Mini M? [MERGED] AKA X-Vario

[MPJMP]

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Since we're all speculating, here's my best guess:

 

X series form factor with shutter speed dial on top.

Interchangeable lenses in M-mount (R-mount with adaptor)

APS-C sized sensor

No viewfinder-- rear LCD screen for composition

Optional accessory clip-on EVF (same model currently offered for X2 and DL6)

Available in black and silver

Priced between USD $2,500-$3,000

 

While an integrated viewfinder and full-frame sensor would be great, I feel they have to shoot for a certain price point comfortably in-between the X2 and M-E, and to accomplish this they will have to opt for the cheaper sensor and leaving out the viewfinder, giving the photographer the option of buying one separately.

 

A fixed lens camera with full-frame sensor should be the X3, not a "mini M," in my opinion at least.

[nggalai]

Well the M1 didn't have a rangefinder ...

 

Ya, my first impression regarding the M moniker was corrected a couple of pages ago. But thanks all the same for pointing it out.

[dante]

Yes, that Japanese monochrom is just awesome!

 

I'm sure that's coming eventually. Fetishism at Japanese companies knows no bounds. The Sony 24mp DX chip, sans color filter, could be something to see.

 

Dante

[likalar]

If this is truly a mini M, I expect it will be lower case. It should also be red. The new Leica m.

[zlatkob]

If it has all three: RF, a FF sensor and interchangeable lenses, it surely cannibalizes M (240) sales.

 

I don't agree with this concept of "cannibalization" as something to be avoided in the camera business. So-called cannibalization is essential. It broadens the market and sells more lenses. Lenses are Leica's greatest strength, and selling more of them must be a primary goal of that new factory.

 

Canon is the most successful DSLR maker and they make twelve current camera bodies for the EOS mount. TWELVE! Many of them have similar price points, maybe just 20% apart. Do they cannibalize each other? If they did, they would all be diminishing each other's sales, resulting in poor sales overall. But they don't. Instead, they meet different needs for different budgets, thus broadening the EOS market and resulting in great sales. If Canon stopped making the Rebel series, 60D, 7D, 6D and the 5D3, would all of those buyers just switch to the much more expensive 1DX, thus boosting profits? No, many would go to competitors who better meet their needs. There would be far fewer buyers and far fewer lenses sold. They make much more profit via so-called cannibalization.

 

This bears repeating: “If you don’t cannibalize yourself, someone else will” — Steve Jobs. Hence, Apple currently sells multiple versions of the iPhone, iPad, iMac, Macbook, Mac Pro, etc.

[Lee Martin]

Colonel made a good point earlier regarding Leica having a USP, and not trying to copy /emulate what other manufacturers are doing. Can other people see any mileage in a MINI MONOCHROME . Make it full frame with a prime 35 f2 fixed or similar with a quality optical viewfinder, full exposure control obviously and black and white video. Definitely unique, proven market for Monochrome, not trying to steal market share from anyone else, as nobody else is doing it. It's a MONO Sony RX 1 . I have to say I'd buy one, it's the modern equivalent of the cameras like the Contax T3 . Pocketable, amazing quality. If its not that then I'm saying there's a market for such a thing. You could argue that you could use the B and W mode on the Sony RX1 , but Leica created an advantage over doing the same thing on the M 9 etc, and I think it's a possibility here too.

[Ledfut]

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Colonel made a good point earlier regarding Leica having a USP, and not trying to copy /emulate what other manufacturers are doing. Can other people see any mileage in a MINI MONOCHROME . Make it full frame with a prime 35 f2 fixed or similar with a quality optical viewfinder, full exposure control obviously and black and white video. Definitely unique, proven market for Monochrome, not trying to steal market share from anyone else, as nobody else is doing it. It's a MONO Sony RX 1 . I have to say I'd buy one, it's the modern equivalent of the cameras like the Contax T3 . Pocketable, amazing quality. If its not that then I'm saying there's a market for such a thing. You could argue that you could use the B and W mode on the Sony RX1 , but Leica created an advantage over doing the same thing on the M 9 etc, and I think it's a possibility here too.

 

Youre right. A digital FF Rollei 35s is way overdue. Would be fine if it was only monochrome.

 

Ledfut

[lct]

...If you don’t cannibalize yourself, someone else will...

Why cannibalizing yourself if nobody else does it for you?

[rickp13]

looks like the mini-M has competition already

 

at monochrom.com (a german online retailer):

 

GIZMON iCA5 for iPhone5

The iCA5 housing from Japan gives an iPhone5 the look of a vintage Leica. All controls and knobs remain accessible. With optical viewfinder and tripod mounting thread. In black and silver. (only) 59,90 €

 

PS. if this funny news is too crass / commercial, please remove. thanks, rick

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[Manashu]

… but as the “M” in “Leica M” stands for “Messsucher” (Rangefinder), removing the rangefinder would be sort of … well. Weird?

