Time for a Poll ?

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I will wait until I can see what the pictures from the new sensor looks like.

 

I would love to have higher ISO capability than the M9. Weather sealing sounds handy.

 

But if the sensor does not perform, I'd rather buy a Monocrom to get the high ISO.

[marknorton]

I've ordered one today paid a deposit, and on the basis that you might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb, included the 50mm Summicron ASPH which is a gem to behold as well.

 

I think the camera will do classic M stuff well, maybe not better, but it's what else it can do which I am interested in.

[Rick]

Yes, I'm number 2 at my dealer.

 

Hopefully, a little better sensor. I wouldn't be surprised if Leica pulls off a really nice sensor. Live view for travel and wide lenses is going to be welcome. R adapter and focus peeking is going to be real nice. I like video. The other changes seem to fall into the category of making the otherwise wonderful M9, better.

 

Best of all, I don't need a DSLR anymore for long lenses and R-lenses and don't need to carry a phone for video anymore and I really don't need to pack external finders for vacation either and won't have to carry a spare battery(s) in my pocket. Freedom and simplicity at last.

 

I know that some here will view this camera as adding way to much to the simplicity of the classic M9. They probably view the new M like this picture.

 

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[efreed2754]

Ordered my M today from Dale Photo along with R adapter for now.

 

The new Msomething hit my major wish list of 1) Higher ISO for concert work; 2) Focus aids for these older eyes -- M9 never focused as well as my M7; 3) Solutions for my R lenses which I held out for with hope; Maestro and 24MP are just gravy

 

So overall pleased with Leica's solution. Have little interest in video but don't have to use it so if it helps sell more M's all the better.

 

Having used Leica with Visoflex and Leicaflex since early 1970s am delighted can continue my passion in the digital world. There's a lot more to like than not.

 

Ed

[Printmaker]

I'm very happy with my M9 and do not lust for one of the new cameras. But I feel the need of a second body. I've been saving for a MM but if a nice M9 or M9P pops up used at $3,900, I'll scoop it up.

 

Down the line, I may change my mind. Weatherproofing (though I've never had a problem with either my M8 or M9) would be nice. Live view and movies? Frankly, I don't know. It might be nice but I use my iPhone for the few movie clips I shoot and a DSLR for my macro and long telephoto work. So these new cameras do not stir that: "Wow! That's exactly what I need. I have to have one emotion."

[Simon Bee]

I'm getting on the 'pre order' list tomorrow, plan to use it primarily with the following "R" lenses :-

 

19mm V2 ROM / 28 Elmarit ROM ( B/I hood ) / 50 Summicron ROM / 90 Elmarit 3 cam ( last version ) if it will work / 180 F3.4 APO ROM / 280 F4 APO 3 cam

 

Will most likely sell off my Olympus pro gear .... E5 , 14-35 F2 / 35-100 F2 / 150 F2 SHG lenses to help fund it. As much as I love the Oly lenses I admit I do prefer my Leica's .

[lm_user]

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I am going to wait for the ostrich skin special edition:rolleyes:

[darylgo]

The sensor and a few other issues are keeping me from ordering. The M9 sensor is what attracted me back to Leica and there is no information or samples posted yet to judge the new CMOS. As I think about the EVF I am not sure I want to leave my viewfinder/rangefinder and use this for more accurate focus, I see a slower workflow and if not precise then manual focus may be similar to AF hunting. Focusing with 10x zoom requires extra steps and the whole process may consume more time than shoot, tweak and shoot with a rangefinder.

[Bill W]

I do like the weather sealing since I shoot primarily outdoors and the lager sensor but will keep my M9 and hopefully M Monochrom. I am not a video taker and have never liked liveview. I am trying to retire next year and need to start economizing at some point.

[CalArts 99]

I think Leica did a commendable job of appealing to all sides by emphasizing 'traditional' through the M-E and by releasing the M which now has what most of the current competition offers and with FF and a native Leica lens mount. In addition, they made owners of R lenses not feel completely abandoned. My hat's off to Leica.

 

But I'll keep my M9 until it dies. I moved from the film M to the M9 only because I wanted the same form factor and simplicity but in digital form and with decent IQ. High ISO and LCD screen doesn't matter to me (400 ISO film was it for me.) And I use it as though it were a film camera (no chimping, etc..)

 

The M I don't need since my D3s does everything the M can do and a lot more (plus a 100% optical WYSIWYG viewfinder), despite it's weight and size (although the D3s is actually more ergonomic in the end.) It's just like in the 'old days' of film when we had both the M and a SLR to fill in for the drawbacks of each system.

 

As for video, when I want to do video I use a real video camera and with an external sound recorder. In my case, I also use 16mm film with a digital sound recorder and telecine the film to high quality HD digital. For fun, an iPhone or small point and shoot can do what the M Leica can do. Post processing in Avid or Final Cut can make things good and professional. But audio quality is always an issue and that's where the real differences can be realized.

 

When the time comes to replace my M9 I'll probably choose whatever 'traditionalist' version they'll be offering. But by that time there will be lots of mirrorless options to choose from, including full frame versions. And this is where Leica will have their work cut out for them. They're up against a big industry with lots of resources and R+D money. The difference between using the M and a Sony (which could also use M or R lenses) may no longer be important as the competition has already recognized the value of the M form factor. Consumers will have more options in the coming years and Leica will need to fight hard to keep its user base (and expand to new consumers as the base dies off.) It may be that some kind of a 'traditional' version of the M camera is really the ace in their hand, who knows......

[UliWer]

I am confident that my M9 will last until the Model post-240 is in production. Then I will think again. The concept of the new M is interesting; we'll see how it works in practice - even if I shall never like nor ever make videos.

