Leica announcement May 10th.

[stunsworth]

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I'm expecting an X1 type camera, called the X2, with interchangeable lenses and an EVF - either fixed or optional. M and R lenses to be used via an adaptor.

They could be radical and fit a full frame sensor, but I expect it'll be a 1.3 crop.

I also expect I'm probably going to be wrong <grin>.

[}{B]

Perhaps Leica will suprise everybody and announce a dedicated high quality 35mm film scanner just so that those of us who are still stuck in the dark ages with film can continue to post photos on the web.

Oh look there goes a flying pig!

[4X5B&W]

Originally Posted by wda

......... my Leica M8 for IR and back-up; my Leica M9 for very high quality mainstream pictures...........

Good point !!

Well if there is a possibility of a B&W only M10 I would certainly hold onto my M8, not only for IR work but colour images, as well as a back-up.
Up until now I have considered my M8 as a downpayment on a M9 or a new M10, however I would love to keep it.
This is sounding better all the time

[glenerrolrd]

How do you think Leica will decide what should be introduced ?

Consider that they are out of capacity in lens production ....and expect to be in this position until the new factory comes on line . The have two capacity constraints (1) specialty glass availability from Japan and (2) equipment to produce lens elements . The glass shortage is gradually clearing up but will take until the end of the year . The factory issue is based on deciding to buy new equipment for the new factory . Also consider that when you add capacity to a factory you need ..skilled technicians to train new technicians and to work in the new equipment and processes . Lens production capacity will drop in the months preceding and following the move .

Dealers report that they now have access to M9P s and willing buyers but NO LENSES .

Has anyone seen anything that would indicate that leica will be able to increase the production of lenses over the new 6-12 months ?

If not then they would be wise to introduce products that use lenses not made in Solms .

The other factor would of course be the availability of sensors or other critical body components . If so I would expect the M10 with incremental improvements .

IMHO they should be driven by maximizing what they can produce .

[mmradman]

Originally Posted by }{B

Perhaps Leica will suprise everybody and announce a dedicated high quality 35mm film scanner just so that those of us who are still stuck in the dark ages with film can continue to post photos on the web.

Oh look there goes a flying pig!

DSLR with matching slide/film copy attachment would probably beat on price any high quality dedicated film scanner especially brand new one coming from Leica.

[mmradman]

Originally Posted by glenerrolrd

If not then they would be wise to introduce products that use lenses not made in Solms .

Suppose they could sub a new line of lensess to Japanese lens manufacturer like Qyocera who used to produce well regarded R 80-200mm f4.

Interesting thing is that even Zeiss & Voightlander are struggling to meet the demand for ZM/VM lenses.

[Theodor Heinrichsohn]

Originally Posted by Ornello

I thought the M5 was brilliant. I thought the M4 and its predecessors were too small. I have owned SL2s since they came out and see no reason to change.

I bought 2 M5's and still use them. I did not and do not mind the size and like its light meter system.
Teddy

[Double Negative]

They're going to announce the new Perpetual Upgrade Program.

Oh, wait...

[SJP]

Considering that is there is no month starting with an R this is as close as they can get for the R10 (digital full frame DSLR thingy, no autofocus of course). Also, all announcements have to be in spring when the camera buying population is still frisky. No-one needs an M10, but maybe I will get the M11 sometime if someone twists my arm sufficiently....

[danielp11]

The event is on May 10. AND 11. So there will be a black and white M10 and a color M11.


Daniel

[smb]

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Any rumors connecting the new Washington DC store to the May 10 announcement, i.e. tdhe store will open the same day?

[Wang Man]

By the success of the M9, Leica management may want to entice the old Leicaflex crowd with a full frame digital camera. There are a lot of great R lenses out there, waiting to be used again.

[Double Negative]

Originally Posted by danielp11

The event is on May 10. AND 11. So there will be a black and white M10 and a color M11.

From Spinal Tap:

Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don't know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: [pause] These go to eleven.

[steveclem]

I'd hope for an 'R' solution but I very much doubt it just yet, still hoping though...........

[Double Negative]

Originally Posted by steveclem

I'd hope for an 'R' solution but I very much doubt it just yet, still hoping though...........

The problem is, by the time Leica comes up with an "R solution" - everyone from the Canon, Nikon and other camps will own all the R (err, "alternative") lenses for use with their own adapters...

So I guess you could say the "R solution" isn't coming from Leica - but has been here in the form of other platforms.

Besides, at this point does it really make any difference? R shooters have moved on. Leica isn't making any more lenses or bodies. What's in it for them? The milk has spilled.

[IkarusJohn]

I guess the answer to that raises a further technical question.

How hard is it to make one mirrorless digital camera take both M and R lenses? The M lens has its rear element very close to the sensor, whereas the R lens is a retrofocus lens, with a different mount.

Presumably, the native Leica mirrorless would have an M mount, and Leica would then offer an adapter to take the exit pupil to sensor distance out to 47mm (the M mount has a shorter distance)?

Cheers
John

[bill]

Originally Posted by IkarusJohn

How hard is it to make one mirrorless digital camera take both M and R lenses?

.,.that'll be the GXR then...

90mm Elmarit-M on Ricoh GXR M Mount | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

28mm Leica Elmarit R on Ricoh GXR M Mount via Novoflex | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Regards,

Bill

[Manolo Laguillo]

Originally Posted by IkarusJohn

I guess the answer to that raises a further technical question.

How hard is it to make one mirrorless digital camera take both M and R lenses? The M lens has its rear element very close to the sensor, whereas the R lens is a retrofocus lens, with a different mount.

Presumably, the native Leica mirrorless would have an M mount, and Leica would then offer an adapter to take the exit pupil to sensor distance out to 47mm (the M mount has a shorter distance)?

Cheers
John

you can use R lenses already on the M cameras.

Leica had this R to M adapter (it's #22228/500934).

And the Leica M cameras are actually mirrorless... Liveview is the simple answer

[rramesh]

Originally Posted by smb

Any rumors connecting the new Washington DC store to the May 10 announcement, i.e. tdhe store will open the same day?

Wow, a Berlin party to announce Leica arrival in DC!

[atournas]

The 3/19 Leica Newsletter, referring to the May 10th announcement, mentions '...for a "whole range of product launches".' and then goes on to note about the speculations, which include the M10, a mirrorless camera with EVF, an R lens "adequate solution", and the B&W-only M.

Paul