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Upgradable Ms?


kcnarf

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Could it be that the new M is simply M because in the near future Leica might offer to replace one's M-typ 240 24mp.sensor with a 30 or 36mp (Typ 300 or 360). sensor and possibly swap in a faster processor? Would that be feasible?

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Could it be that the new M is simply M because in the near future Leica might offer to replace one's M-typ 240 24mp.sensor with a 30 or 36mp (Typ 300 or 360). sensor and possibly swap in a faster processor? Would that be feasible?

 

...possibly, kcnarf - but I also can't think of a better plan to finally polish Leica off.

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Guest tanks

It would not make financial sense to do that. I'd venture that most of current pending orders of M240 are previous M camera owners of one sort or another.

 

They would be competing against themselves.

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Considering that from M9 to M240 the only thing that has not been updated is probably the strap, and considering that an upgradable system is more expensive to produce, and considering the cost of upgrading in qualified service centers, and considering the perception of the user (hey, upgrading my old camera cannot cost as much as buying a new one !), and considering that the hardware cost for the manufacturer is probably a couple hundred bucks, and considering possible third-party hacks, and considering users voiding their warranty upgrading with stuff found on ebay, and considering ...

 

:)

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Well the Ricoh GXR manages it by using a module, so it isn't technically impossible, and especially as the M form is pretty consistent nobody is going to criticise the overall ergonomics. And of course the potential was there with the R9/DMR concept. But given Leica consider minor cosmetic changes as reason to milk the 'upgrade' market such a simple user oriented design feature is highly unlikely.

 

Steve

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It's a logical and eminently sensible idea! I have always wondered why we can't have upgradeable sensors. The early Barnack screwmount cameras were regularly dispatched back to Wetzlar for upgrading. Now, in the digital age, all the traditional components -- shutter, rangefinder, viewfinder -- are already perfect; it is only the digital components, the sensor and software, that need upgrading. To offer upgrades would indeed make commercial sense: More people would be tempted to buy what is undoubtedly an expensive camera if they realized they could upgrade it as necessary.

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It's a logical and eminently sensible idea! I have always wondered why we can't have upgradeable sensors. The early Barnack screwmount cameras were regularly dispatched back to Wetzlar for upgrading. Now, in the digital age, all the traditional components -- shutter, rangefinder, viewfinder -- are already perfect; it is only the digital components, the sensor and software, that need upgrading. To offer upgrades would indeed make commercial sense: More people would be tempted to buy what is undoubtedly an expensive camera if they realized they could upgrade it as necessary.

 

...while it may be technically possible, it simply would not make commercial sense to a small company like Leica. Only a matter of time before we start seeing recycled paperweights and doorstops. Expensive 'red dot' ones.

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Could it be that the new M is simply M because in the near future Leica might offer to replace one's M-typ 240 24mp.sensor with a 30 or 36mp (Typ 300 or 360). sensor and possibly swap in a faster processor? Would that be feasible?

 

Yes, I read somewhere that is the general idea. So whatever the newer model would be, they would only change the "type". It will always be an M.

 

So at the moment it's M - typ 240. The next generation may be M - typ 300, or typ 999, whatever. But will always be an M.

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Maybe a trade-up program is more likely. The used exchanged models can be refurbished for sale as such or kept for parts and/or loaners.

 

What the OP is suggesting is almost like what Ricoh tried with the GR. Cool concept, but it has to be masterfully executed to be viable, and even if so, modules would likely only overlap for a couple of generations before forward or backward compatibility becomes an issue.

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