A New Year Wish for the M System

[lct]

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The lever of this Leicavit could cock the shutter the same way as the advance lever of the Epson R-D1 did. Would not interest me more than a Visoflex disguised as a Leicameter but would suit well when Jurassic Park settles finally in Wetzlar . Just kidding.

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[fisheess]

1 hour ago, lucerne said:

 

IN CASE ANYONE IS SERIOUS.....

And as some of us are aware, the Leicavit accessory is not a power pack.  (The Leicavit M Fast Winder is mounted in place of the base cover. It allows experienced photographers to shoot up to two frames per second).   It is a sequential shot device (mechanical)  for non electronic Leica camera bodies.   Nothing to do with power.

so...  first choose a new name for this new device. Leica doesnt recycle old names .   The Leicavit is still listed at the stores.

First, the xxxx would have dimensions to suit a particular body. M240, M10, etc. (not transferrable between camera models)

Second. the rechargeable cells would cost as much (or more) than current batteries. The holder would add cost to the device. 

Third.  the xxxx has to be able to connect to the circuitry of the camera.  No current Leica camera has external connection ports. (correct me if I'm wrong)

Suggestion for future bodies.  Provide connection port OR provide a dummy battery with cable to permit connection to the circuitry by an external power source. This is not a new idea and it has been implemented by other camera manufacturers.   In fact, it is likely that Leica have such a device in use at factory assembly and service locations.

Achieving connection to the camera electronics once the camera is assembled can be done this way or possibly via a concealed connector that may be hiding beneath a plate on the base. (very likely).

The xxxx device has the potential to cost up to $1000 (In the Leica world)

Cheaper to carry the overpriced and expensive Leica batteries and/or the Nitecore.

Leica could make our lives easier by arranging for sensibly priced batteries to be available in more cities worldwide.   I was caught short in a small place called Mexico City two years ago!  

I do think this counts as a serious wish. This xxxx can connect to the camera via a dummy battery as you have suggested. The original bottom plate has to be removed to use the xxxx of couse. Therefore something like a battery grip from other manufacturers is possible. No change for the camera body is necessary. The disadvantage of this method is, the original battery can't be used, therefore losing some capacity.

This xxxx do have to have its own cells. I just compared, the current M10 battery is wider than the body depth. Unless we are willing to sacrefice the neat Leica look, we cannot accept a solution like other manufacturers.

I  am quite sure this won't happen for M10, or in fact, M11 either. I therefore wish Leica would bring out an original charger that's compatible with 120V/230V and 5V inputs. The heck, the input should be USB-C so that we don't need to carry an extra cable. Cars nowadays all have USB outlets, which makes the 12V input of the current charger obsolete. So it boils down to the following solution:

A charger that's compatible to all cellphone chargers with one single 5V USB-C input. As Leica charges us a premium for its products, a fast charging plug like every cellphone's should be included. No some brand's "saving the planet" s**t.

Travelling with the leica M would be taking 1. the M camera, 2. the charger, 3. x number of spare batteries, 4. a multi-output PD plug, and 5. all your other stuff.

Some edit: as we are already here, the charger should include Qi compatibility 😄

Another edit: it will just be the nitecore UL-series charger in Leica design.

Edited February 25, 2021 by fisheess

[Kwesi]

11 minutes ago, fisheess said:

A charger that's compatible to all cellphone chargers with one single 5V USB-C input. As Leica charges us a premium for its products, a fast charging plug like every cellphone's should be included.

Im sure we can still keep the 12v input in the new charger along with whatever USB type is in vogue at the time of manufacture

[fisheess]

4 minutes ago, Kwesi said:

Im sure we can still keep the 12v input in the new charger along with whatever USB type is in vogue at the time of manufacture

But I think my solution is simpler and smaller in size. The charger itself doesn't include the 120V/240V and 12V to whatever Volts the charging needs. This reduces its size radically. An extra charging plug must be carried along anyway since we all use a smart phone. Charging through the 12V car plug can be easily solved using an generic 12V->5V transformer. 

