. A new Leica TL app with added functionality provides additional options for sharing pictures by email or on social networks, and is now available for the first time for Android, as well as iOS devices.
The Leica TL will in available in three colour options from the date of launch: the silver and black versions share an identical design and construction, while the titanium finish option is distinguished by a bevelled edge detail to the top and bottom plates. A collection of smart camera accessories, such as a new range of high-quality protectors in Nappa leather, which are designed to remain on the camera when changing the battery, and a selection of matching carrying straps in stone grey, black, red and cemento, complete the TL system portfolio.
Combined with its high-performance image processor, the large, APS-C CMOS image sensor of the Leica TL guarantees exceptional imaging quality and delivers brilliant pictures with outstanding contrast, detailed resolution and natural colour rendition – even in unfavourable lighting conditions.
The comprehensive Leica TL lens portfolio offers a wide choice of focal lengths for all photographic situations and genres. The TL-System currently comprises six lenses – three prime lenses and three zooms. The two fast prime lenses, the Leica Summicron-TL 23mm f/2 ASPH. and Summilux-TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH., are classic focal lengths for reportage photography, and the APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL
60mm f/2.8 ASPH. is perfect for finely detailed close-up photography. The three compact zoom lenses, the Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-TL 11–23mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH., Vario-Elmar-TL 18–56mm f/3.5– 5.6 ASPH. and APO-Vario-Elmar-TL 55–135mm f/3.5–4.5 ASPH., cover an entire range of focal lengths equivalent to 17 to 200mm in 35mm format and deliver outstanding images with rich contrast from corner to corner of the frame.
Developed by Leica’s optical design specialists in Wetzlar, all Leica TL-Lenses deliver exceptional imaging performance at all distances from their close focusing limits to infinity, resulting in pictures with the inimitable ‘Leica look’ and unique bokeh. The combination of expert optical and precision engineering, and the use of the finest materials in their construction, ensures the consistent high quality and reliability of the lenses.
Thanks to the L-Bayonet mount shared by the Leica TL and SL cameras, SL-Lenses can also be used without an adapter on the Leica TL, once again highlighting Leica’s commitment to system compatibility and sustainability. Furthermore, adapters are available to enable the use of Leica M and R lenses on the camera.
A particular highlight of the Leica TL is the unusual, compact design of its body, which is precisely machined from a single block of aluminium at the Leica factory. Meticulous construction from the most premium materials gives the Leica TL its unique, unmistakeable look and solid, high quality feel.
Offering concise, intuitive handling, and a focus on the most relevant functions, the Leica TL ‘control centre’ is clearly laid out on the 3.7” touchscreen display, which delivers a clear, bright image for precise and reliable subject composition and review.
Numerous functions in capture and playback mode can be controlled simply by touching the screen. Four ergonomically-positioned haptic controls, which are highly intuitive in operation, ensure that photographers can concentrate fully on composing their images – with no unnecessary distractions. The configurable MyCamera menu offers further flexibility, even in spontaneous shooting situations, giving the user the quickest access to the most frequently used features and personalised pre-sets.
Thanks to its integrated WiFi module and mobile hotspot feature, the Leica TL can conveniently transfer still images and videos by WLAN to smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop PCs from almost anywhere, and allows users to share their pictures and movies by email, on Facebook or on other social networks.
The free Leica TL app for iOS and Android devices is available with the release of the camera. A particularly useful feature of this app is the remote control function, which enables the user to connect a smartphone or tablet to the camera by WLAN as an electronic viewfinder for the Leica TL, and provides remote control of shutter speed and aperture settings – ideal for shots taken at unusual angles, or for use with the self-timer.
Pricing and availability
The Leica TL in black, silver or titanium anodised finish is scheduled to be available from mid- November 2016, at a suggested retail price of £1,450 including VAT.
New accessory prices:
Leica TL leather protector – stone grey, black, cemento or red – £105 Leica TL neck strap – stone grey, black, cemento or red – £70
Full specification
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Well for me the TL is a fizzer. That clip on EVF is like having tiller steering on a Toyota Prius. The revamp is surely case of putting lipstick on a pig. Not exactly going to push the T range to the front of the "must have cameras" list is it?
Somtimes I think that there are two separate divisions in Leica. One is the "smarts" division – responsible for the SL,Q and the X1 and X2 and the lenses.
And then there is the "what on earth are they doing" division-responsible for the rest of the products including the woeful T and TL.
There can be no other explanation.
Looks like a ‘re-heat’. For a traditionalist like me this would never replace my X-Pro 2. Any word about a new M?
William
I bought the Fuji xt2 about 10 days ago having heard that the TL would not have a built-in EVF. Am loving using it. I honestly do not know what Leica was thinking….
I think Leica is afraid a built in EVF will hurt M and SL sales.
Can’t see why an M user/buyer would be distracted by this, EVF or not.
Some interesting options for one’s ‘M’ lenses regarding focal lengths on a pocketable camera would be a distraction for me…
But only with an eye level finder built in.
Yes, an option like the X-Pro2, not this.
That is of course a possibility but then it could be argued that if they were so worried about M sales they would never have made the SL. What amazes me is that Leica still seem to believe that a camera without an integral finder is acceptable. No amount of special finishes will compensate.
You and thousands more, I suspect. Leica is in danger of letting the APS-C market slip through its fingers. A slightly smaller Q with a TL mount would have been my choice and I cannot see that it is all that difficult to implement.
It would have been quite easy to implement. The success with the Q in large part because of the built in EVF should have made this obvious.
I had the new "T" on my horizon…
But that was when it was in my imagination and it had an eye level viewfinder built in.
The Fuji options remain superior at this size of sensor.
/.fail
Oh… so no EVF, no focus peaking, no DNG-only. Slightly disappointing… 😉
Zzzz…. Oops, you just woke me up.
lol 😀