No video with M11 - this is expected in 2022, right?

[IkarusJohn]

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I doubt we will ever get the sales numbers of cameras from Leica.  But, we can assume that sales of the R system (good as it apparently was) were insufficient to support its continuation; CL/TL sales do not justify giving APS-C priority in Leica’s camera development; and the M camera has been profitable since the line was saved by Leica Canada and the M4-2.

So, why is it so enduring?

Much like the air cooled Porsche 911 cars, the M is iconic.  Whenever a film maker wants someone holding a camera, 90% of the time it will be an M.

What defines the M?  Certainly not what it has, but what it doesn’t have - anything which is not directly needed to make excellent still images with the most direct, manual control.  The other Leica offerings, the CL, TL2 and SL do all the other stuff, and very well too!  If you want video with an M lens, the L cameras do this well.

I was trying to imagine an M video camera, with the electronic controls for quality, log, mike and sound pick-up and on and on … then again, they could dump that and build in a crappy mike into the body, cripple all the things that videographers say they need and just include a button with rubbish results.  Sound familiar?  My iPhone does it better, my Insta One R (with Leica 1” lens) is even smaller and does it better, and if I wanted good video I have a TL2 and an SL.

If it was just a button, then it would be pretty inoffensive, I agree.  But this is Leica - to match the rest of the M camera, it would never just be a button.

Edited January 26, 2022 by IkarusJohn

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[setuporg]

6 hours ago, Olaf_ZG said:

I don’t consider any m with video. I don’t do video so I don’t want it on my camera.

Leica could make a m11v for video, may be not a bad idea.

that said, i also dont like to watch other person’s videos. So much trash outside nowadays. Horrible.

Drone videos are fun!  Hasselblad too!:)

[jankap]

7 hours ago, setuporg said:

Drone videos are fun!  

Think of the weight of your M with the Noctilux 50 (at infinity then!). 

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Did you see the the 17" light field display of Japan Display Inc.?

Edited January 27, 2022 by jankap

[DBAUDUI1]

Hello,

I am keeping my Leica M240 because it can do video. This is the reason why I do not want to upgrade to a Leica M11 yet. 

I use my Leica M mainly to take pictures, but on some occasions, I am very pleased to do a video. I do not need all the video features of the SL2_S, but a Leica M11 with video, IBIS and an electronic rangefinder patch in an optical viewfinder, a very nice EVF and possibility to connect a stereo microphone, the leica M12 would be my favorite.

For example, I need video during a carnival, to get the music and ambiance as well as nice pictures, or to record a full concert of Beethoven or of Jazz music - I do not want to carry a SL on top of a Leica M everywhere I go. I want to keep my equipment light and as versatile as possible. So, therefore, I need a Leica M with video and I will stick to the excellent Leica M240 until a new M12 with video comes (with quality basic set-up: 4K, unlimited time recording, some presets for concert, people outside with wind, Black and White/Colour...). Video on a Leica M needs to be efficient and simple to use, nothing more. 

You know, one day I was sitting with my Leica M6 in a hut in Borneo, taking pictures of Papuan who started to play guitar. I regretted not to have a recorder with me. Today the Leica M240 would have allowed me to record them singing, and to take a few pictures of them both with the nice M lenses....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jeff S]

Phone fits in a pocket.

Jeff

[Jipster]

6 minutes ago, DBAUDUI1 said:

Hello,

I am keeping my Leica M240 because it can do video. This is the reason why I do not want to upgrade to a Leica M11 yet. 

I use my Leica M mainly to take pictures, but on some occasions, I am very pleased to do a video. I do not need all the video features of the SL2_S, but a Leica M11 with video, IBIS and an electronic rangefinder patch in an optical viewfinder, a very nice EVF and possibility to connect a stereo microphone, the leica M12 would be my favorite.

For example, I need video during a carnival, to get the music and ambiance as well as nice pictures, or to record a full concert of Beethoven or of Jazz music - I do not want to carry a SL on top of a Leica M everywhere I go. I want to keep my equipment light and as versatile as possible. So, therefore, I need a Leica M with video and I will stick to the excellent Leica M240 until a new M12 with video comes (with quality basic set-up: 4K, unlimited time recording, some presets for concert, people outside with wind, Black and White/Colour...). Video on a Leica M needs to be efficient and simple to use, nothing more. 

