Where next for the digital M platform?

[WvE]

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Keep the M simple, das Wesentliche, no need for 100+ MP.    

[dpitt]

17 hours ago, Knipsknecht said:

I would like that, too. But I think that won’t be possible until there would be completely new lenses with electronic contacts and internal electronics to tell the camera the exact position of the focus. As far as I know Nikon has such a function in its new Z-line. In fact I am interested in the coming Zf fullframe camera, designed with the analog FE2 or FM2 in mind. Voigtlander has a couple of manual lenses with electronic contacts and the little focus patch in the EVF turns green when the picture is in focus. Sounds pretty tempting to me😇 …

It is all theory of course, but I think there is a technical possibility without changing the lenses or contacts.

With a sensor that supports live view, one could use the usual ways to determine focus peaking. Then match that to the position of the patch zone and just light up when something is in focus inside the patch. Now lets dream a bit further and build this sensor in a way that really makes focus peaking work. Even on my old SL, I found that focus peaking is triggered to fast. For critical focus I found that a zoom function reveals focus peaking objects are not always in critical focus. So I would wish to make the tolerances for showing something as 'in focus' a bit tighter than usual.

[costa43]

For me, the M should be as basic as possible. Strip back the choice and focus on image quality and experience only. If it is possible, a closer focusing rangefinder with the m10p/r shutter would be lovely.  A second evf only M to sit alongside the classic version could work but the choice of a rangefinder model should always be there.

The SL and Q range can appease the spec sheet and YouTube crowd. 

 

[bkphoto]

8 hours ago, Carlinski said:

It’s obvious this is no longer the ethos. I have no interest in any M’s from M11 and beyond.

What’s the rationale?

[Jeff S]

13 minutes ago, bkphoto said:

What’s the rationale?

Jeff

[idusidusi]

On 8/21/2023 at 6:24 PM, evikne said:

This will always be a problem with digital sensors, unless they make one that is interchangeable (which might be a good idea if possible).

More than possible! The French company  Pixii SAS  does just that with their Pixii rangefinder

Upgradeable: https://pixii.fr/pixii-camera

[Greenhilltony]

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In reality, the bells and whistles are inherently the offers from the sensors. LV, video recording, sensor exposure metering, etc. Many customers do not realize that the manufacturer cannot cut down the cost from shipping fewer bells and whistles functions—they are already there out of box, so they charge for that price when the manufacturer pick them. The truly cheaper and fewer functions sensors seem to be not existent.

[Jon Warwick]

Given future shutter developments are often discussed, is there any reason why electronic (as opposed to mechanical) shouldn't already be used for 99% of subjects on say an M11, especially given the large benefit of electronic shutter being zero camera vibration?

I get the notion of electronic shutters not keeping up with very fast moving subjects, such that car wheels get distorted into an unnatural shape, but beyond that does electronic shutter have any negatives?.... i've never tried it, but (at any shutter speed) would leaves fluttering on trees, or waves crashing on a beach, render any differently if one used electronic vs mechanical shutter?

Edited August 26, 2023 by Jon Warwick

[jaapv]

The other problems are banding under discontinuous light and fragmentation of fast spinning objects like a propellor. 

[Luke_Miller]

My Nikon Z8 has only an electronic shutter.  Effective read out is 1/250 second, so minimizes the usual electronic shutter artifacts.  It also offers user selectable non-standard shutter speeds (e.g. 1/197 sec) that can be used to avoid banding with LED and other light sources that have high frequency cycles.  I believe this approach (or a global electronic shutter) in a future M would be a functional improvement that is in keeping with the M gestalt.

Edited August 26, 2023 by Luke_Miller

[lct]

2 hours ago, Jon Warwick said:

[...] I get the notion of electronic shutters not keeping up with very fast moving subjects, such that car wheels get distorted into an unnatural shape, but beyond that does electronic shutter have any negatives? [...]

None i'm aware of. I use both mechanical and electronic shutters in hybrid mode on the M11 and i've yet to see any negatives since i got the M11 in May 2022. I refrain from shooting fast moving subjects with it though but i take less care with my Sony. 1/8000s in electronic mode below (A7r2 mod + Summicron 90/2 apo @ f/2, FF and crop).

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