New Leica M6 Film Camera

[AvidArchRivals]

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I'm betting it'll be one of those Barnack-type, viewfinderless cameras updated with M-mount.

[bags27]

2 hours ago, Al Brown said:

Leica Camera has just sent out a newsleter with content & links completely dedicated to film photography. a VERY clear message that something analog is coming.
"It goes without saying that Leica's heritage is in film and the love for the essentials of photography. Visit our website to see tips and stories from the realm of analog photography, that every film enthusiast should know. Because understanding the basics is essential for creating images with a unique aura, that no one can resist."

 

Sounds like someone's been reading Walter Benjamin!

And looks like there will be a new camera. When I linked this to the beginning of the tread, it seemed as if Peter had tangible information, rather than mere rumor. Sounds as if he got this one right.

[bags27]

16 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

He should have. The testers were out there with the new camera for about 9 months now. But it seems the NDA's were well respected. Leica still does not realize the enormous marketing value of buzz created by early leaks.

Thanks for the info on the testers!

As to early leaks, Leica generally sells out its first run of a new product essentially overnight. The problem usually seems to be supply, not demand. 

Edited September 8, 2022 by bags27

[frame-it]

15 hours ago, hdmesa said:

You can't cheat on optics with film

You can't cheat on optics with digital

😇

[hdmesa]

23 minutes ago, frame-it said:

You can't cheat on optics with digital

😇

They can and do with the Q lens distortion. That doesn't fly on film

 

[a.noctilux]

2 minutes ago, hdmesa said:

They can and do with the Q lens distortion. That doesn't fly on film

 

Don't most (not all happily) of film users scan their negatives, so another good application can overview that.

That said, I don't think so that Q Film with fix lens is so good idea.

[Huss]

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1 hour ago, hdmesa said:

They can and do with the Q lens distortion. That doesn't fly on film

 

On film it will be the first 28mm fish eye lens.

[hdmesa]

3 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

Don't most (not all happily) of film users scan their negatives, so another good application can overview that.

That said, I don't think so that Q Film with fix lens is so good idea.

LR/C1 distortion correction tools can't fully correct the Q lens distortion – it needs a custom profile specific to the Q lens to come out close to perfect. In any case, the distortion on the Q lens is so massive (nearly fish-eye as stated above) that correction of it on film would ruin the film grain quality. It would be a similar experience to using a cheap Lomo camera except it would be very sharp in the center.

[Anbaric]

6 hours ago, hdmesa said:

They can and do with the Q lens distortion. That doesn't fly on film

Maybe it will come with specially curved film?

[grahamc]

 So it's clear it's coming then. And will very likely have some 'improvements'. 

I don't know enough about tech to know what's possible / likely, but I will say again I'm happy with all existing M film features + 1/4000 shutter.  That'd be great ! 

Will it be A-priority is the question, I guess. I get some of my best exposures from my Minolta CLE which I use in A mode, however I find it much less fun than the challenge of using a fully manual M.   Although who knows whether that's just because the M is so much nicer in general.  Either way, A-priority mode could be a selling point for many. 

Also, is this where we finally get IBIS ? 🤣 

Edited September 9, 2022 by grahamc

[graphlex]

12 hours ago, Al Brown said:

He should have. The testers were out there with the new camera for about 9 months now. But it seems the NDA's were well respected. Leica still does not realize the enormous marketing value of buzz created by early leaks.

There must be something new to test.

[grahamc]

Whilst this is purely a complete guess, I'm going with : 

• Interchangeable lens camera, replacing Leica MP 
• Design styling circa updated M6. But really M6/MP who cares. 
• Updated shutter 1/4000 
• No glossy/traditional black paint option. Materials & coatings shared with M11- meaning also that (like M11) the finish will be called 'black paint', but look like black chrome.  Product/Marketing info will stress scratch-resistance/durability, instead of brassing/'memories'  
• No meaningful upgrade to MP viewfinder 
• No baseplate (OK that was a joke but wow just imagine) 
• Lighter than current film M, or at least the black one

A-priority mode I'm unsure but I'm going with 'probable'.

I don't really care for any of these btw other than 1/4000 but am excited to see what they put out .   

What are other ideas for updates (realistic ones) that Leica might feel would 'revolutionise' a film M ?  

Edited September 9, 2022 by grahamc

[Huss]

2 hours ago, graphlex said:

There must be something new to test.

