dhsimmonds Posted August 26, 2012 Share #1 Posted August 26, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Whilst I fully understand Leica's decision to cease production of 4/3rds lenses and cameras I wonder if in hindsight and recent sensor development it was such a good decision? With the recent change by Olympus from Kodak to Sony sensor for their new micro 4/3rds OMD camera, a similar development for Leica could have been wonderful. The latest m4/3 sensors have addressed most of the previous concerns of many photographers in particular dynamic range, much higher ISO capability and resolution, all in a superbly small package. Leica 4/3 lenses are still sought after by 4/3 and m4/3 users. But then the sales volumes are much larger and I doubt if Leica could have handled such a volume judging by the long wait for M lenses. Just dreaming! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 26, 2012 Posted August 26, 2012 Hi dhsimmonds, Take a look here Leica and 4/3rds platform. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
paullgj Posted August 27, 2012 Share #2 Posted August 27, 2012 I myself would have much preferred a Leica massaging of the Panasonic GX1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 28, 2012 Share #3 Posted August 28, 2012 If Leica had stuck it out they would be in a great position now. The Sony sensor has wiped out any concerns about dynamic range and high ISO noise. To such an extent that the recently lauded Sony NEX7 has had its crown knocked off. And what with the already very high quality of 4/3 and m4/3 lenses Leica would have fitted in perfectly. But it was just too long for Leica to wait with critical advances not coming quickly enough, probably because nearly all 4/3 and m4/3 users were in fact pretty happy anyway with what they had. It was only mis-informed opinions from outside of the Olympus and Panasonic community of photographers that suggested things like larger sensors were needed that held back the wider acceptance of the system. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted August 29, 2012 Share #4 Posted August 29, 2012 I....It was only mis-informed opinions from outside of the Olympus and Panasonic community of photographers that suggested things like larger sensors were needed that held back the wider acceptance of the system. Steve I was under the impression that these cameras are very popular and successful. Is this wrong? However maybe Leica has plans to introduce their own APS EVIL camera so they do not want to be muddying the waters or competing against that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 29, 2012 Share #5 Posted August 29, 2012 Yes, Olympus and Panasonic cameras are very popular and successful. It still remains the fact that their regular critic's have never used one, which says something about the critic, and something about the reality of competing with Nikon, Canon and Sony and the erroneous perceptions about image quality between the various systems that are assumed to be facts. That so many people who try an m4/3 camera stick with it despite hearing the regular call of 'I need a FF sensor' or 'only APS-C is good enough for me' shows that they know something the critic's don't. As for Leica introducing their own popular EVIL camera, that is a massive step that Leica haven't achieved yet as a manufacturer. You could say the M3 was just about an affordable mid-range camera, the S2 is an expensive niche high end camera, and everything else has been an updated model or if new an obvious collaboration with somebody else. Not much of a track record upon which to launch a whole new system of their own devising. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 29, 2012 Share #6 Posted August 29, 2012 Leica pulled out of the 4/3 market after the poor sales of the Digilux 3. I didn't see the point myself, the camera was huge, larger than a DLSR with a bigger better sensor. Micro 4/3 is much better - advantages in sizes of bodies and lenses, but just as with the FF DSLR market it's probably too saturated now for Leica to compete in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruiespanhol Posted August 29, 2012 Share #7 Posted August 29, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I myself would have much preferred a Leica massaging of the Panasonic GX1. I have one GX1 and love it. It takes great pictures whit Lumix lenses as well as whit my Leica lenses. On small camera whit Big quality;) Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicanut2 Posted August 31, 2012 Share #8 Posted August 31, 2012 I have one GX1 and love it.It takes great pictures whit Lumix lenses as well as whit my Leica lenses. On small camera whit Big quality;) Best Sold the GX1 ( very good camera ) for the OM-D and just got the panny 12-35mm wonderfull lens on the OM-D my only camera and lens at the moment. Still waiting to see what Leica offers this Photokina, I still want a Leica, but looking for a small camera that has more lens options and that will fit in coat pocket. Built in viewfinder a must, auto focus for this old guy would also be great. Priced AROUND the same as the OM-D... Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptomsu Posted September 1, 2012 Share #9 Posted September 1, 2012 Sold the GX1 ( very good camera ) for the OM-D and just got the panny 12-35mm wonderfull lens on the OM-D my only camera and lens at the moment. Still waiting to see what Leica offers this Photokina, I still want a Leica, but looking for a small camera that has more lens options and that will fit in coat pocket. Built in viewfinder a must, auto focus for this old guy would also be great. Priced AROUND the same as the OM-D... Jan Well, all sounds pretty reasonable - except the price! If Leica brings what else camera, it will be for sure at least 4 times the price of an OM-D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 1, 2012 Share #10 Posted September 1, 2012 You only need to look at the results of a Digilux 3 to see why Leica decided to pull out. I don't know what they were thinking when they built it I was carrying a Digilux2 at Photokina2006 when I first saw one and was horrified. And yes, I own and use one even now. However you are right that the system has come a long way. If Leica had stuck it out they would be in a great position now. The Sony sensor has wiped out any concerns about dynamic range and high ISO noise. To such an extent that the recently lauded Sony NEX7 has had its crown knocked off. And what with the already very high quality of 4/3 and m4/3 lenses Leica would have fitted in perfectly. But it was just too long for Leica to wait with critical advances not coming quickly enough, probably because nearly all 4/3 and m4/3 users were in fact pretty happy anyway with what they had. It was only mis-informed opinions from outside of the Olympus and Panasonic community of photographers that suggested things like larger sensors were needed that held back the wider acceptance of the system. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicanut2 Posted September 1, 2012 Share #11 Posted September 1, 2012 Well, all sounds pretty reasonable - except the price! If Leica brings what else camera, it will be for sure at least 4 times the price of an OM-D Ha, I know OM-D price is 1,000 with no lens I am sure Leica would be at least around 2,500 funny I paid less than that for my MP new the year it came out. I miss that one but eyes are not what they use to be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted September 7, 2012 Share #12 Posted September 7, 2012 I wonder if Leica caught wind of this new Fuji EX-1 and it foiled their plans for the EVIL camera that was in development. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted October 21, 2012 Share #13 Posted October 21, 2012 4/3 is another dead format like 110, 127 , APS, films. If you can not make a profit on it, it has to go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjh Posted October 21, 2012 Share #14 Posted October 21, 2012 Actually (Micro) FourThirds is alive and well. That doesn’t change Leica’s stance, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhsimmonds Posted November 1, 2012 Author Share #15 Posted November 1, 2012 Yes the m4/3rds platform is very alive and very well with some stunning new cameras and lenses from both Panasonic and Olympus. The little weatherproof Olympus OMD is a particularly fine camera with an excellent and expanding range of Zuiko micro 4/3rds lenses. Sony is supporting Olympus and we shall see more from this partnership soon in my opinion. Something this light and small should not produce such wonderful images IMHO! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted November 1, 2012 Share #16 Posted November 1, 2012 Long ago Leica said they would be announcing a compact camera system at Photokina this year using a APS-C style sensor. They have recently backtracked and said they never intended to do any such thing, saying Amateur Photographer and The British Journal of Photography mis-quoted them, something the magazines deny. But perhaps it just means they are not going to introduce a camera with an APS-C sensor ................. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheikhrafiq79 Posted November 12, 2012 Share #17 Posted November 12, 2012 the 4/3 system is not good for pro photographer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted November 12, 2012 Share #18 Posted November 12, 2012 Now that's just rubbish... It is a competent platform with exceptional glass, and I write as one with no current investment in the system. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 13, 2012 Share #19 Posted November 13, 2012 the 4/3 system is not good for pro photographer. Most people who buy Leica aren't pro photographers. The Panasonic 20mm f1.7 - the only mico 4/3 lens I own - is an excellent performer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhsimmonds Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted November 16, 2012 I have the Pana Leica 45mm macro. It also has a very fine performance as both a nice 90mm portrait as well as a true macro 1/1 lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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