You know, one day I was sitting with my Leica M6 in a hut in Borneo, taking pictures of Papuan who started to play guitar. I regretted not to have a recorder with me. Today the Leica M240 would have allowed me to record them singing, and to take a few pictures of them both with the nice M lenses....

 

 

 

 

Iphones (or the equivalent) are surprisingly good at this kind of impromptu videos. My son uses it to record for professional auditions (the audio is of course more professionally done, and then he uses Premiere Pro to sync the professional audio with the iPhone video). I don't want video if adds weight/size. I want my M to be as thin as possible.

[S Maclean]

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What I like about the M system (M11 for me) is it's simplicity and dedicated function.  It's a tool for photography that responds to the photographers actions. Nothing more, nothing less. 

 

There are cameras that aid the photographer in a number of ways (actually the auto functions on the M do that too, but not to great result). There are cameras, or phones, that give outstanding quality on multi media forms.  With post processing capabilities one could only drea off just a few years ago.  The Iphone 14 Pro with 40 MP is a great tool. Amazing actually.  My Canon gear allows me to take professional film, and photography.

But the M...that's what I take to simplify my process and just take pictures. If you want a Leica that does film and still...get an S series.  Why make an M into an SL2 when there is already an SL2?  And, if the answer is, just want it to take video but doesnt need to be as good as other cameras....Well, that would be a very bad pitch from Leica. "Presenting the new M12, great camera, not as good as other cameras for video but does the job reasonably well...."

If you have an iconic system known for some of the best photography possible...why try to make it do something else in a not-so-excelent-way?.

Now, If I could only have an M camera that made me Nespresso coffee when I am on the field.......

[jaapv]

1 hour ago, S Maclean said:

Well, that would be a very bad pitch from Leica. "Presenting the new M12, great camera, not as good as other cameras for video but does the job reasonably well...

Not really. The M (xx) is of course a perfect travel and reportage camera and that means that an ability to take impromptu videos of moving subjects along the way and talking heads increases the scope of the camera. The quality on the M240 video was beyond reproach, but it did lack professional options like recording in different LUTs and doing really good sound, but it was clearly an enhancement of the camera usability. Still, it did get used for professional work by video makers who wanted to profit from the Leica M lenses.

 

[geotrupede]

All we need is an adapter that goes into the flash socket and redirects the HDMI (?) signal from the camera custom contacts for the visoflex to something like a ninja. Obviously this is not simple as we do not know the specs of the adapter but it could be a start, at least for record full HD (?) to external monitor.

PLUS, such adapter could also have other options handy, for example the possibility to have a flash mount AND the EVF at the same time.

I think with he right price it could be a useful addition, if nothing else, just for flash+EVF use.
G.

 

[thomasstellwag]

14 minutes ago, geotrupede said:

All we need is an adapter that goes into the flash socket and redirects the HDMI (?) signal from the camera custom contacts for the visoflex to something like a ninja. Obviously this is not simple as we do not know the specs of the adapter but it could be a start, at least for record full HD (?) to external monitor.

PLUS, such adapter could also have other options handy, for example the possibility to have a flash mount AND the EVF at the same time.

I think with he right price it could be a useful addition, if nothing else, just for flash+EVF use.
G.

 

don´t forget the slot for the SIM card

[geotrupede]

32 minutes ago, thomasstellwag said:

don´t forget the slot for the SIM card

Good idea. If that works for some, why not.

sim card = convenient tag to find the camera if stolen/lost, built in.

Maybe useful to some, without having to glue an AirTag into the case.

G>

 

[THEME]

Don't want video in my M. That's what a perfectly capable phone is for.

[jaapv]

If it does not impact the rest of the camera I find it rather narrow to grudge this feature to others. The only reasons (despite marketing spin) that Leica dropped video are that the smaller body created temperature management issues and lack of space. 

[Jewl]

I would never use the video feature of an M body. I have never used it when I had a Leica Q. Obviously, I am not a video person and I do believe I am the perfect target group of an M which is a very special tool and not a all-round talent like other digital cameras on the market.

