Ruggerized Leica rangefinders/digital cameras?

[eduardoho]

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I would like to see Leica marketing folks realize that there is a tremendous market opportunity to offer ruggerized version their rangefinder/digital camera line, thereby expanding their capabilities for industrial, security/defense and environmental photography applications. Their partner, Panasonic is the maker of the industry premier ultra rugged devices, the ToughBook series of laptops and tablets used by our armored forces as well as local police agencies. They already make the superior line of rubber clad weatherproof line of the famed Trinovid/Duovi/Ultravid, etc... line of binoculars. So why not extend this know how into their line of rangefinder and digital cameras and naturally be also the leader in this field as well???

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[giordano]

With the Six Nations tournament in progress this is certainly the right time to announce a ruggerised M9.

 

But I have a nasty feeling that - ruggedised or not - Leicas cost too much and rely too much on the photographer's skill to be very attractive to the sectors you mention.

[eduardoho]

No, with all my due respect, I do not with you agree at all. Currently the most coveted surveying instruments are made by Leica GeoSystem in addition to land positioning devices which they are also the leaders in that field, as well as Leica line of microscopes for scientific applications, surgeons' dioptic glasses, etc...which by the way cost tens of thousand dollars, but it is always the preferred products preferred by the professionals in their respective field. Photography is just one of their market niches. When one is in a specialized application, i.e. surveying, engineering, medical, etc... the Leica Camera AG, the Leica GeoSystem and Leica MicroSystem has always offered far superlative products compared to those from Zeiss-Icon, Nikon, Ricoh or from Olympus.

[andybarton]

No amount of Trinovid rubber is going to protect the rangefinder mechanism from damage if you drop one.

[giordano]

Even a few millimetres of rubber can make a big difference - like the difference between dropping your Leica onto a cork floor and onto concrete. It certainly won't guarantee the RF won't be jolted out of kilter, but it will reduce the chance of it.

[twittle]

No, with all my due respect, I do not with you agree at all. Currently the most coveted surveying instruments are made by Leica GeoSystem in addition to land positioning devices which they are also the leaders in that field, as well as Leica line of microscopes for scientific applications, surgeons' dioptic glasses, etc...which by the way cost tens of thousand dollars, but it is always the preferred products preferred by the professionals in their respective field. Photography is just one of their market niches. When one is in a specialized application, i.e. surveying, engineering, medical, etc... the Leica Camera AG, the Leica GeoSystem and Leica MicroSystem has always offered far superlative products compared to those from Zeiss-Icon, Nikon, Ricoh or from Olympus.

 

Leica Camera is not affiliated with Leica Geo or Micro in any other way than name. They are completely separate and independent companies and have very different markets. What is done by any one of the three does not affect the others.

 

And Andy's right: a rubber coating isn't going to protect the delicate mechanical rangefinder mechanism.

[eduardoho]

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I don't believe that the bright skunks at Leica's R&R department by chance chose the tactiliy of the X1 speed/aperture dials and on/off switch. The Leica's skunkworks must have something up their sleeve and there is a valid reason why the control knobs are so light to touch. But I could be wrong.

[Philippe D.]

I would like to see Leica marketing folks realize that there is a tremendous market opportunity to offer ruggerized version their rangefinder/digital camera line

Like i.e. those Leica M8 used in Swizerland on speed trap radars...

 

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[twittle]

Weatherproofing is definitely one area in which Leica could benefit from an optional rubber cover. They'd have to design it to cover the shutter release, though.

[eduardoho]

thank you for the photo,Phillipe, it is a good shot.

[Philippe D.]

thank you for the photo,Phillipe, it is a good shot.

Sorry, it's not mine (but i have lost the original URL).

[eduardoho]

Leica Camera is not affiliated with Leica Geo or Micro in any other way than name. They are completely separate and independent companies and have very different markets. What is done by any one of the three does not affect the others.

 

And Andy's right: a rubber coating isn't going to protect the delicate mechanical rangefinder mechanism.

 

Thanks for the comments.I guess the difference in our opinions is reflected due to the basic fact that my views are definitely biased toward my engineering interests foremost and then for my passion for photography. If I see a good instrument that have a viable application in the engineering field, then I will go for it. In this particular instance I am indeed appreciative of Leica optical sharpness, and it would very cool for me to use it for subsurface photograph as well. Anyway, you folks are wonderful in offering your respective perspectives on this subject matter. Thank you all.

[twittle]

I understand the desire for a more robust product; it would be nice. I just don't see how it could be accomplished with a rangefinder. Their other cameras are a different matter, though. I think it would be possible to make them a bit more rugged if they wanted.

[Guest BigSplash]

I think the need and the business opportunity for a ruggedised M9 is clear. I used to believe that the M2, M3 etc were the most reliable of cameras used by war reporters so the idea of bringing a fragile M9 back to its roots is appealing.

 

Unfortunately reading this forum I have learned that Leicas have not bee used for war reporting since several decades as they are not robust compare to Nikon or Canon offerings, plus not as easy to use when under fire tryning to take the shot or change the film. The M8 and M9 has been cricised by many as unable to rapid fire in continuous mode like a Nikon or Canon is able to do, and these cameras have more advanced electronics plus more robus shutters (OK I know that Nikon uses the same supplier as Leica but the actual unit is slightly different I am told).

 

I doubt very much that spraying a heavy coat of runner would yield the reliable rugged unit needed by military, or war reporters. About the only thing it would offer is small size and great optics in a difficult to use package (for a novice at least).

 

A major drawback would be the reliability of the shutter, and rangefinder mechanism IMHO.

[earleygallery]

There is a link somewhere on this forum to photos of the Iraq war by a photographer using an M8.

 

The rangefinder wasn't a big issue for those photographers who used Leica's during WW1, WW2, and other conflicts - I guess they knew how to use cameras and weren't novices.

 

Of course there are other options to use today which weren't available then. A ruggedised Leica is likely to have little/no market. The lenses would also need the same treatment.

[eleskin]

What we really need is an add on camera armor solution by an independant manufacturer. I have noticed these protective shells for various Japanese DSLR's but none for the M8 or M9. For a $7,000 camera we should have this option. It is kind of rediculous we only have tourist camera cases and nothing for hard demanding use.

[tobey bilek]

I hate to say it but Leica M have largely lost profesional appeal, not that they don`t have some pro uses today. Amateurs don`t need it.

 

Pro`s have gone to Nikon /Canon whose better bodies are dust sealed. I saw a documentary film of a journalist in the middle east with a DSLR that was half covered with duct tape, obviously to keep out the large amount of dust always present. Leica has not seen fit to make ther M`s even water resistent. I do think the S2 has come on board with seals.

[johnastovall]

There is a link somewhere on this forum to photos of the Iraq war by a photographer using an M8.

 

The rangefinder wasn't a big issue for those photographers who used Leica's during WW1, WW2, and other conflicts - I guess they knew how to use cameras and weren't novices.

 

Of course there are other options to use today which weren't available then. A ruggedised Leica is likely to have little/no market. The lenses would also need the same treatment.

 

Who was shooting a Leica in WW1?

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[earleygallery]

Who was shooting a Leica in WW1?

 

Ooops!!

 

I've let slip, the ever so secret Leitz revolver camera! It didn't work, too much barrel distortion apparently.

[johnastovall]

Ooops!!

 

I've let slip, the ever so secret Leitz revolver camera! It didn't work, too much barrel distortion apparently.

 

LOL!!