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Mini M? [MERGED] AKA X-Vario


digitalfx

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One thing about this new camera, whatever it's called, is that it seems to be tailor made for the luxury Chinese market. First, it looks like an M9 or M240 knockoff. Second, it's got a zoom lens, because every camera should have a zoom lens. Third, it has a red dot on the front, so you can show all your friends that you bought a German Leica Camera and not some Japanese camera because Japan is trying to steal China's fishing islands. Fourth, it has autofocus, so you don't have to learn how to focus or compose with a rangefinder. Fifth, it has movie mode, even though 99% of buyers will never use this feature it's cool to show your friends that if you were to ever learn the skills to shoot, edit and post a video this camera would allow you to be the next Zhang Yimou.

 

So it's not the red dot in itself they have something against.;)

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Anyone bored by the "Mini" might consider the real thing:

 

"Barnack's Miniatur-Camera" - small as ever and no need for black boxes, leaks and lazy zooms.

 

By the way: voting for the current Barnack Challenge is still going on, so the results are up to you and will be published two days before the "Mini" event:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/after-works-feierabend/286089-eure-votum-your-voting.html#post2410858

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"Only" 10days to go... ;)

 

But how many more ...speculations/photo rumours/wishful thinkings/criticisms/prophecies/more criticisms/disagreements/agreements/possibilities/probabilities/impossibilities/more disagreements/arguments/likelihoods/more photo rumours/Leica separation and divorce threats/reconciliations/denials/told you so/no you didn't!/yes you did!/don't be daft/that's not a Leica!/Oh yes it is!/OMG!! hope not! ...

 

... everybody's 2 cents worth ... before finally ... on June 11 ... maybe at 00.01hrs? ...

 

THE TRUTH

 

... or will it be TRUTHS :D

 

dunk

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Well, let´s make a desperate attempt to address the original subject....:rolleyes:

 

I for one, probably won´t be standing in line for this one (if the leaked info turns out to be true); it´s not that much smaller than my M9.

 

But I am one of these ancient Digilux 2 lovers. And lots of people, both here and elsewhere, have been saying for years: "If only Leica updated the D 2 with a larger sensor, faster processor &c, &c, and kept the control layout and the incredible zoom lens".

 

Now, (if, again, this is indeed true), they seem to have done precisely that, as far as the laws of optics allow. A 28-90 (equiv) f/2-2.4 zoom for a large sensor isn´t realistic, either in size and weight or cost. So they had to give up speed (and some range) to get a working compromise.

 

They tried; maybe they failed. But don´t laugh them out of court for trying!

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It surprises me that Leica have not yet made a play on the 100th anniversary of the Branack Ur camera.

A version of this X body with a slim collapsible 50mm lens would be very Barnack like.

 

Perhaps there is something better to come later in the year.

In the meantime my business travel combo will remain a Ricoh GRD ( just upgraded IV to V ) and a 0-series replica.

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Well, let´s make a desperate attempt to address the original subject....:rolleyes:

 

I for one, probably won´t be standing in line for this one (if the leaked info turns out to be true); it´s not that much smaller than my M9.

 

But I am one of these ancient Digilux 2 lovers. And lots of people, both here and elsewhere, have been saying for years: "If only Leica updated the D 2 with a larger sensor, faster processor &c, &c, and kept the control layout and the incredible zoom lens".

 

Now, (if, again, this is indeed true), they seem to have done precisely that, as far as the laws of optics allow. A 28-90 (equiv) f/2-2.4 zoom for a large sensor isn´t realistic, either in size and weight or cost. So they had to give up speed (and some range) to get a working compromise.

 

They tried; maybe they failed. But don´t laugh them out of court for trying!

 

Per,

 

Having experienced using a Zeiss 28-85 f3.3 on my M240, I can confirm it is a very long way from my recollection of my Digilux 2 in both size and weight. So as you say the laws of optics prevent a fast zoom, allied to a large sensor in a handy package. On the other hand Leica is a member of the 4/3rds consortium (remember the Digilux 3) and my light weight Olympus EP-2 with its 12-50 lens (24-100) and a VF-2 is not a million miles from a modern Digilux 2 albeit the lens is necessarily a bit slower for size reasons. Would I buy a Leice CSC Micro 4/3rd's? Yes probably I would.

 

Wilson

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Would I buy a Leice CSC Micro 4/3rd's? Yes probably I would.

 

Wilson

 

Having experienced the olympus om-d with the Leica 25 Summilux DG, I think that Leica could reconsider this platform for a modern and auto focus CL.

The Sony sensor is much better than any previous one of the same dimensions, and gives the best results with the Summilux and other mf lenses (you can see the broad tonality resolution of the Sony sensor using the Zeiss Planar ZF on the OM-D).

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But I am one of these ancient Digilux 2 lovers. And lots of people, both here and elsewhere, have been saying for years: "If only Leica updated the D 2 with a larger sensor, faster processor &c, &c, and kept the control layout and the incredible zoom.

 

They tried; maybe they failed. But don´t laugh them out of court for trying!

 

Well, I certainly agree with your thought, Per, as you say, if the D2 was their design goal. I have asked for that type of camera myself, echoing this same request logged by many others before me. :D

 

I might just add that for many of us, the integrated VF cannot be among the trade-offs. I would have treated that as one of my design imperatives.

 

Of course, I'm notoriously STUBBORN by nature when I believe in something, and would probably have fought a pitched battle with Leica Marketing (oops, I mean "persuaded them") - until I won out. ;).

 

Neither can I tolerate the slow lens and this much loss of zoom.

 

My own trade-off would have slimmed down the D2 a little - but not too much- and retained its fine ergonomics even if these choices require a smaller sensor than APS. I hate the current industry obsession with compactness at any cost, if it means poor fit in the hand. I would have adhered as closely as possible to the original D2 optics and upgraded the integrated EVF to state-of-the-art, along with fast-focus (some kind of phase-detect?), fast buffer, tiltable EVF, high ISO, improved DR. And while we're at it, retain the silent shutter of the D2!

 

In other words, an enthusiast's camera, unique in the marketplace as was the D2 - but perhaps less what today's global luxury segment yearns for (my guess: aspirational brand, great style, and ease-of-use).

 

So, I get it, probably Leica sees more sales and profit potential the way they chose to proceed, and ultimately, I fully support them if this better helps them grow and prosper in a dangerous, fast-moving, competitive marketplace. I understand that "you gotta do what you gotta do" to survive.

 

Maybe one day, there can be a "Vario Pro" model for me? Leica, are you still reading this? :)

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