Leica M8 - It's official!

[marknorton]

While checking through the box my lenses came back from coding in, SWMBO discovered a pink envelope containing a leaflet in 6 languages which confirms the name of the Leica digital M as "Leica M8".

"Notes on using Leica M lenses with 6-bit code on analog and digital Leica M cameras

Type Marking

This Leica M lens is equipped with a 6-bit barcode marking on its bayonet flange for use on the digital LEICA M8. This marking enables digital M models to detect the type of lens attached by using the sensors in the camera's bayonet flange.

The LEICA M8 writes the lens information it has read to the EXIF file and uses this for processor-aided optimization of image quality. This code also allows the focal length of the lens to be displayed in the camera monitor.

This Leica M lens can also be used on Leica M models up to the LEICA M7.

Supplement to the tips on lens care for type-marked Leica M lenses

Ensure that you do not apply too much grease to the bayonet flange and especially that you leave the lens code area ungreased, otherwise residues of grease might become lodged in the recess, allowing more dirt to accumulate. This could ultimately impair the legibility of the code and consequently the camera functions of the LEICA M8."

Leica M8 - Welcome to our World!

[earleygallery]

ah ha, the old red herring trick!

[flatfour]

Do you have a photo of the coding on your lenses?

[marknorton]

Take a look at the thread "Lens Codings"....

[Bob Ross]

Now that it is "out", Leica can make the official announcement....LOL!

[stunsworth]

To be honest, I think the _name_ of the camera is the least important thing about it.

[ptomsu]

Well, I think it is important how sensitive a company is in naming their models!

I like the idea of M8 name, it shows more the consequent evolution of the M system than other manufacturers starting to use D-letters to name their digital cameras.

Peter

[stunsworth]

But it's just a label to identify the model, M8, D1, D1.33 it's the same camera. What's important is the camera not the label. If there's a discount for calling it the D8M then I'll sign up for that :-)

[firoze]

I think the name is important in this case. M8 signals a continuity of the M system with all the implications that signifies.

Meanwhile I've had confirmation form a very reputed Leica dealer in Frankfurt that the price will be just under €4000.

Regards.

[TimF]

Including or excluding VAT?

[etanguero]

Originally Posted by TimF

Including or excluding VAT?

if "ex VAT" you'd wonna buy before dec 31st ... at least in germany where VAT will go up by 3 procent on jan 1st.

eT

[marknorton]

€3995 + VAT equates to $4995 + sales tax and, say, £3299 including VAT.

I think the name is important because it signifies no new Leica film cameras, apart perhaps from special editions. That ties in with information in the annual report which suggests all R&D effort/funding is going into digital and sport optics.

[firoze]

The price includes VAT.

Regards.

[marknorton]

That would make it less than the DMR alone and only a few hundred euros more than an M7/MP/Noctilux.

[andybarton]

Originally Posted by marknorton

That would make it less than the DMR alone and only a few hundred euros more than an M7/MP/Noctilux.

DMRs are now available for £2700 on the street (in Bradford) apparently...

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by marknorton

€3995 + VAT equates to $4995 + sales tax and, say, £3299 including VAT.

I think the name is important because it signifies no new Leica film cameras, apart perhaps from special editions. That ties in with information in the annual report which suggests all R&D effort/funding is going into digital and sport optics.

Hi Mark,
While you are probably right about new film cameras, they could just as easily produce an M11-film that integrates what they learned on the M8, 9 & 10 in digital......shutter, body molding material, meter circuits....if for no other reason than to use the components across the film/digital great divide in the fabrication process, even for special editions. Your discovery has a nice tie in with your conversation with Andreas Kaufman about his calling it the M8....
Bob

[marknorton]

Tough to see the business case for ever producing a new film camera. Derivative of the M7 maybe but for film users, the message is pretty clear: what you see now is what you are ever going to get. Leica M7, Nikon F6, that's the way it's going to be.

Leica's future commercial survival comes from selling lots of M8s and especially lots of new lenses to go with them. Then there's 4/3 and a possible R10 but the common theme throughout is digital.

[andybarton]

What more can you add to an M7 to make an M7+?

All you can do is remove stuff, and call it an MP (and charge more money for it ... )

But, wait. That's already been done!

[stunsworth]

Well you can use whale foreskin for the covering ;-). But I agree I can't see there being another film M outside of the a la carte system. It wouldn't suprise me if by the new year the film bodies were built to order and only available via a la carte.

[dugby]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

Well you can use whale foreskin for the covering ;-).

And if you caress it a little, that 21mm lens suddenly becomes 280mm !!!!