4 194043 108000 09 D EUR 8,00 NL EUR 9,30 B 9,30 L EUR 9,30 DIGITAL MODUL R LEICA FOTOGRAFIE INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL: DIGITAL-MODUL-R D 19088 F LFI LEICA FOTOGRAFIE INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL EDITORIAL CONTENT DEAR READERS In this special edition on the Digital-Modul-R we present to you, in addition to an abundance of information on Leica's professional digital system, the related digital work of several prominent photographers. In asking them what their impression was of the Digital-Modul-R the answers we received were at times quite astonishing. Our thinking was that most would be drawing upon digital photography for sideline projects, never actually believing that it could facilitate expression just as effectively as with the time-honoured medium of film. It turns out that the majority have become completely engrossed in digital photography. Occasionally, it sounded as though they were beginning to remember film as an old friend to whom they had only little contact. French photographer Bernard Richebé, for instance, whose black and white work is featured starting page 36, experienced digital technology as a liberating kick, providing his creativity with new impulses. German photographer Uwe Dürigen, who at first had to be talked into giving the DigitalModul-R a try, is now so convinced by its quality that he goes as far as to travel with a battery charging emergency generator. Now and again a sceptic will express how digital pictures lack soul. But hand to heart: both film and sensor are technical procedures for image making, and technology itself does not have a soul. Should one ascribe this quality to film, then perhaps it refers to the aura that arises due to the fact that our collective memory was largely moulded by film. In the end, however, it's really up to the photographer, whose skill ultimately defines the character of a picture. In this sense, enjoy the read! THE EDITORS The Digital-Modul-R turns the R9 into a professional digital camera with brilliant photo quality DIETER BLUM Flying legs, flowing fabrics and the Digital-Modul-R ­ photographer Dieter Blum stages movement in aesthetic imagery 4 R SYSTEM DIGITAL The Digital-Modul-R turns Leica's R system into a flexible solution for those wanting to photograph both traditionally and digitally 6 UWE DÜRIGEN The photojournalist shows inspiring pictures from a trip to India and explains what he loves about the digital R 16 R LENSES The lenses are at the heart of the Leica R system, regardless of whether one uses them with film or the Digital-Modul-R 22 GARY FAYE Immediate results and more time for experimentation: the American landscape photographer is thrilled by the Digital-Modul-R 26 THE RAW WORKFLOW After exposure, the sensor data has to be formed into a presentable picture. We explain how it is done 28 BERNARD RICHEBÉ The face of the suburbs ­ the Parisian photographer interprets it in black and white and demonstrates his approach 36 IN THE STUDIO The cover shot was of course taken with the Digital-Modul-R. We show in great detail how the picture was prepared for print 42 TANGIBLE PICTURES With a bit of preparatory work, photo printers and exposure services can deliver high quality pictures on paper Cover photo: Joerg Schwalfenberg, Hair/Makeup: Martin Schmid/Optics, Model: Flavia Lang/ Modelwerk; special thanks to Briese Studios, Hamburg 48 JAMES VAN LEUVEN Of large landscapes and small animals ­ the Dutch photographer captures the wonders of nature in fascinating images 52 IMPRINT 58 DMR/2006 LFI 3 TECHNOLOGY R SYSTEM THE DIGITAL-MODUL-R With the Digital-Modul-R, Leica now enables owners of an R8 or R9 the unique possibility to convert their 35-mm camera into a high-performance digital solution. Here an in-depth appraisal. BY HOLGER SPARR Leica's entry into the market of professional digital cameras may have taken longer than hoped for, but the reason for this was quite simply that the Solms-based company felt that an active involvement in this market segment would only make sense once analogue and digital were capable of generating the same, super-quality results. Leica customers expect the R system to deliver nothing else than supreme photo quality whether with film or chip. In the area of 35 millimetre, Leica has in fact accomplished a singular solution: the Leica R9, which normally operates with film, and its R8 predecessor, which has an almost identical body, can now be equipped with a digital back, transforming the analogue into a digital camera by means of a simple manoeuvre. The only difference between this digital camera and its analogue counterpart is that it registers the exposures via a 10-megapixel CCD sensor, storing them on an SD memory card instead of on film. In terms of size and weight, the digital R9 is no different from the analogue version mounted with an optional Motor-Drive-R for automatic film transport. In order for the Digital-Modul-R to be completed, Leica teamed up with two distinguished partners: Kodak is considered one of the most experienced developers of first-class image sensors, equipping the vast majority of digital backs for medium format cameras. One of the most famous developers of such back units, in turn, is Imacon DMR/2006 LFI 7 TECHNOLOGY R SYSTEM from Denmark. They now belong to Hasselblad and were originally in charge of the conceptualisation of the module. Together, the three companies planned and developed the DigitalModul-R, taking on the by no means trivial task of converting the R9 into a fully-fledged expert digital camera, without depriving the camera of its ability to work with film. It is this choice between film and chip that makes the R9 with the Digital-Modul-R such a unique concept. Depending on application and need, the owner of this double-action system can always choose whether to insert a 35-mm round or a memory chip. That the digital picture quality will satisfy the demands of the professional world is guaranteed thanks to a 10megapixel resolution, a high input dynamic range and an accurate colour recognition; and that the concept is beginning to bear fruit becomes evident when we study the respective field reports or what Leica considers the favourable increase in demand. R-SYSTEM BASE From a formal point of view, the DigitalModul-R is an accessory item for Leica's R8 and R9 and thus an element of the wide-ranging R system. Leica's single lens reflex system can look back upon a long