Is Leica working on a digital equivalent to CM

[venividivici]

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Is Leica working on a digital equivalent to CM?

 

I'm not sure if I have heard the rumor before. Really want to know if any one here knows whether Leica is working on a Digital P&S camera, a digital CM.

 

Used a Olympus mu2 the other day, find a P&S is the way to go if you want to keep a camera with you all the time. The sigma DP1 is rather a nice set, just can't live with the f4 lens, surely it won't be that difficult to make a 40mm equivalent f2 lens...

 

So, if any one knows some thing, please, give some hint, before we all got on a wrong boat.

[Guest user8952]

Is Leica working on a digital equivalent to CM?

 

 

let's hope so

[salvatore]

I hope too

[burkey]

Interesting. I'd love a "CL" version of the M8. Maybe a bit smaller, less costly, manual with the ability to take M-mount lenses.

[Guest user8952]

Interesting. I'd love a "CL" version of the M8. Maybe a bit smaller, less costly, manual with the ability to take M-mount lenses.

 

probably this camera will be offered by zeiss-ikon....

[Guest stnami]

I doubt if they are as there is no need.....the m8 is their camera and there are issues yet to be resolved before things are applied elsewhere

[Learner]

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I may kick myself when I learn the answer, but what is CM?

[philipotto]

John,

 

The Leica CM is a titanium bodied compact with an AF 40mm F2.4 summarit.

There was also a CM zoom with a 35mm-70mm vario-elmar.

 

Both are now discontinued, and have been removed from the Leica site.

 

 

Carston Wilson's site gives some more CM details:

Leica CM Revealed!

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!

[venividivici]

I may kick myself when I learn the answer, but what is CM?

 

A compact P&S camera from Leica, a film camera of course.

[dugby]

One could argue that Leica's digital equivalent to the CM-zoom recently have been

1) D2

 

or maybe the

 

2) D-Lux2 and

3) D-Lux3

 

The retort to these suggestions, that the images from these do not compare with those from a M8 (whereas those from a CM had the M-glass look and feel) , But one must remember the goal posts are continually moving when the image capture device no longer became the consistence of "film" and replaced by the ever-evolving "CCD"

[rsolomon]

agreed the digilux 2 was the digital CM.....

[Guest malland]

...The sigma DP1 is rather a nice set, just can't live with the f4 lens, surely it won't be that difficult to make a 40mm equivalent f2 lens...

First the DP1 still does not yet exist; and second, yes, it's easy to make a (small) f/2 40mm EFOV lens if you ignore the laws of optics and the fact the current digital sensors need to have light striking them perpendicularly. Look at the huge size the Panasonic/Leica f/1.4 lens for the 4/3 system; but then I guess they weren't ready to ignore the laws of optics and the reality of current sensors — or do yout think that they didn't know what they were doing? Perhaps you cam show them how, mate.

 

—Mitch/Paris

Flickr: Photos from Mitch Alland

[krabat]

Interesting. I'd love a "CL" version of the M8. Maybe a bit smaller, less costly, manual with the ability to take M-mount lenses.

 

I don't think Leica wants to "cannibalise" its M8.

 

One could argue that Leica's digital equivalent to the CM-zoom recently have been

1) D2

 

Yes, probably, although the Digilux 2 is a little bit bigger. In my opinion, this discussion does emphasise the urgent need for a real successor of the DL 2. Probably more in the the size of the CM (Zoom), although the present size of the DL 2 is alright for me. The major thing in a new camera would be to preserve the nice lens of the DL 2. If the sensor of a new "small" camera would be fast enough, no anti-shake is needed.

 

Regards, Peter.

[isachsen]

For sure, such a beautiful little digital version of this camera with a prime 40mm f/2.0 lens would be greeted with joy by many of us. I also think a digital version of the old CL would sell well.

 

As we saw in the interview with Mr. Lee (president of the Leica company) in the Leica Fotografie magazine this summer, he claimed that the company works on several new M- versions. An "light" M-series machine would be so cool!

[Guest stnami]

wrong.............tree barking

[Riley]

my understanding of CM is its a fixed lens

pressing for an M glass variant induces 3 problems

1/- it will be more expensive, the M mount itself costs, and the engineering level just went up 3 notches

2/- it will reduce M8 sales

3/- invariably cheaper means 'crop sensor', any deeper crop than M8 would make M lenses more or less hopelessly long. Any larger crop makes it little different from M8, therfore just as expensive.

 

There are however a number of alternatives that could be investigated

1/- a fixed optic, this is the cheapest option, not the most flexible though

2/- a fixed zoom such as D2 on a better quality sensor than the Sony offering

3/- an interchangeable lens 4/3rds rangefinder, the pancake lenses would also find a home on other 4/3rds cameras

 

as to sensors

1/- Fuji's Super CCD from F30 would be fine for a D2v2, however the newer sensors are nowhere near as good, late scratching there

2/- 4/3rds nMOS would be workable, and would continue the avenue of co-operation with Panasonic.

3/- but for the ultimate excursion, the foveon X3 would offer M8 like acuity, but with less noise performance. It offers suitable body compactness and a 1.72x crop factor, necessitating a new lens. Something rather classier than DP1 would be nice, even a plastic body with press metal ends. Hot shoe for common auto-flash, smaller F2.8 lens, aperture ring and speed dial, colour black, full time LiveView. An OVF but is is a RF or AF? Price, about 1.7k

[Black Dot]

In addition to confirming the R10 and M8-2 / M9 to be announced late next year they are also working on an 'X' camera. No details as to what it is though. It could just be a successor to the Digilux 3 but it sounds like it might be something they are working on in house.