B-A-C Posted February 9, 2014 Share #1 Posted February 9, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Will Leica produce a second generation of the Monochrom? If so, when do you think it will be introduced? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 Hi B-A-C, Take a look here Monochrom - 2nd Generation. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
skinnfell Posted February 9, 2014 Share #2 Posted February 9, 2014 This has been discussed before and the consensus (I believe) is - that Leica has said a Monochrom version of the M240 "makes sense" given that the current mono is a better seller than expected. -That this is not expected until the very end of the M240 lifecycle. Now how long that might be is not know, but if the M9 is any benchmark then we could see it announced in late 2016. (and available mid 2017?) Another thing to consider is that the camera market seems to be cooling off slightly, thanks to cell phones and economy, which then (should) leading to longer product upgrade cycles. As for myself, I am perfectly happy with my "old fashioned" Monochrom, and there are very few of the M240 technologies I miss in my camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 9, 2014 Share #3 Posted February 9, 2014 Quote from Stefan Daniel at last year's Photokina... "Question: Will the M-Monochrom remain part of the M-System for the foreseeable future? Stefan Daniel: We want to keep the series of that type. The Monochrom is very successful and we can imagine that there might be a Monochrom variant of the new model. The camera is addictive." Given the success of the MM, seems just a matter of time for an M platform variant. Personally, video and such would be a turn-off, but better RF, better shutter release and quiet re-cock, weather sealing, longer batter life, etc. would be welcome. CCD vs CMOS will surely make for more fun forum banter. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J M Hughes Posted February 9, 2014 Share #4 Posted February 9, 2014 Speaking personally, I'd be more interested in a smaller cheaper Compact Monochrom - maybe based on the X2 or X Vario - rather than a replacement M (240)-based version. I think Leica should do this before someone else (Sony? Ricoh?) beats them to it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted February 9, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 9, 2014 Speaking personally, I'd be more interested in a smaller cheaper Compact Monochrom - maybe based on the X2 or X Vario - rather than a replacement M (240)-based version. I think Leica should do this before someone else (Sony? Ricoh?) beats them to it! +1 Interesting animation currently on the Leica home page : the Ur swinging lens-cap merging with 100 year logo. Leica Camera AG - Home A B&W retro Ur / Leica standard / Xseries like camera with a collapsable elmar 50mm equiv would go down a treat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
esquire53 Posted February 10, 2014 Share #6 Posted February 10, 2014 ..... but better RF, better shutter release and quiet re-cock, weather sealing, longer batter life, etc. would be welcome. Jeff I've treated my Leica's from arctic to desert with a lot of tropical swamp in between, but I never understand all this fuzz about the weather sealing .... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berth Posted February 10, 2014 Share #7 Posted February 10, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've treated my Leica's from arctic to desert with a lot of tropical swamp in between, but I never understand all this fuzz about the weather sealing .... It's about wet electronics. Mechanical Leica's don't need electronics to function. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 10, 2014 Share #8 Posted February 10, 2014 I've treated my Leica's from arctic to desert with a lot of tropical swamp in between, but I never understand all this fuzz about the weather sealing .... Good is good; better is better. I like better. And I, too, have used Leica Ms….for over 30 years…but digital isn't film. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted February 10, 2014 Share #9 Posted February 10, 2014 Maybe just leave the Monochrom alone. The M9 has been dropped and we are left with a video and live view bloated replacement. The Monochrom should never follow the same path and be wrecked by all the silly M fluff and gimmicks. Leica should keep it as a testament to when they got it right and followed what THEY believed in and made a unique camera that was pure still B&W photography without compromise. DON'T listen Leica to the wannabees and make another bastardised hash up of a great camera - think about your core customers and stick to your heritage and PLEASE leave this one camera well alone!! I completely agree. I am totally satisfied with this version of the Monochrom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Lord Posted February 10, 2014 Share #10 Posted February 10, 2014 I completely agree. I am totally satisfied with this version of the Monochrom. There's no doubt in my mind that the present and original Monochrom will become a Leica classic, prized for it's purity of purpose and minimal aesthetic - indeed it already is in my perception. But, Leica being a commercial enterprise, inevitably there will be a successor to drive ongoing demand and seek new customers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
esquire53 Posted February 10, 2014 Share #11 Posted February 10, 2014 Good is good; better is better. I like better. And I, too, have used Leica Ms….for over 30 years…but digital isn't film. Jeff yes, I'm talking about M8-9-MM. My passport and wallet aren't water proved either I agree that the MM is a classic and doesn't need to be replaced soon, but at one point in time the electronic will be too expensive to manufacture, in particular, if they all fail, soaked in water ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londonmember Posted February 10, 2014 Share #12 Posted February 10, 2014 Will Leica produce a second generation of the Monochrom? If so, when do you think it will be introduced? I would like the quieter shutter and the new rangefinder from the M240, but most of all the shutter. Its much better on the street when people don't look round when they hear 'click-wzzzzst'! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 10, 2014 Share #13 Posted February 10, 2014 Its much better on the street when people don't look round when they hear 'click-wzzzzst'! Really, people look around, even with all the background noise on an average street? You could of course try using 'Discreet' shutter mode, where you only get the click, then you can disguise the eventual whirr with a cough, or wait till a bus goes by. Or just have the click and whirr and learn to disguise your actions by immediately looking in bafflement at your camera like you can't get it to work. Some people can cough and press the shutter at the same time. Of course it could be they are looking around simply because the photographer is looking shifty and it's nothing to do with clicks and whirr's, or they are genetic mutants with super-human powers of hearing. And I suppose some photographers might just use the incredible noise of the M9/MM shutter to disguise their own failure to get the photograph. But the bottom line is as ever the need to find an excuse to buy a new camera, the next wonder camera, the one with such a quiet shutter that will mean the photographer becomes invisible, guaranteeing perfect images all the time, until the next new camera is sniffed on the horizon. Yet one thing is certain above all others, no street photographer you've ever heard of has ever needed a quiet shutter to get their photographs, not HCB, Winogrand, Frank, Arbus, Gilden, none of them. If HCB's shutter had gone ker-clunk it wouldn't have made an ounce of difference to the outcome, because like the others, he never imagined he was invisible, lurking around with a camera is waving a much bigger flag at people than even a loud shutter explosion and its' that which needs dealing with, with a smile, having a chat, explain what you were interested in, or just a nod of thanks as you move on. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted February 10, 2014 Share #14 Posted February 10, 2014 If HCB's shutter had gone ker-clunk it wouldn't have made an ounce of difference to the outcome, because like the others, he never imagined he was invisible, lurking around with a camera is waving a much bigger flag at people than even a loud shutter explosion and its' that which needs dealing with, with a smile, having a chat, explain what you were interested in, or just a nod of thanks as you move on. Steve You really need to learn more about HCB. I was watching a documentary about his early life. In the show he talked about his discovery of photography. He was big game hunter in Africa, and saw a photo of some black boys playing in the ocean, and was amazed that such a photo could be taken. He saw him self as a hunter, where fast speed and accuracy mattered. He mentioned how he loved the silent shutter of his Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 10, 2014 Share #15 Posted February 10, 2014 He mentioned how he loved the silent shutter of his Leica. Like any other photographer, HCB no doubt had his preferences about camera gear but his talent for composition, his ability to anticipate a moment and to work a scene are why his photographs endure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dant Posted February 10, 2014 Share #16 Posted February 10, 2014 This has been discussed before and the consensus (I believe) is - that Leica has said a Monochrom version of the M240 "makes sense" given that the current mono is a better seller than expected. -That this is not expected until the very end of the M240 lifecycle. Now how long that might be is not know, but if the M9 is any benchmark then we could see it announced in late 2016. (and available mid 2017?) Another thing to consider is that the camera market seems to be cooling off slightly, thanks to cell phones and economy, which then (should) leading to longer product upgrade cycles. As for myself, I am perfectly happy with my "old fashioned" Monochrom, and there are very few of the M240 technologies I miss in my camera. If Leica made a 2nd gen MM battery with longer life and one could upgrade their low res view screen for a fair price...would that take care of most complaints? Are there other shortcomings the MM owners would like to see? Are most owners happy with the MM's 18mp sensor? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dant Posted February 10, 2014 Share #17 Posted February 10, 2014 Really, people look around, even with all the background noise on an average street? You could of course try using 'Discreet' shutter mode, where you only get the click, then you can disguise the eventual whirr with a cough, or wait till a bus goes by. Or just have the click and whirr and learn to disguise your actions by immediately looking in bafflement at your camera like you can't get it to work. Some people can cough and press the shutter at the same time. Of course it could be they are looking around simply because the photographer is looking shifty and it's nothing to do with clicks and whirr's, or they are genetic mutants with super-human powers of hearing. And I suppose some photographers might just use the incredible noise of the M9/MM shutter to disguise their own failure to get the photograph. But the bottom line is as ever the need to find an excuse to buy a new camera, the next wonder camera, the one with such a quiet shutter that will mean the photographer becomes invisible, guaranteeing perfect images all the time, until the next new camera is sniffed on the horizon. Yet one thing is certain above all others, no street photographer you've ever heard of has ever needed a quiet shutter to get their photographs, not HCB, Winogrand, Frank, Arbus, Gilden, none of them. If HCB's shutter had gone ker-clunk it wouldn't have made an ounce of difference to the outcome, because like the others, he never imagined he was invisible, lurking around with a camera is waving a much bigger flag at people than even a loud shutter explosion and its' that which needs dealing with, with a smile, having a chat, explain what you were interested in, or just a nod of thanks as you move on. Steve All things being equal...a quiet cam is always best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 10, 2014 Share #18 Posted February 10, 2014 Are most owners happy with the MM's 18mp sensor? I would think so, it is the sensor that defines the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted February 10, 2014 Share #19 Posted February 10, 2014 Maybe just leave the Monochrom alone. The M9 has been dropped and we are left with a video and live view bloated replacement. The Monochrom should never follow the same path and be wrecked by all the silly M fluff and gimmicks. Leica should keep it as a testament to when they got it right and followed what THEY believed in and made a unique camera that was pure still B&W photography without compromise. DON'T listen Leica to the wannabees and make another bastardised hash up of a great camera - think about your core customers and stick to your heritage and PLEASE leave this one camera well alone!! Have you forgotten about the M-E? While I pretty much agree about leaving the Monochrom alone, and the bloated M. We mustn't forget it's green sibling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 10, 2014 Share #20 Posted February 10, 2014 yes, I'm talking about M8-9-MM.My passport and wallet aren't water proved either For digital, I still have my M8.2, and now an M. There is no difference in the quality of pics using either….that's my job, and good prints involve myriad factors beyond the camera choice. But, given the choice, I use the M, and the M8.2 remains for back-up only. Why? Because I know it's better built, I can shoot more pics without changing the battery, the focus is slightly easier, it can more easily use longer lenses, I like the quiet shutter re-cock, and yes, I trust it more in inclement weather. I used my M8.2 in rain and snow, too, but why not use the camera that is better sealed when I like it better anyway. [ BTW, the appeal of the quiet and smooth shutter has nothing to do with others' reactions….that's silly…I just like it…a lot.] BTW, I keep my money and passport in a money belt under my pants front when I travel….safe from pickpockets as well as rain. Common sense trumps weather sealing. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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