If I'd like to take a video, I prefered to use one of the latest iPhones or probably a Sony camera. Cannot imagine what a hassle it would be to shoot a proper film with my M11.  

[Knipsknecht]

When I used other camera systems (Olympus, Fuji) I always felt a little sour that I had to pay money for a (video-)functionality that I hardly ever use. As others have already said: If I want to take a quick video, my iPhone is always at hand and the iPhone is by default a multi-functional tool, so it doesn't bother me.

Apart from that, other manufacturers spend a lot of money on r&d regarding video integration and the most advanced video features. For me this means, if I need (for whatever reason) a camera with state-of-the-art video capabilities I would us a camera of those manufacturers (i.e. Sony, Panasonic etc.). 

Maybe this is just me, but for me a Leica M is not a "swiss army knive" for any kind of media production. It's a luxury tool build for the only purpose of taking photographs in a delightful way. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Luke_Miller]

20 minutes ago, Knipsknecht said:

Apart from that, other manufacturers spend a lot of money on r&d regarding video integration and the most advanced video features. For me this means, if I need (for whatever reason) a camera with state-of-the-art video capabilities I would us a camera of those manufacturers (i.e. Sony, Panasonic etc.). 

Or maybe the Leica SL2 or SL2-2 which incorporate the Panasonic video features.

[mirekti]

19 minutes ago, Luke_Miller said:

Or maybe the Leica SL2 or SL2-2 which incorporate the Panasonic video features.

That would be an option, but from what I’ve read, the M lenses do not perform on SL bodies the sam like they do on M bodies, specifically WA lenses.

Edited December 6, 2022 by mirekti

[Luke_Miller]

2 minutes ago, mirekti said:

That would be an option, but from what I’ve read, the M lenses do not perform on SL bodies the sam like they do on M bodies, specifically WA lenses.

I'm sure that is true for some lenses and it was a concern when I bought my SL. Fortunately, all my lenses perform well on the SL including my 21 and 24 Elmarit-Ms.

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[Photoworks]

On 12/5/2022 at 11:54 AM, DBAUDUI1 said:

Hello,

I am keeping my Leica M240 because it can do video. This is the reason why I do not want to upgrade to a Leica M11 yet. 

I use my Leica M mainly to take pictures, but on some occasions, I am very pleased to do a video. I do not need all the video features of the SL2_S, but a Leica M11 with video, IBIS and an electronic rangefinder patch in an optical viewfinder, a very nice EVF and possibility to connect a stereo microphone, the leica M12 would be my favorite.

For example, I need video during a carnival, to get the music and ambiance as well as nice pictures, or to record a full concert of Beethoven or of Jazz music - I do not want to carry a SL on top of a Leica M everywhere I go. I want to keep my equipment light and as versatile as possible. So, therefore, I need a Leica M with video and I will stick to the excellent Leica M240 until a new M12 with video comes (with quality basic set-up: 4K, unlimited time recording, some presets for concert, people outside with wind, Black and White/Colour...). Video on a Leica M needs to be efficient and simple to use, nothing more. 

You know, one day I was sitting with my Leica M6 in a hut in Borneo, taking pictures of Papuan who started to play guitar. I regretted not to have a recorder with me. Today the Leica M240 would have allowed me to record them singing, and to take a few pictures of them both with the nice M lenses....

It is crazy to think the M6 has no video in 2022,. it would be great to load a lilm, get 35mm movie going and film lut preview! and all that with out the need of battery...

Well if you shoot and reload quickly enough you may be able to get 12fs on the M6, just need to get audio sync in post.

[jaapv]

10 hours ago, Jewl said:

I would never use the video feature of an M body. I have never used it when I had a Leica Q. Obviously, I am not a video person and I do believe I am the perfect target group of an M which is a very special tool and not a all-round talent like other digital cameras on the market.

If I'd like to take a video, I prefered to use one of the latest iPhones or probably a Sony camera. Cannot imagine what a hassle it would be to shoot a proper film with my M11.  

I'm certainly not a Video person at all, but I do use the video occasionally when traveling. In fact I moved away from the M as my travel companion after forty years because Leica dropped the Video. I still love shooting a rangefinder at home, but for travel there is other gear. Before the M240 I took a Canon videocamera and I am happy that it is gathering dust now.