Edited February 25, 2021 by fisheess

[lucerne]

20 minutes ago, fisheess said:

I do think this counts as a serious wish.

Cars nowadays all have USB outlets, which makes the 12V input of the current charger obsolete. So it boils down to the following solution:

 

I dont think i could handle the accessories of a modern car.   My 2004 Boxster has no mapping, no parking assist and uses keys for security.  Bose radio has no USB.  Its got a sunroof, cruise control, stability control and a cigarette lighter socket. I'm planning to keep it. The difference between its value and a modern replacement is about £60000.

I do have Apple smartphone and Ipad.

Thanks for your input.  Maybe we are getting somewhere with doable suggestions.  

Edited February 25, 2021 by lucerne

[fisheess]

1 minute ago, lucerne said:

I dont think i could handle the accessories in a modern car.   My 2004 Boxster has no mapping, no parking assist and uses keys for security.  Bose radio has no USB.  Its got a sunroof and a cigarette lighter socket. I'm planning to keep it.

Thanks for your input.  Maybe we are getting somewhere with doable suggestions.  

see my last post. Charging the Leica battery in car is just like charging the smart phone.

[Kwesi]

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Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

I think there's plenty of room here for both.

[fisheess]

2 minutes ago, Kwesi said:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

I think there's plenty of room here for both.

with my solution we don't need so much room for this charger.😜 It's actually the nitecore UL-series charger in Leica aesthetics.

Edited February 25, 2021 by fisheess

[Kwesi]

1 hour ago, lucerne said:

 

IN CASE ANYONE IS SERIOUS.....

And as some of us are aware, the Leicavit accessory is not a power pack.  (The Leicavit M Fast Winder is mounted in place of the base cover. It allows experienced photographers to shoot up to two frames per second).   It is a sequential shot device (mechanical)  for non electronic Leica camera bodies.   Nothing to do with power.

so...  first choose a new name for this new device. Leica doesnt recycle old names .   The Leicavit is still listed at the stores.

First, the xxxx would have dimensions to suit a particular body. M240, M10, etc. (not transferrable between camera models)

Second. the rechargeable cells would cost as much (or more) than current batteries. The holder would add cost to the device. 

Third.  the xxxx has to be able to connect to the circuitry of the camera.  No current Leica camera has external connection ports. (correct me if I'm wrong)

Suggestion for future bodies.  Provide connection port OR provide a dummy battery with cable to permit connection to the circuitry by an external power source. This is not a new idea and it has been implemented by other camera manufacturers.   In fact, it is likely that Leica have such a device in use at factory assembly and service locations.

Achieving connection to the camera electronics once the camera is assembled can be done this way or possibly via a concealed connector that may be hiding beneath a plate on the base. (very likely).

The xxxx device has the potential to cost up to $1000 (In the Leica world)

Cheaper to carry the overpriced and expensive Leica batteries and/or the Nitecore.

Leica could make our lives easier by arranging for sensibly priced batteries to be available in more cities worldwide.   I was caught short in a small place called Mexico City two years ago!  

 

 

 

 

 

I think the Leicavit shaped battery pack is a great idea for "power user".

After all its an optional device and it reminds me of the motor drives that were on the M4 but in a less ungainly package.

My real hope though is that Leica's battery for the M11 is the same size as the one in the M10 BUT has the power capacity of the M240 battery

[lucerne]

8 minutes ago, Kwesi said:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

I think there's plenty of room here for both.

can you expand your thoughts on this accessory.  How does it help us in the field?   Is it a 12v power supply that requires 240v to run. 

I agree that Leica batteries need to be standardised and interchangeable between bodies.  Too expensive to be wasted. Can't be discarded.  Difficult to re-sell due to global transport restrictions.

Edited February 25, 2021 by lucerne

[Kwesi]

1 minute ago, lucerne said:

can you expand your thoughts on this accessory.  How does it help us.  Is it a 12v power supply that requires 240v to run. 

sorry if I'm making this confusing.

that photo is the current Leica supplied charger for the M10.

