Video mode on future M

[35mmSummicron]

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Again, I think if the implementation (IE: quick, reliable UI) and the quality of the video footage from a hypothetical digital Leica M was well done, there would be a user base interested in shooting with it. Third party rigs etc. would follow suit.

 

For example, I think Panasonic has done an AMAZING job integrating 1080i HD video into their GH1.

 

Now just think how amazing that technology would be in a FF Leica M.

[Eastgreenlander]

I can see that i've really stepped on some purists toes, posting this video feature section how know what might be in the future M but saying that it is technological impossible is just naive to state. We might be a hole different sensor type all together on a future M.

[stunsworth]

I remember when leica officially stated that it would never be possible with an FF digital M. Technology evolve, and has done so.

 

I don't remember them saying that. I think what was said was that a full frame M was impossible at that point in time. Which as a matter of fact it was.

[adan]

For me, it still boils down to: there is not a single imaging medium that is simultaneously "best" for stills and motion.

 

Interline CCD and CMOS are very nice for video (I've shot JVC 3-CCD interline - incredible rich color that single-chip Bayer-filtered cameras still can't match, and Panny and Canon CMOS). I prefer straight full-frame-transfer CCD for stills (triple CCD would be nice, but bulky and ungodly expensive with big sensors).

 

In film days, I shot a little Seattle Film Works film (35mm motion picture color neg film loaded for still shooting, and processed and printed as positive transparency just like Hollywood does it). Compared to Kodachrome or Fujichrome slide film for stills it was junk (IMHO). A fine medium for winning Oscars, though.

 

"'Wouldn't we all be much more creative if we could use our Sinars 9x12 for the taking of videos? Think of the possibilities of - say - perspective corrected movies at 27.5 fps!"

 

Actually, in that Zacuto Shootout - the sample movie at the end, shot fully with a 5D2, is obviously making use of Canon TS lenses to change the focus plane in some shots (Kind of a nice effect). There's no way in hell I'd shoot a 5D2 for anything the M9 can handle - but it is a pretty nice movie camera in the right hands.

 

Me - I shoot a GH-1 for video (less rolling shutter effect than the Nikons and Canons, M lenses or anything else I want to adapt to it), a CCD-based M9 for stills through 135mm, and now a 5D(1) for when I really need 250mm or 400mm Leica lenses on FF digital (the amount I shoot in that range, I can work around the cr**py color from the CMOS - and the big finder and R-mount capability are a plus).

[Eastgreenlander]

It would be a divorce for me..

 

Jaapv, I find this comments interesting, in the sense that you would sell all of your Ms or dislike all Leica's if Video mode was on a future M. I see this with DSLR shooters when video was introduced "what are we suppose to do with video". Just see Thom Hogan Thom Hogan's Nikon Field Guide and Nikon Flash Guide He really disliked or still does the introduction of video in DSRLs. But we see that many users buy Canon 5DM2 for the video capabilities only and there are many that just shoot stills with their copy without ever touching video features are happy just the same. I saw annoyance among photographers when 5DM2 was announced because of the video features. Canon 5DM2 is designed for taking stills. Video is a add on feature that many use and like. This would function great on a future M IMO.

[Peter H]

I can see that i've really stepped on some purists toes, posting this video feature section .

 

I detect a note of light-hearted self-satisfaction here, as though this were a bold challenge to an out-dated way of thinking with an adventurous new radicalism.

 

But surely an M9 is about the most radical digital camera currently available (excepting perhaps some, not all, medium-to-large format stuff) in that it dares to concentrate on trying to excel at its main job without compromise. The radical way ahead id not to follow the DSLR path but to develop the M9 in ways that improve its unique qualities.

 

By all means make a video-capable M if it offers genuine technological advantages over the current DSLRs, but alongside the M9, not as an replacement-update.

 

Peter H

[Eastgreenlander]

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I detect a note of light-hearted self-satisfaction here, as though this were a bold challenge to an out-dated way of thinking with an adventurous new radicalism.

 

But surely an M9 is about the most radical digital camera currently available (excepting perhaps some, not all, medium-to-large format stuff) in that it dares to concentrate on trying to excel at its main job without compromise. The radical way ahead id not to follow the DSLR path but to develop the M9 in ways that improve its unique qualities.

 

By all means make a video-capable M if it offers genuine technological advantages over the current DSLRs, but alongside the M9, not as an replacement-update.

 

Peter H

 

ok but just a little self-satisfaction M9 is the best camera i've ever had. I love using it. You're right: This post, as you mention it, is "adventurous new radicalism" against "out-dated way of thinking" and your are spot on of your description that the M9 is a radical digital camera without compromise and your´e also probably right that it would never be a replacement update.

 

heres the two videos i've shot show far on my 5DM2 within 2 weeks:

 

by Per .net

 

They are not great videos and there is plenty of room for improvement. The color suck and the editing are not the best. I did not plan shooting the clips. I happened to have my 5DM2 + 50MM 1.4 and a pan/tilt tripod in my jeep. It was spontaneous sequences. That what I like about the possibilities on VDRF. Video Digital Range Finder. Video is a nice way to expand your creativity. I always seek a new learning curve and video is it. I just wish it was with a Leica video camera with M lenses.

[Eastgreenlander]

by Per .net

[Eastgreenlander]

I don't remember them saying that. I think what was said was that a full frame M was impossible at that point in time. Which as a matter of fact it was.

 

Yes you might be right, sorry. But my point is just the same. Don´t say future technology is unrealistic. I see video feature as a real future option to implement to an M, popular are not popular among users is another thing.

