Leica Rumors

[marknorton]

In English:

• Procedures for high-precision centering of optical components in highest performance lens systems (LCS-PA-VE1-0808)
• Process optimization for manufacturing and assembly of central looking device in highest performance lens systems (LCS-PA-VE2-0808)
• Precision measurement of the actual focus position in the focus group of highest performance lens systems (LCS-PA-VE3-0808)

[fotografr]

Originally Posted by SJP

In my case it has fallen out faster than it got gray - AKA follicularly challenged

No need to worry unless the same thing happens to your money.

[veraikon]

Concerning the german photojournal FotoMagazin (FoMag) 9/2008 , which appeared today, there will be following Leica-news at Photochina:

_ Leica will introduce a FF R10 and a new corresponding AF -lens line as prototype. Production will start late 2009.
_ There will not be a new Leica FT model - but Leica will continue together with Panasonic the FTs line ( - think whatever you believe – imho it is an “Ausstieg” )
_ FoMag is waiting for a new "Leica-Knaller" (Big Leica-Bang) which will be introduced at Sept. 15th in a press conference. FoMag will publish the news on a separate FoMag internet page.

No real news - but the rumours are tightening ,)

[Angora]

If the production of the R10 were to start in late 2009... it would really be too late.

[marknorton]

So maybe Simon is right, AFR in "Project AFRika" does mean "Auto Focus R"... I agree about the 2009, too late. Where will Nikon and Canon be by then?

[Angora]

Far

[steich]

@mark:
I qouted these theses in the German part of this forum, too- do I suspect correctly that they (especially the third one) give more than a hint that there is some AF development going on?
Regards
Stefan

[xjr]

Originally Posted by sparkie

Really? -- a 24/1.4 ?

Size and weight of this will be ludicrous...as for the price !!!!!!!! Perhaps an f2.0

[lct]

Latest rumour from the French mag Réponses Photo (# 198, page 9): No new M and no new reflex body at the next Photokina. Only compacts and lenses (M & 4/3). FWIW.

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by veraikon

As far as I understand it is more caused by expenses to R&D and investments in infrastructure and machines.
Leica ist massivly looking for staff:

Which is hardly surprising. It is well known that Mr. Lee's management caused a loss off key technical staff.

[veraikon]

Originally Posted by lct

Latest rumour from the French mag Réponses Photo (# 198, page 9): No new M and no new reflex body at the next Photokina. Only compacts and lenses (M & 4/3). FWIW.

It is partly corresponding with FoMags rumours: No new R + M at photochina (only sketches - wooden models).
Concerning 4/3 //FT user MJH (which is very near at Leica ) reported from a press conference

Originally Posted by mjh

Zitat von like_no_other
They have or will have:
1. medium format
2. R-Mount (with DMR)
3. M-mount
4. FT
5. possibly Micro FT
6. compact model V-Lux size
7. compact model smaller than V-Lux sized camera
8. smallest compact model (C-Lux)
--------------------------------------------------

4. The Digilux 3 will continue to be available, as well as the FourThirds lenses marketed by Panasonic, but there will be no active development in the near future at least.

5. Leica says no. Neither Micro FourThirds bodies nor lenses.

6. Being based on the Panasonic DMC-FZ50 which is a bit long in the tooth, I suppose the V-Lux will be phased-out soon. It looks like Panasonic will announce a successor based on the Micro FourThirds standard at photokina, so as long as Leica doesn’t support Micro FourThirds, there won’t be a V-Lux 2.

7/8. It would be silly not to introduce new re-badged Panasonic digicams. It’s easy money.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...93-post23.html

[razerx]

Originally Posted by Angora

If the production of the R10 were to start in late 2009... it would really be too late.

I have been a Leica user for 12 years and really want this company to survive but Leica building a new AF camera? I am pissing my pants. If Leica was public would you buy its stocks if you knew they were putting money in that? I hope they can pull it off but it true then lets hope it was designed and made by a Japanese partner. If not then wait until 2012 when they iron out the bugs. What did Clint Eastwood say in that movie? "A good man knows his limitations". I wish Leica just stick to what it does best - lenses. Make lenses in other mounts and give up on the DSLR. Please!

[rick_dykstra]

I partly agree with razerx about sticking to making the best manual focus lenses, but not with the 'no DSLR' part. Making a very nice dedicated DSLR of 16 to 20 MP is not too difficult for Leica. I hope to see such a body announced soon. It will have the focal plane accuracy that the DMR lacks and will be fully compatible with all of the R lenses out there. Most R users can continue to live with manual focus - they bought into the system that way and can continue to get great results.

Now here's a question. If an 'R10' was being prepared for immediate availability after Photokina, someone would have seen them being tested. Think back to the months before the M8 announcement - they were in test and keen eyes were spotting them. Has anyone seen an 'R10'?

[andybarton]

from what I have read, the best we can hope for in the R10 area next month is a mock-up/mule, with production starting next year

So, nothing to see in the wild yet...

[lct]

Originally Posted by andybarton

from what I have read, the best we can hope for in the R10 area next month is a mock-up/mule...

At least a mock-up should show if the mount changes hopefully.

[mooky]

Nothing seen at the Olympics?????? That would be a logical test for it...

[rosuna]

Press conferences: Canon, August 25th; Nikon, August 27th; Leica, September 14th...

[veraikon]

Leica, September 14th...

at Sunday Sept. 14th ? . There was allways told about a press confernece at Monday Sept 15th . Which would be logical because at Sept 16th the new LFI with all "Leica-news" will appear.

PS: BTW personnaly I would prefer the 14th( because monday-wednesday I am outside - and I don´t know if an when I get an internet connection) .

[stevelap]

Originally Posted by veraikon

at Sunday Sept. 14th ? . There was allways told about a press confernece at Monday Sept 15th . Which would be logical because at Sept 16th the new LFI with all "Leica-news" will appear.

PS: BTW personnaly I would prefer the 14th( because monday-wednesday I am outside - and I don´t know if an when I get an internet connection) .

The 14th (a Sunday) was the suggested date to take a look at the Leica website.

[razerx]

[quote=rick_dykstra;634882]I partly agree with razerx about sticking to making the best manual focus lenses, but not with the 'no DSLR' part. Making a very nice dedicated DSLR of 16 to 20 MP is not too difficult for Leica. I hope to see such a body announced soon. It will have the focal plane accuracy that the DMR lacks and will be fully compatible with all of the R lenses out there. Most R users can continue to live with manual focus - they bought into the system that way and can continue to get great results.
QUOTE]

When the DMR came out I was thinking about getting one since I already had a pool of R lenses. But then the allure of M digital was more powerful. My friend bought the DMR and really liked it and when I decided to get one it was discontinued. I would love to see an R10 that is basically the DMR fully integrated into a new R body but really think AF is beyond Leica's capabilities. I would settle for manual focus but with focus confirmation like the Nikon D700. I am sure any one of the large Japanese firms can do AF better so why reinvent the wheel? I would like to think the Canon rumours are true but that's unlikely though partnering up actually makes more sense.