Fisheess suggested removing the 12v input in favor of a USB-C input. I ws just saying you can keep the current charger as is and add the new input without increasing its size.

this way depending on your needs you choose what type of cable to carry

[lucerne]

10 minutes ago, Kwesi said:

sorry if I'm making this confusing.

that photo is the current Leica supplied charger for the M10.

Fisheess suggested removing the 12v input in favor of a USB-C input. I ws just saying you can keep the current charger as is and add the new input without increasing its size.

this way depending on your needs you choose what type of cable to carry

Silly me!    Sorry.  confused because i never examined my charger from that angle I just connected 240v and tucked it away.     Never used the 12v option but appreciate it would be ok for my car.

On the negative side, I never take my car to distant destinations. (HK, India, North America.)

Edited February 25, 2021 by lucerne

[Kwesi]

12 minutes ago, lucerne said:

Sorry.  confused because i never examined my charger from that angle I just connected 240v and tucked it away.     Never used the 12v option but appreciate it would be ok for my car.

On the negative side, I never take my car to distant destinations. (HK, India, North America.)

No worries! I occasionally find it useful. I often travel to New York by car from Boston (about 3hrs) Its nice to put a fresh battery in the camera while you charge the old one as you drive.

This way i arrive for a day's shooting with 2 fresh batteries.

i think it takes a little over an hour to fully charge from about 20% capacity

[pippy]

2 hours ago, lucerne said:

IN CASE ANYONE IS SERIOUS.....

And as some of us are aware, the Leicavit accessory is not a power pack.  (The Leicavit M Fast Winder is mounted in place of the base cover. It allows experienced photographers to shoot up to two frames per second).   It is a sequential shot device (mechanical)  for non electronic Leica camera bodies.   Nothing to do with power.

I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF, OF COURSE.....(why on earth are we shouting? That's very rude) but in my post on the subject I never called the fictitious item a Leicavit. Instead I used these wordings with either qualifiers or inverted commas to indicate non-specific item naming;

"...a 'Leicavit'-proportioned supplementary battery..."

"...a Leicavit-style 'spare backup-battery baseplate'..."

"...a supplementary Batt-Pack 'Leicavit'..."

...but when referring to the actual Leicavit there was no need for inverted commas so I typed;

"...their period Leicavits..."

"...a Leicavit wasn't an essential for film cameras..."

P.

[setuporg]

18 hours ago, P1505 said:

Let’s just put the camera on legs and let it go off on it’s own and we just view the images it makes on Instagram.

And then the EVF camp and the RF camp will call it: "Leica!  Leica!  Come here!  Good girl!", and to whom it goes first, wins.

[Dennis]

9 hours ago, mmradman said:

My only comment is that limited number of batteries shouldn’t be the problem for scenario as described, using RF camera and 35mm lens can be well done without EVF, what was it EVF provided you couldn’t achieve with RF?  If you were using 10mm or 135mm lens I would not ask. 

I perfectly agree with you.

When I consumed my two fully charged batteries, I was checking a lot my display and using LV for low POV. It was my first experience shooting like an assignment with Leica after one year owning the camera. It was a bad practice. Now, I have grown up and I learned to to guesstimate more, and not needing to look at display as before.

So, shooting a sport event now for 12 hours using the M10, maybe three batteries is enough. But two is would probably be not enough. I have this charger in my wishlist

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Is the one you guys are mentioning? 

 

[fotografr]

If the engineers in Wetzlar ever were following this thread, I suspect they are long gone by now.

[Kwesi]

16 minutes ago, fotografr said:

If the engineers in Wetzlar ever were following this thread, I suspect they are long gone by now.

I suspect we've driven them all to the bierhalle 😆

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[mujk]

7 minutes ago, Kwesi said:

I suspect we've driven them all to the bierhalle 😆

Unfortunately I think they are all closed because of Covid-19. But the engineers may still have quite some fun reading our posts (assuming that German engineers have a sense of humour). Some of them may even be paid for reading the forum 😊 

Edited February 25, 2021 by mujk

[setuporg]

On 2/23/2021 at 1:41 PM, Steven said:

the best hybrid camera on earth is the A1

What about FX3 now?:). The beauty of Leica is that the product cycles are longer...