M12 wishlist

[IkarusJohn]

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I’m always a bit surprised when people post here that “we know” this and that about a new camera.  I’d rather we just speculate, and leave to Leica to know what’s coming and for them to tell us when they’re good and ready.  We can then be surprised, delighted or disappointed.

[jaapv]

Still, threads like this are quite useful for Leica to get a sense of customer sentiment. See the M240 video controversy. It gave them an additional reason when they were unable to incorporate video in the M10, and to give us an explanation for the lack of IBIS in M cameras. Probably gave them inspiration to include some features as well. 
The wish for M3 style windows, for instance, might be quite a good one IMO. 

[pedaes]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

M3 style windows,

It is much easier cleaning a M2 viewfinder than a M3's (IHMO of course!)

[paulleica]

If there is an M 11-V, an M 12 no longer makes sense.

[jaapv]

I would not be surprised if the majority of M aficionados would reject an EVF M; Leica would be shooting themselves in the foot.

[costa43]

10 minutes ago, paulleica said:

If there is an M 11-V, an M 12 no longer makes sense.

So after 70 years of the rangefinder in an M, suddenly it makes no sense because Leica popped a Visoflex in, not sure about that. I would hope that releasing an EVF M would then make it easier to keep the rangefinder model simple. You no longer have just one design to please all camps. Let’s see. If the rumours are accurate then not long to go now.

[IkarusJohn]

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16 minutes ago, paulleica said:

If there is an M 11-V, an M 12 no longer makes sense.

Let’s hope many Sony owners agree with you, before they discover the charms of the rangefinder and buy their second M camera!

[SrMi]

52 minutes ago, paulleica said:

If there is an M 11-V, an M 12 no longer makes sense.

How so?

[SrMi]

49 minutes ago, jaapv said:

I would not be surprised if the majority of M aficionados would reject an EVF M; Leica would be shooting themselves in the foot.

While initially being enthusiastic about an EVF M, the more I think about it, the more I doubt that it is a good idea ... for me. 

However, I can imagine that it could attract a new group of customers who are wary of using an OVF and a rangefinder.

[wilfredo]

Some will find this video annoying.  I’m sharing it with no particular agenda in mind.  I’ve gone through a series of M cameras in the last two decades, and currently my favorite Leica is the Q2M.  During my analog days I shot with an M2, M6, MP, and M7.   I remember the days when I was convinced that digital photography didn’t have a snow ball’s chance in hell.  Then I moved from the M7 to the M8, and later the M9 Monochrom.   I bought these cameras as soon as they hit the market.  Currently my only M camera is the M8 (love the colors and B&W ccd sensor conversions) and I’m seriously considering the M11 Monochrom.  Thankfully, I kept most of my M lenses.  It will be very interesting to see how the M12 manifests and regardless of what our thoughts are, I suspect it will be a hit. It appears that the mystery will be over by 2027.   For now, I’ll continue to consider the M11 Monochrom which I suspect I may purchase come 2026, or perhaps for Christmas this year.   Let’s take a deep breath and watch attentively.  

[SrMi]

7 minutes ago, wilfredo said:

Some will find this video annoying.  I’m sharing it with no particular agenda in mind.  I’ve gone through a series of M cameras in the last two decades, and currently my favorite Leica is the Q2M.  During my analog days I shot with an M2, M6, MP, and M7.   I remember the days when I was convinced that digital photography didn’t have a snow ball’s chance in hell.  Then I moved from the M7 to the M8, and later the M9 Monochrom.   I bought these cameras as soon as they hit the market.  Currently my only M camera is the M8 (love the colors and B&W ccd sensor conversions) and I’m seriously considering the M11 Monochrom.  Thankfully, I kept most of my M lenses.  It will be very interesting to see how the M12 manifests and regardless of what our thoughts are, I suspect it will be a hit. It appears that the mystery will be over by 2027.   For now, I’ll continue to consider the M11 Monochrom which I suspect I may purchase come 2026, or perhaps for Christmas this year.   Let’s take a deep breath and watch attentively.  

That video is spam/click-bait. 

[jakontil]

Why would a Q2/3 sport an ibis but not the M? 
Not that i want or need ibis, im oke with what m11 delivers and that’s all i want until otherwise

and rumors have it that the height will b shorter mimicking the mp/ma style which is more desirable since i shoot alongside with M

 

[SrMi]

12 minutes ago, jakontil said:

Why would a Q2/3 sport an ibis but not the M? 
Not that i want or need ibis, im oke with what m11 delivers and that’s all i want until otherwise

and rumors have it that the height will b shorter mimicking the mp/ma style which is more desirable since i shoot alongside with M

Q cameras do not have IBIS. Instead, Q's lens has OIS. It is evident why M lenses cannot have OIS.

[jakontil]

2 minutes ago, SrMi said:

Q cameras do not have IBIS. Instead, Q's lens has OIS. It is evident why M lenses cannot have OIS.

Ah yeah i missed this! Thanks for Enlightenment..

[paulleica]

Am 11.9.2025 um 22:03 schrieb SrMi:

How so?

The M11 is almost perfect. Do we need more than 60 MP? No. Do we need image stabilisation? Not really. A better battery? No. A different viewfinder? Yes, an EVF or a hybrid viewfinder. Although I always used the EVF with Fuji's hybrid viewfinder, even with manual lenses. Anyone who doesn't want to use an EVF can buy the camera version with the classic rangefinder.

[jjroroek]

the next Leica should be a Leica MQ, the fully integration of the two system with the best of both systems. AF, IBS, Digital viewfinder, dioptrie adjsutment, interchangable M lensess, , m bodysize etc 

Edited September 15 by jjroroek

[Stef63]

3 hours ago, jjroroek said:

the next Leica should be a Leica MQ, the fully integration of the two system with the best of both systems. AF, IBS, Digital viewfinder, dioptrie adjsutment, interchangable M lensess, , m bodysize etc 

... and how would Auto Focus work with M lenses, if I may ask?

Edited September 15 by Stef63

[LocalHero1953]

4 hours ago, jjroroek said:

the next Leica should be a Leica MQ, the fully integration of the two system with the best of both systems. AF, IBS, Digital viewfinder, dioptrie adjsutment, interchangable M lensess, , m bodysize etc 

Nah - it should be a full frame CL.

Or possibly a M-shaped SL.

Both with M-mount.

 

Edited September 15 by LocalHero1953

[charlesphoto99]

Unless the next M has ChatGP natively installed, I'm out.... 😂🙄

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[FrozenInTime]

On 9/10/2025 at 12:01 PM, colonel said:

What about the Leica M12? - Leica Rumors

The M12 trademark seems to have been abandoned by Leica (all Leica trademarks can be found here). If you search for “M12”, there are many already-approved “M12” trademarks. The Leica M12 trademark status in the United States Patent and Trademark Office is currently listed as “active”. Perhaps the next Leica model will not be called the M12?

As stated: "M12 is a trademark owned by Leica Camera AG, a N/A based entity . The trademark was filed on 10 Aug 2022 with serial number (#79352811) . The M12 trademark is filed in the category of Computer & Software Products & Electrical & Scientific Products. The mark is not being used in commerce yet. As of 29 Oct 2024, the trademark remains Dead/Abandoned, with a recent status, ABANDONED - FAILURE TO RESPOND OR LATE RESPONSE. The mark is represented by attorney Alexander Lazouski of law firm Alexander Lazouski Lazouski IP LLC."

The latest video from Leica Singapore talks about "Leica M" .... is this softening us up for the return to M Type 240 etc. naming ?