[neli]

I' have taken over 6000 frames with my M9. I love M for the simplicity. No, adding video would only complicate the menu system and add one botton! Not the process of taking a image! New button to live view, set button to record.

 

can we please have the set button on the right side, inside the 4 cursor type buttons, please?

[Eastgreenlander]

Wouldn't we all be much more creative if we could use our Sinars 9x12 for the taking of videos? Think of the possibilities of - say - perspective corrected movies at 27.5 fps!

 

What I really mean to say, of course, is that creativity does not result from adapting apparatus which is optimal for one task to another task where it is marginally suited, at best.

 

 

Well said!

[jaapv]

Jaapv, I find this comments interesting, in the sense that you would sell all of your Ms or dislike all Leica's if Video mode was on a future M. I see this with DSLR shooters when video was introduced "what are we suppose to do with video". Just see Thom Hogan Thom Hogan's Nikon Field Guide and Nikon Flash Guide He really disliked or still does the introduction of video in DSRLs. But we see that many users buy Canon 5DM2 for the video capabilities only and there are many that just shoot stills with their copy without ever touching video features are happy just the same. I saw annoyance among photographers when 5DM2 was announced because of the video features. Canon 5DM2 is designed for taking stills. Video is a add on feature that many use and like. This would function great on a future M IMO.

It simply means it would be a reason for me to stick to the M9 and not move to such an M10. I have an aversion to feauture bloat. I would not have moved to the 5DII for the same reason, assuming I would have bought a 5D in the first place. Just see : http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/camera/page168/page168.html

[Eastgreenlander]

It simply means it would be a reason for me to stick to the M9 and not move to such an M10. I have an aversion to feauture bloat. I would not have moved to the 5DII for the same reason, assuming I would have bought a 5D in the first place. Just see : M9 final verdict

 

 

Jaap, I just checked your website and you are a amazing photographer and a lot more knowledgeable technically then me. I also check Erwin Puts site final verdict stuff, but did not read it. I don't like to read philosophy on M and therefore avoid Erwin Puts "verdict". I like to see pictures, my own and other peoples, not talk about them. I like to explore my own abilities and the abilities of a camera and as we both know the cameras in the M series relays on the user. I never dismiss creative possibilities and new features. I don't like DSLR because they are big and clumsy. I like M9 because very simple in use, compact and extremely good quality. It just seem so strange for me that you would dismiss "video M" camera because of a added feature you had the option not to use. Like 5DM2 It would not interfere of your process of taken a picture. Is "video feature" a fear? what is it about video to recent? What is it about feature bloat that is so bad? I guess you can perhaps qualify to the group of photographers thats feeling the world of photography is changing but without changing your self. I can only laugh of Erwin Puts article about the "Photography does not exist anymore" does not exist is a perfect example of one of those person. I know he basically feel that photography has become mainstream and so have the pictures after the introduction of digital sensor. Photography has become accessible for everyone and became even more accessible after the introduction video and that has only added sales, especially Canon.

 

http://www.byper.net Please check my website, Jaab. Im not a great photographer but I like to explore my creativity and I enjoy it. I hope it shines thru in my images. If it doesn't, I just had some fun photographing and that is whats its all about in the end.

[TDR]

I really do wish that my Leica shot video. It would make my life easier if I could use my M8 (soon M9, I hope) to get some motion for the multi-media work I do. It's not a matter of shooting birthday videos. (Whoever said that is truly naive.) Canon has really distinguished itself by adding video, and Nikon is trying to catch up. If Leica wants to make the perfect "reportage" camera, it needs to add video to the M.

 

Timothy

[potratz]

I have to say if Leica was to put video capability in an M e.g. M10 I would not purchase it and they would lose me as a Leica fanatic.

 

In my book they would not any longer be special, unique and willing to forge a different path...they would just have become one of the sheep following the Japanese camera market.

 

I hope Leica does a good job in customer research and surveys before they make any drastic changes "Mistakes" since I feel strongly they will find out many Leica owners would also not want Video or Autofocus in the M.

[digitalfx]

http://www.byper.net Please check my website, Jaab. Im not a great photographer but I like to explore my creativity and I enjoy it. I hope it shines thru in my images. If it doesn't, I just had some fun photographing and that is whats its all about in the end.

 

Dont underrate yourself, very nice work!!

[AlanG]

In order for the M to shoot videos, live view would be necessary. Based on the brou ha ha of previous threads... you really don't want to go there. I think Leica should just scrap the whole idea of digital photography.

[k-hawinkler]

Per,

 

I always enjoy your images, including your dpreview posts.

 

Thanks, K-H.

[diogenis]

I think Leica need to keep doing what it does, Ms Xs and Ss, and let others like phone manufacturers take on video. And if one wants pro results buy one of those miniscule HD cams available. Nothing can beat that in quality: both in stills and movie.

Next we will ask Leica to add GSM radio on Ms

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Eastgreenlander]

I think Leica need to keep doing what it does, Ms Xs and Ss, and let others like phone manufacturers take on video. And if one wants pro results buy one of those miniscule HD cams available. Nothing can beat that in quality: both in stills and movie.

Next we will ask Leica to add GSM radio on Ms

 

Phone manufacturers? try to look what can be done with a VDSLR http://www.cinema5d.com/videolog/?page_id=124 imagine leica glass instead and a 35mm sensor and you would have a amazing DOF. Of course you have a point that Leica has success in stills and has evolved into digital but when it becomes technically possible to put video inside M without intruding the process of taken stills, why not? Does it loose some of its status as a photographic specialty tool?