 

In the meantime I spare some money for the forthcoming 3.5/5cm Elmar-M Apo-Asph. which is the only Leica product I urgently need.

[MarkP]

I've ordered the M in silver chrome (I already have an M9 and am waiting for my MM):

1. Improved colour high-ISO.

2. Maestro.

3. Option of live-view/EVF for occasional use (I also see it as a way to efficiently help learn/check the focussing idiosyncrasies of more demanding lenses).

4. Video () for very occasional use as the family like it (and I can dump that stupid Canon video camera).

5. Weather sealing (used the M9 in rain just the night before the M was announced and was bemoaning the lack of weather/dust seals) - not that it helps with the unsealed lenses.

6. And all of the extras being unobtrusive (except for a few buttons) for when I don't want to use them.

 

There is plenty of time for information about the new sensor to trickle out (I hope).

 

I don't have a big Canon or Nikon so having it in one camera body with the occasionally used options being unobtrusive makes it very convenient and versatile.

 

I may well sell the M9, but the MM will stay to satisfy my 'purist' urges - best of both worlds for me.

[Ecaton]

My M9 will not be replaced as long as it works and as long as it can be repaired at reasonable cost.

[Rolo]

The model naming is ridiculous. I've been a Leica M shooter since 1982 and will continue to be a Leica M shooter with my various film and digital Ms. I'll also continue to a member of the various Leica M Groups on Flickr and photo.net.

 

Whilst the features of the Leica-CMOS were predictable, the new sensor obviously had to be taken advantage of and I wish Leica well with this heavyweight. I had video and Live View on a Canon Pro Series camera that I sold to fund my second M9-P. I never used the features with the Canon and don't need them now. Others may. I also saw clear advantages in image quality from the CCD sensor.

 

With £5k for the M-CMOS body, £1+k for the EVF and £500+ maybe for the R adapter, I can think of few R lens owners that will see this as an R solution when compared with the excellent CaNikon solutions. Time will tell, but no one here is clapping for the R fix it seems.

 

Not seen any mention yet, but will the R adapter enable R lenses to be connected to the M9 and M8 ? Using scale focus plus LCD review may work adequately for close-up, wide angle and long lenses with static subjects.

[luigi bertolotti]

Who will buy the M

Who likes the functions ( by function EVF, Liveview. R adapter, video, GPS, grip etc)

Who was pleased with announcement of he M

Who was dissapointed with announcement of the M

 

Thoughts ?

 

- I probably will buy it ; (at the present time, M8 only); I'll wait for feedbacks, for some months. Need assurances on lifecycle... my M8 is fine but the recent news about its (partial) unrepairability has worried me significantly about Leica's policies about.

 

- EVF : very welcome if will prove good

- Liveview : nice to have - can be useful (some or many times, I don't know... never used)

- R adapter : not significant for me (apart ONE lens...)

- Video : don't care of... never used any videocamera, only phone and just to play...

- GPS/grip : boh ? Surely an accessory I won't buy

- So, obviously I am pleased of the announcement...

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Put me down as one who loves the concept of the new camera but who is going to wait until I see it in the flesh. I want to see what the new sensor can do and how the slightly bigger camera feels in the hand. If it starts to feel like an SLR, well, I already have on of those. But if it still feels like an M.....

 

Gordon

[luigi bertolotti]

Not seen any mention yet, but will the R adapter enable R lenses to be connected to the M9 and M8 ? Using scale focus plus LCD review may work adequately for close-up, wide angle and long lenses with static subjects.

 

Indeed Leitz did make an R lenses to M adapter years ago (22228) ... it could be used on M8/9 with the obvious limitations on focusing... I think that in the forum some pics were posted taken with this combo (I seem to remember some taken with the 19mm for R... maybe also with the 16mm fisheye...)

[sblutter]

As a big macro user who exhibits prints 72" wide, I can't wait for super accurate focusing. I tinkered forever with Viso III's but only got to 'good enough' stopped too far down for every situation.

 

Will finally sell off a bunch of old stuff and the 9 when the M(240?) is delivered - will be very little out of pocket for a tool that will exceed my needs for years (ever?).

 

With higher rez files and photoshop continually improving, I think I'll be done (but haven't we all said that before!).

 

Maybe I'll even go out in the rain for the 1st time since the non-electronic tanks, M3 / M4.

 

Am pre-ordering for sure.

[IkarusJohn]

I am confident that my M9 will last until the Model post-240 is in production. Then I will think again. The concept of the new M is interesting; we'll see how it works in practice - even if I shall never like nor ever make videos.

 

I think the M camera is brilliant - apparently (hopefully) improved sensor, weather sealing, live view, video etc.

 

But, all my lenses work with my M9 (there is colour shift with the Distagon 15mm, which will probably still be an issue with the new M camera, but I will use that lens with the Monochrom), and I don't do video, macro or long telephoto (I don't have any R lenses); and I'm very happy with the CCD sensor. So there's nothing for me here.

 

From a product placement perspective, I think this camera is just right. When my M9 dies, I will buy whatever is available then, and I'm sure it will be even better.

 

Cheers

John

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[andybarton]

The model naming is ridiculous.

 

With £5k for the M-CMOS body, £1+k for the EVF and £500+ maybe for the R adapter, I can think of few R lens owners that will see this as an R solution when compared with the excellent CaNikon solutions. Time will tell, but no one here is clapping for the R fix it seems.

 

Not seen any mention yet, but will the R adapter enable R lenses to be connected to the M9 and M8 ?

 

Model naming is marketing puff. No big deal.

 

The EVF is a current product in Leica's catalogue. If the price is too high (? £250?) then the Olympus version is cheaper. The R adaptor is a couple of hundred max.

 

The R adaptor works on any M from an M3 upwards.

 

I am an R user. I have tried this solution. I will buy this if funds allow.