Photokina 2010 Predictions

[Kyler.]

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Hi everyone, as Photokina is just around the corner, lets hear what everyone thinks Leica will be releasing.

 

Thanks,

Kyle

[mjh]

Everyone would be surprised if there shouldn’t be two new Panaleicas – with Panasonic replacing the LX3 and FZ50, Leica introducing successors of the D-Lux 4 and V-Lux 1 should be a safe bet. Apart from that (M9.2? X2? An adequate solution for R lenses?), nobody really knows.

[adan]

Leica introducing successors of the D-Lux 4 and V-Lux 1 should be a safe bet.

 

However, Leica has also introduced the V-Lux 20 already, and two V-Luxes may be overkill - OTOH the V-Lux 1 sold very well.

 

Leica is not out there generating "buzz" the way they did for 9/9/09, so it may turn out to be a quiet year.

 

The most interesting "news" may be the answers Leica gives - if any - to the questions being collected in the Customer Forum for a private Q&A between the forum operators and Leica brass. Rather than a live product.

[mooky]

FF R solution - shown at least - available when? They've thrown out a few hints, it seems that many companies have said or shown what they're bringing except Leica...which they have done before and had a quiet 'kina.

 

But hey have a hive-full of impatient R bees buzzing about. They know what's at stake, lets see how they respond.

[mjh]

They've thrown out a few hints, it seems that many companies have said or shown what they're bringing except Leica...which they have done before and had a quiet 'kina.

We haven’t heard much from Nikon, Olympus, or Pentax either, and what’s new from Panasonic and Samsung is still under NDA, or so I’ve heard. Would anybody care about all those press conferences on September 20 and 21 if there was nothing new to be unveiled?

 

But as far as the adequate solution for R lenses is concerned, there have been no official hints for quite some time now, so we will have to wait and see whether something will materialize – and if so, when.

[John Thawley]

We haven’t heard much from Nikon, Olympus, or Pentax either, and what’s new from Panasonic and Samsung is still under NDA, or so I’ve heard. Would anybody care about all those press conferences on September 20 and 21 if there was nothing new to be unveiled?

 

But as far as the adequate solution for R lenses is concerned, there have been no official hints for quite some time now, so we will have to wait and see whether something will materialize – and if so, when.

 

Maybe would should start an 'office' betting pool on how much of the news and how many of the press/product announcements include the word "HD Video" capabilities.

[mjh]

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Maybe would should start an 'office' betting pool on how much of the news and how many of the press/product announcements include the word "HD Video" capabilities.

This year’s photokina will be the last before any mention of HD video capabilities is relegated to the small print as everyone will be taking those for granted.

[John.of.Gaunt]

Unfortunately, after a short conversation with my Leica dealer today, I do not think that anything really surprising will be released at photokina. As far as I heard are all production capabilities focued on M9, M-Lenses and the S2 and S-Lenses. From my perspective, there is still too much to do before the S2 system will be an sustainable success and too less capabilites for a third system. All items (lenses, Body...) of the S2 system have to be avaliable for purchase, otherwise real professionals can hardly use the system. Leica has to sell the body before it is outdated, but to sell the body, they have to produce it.

 

In consequence, the best I hope for is that they announce at Photokina what their "R10" strategy will be to close the gap in their portfolio between S2 and M9. I do not expect that we will see a prototype or something similar, probably most of the details will remain a secret. There might be some "news" about PanLeicas, but thats not really interesting.

 

Best

J

[mooky]

If that's true, that would be a major shot in Leica's foot which may lead to those R digital waiters to bail-out and move on and leave Leica with having to find new clients to replace what left the fold.....a somewhat risky maneuver.

 

Not to discount your Leica dealer, but they are aren't always let on until a week or so before - but again, who knows. I still think something's coming or will be shown. Though Leica sales are positive, they'll need more than what they have to stay that way as M9 sales will level off and the S2 was never really meant to be a big profit maker. The market is just to fluid to be sitting back....IMO

[jankap]

Strategies are not round, if a CEO is replaced.

Jan

[John.of.Gaunt]

Yes, if you replace your CEO again, after intention to select one that lasts longer, this can only be considered as a sign of serious circumstances. Since there is no huge loss reported and the M9 Sales are going well, there is only a bad running S2 or missed "R10" strategy that could cost a CEO...

 

We will see. At least, they have to get the intention on the world wide press... They will tell or show something...

[JeTexas]

D-LUX 5 is guaranteed.

 

Some kind of X1 lens accessory -- maybe a teleconverter or macro converter.

 

A new lens for the M9.

 

 

A longshot would be a Panasonic-based 4/3 with interchangeable lenses.

[UliWer]

 

 

A new lens for the M9....

 

The the list for M-lenses is already overcrowded.

 

If any rumours on Leica Rumours are true we should rather look forward for an old lens in new design. I am still wondering if it will be called Elmar or Summicron. Some say "Anastigmat", but I don't think they will opt for a name, only a few people have ever heard of.

[therbert]

The the list for M-lenses is already overcrowded.

 

If any rumours on Leica Rumours are true we should rather look forward for an old lens in new design. I am still wondering if it will be called Elmar or Summicron. Some say "Anastigmat", but I don't think they will opt for a name, only a few people have ever heard of.

 

Perhaps there will be a new 21mm M lens, something like the 24mm f3.8, but in 21mm focal length.

[masjah]

The the list for M-lenses is already overcrowded.

 

If any rumours on Leica Rumours are true we should rather look forward for an old lens in new design. I am still wondering if it will be called Elmar or Summicron. Some say "Anastigmat", but I don't think they will opt for a name, only a few people have ever heard of.

 

Just as long as it isn't a Thanbar?

[UliWer]

Perhaps there will be a new 21mm M lens, something like the 24mm f3.8, but in 21mm focal length.

 

I am almost sure that there won't be anything like this. They have their own Wate, the Elmarit and the Summilux with 21mm; Zeiss and Voigtländers have at least four more. There isn't much space for the 7 already existing 21mm lenses on the market, just the gap in the Leica list between the 18 and 24 Elmars is no sufficient reason to present another on.

[UliWer]

Just as long as it isn't a Thanbar?

 

Why not? We already have had a plea for a new Berg-Elmar.

[lct]

I see a Summilux 28 in my crystal ball.

[elansprint72]

I see a Summilux 28 in my crystal ball.

 

I see a load of wistful rubbish on my monitor.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[John.of.Gaunt]

Does it realy make sense for Leica release NOW a new camera system? The technology for the EVF is still in an early stage, the Leica customers are crazy about the M9, the prduction facility running crazy because of the backlog, customers are hating Leica for the slow delivery and former R-user are lost in space.

 

What would make sense: An announcement of a really new, maybe revolutionary camera system, focused on the future (EVF, otimized for pictures and film, small, in combination with quality and Leica style, what ever). But is now the time for that, can Leica be really a good first mover? I doubt that, it might be clever to wait and see what customers want and follow the first movers with a solution focused on quality.

 

And as a long term plan. Leica will keep an M-X or digital MP is their base portfolio like now with the analog ones. But in addition to that, they will develop an independent new camera system. I hope they will take the time needed to create a good new system.

 

The reason that not on clear rumor about the new system went through the net is probably, because there is no new system yet.

 

Few days to go, we will see...