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NEW M.. This year.. This Fall...


EdwardM

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As far as the next issue of LFI (7/2015) is concerned I am afraid it might disappoint you (in that respect). If and when Leica announces some new product you can count on LFI to cover it. But not earlier.

Very helpful, Michael. Okay folks, let's tune back in in a month's time. In the meantime, the autumn light is getting ever more gorgeous, the Golden Hour is getting earlier, and there are pictures to take with our beloved cameras. The vigil on a new one can wait for a bit.

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Leica is developing a great portfolio of products.

 

Whatever they show, it will be interesting, but targeted for a specific public.

 

The real risky bets are those implying a new system... 

 

But Leica is being innovative, original and, at the same time, traditional (S, T, Q, X... )... so I expect something good. 

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Can I suggest that if you've been reading this thread, and built your expectations on what you've read here, that you prepare yourself for disappointment - whatever is released.

 

John, based on observations of previous releases I am expecting a barrage of criticism of whatever comes out ;):D

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... so I expect something good. 

... me too, for I think that they haven't done real important product errors in the last years  (to say... no "lemons" :p ) : a good track record counts.

 

But add two details :

- "something good" can be no good for me (and that's a small problem : I am happy with my M240, am far from "needing" another camera, and their survival does not depend on my buying decisions B))

- "something good" can be not sufficient to increase their market share and visibility (and this could be a problem in the medium term)

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John, based on observations of previous releases I am expecting a barrage of criticism of whatever comes out ;):D

 

True.

 

There will be those who haven't held it, haven't seen it, but hate it on principle; those who buy it, hate it, and sell it; those who bag it because it's fun to do; and those who buy it, use it, understand it and enjoy it ...

 

However, I do understand that the new system will deliver what many here have been asking for for some time.  That suggests a new direction, which will be interesting.  or not ... depending on your point of view ...

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True.

 

There will be those who haven't held it, haven't seen it, but hate it on principle; those who buy it, hate it, and sell it; those who bag it because it's fun to do; and those who buy it, use it, understand it and enjoy it ...

 

However, I do understand that the new system will deliver what many here have been asking for for some time.  That suggests a new direction, which will be interesting.  or not ... depending on your point of view ...

I think for sure that it will be:

A radical departure --- or an evolutionary product.

Have too many features ("bloated") -- or too few.

Too expensive

Too late (Leica is doomed) -- or ahead of its time (Leica is saved)

Not available

Have too much bling.

Stupid or Brilliant

Wanted or meh

Reviewed by Jono and Sean Reid.  Jono will send around some nice images and tell us what fun it is to use.  Sean will send some photos of square dancers and compare it to a Fuji or maybe even a Polaroid

And the color balance will need fixing.

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... me too, for I think that they haven't done real important product errors in the last years  (to say... no "lemons" :p ) : a good track record counts.

 

But add two details :

- "something good" can be no good for me (and that's a small problem : I am happy with my M240, am far from "needing" another camera, and their survival does not depend on my buying decisions B))

- "something good" can be not sufficient to increase their market share and visibility (and this could be a problem in the medium term)

 

 

I love my M240 as well... 

 

My only complain is I feel the camera too thick and too heavy. The classical film M cameras are smaller... and have the right dimensions. The digital cameras are a bit too much. Leica could reduce weight using different materials (the Q is a good example), and maybe the dimensions may be corrected too a little.

 

A good operation of a EVF camera depends on the development of electronic shutters on sensors. The actuation of a mechanical shutter using live view is too much for me (open, close, open, close, open). 

 

Those changes will shape the future 35mm system: size and better (faster) electronic operation.

 

I would like to have AF lenses but, for me, the point of the M system is the size. I don't want a Sony 7-like system with those huge lenses (the Zeiss 35mm, for instance). 

 

I find the size of the T (plus EVF and lens) too large for the format, and the same goes for the M bodies, the S system, etc. 

 

So -and this is a personal preference- the most exciting addition from Leica would be a smaller M camera or a new system with smaller bodies in which I can use M lenses.

 

The key variable is the size. People use smartphones because they are small, really portable, perfect for casual photography, you have the camera with you everywhere. A really small system -relative to the format- is a winner. There are no small systems out there. The Fuji is too large, the Sony is too large, the Leica T is too large... the Q would be better with a smaller lens.

 

Maybe the Pentax Q is the only true mini system (but the format is too small). High quality/small size was the soul of the M system, and it is the smaller 35mm format today. That is difficult to get. Megapixels, AF, EVF resolution... all that is not so important. 

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I know that this is going to go against the Leica mainstream but I'm looking forward to the LCD live view. I shoot a fair amount under .7m and this will be a godsend to me.

 

It will make the rangefinder my "do all" camera.

Of course there will be a new M but I doubt that will be the big announcement. I'm sure there is a Q style (built in EVF), M size camera in the works that will take both legacy M and R lenses as well as a new series of autofocus lenses. It just makes more economic sense for Leica's long range business plan. And they have already demonstrated their expertise with the S lenses. The Q is just their way to test the waters.

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A good operation of a EVF camera depends on the development of electronic shutters on sensors. The actuation of a mechanical shutter using live view is too much for me (open, close, open, close, open). 

 

I use the EFC option on the a7II: open, close, open.

 

 

I'm sure there is a Q style (built in EVF), M size camera in the works that will take both legacy M and R lenses as well as a new series of autofocus lenses. It just makes more economic sense for Leica's long range business plan. And they have already demonstrated their expertise with the S lenses. The Q is just their way to test the waters.

 

One can hope!  A camera like this would relegate the a7II to 'backup' status.

 

Leica has also demonstrated their expertise with adapters for the S system.  A new camera system could be jump-started if smart adapters for other camera systems' lenses were offered at launch.

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I use the EFC option on the a7II: open, close, open.

 

 

 

Right. There are electronic shutters with first curtain electronic activation, so the camera only needs close-open. That is necessary for a EVF camera. It is a must, in my opinion.

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The Q is just their way to test the waters.

Assuming that Leica will introduce a new camera system later this year, its development must have been parallel to that of the Q – and given the size of the task to build a new system rather than just one camera, development might have started even earlier than that of the Q. Do you really think that anything Leica might have learned after the introduction of the Q could have any effect on a new system introduced just a few months later?

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I would like to have AF lenses but, for me, the point of the M system is the size. I don't want a Sony 7-like system with those huge lenses (the Zeiss 35mm, for instance).

While I understand your predicament (and I prefer smaller and lighter cameras and lenses myself), I’m afraid this will be difficult. You could leave out anything electrical or electronical from the lenses, but then you were back where you started, namely with the M system. Or you reduce the sensor size so you could use shorter focal lengths (and thus smaller lenses) for capturing the same angle of view. There are some nice, small, and light sets from Olympus or Panasonic. But a camera with a 35 mm sensor and state-of-the-art AF lenses of a sufficiently high quality won’t be extremely small and light, whether it is Sony, Leica, or someone else building it. Size and weight of the body can be trimmed somewhat but the lenses are a different matter.

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NDA owners should have a date when their NDA runs out and give us a direction - september or october?

Sorry, but I cannot help as I haven’t signed any NDA. These days you don’t really sign some parchment with your own blood, forfeit your first born and all that melodramatic stuff. It is more like a gentlemen’s agreement, or just a matter of professional conduct.

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