That's what I'm thinking.  If it was a re-introduced M6 - even if slightly improved (which would make it an MP..) there basically would be nothing to test, per se.  Same old camera with perhaps cosmetic changes.

But for it to be out in the field being tested for 9 months - that suggests an all-new camera where they are making sure to work out the issues.

Again, all pure conjecture!  But for Leica to post a throw back CM photo...

[grahamc]

8 minutes ago, Huss said:

But for Leica to post a throw back CM photo...

true ! 🤔

[dsetiono01]

I noticed in the Singapore Leica Store page, the Silver Version of the MP is no longer listed:

See here in Web Archive : https://web.archive.org/web/20211021233001/https://leica-store.sg/products/leica-mp-0-72-silver-chrome-finish

You can't find the product anywhere else here : https://leica-store.sg/collections/leica-m-cameras

Usually they only remove Camera / Lenses that are discontinued, or Special Edition sets that are no longer planned to be re-stocked.

For example, the Black Paint M10-R was still listed until around last month (and yes it was in stock for weeks before they removed the listing).

This time, the removal of the Silver MP is curious because its a current production camera. The Black paint one is still there, suggesting that it may remain as a collectors edition item and the upcoming Film camera would be a Metered, Silver in colour.

How about in other countries, have your Leica store website started to remove the Silver MPs?

 

[Huss]

7 minutes ago, dsetiono01 said:

I noticed in the Singapore Leica Store page, the Silver Version of the MP is no longer listed:

See here in Web Archive : https://web.archive.org/web/20211021233001/https://leica-store.sg/products/leica-mp-0-72-silver-chrome-finish

You can't find the product anywhere else here : https://leica-store.sg/collections/leica-m-cameras

Usually they only remove Camera / Lenses that are discontinued, or Special Edition sets that are no longer planned to be re-stocked.

For example, the Black Paint M10-R was still listed until around last month (and yes it was in stock for weeks before they removed the listing).

This time, the removal of the Silver MP is curious because its a current production camera. The Black paint one is still there, suggesting that it may remain as a collectors edition item and the upcoming Film camera would be a Metered, Silver in colour.

How about in other countries, have your Leica store website started to remove the Silver MPs?

 

Nope, not in the US.  Silver MP on the Leica site and at stores.

[madNbad]

I’m going with they’re bringing back the M5. Since it’s all speculation at this time, why not?

[patrickjames]

After looking at that picture on the previous page, note how they are hiding the shutter with film. I am guessing a regular shutter instead of a cloth shutter and the electronics to run it. That would be nice. Faster shutter speeds. Faster flash sync. Auto exposure. The whole traditional thing is worn out in my opinion. If they did that then they could disengage the shutter from a motor drive. Win win.

[grahamc]

1 hour ago, dsetiono01 said:

I noticed in the Singapore Leica Store page, the Silver Version of the MP is no longer listed:

See here in Web Archive : https://web.archive.org/web/20211021233001/https://leica-store.sg/products/leica-mp-0-72-silver-chrome-finish

You can't find the product anywhere else here : https://leica-store.sg/collections/leica-m-cameras

Usually they only remove Camera / Lenses that are discontinued, or Special Edition sets that are no longer planned to be re-stocked.

For example, the Black Paint M10-R was still listed until around last month (and yes it was in stock for weeks before they removed the listing).

This time, the removal of the Silver MP is curious because its a current production camera. The Black paint one is still there, suggesting that it may remain as a collectors edition item and the upcoming Film camera would be a Metered, Silver in colour.

How about in other countries, have your Leica store website started to remove the Silver MPs?

 

Australia:  
You can "pre-order" MP , both colours (clickable link for payment of 10% deposit)
M-A Silver Chrome is "in-stock" (clickable link for full payment)
M-A Black Chrome is "back-order" (button greyed out, can't click through).   << Does this mean N/A ? 
M-A Titan Set is also "back-order" (button greyed out, can't click through) << we know this means N/A  

Reality is these differences in shopping cart terminology may not mean that much (see recent posts about MP being "available June 2027" in US, etc etc)

Edited September 9, 2022 by grahamc

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[madNbad]

The other option is, Leica Rumors needs more clicks to bump up their advertising revenue. I’m sticking with the return of the M5.

Edited September 9, 2022 by madNbad