tradition, scoring high marks in all areas of photo technology with highest precision and quality, unrivalled longevity and simple and intuitive handling. An excellent example for these virtues is the core piece of the system, the R9. In spite of its comprehensive features and options, the camera prides itself on its minimum number of control elements. The photographer is thus never faced with mysteries. Behind the unassuming details, however, one will discover great finesse and technology. Take the camera's viewfinder, for instance, which is known to be one of the brightest in 35-mm photography: it enables eyeglass wearers to see effortlessly into its corners, featuring dioptre correction and a curtain shutter against stray light; and the matt screens are also interchangeable. Countless other details ­ such as a mirror pre-release against shake, the classic synchronised flash socket for studio light systems, the multiple metering system, which can be influenced in steps of tenths, and much more ­ are the result of the fact that the R9 was constructed in consideration of people who would be working with the camera on a daily basis. As part of the comprehensive accessory programme we find the Motor-Winder-R and the slightly larger Motor-Drive-R, facilitating up to 4.5 exposures per second. The slightly unusual form of the camera is very ergonomic; The R9 is built from high-tech material such as magnesium for the body. Most of the assembly process is done by hand, which, through constant control over the working steps, secures higher quality 8 LFI DMR/2006 all control elements are situated in the right place and the camera rests securely in one's hands. The greatest plus of the R system and surely the main reason for its excellent reputation is the vast array of lenses, which like the camera itself are handmade. See the article on page 22 on Leica R lenses, of which more than a few are known to be absolute top of the class. The R9 gets by with very few, conveniently placed, control elements. The rather unusual form of the camera guarantees smooth operation BASIC SET-UP The Digital-Modul-R consists of two basic components. The digital back itself replaces the standard back with film pressure plate; it contains the CCD sensor, the main electronics and the slot for the SD memory card. A power supply unit is connected from below and contains the lithium ion battery as well as the motor, which is also required in digital operation; it clamps the shutter, which, incidentally, can be disengaged temporarily with the quickrelease lever. The camera with digital back is practically as heavy and large as the camera with motor drive. The delivery package also contains a viewfinder matt screen, showing the limited picture area of the image sensor within a corresponding frame, and other accessories, such as a charger, a bag for the back unit, a memory card and software. Apart from the matt screen, the R8 or R9 requires no modification or re-equipping for digital operation. Fortunately, Leica had already included all of the important electronics for the communication with the digital back during the development of the R8 in 1996, and this is what made the whole thing possible in the first place. The only inconvenience that owners of an R8 have to accept is that the R8 cannot tell the digital module when to switch off. Thus it has its own power button. With attached Digital-Modul-R, the R9 is practically as large as with the Motor-Drive-R. The protruding monitor of the digital back unit does not obstruct the view through the viewfinder TRANSFORMATION For the initial installation of the DigitalModul-R the viewfinder matt screen is traded for the supplied version with the additional frame indicating the digital sensor's view angle. Included in the delivery is a matt screen with a split image and micro prism ring, but Leica now also offer the various matt screens with the respective sensor frame (except the clear glass screen). In 35-mm mode, those who can accept the then superfluous frame can and should leave the matt screen installed in the camera. After all, the changing of screens is the most time consuming aspect of the conversion. DMR/2006 LFI 9 TECHNOLOGY R SYSTEM Once the film back unit and battery box of the R9 have been removed, the conversion into a digital camera is a matter of seconds: first, the digital back is hinged onto the camera, then the protective cap of the sensor is removed, the back is shut closed and finally the power supply unit with the battery and motor is inserted from below Using the supplied tool, one then loosens the latch of the film back and installs the digital back in its place. The sensor comes with a protective cap. It should only be removed just before closing the back to prevent dust from getting onto the sensor. Just like the motor drive, the next step would be to remove the battery component and connect the power supply unit. Once the memory card and the battery have been inserted, the digital Leica R is ready to shoot. Re-equipping the camera for film would then simply happen the other way around. With practice, the 10 LFI DMR/2006 whole manoeuvre takes no more than 30 seconds, quick enough to make a second camera body for a switch-over to film unnecessary. INNER VALUES At the heart of the digital camera system we have the image sensor, which was developed by Kodak following Leica's specifications. The key condition, to force the sensor into the unaltered, 24-by-26-mm film window of the R8 or R9, required the development of a new sensor concept. Since the chip had to contain the connecting wires and a few circuits, the light-sensitive area measures only 26.4 by 17.6 millimetres; in other words, the sensor is forced to produce a crop enlargement of the 35 mm picture. In digital operation, the lens focal length is consequently multiplied by a 1.37 factor (rule of thumb: one third more) to attain the same view angle as one would attain with film. What is rarely seen is that the enlarged crop section does change the perspective, but not the lens's depth-offield range. If, in digital operation, one wants to reach the same depth of field as OF PILGRIMS AND SAINTS PHOTOS: UWE DÜRIGEN Soft light, fairytale colours and magical atmospheres ­ Varanasi of India, also known as the City of Light, is so holy that it brings accelerated salvation to those who live and die there. Uwe Dürigen used his Leica and Digital-Modul-R to capture the seductive imagery of a spiritua ...