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Compact interchangeable lens camera coming 09/12


andybarton

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All discussion points to the fundamental changes to to the M Leica Rangefinder, and such would occur, I will after over fifty years cease purchase and interest in the M.

 

Today I still use the Leica M from model M4 to M9, and obsolete Linhoff Super Technika (a RF camera) WWII Super Ikontas (also RF cameras).

 

The last damned thing I need is a Leica M that is not really an M, but some kind of after-the-exposure focus gizmo. I want the simple objective of showing what I was focusing upon. Making a pint. Leaving the digital manics to their own devices.

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All discussion points to the fundamental changes to to the M Leica Rangefinder

Not at all. This thread is about a new system; the M system will continue to exist. I trust there will be substantial development within the M system, but it won’t change its character as a rangefinder system.

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It could be named X2

What would the successor of the X1 be called then? Since the X1 is a compact camera it is unlikely that a new camera system would share the same designation.

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I don't see any contradiction in developing the X-1 into several different "X" cameras based on the same underlying sensor style and electronics. In fact, I've always assumed the X-1 was a technology-development platform - an "S2" from the bottom up rather than top down.

 

Panasonic has G cameras with built-in EVFs - and G cameras without built-in EVFs. They didn't have to come up with a new initial letter when adding the non-EVF GF-1 to the existing EVF GH-1/2.

 

Or take the "Digilux" designation, which was developed over several rather different camera styles, including the addition of IC lenses and a quadrupling of the sensor area in the Digilux 3.

 

I would not be surprised to see the X-1 (fixed single focal length), an X-2 (fixed zoom), and an X-3 (interchangeable lenses, eye-level EVF).

 

X-1v/X-2v would add Panasonic-style connections for an optional EVF as well as any other developments within their niches.

 

If the interchangeable-lens version has a flange-sensor distance under 27mm (and, as Michael says, why would it be longer?) - it will take M lenses (and R) - whether Leica mentions it or not. Anyone with a machine shop (Novoflex, Fotodiox) will be able to produce M-to-X and R-to-X adapters.

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I recall after the very understandable disappointment from the R10 cancellation that Leica Camera commented that they would no longer discuss possible future products systems until they were close to release.

 

In light of that I was really surprised to read these comments (really just broad ideas) by Dr Kaufmann now.

 

Of course it is his company and he is entitled to do whatever he wants!

Maybe this thread will set a record for longevity and size then.

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I don't see any contradiction in developing the X-1 into several different "X" cameras based on the same underlying sensor style and electronics. In fact, I've always assumed the X-1 was a technology-development platform - an "S2" from the bottom up rather than top down.

We don’t really know whether the new system will be based around an APS-C sensor. And as to the electronics … wasn’t the S2 supposed to be the technology platform? I don’t see the X1 filling that role. It was certainly never touted as such.

 

Panasonic has G cameras with built-in EVFs - and G cameras without built-in EVFs.

Only we aren’t talking about cameras with built-in EVFs vs. those with optional EVFs, both belonging to the same system, but about the much more fundamental distinction between a compact camera and a camera system.

 

Or take the "Digilux" designation, which was developed over several rather different camera styles, including the addition of IC lenses and a quadrupling of the sensor area in the Digilux 3.

These are all Panasonic models with their own native designations; Leica had to come up with a naming scheme avoiding a proliferation of different designations with maybe just one model per letter – you would use up the alphabet pretty quickly that way. As a result a ‘Digilux’ could really be anything; you would only be sure it was the current top-of-the-line offering of those Leica models built by Panasonic.

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No you don't think, don't want to think so, or know. I am with you in terms of believing this will be a Leica through and through, and believe it could be a real game changer in terms of their position in the professional camera world. But I don't know that to be true, and reading the specs on the G3 makes me wonder whether the 2012 Leica will be a derivative of that camera. Hope you are right, because if it is as hoped I would definitely buy it.

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[... snip good article ...]

If the interchangeable-lens version has a flange-sensor distance under 27mm (and, as Michael says, why would it be longer?) - it will take M lenses (and R) - whether Leica mentions it or not. Anyone with a machine shop (Novoflex, Fotodiox) will be able to produce M-to-X and R-to-X adapters.

 

There had better be some vast improvement of the focus over the Lumix G* system of manual focusing. With manual lenses, one usually has to focus wide-open (or nearly), then use the Zoom feature of the finder to make exact focus, then unzoom (optional) but stop down manually for the final shot. This is so difficult with the Lumix G* because the zoom is part of the wheel which is tiny, is right against one's face (when focusing through viewfinder). It is horrible.

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This quote from the article is interesting (although potentially just lost in translation, as other bits of the article):

 

"Both executives declined to provide more details about the new system, but hinted that the electronic viewfinder used will depend on the sensor selected. "

 

This makes for happy fantasizing for a different take on Ricoh's GXR system, a shrinkage of common designs in MF or an design extension of the venerable DMR into a smaller system.

Now fantasize further in the new system having a modified M-mount (still compatible with MF M lenses), and give possibility of an exchangeable sensor, making potentially possible a full frame sensor for the new system … :D

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This will be a Leica, just as the X1 is, not a Panasonic. It will probably be made in the same factory as the X1, with the same partners.

 

The chances of either some kind of DMR bastard-offspring, or exchangeable sensors is zero, IMHO.

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"Both executives declined to provide more details about the new system, but hinted that the electronic viewfinder used will depend on the sensor selected. "

 

This refers to the sensor Leica selects for the camera. A CMOS or a CCD, manufactured by Kodak, Panasonic, Sony, etc, etc. Nothing else.

Carl

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