 

Hrm.

hmmm right but on the other hand X2 referede to as the "micro M" is no rangefinder camera.

My guess is an X2 with changeable lens - and full frame?

[Arkady482]

I doubt they would do an interchangeable M-mount crop. Without being FF it would struggle against the NEXs when used with an M to E adaptor and Sony is very likely to come out with an interchangeable lens version of the RX1 in the not too distant future which would leave Leica on the starting blocks. It is also harder for people to justify paying for Leica M glass, if they are can't use the whole image circle. If it is a crop, it makes more sense to develop a lower cost AF zoom with a smaller image circle but that would have a lot of competition and wouldn't help them sell any lenses. They would do much better to come out with the first FF interchangeable lens mirrorless, rangefinderless camera and put an M mount on it. All they need to do is design one or two AF zoom kit lens to go with it for the less serious minded and let the enthusiasts use the full range of MF Leica M glass. In competition Sony is going to struggle to come out with a range of lenses for its FF interchangeable lens mirrorless. It will have to try to get people to buy its huge electronic E to A adaptors and bulky A mount FF lenses.

 

I use an M3 but also iconoclastically shoot an NEX-5N, mainly with Leica M glass. I love the rangefinder on the M3 but now find I have adapted to using focus peaking with MF lenses on the NEX and it is no disadvantage compared to an RF, once your used to it - honest. I hardly ever bother to put AF lenses on the NEX now as I much prefer the feel of Leica glass and MF.

 

If the mini M is an interchangeable lens FF mirrorless, I would be very interested. A decent EVF would be critical though, even if this not on board, and they would have to do better than the high priced out of date Panasonic viewfinder they rebranded for the Typ 240. The NEX-7 EVF is significantly better than that and Sony is sure to come out with an even better one for its own FF interchangeable lens mirrorless.

[iedei]

as an M8 owner, i would MUCH rather have an M-E or M9 rather than an M240.....so at this point, my biggest worry is: is this the end of the line for the 'real' Leica. In other words...is this the end of the road for the fully manual, optical viewfinder ONLY, digital Leica M?

 

the M240 is taking us in an unsavoury direction with generic features like 'live view'....it seems to me, that Leica is discontinuing the basic M model (M-E) as it isn't even featured in that promo photo. If so, then it is a sad day.....Will have to cling onto my M8 even harder.

[bill_murray]

I hear Leica have just tied up a collaborative marketing deal with M&M's.

 

The new camera will be the MiniMMnM.

 

You can guess what the B&W-only version will be called.

 

Yep, I can guess. But can you guess who the celebrity at the official launch might be?

 

Oh, and MIke Johnston at TOP seems to have stolen Rick Leicas joke of the day....

[AlanJW]

Re cannibalization, I agree that Canon doesn't rely on 1Dx and sells lower end models, which also help sell lenses (and provide an entry path leading to more expensive bodies). But there is no Canon lower end camera that has every feature of the 1Dx. As you get more expensive in their line you get closer and you can keep your lenses as they will work on the more expensive bod(ies).

 

Leica has a lower end camera like this now. It is the ME, though its price is higher than anyone would consider "entry level". Unless they are going to kill the ME line (which they could), the mini has to fit in somewhere below it, which means to me either lack of FF or lack of RF or lack of interchangeable lenses -- or some combination.

 

By the way, I don't know why anyone would want a Mini. The white balance, especially flesh tones, is really really really bad.

[jaapv]

If this is truly a mini M, I expect it will be lower case. It should also be red. The new Leica m.

 

304! Heinz has won the bottle of Sekt ! :D

[Anneke]

I'm curious to see whats up with this?

I'm guessing it will be closer to the M9 but more economical.

[wlaidlaw]

I think we will all be disappointed and it will be a Leica badged micro 4/3rds which of course can use M lenses. We will look at it and go: "Yawn".

 

Wilson

[Thomv]

How wonderful all your fantastic speculations are. A good thing though that you are all not in charge of Leica R&D or product marketing, haha....

[Thomv]

But what a marketing success already! "Leica Mini M" returned more than 47,000 hits on Google, and this after only one day after the announcement. I can't see Canikon will ever come close to this success when releasing a new camera...

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[FPB]

I think we will all be disappointed and it will be a Leica badged micro 4/3rds which of course can use M lenses. We will look at it and go: "Yawn".

 

Wilson

 

Who know's It's a possibility; i think it will have a cropped sensor.

Perhaps this event is good idea to introduce the long rumoured new SEM 3.8/14 ?

 

Bill