If an M camera with an EVF was released, would it replace your SL?

[Dr. G]

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I've been hearing some chatter recently, with even my local Leica store saying that there was "nothing official, but Leica's reason for developing some of the new close focus M lenses 'might' be because an M body with an EVF is coming soon."  

If an M body with an EVF was to be released, I wonder how many people would consider moving from the SL system to it.  I know there are more than a few people here that use fast manual focus lenses on their SL because the EVF is better for obtaining critical focus.

As a second question, if an L mount interchangeable lens Q body was released with IBIS and AF, would you switch?

Edited April 25, 2024 by Dr. G

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[IkarusJohn]

Almost certainly, in my case.  I bought the SL so I would have an EVF based camera for my M lenses.  I’m not interested in filming video and I’ve never liked auto-focus, despite the fabulous SL lenses.  The Visoflex on my M10-D has, I think, obviated my interest in an MEVF, though if the alternative is the M11 I would be interested.

[Dr. G]

2 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said:

Almost certainly, in my case.  I bought the SL so I would have an EVF based camera for my M lenses.  I’m not interested in filming video and I’ve never liked auto-focus, despite the fabulous SL lenses.  The Visoflex on my M10-D has, I think, obviated my interest in an MEVF, though if the alternative is the M11 I would be interested.

I've thought about the Visoflex/M11 but I've heard that the Visoflex is nowhere near the quality of the EVF in the SL3 and Q3.  

[IkarusJohn]

17 minutes ago, Dr. G said:

I've thought about the Visoflex/M11 but I've heard that the Visoflex is nowhere near the quality of the EVF in the SL3 and Q3.  

Well, the Visoflex 020 on the M10 is easily good enough, and I imagine the new one is fine with the M11.  I know nothing about the SL3 or the Q3, and to be honest, provided the refresh rate is fast enough, I’m more interested in the image quality than the resolution of the EVF.  I have an SL(601), an X2D and I use the Visoflex on my M10-D and TL2 - in none of those cases is the EVF a limiting factor.  The original Visoflex issued with the TL and the M(240) was a rebadged Olympus EVF and it wasn’t as good.  That may have been a factor of teh cameras as well.

My approach, if it doesn’t detract, it’s fine.

[Planetwide]

It would not replace my SL, but I would buy it in heartbeat.

[Jeff S]

It would not replace my SL2, which adds IBIS, weather sealing (including SL lenses) and lens versatility (zooms, etc). My M lenses work best on my M bodies, using RF. Close focus M lens mechanisms add needless complexity for my needs, and the SL typically focuses closer anyway with my SL lenses.

Jeff

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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I would have both. If there was a compact camera with the SL3 sensor that was AF I would have all three.

Generally, I'm over adapting lenses so I'd like an EVF *M* for my aging eyes.

Gordon

[dpitt]

2 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

I would have both. If there was a compact camera with the SL3 sensor that was AF I would have all three.

Generally, I'm over adapting lenses so I'd like an EVF *M* for my aging eyes.

Gordon

I would have all three if budget allows 🙂
I never bought a Leica camera brand new, so I will not buy one right away when it is released. But I currently have an M9, a SL(601) and a TL2 with EVF(020)

They are all mostly used with MF lenses. The SL is sometimes used with M lenses but I use it more with my R lenses for long tele and macro. The EVF on the TL2 is really good,  I use it all the time but wish that it would be integrated (yes I know the CL would solve that) but it  is my prefered travel and compact camera. With my Leica Summicron 35 M it is my "50mm Q solution". I am not into the Q series because I do not like the 28mm FL... The M9 with all its limitations is still the one that I love to use. The main reason is that I think the rangefinder is a unique way of using a camera..

An L mount Q would replace my TL2 in a hart beat, but I would still 'need' a rangefinder and certainly an SL like body for its balance with the heavier R lenses. They also fit on the TL2 but it (and a Q/L) will never replace my SL. My APO Telyt F2.8 280 works fine on the SL but I have never even tried to use it on the TL2 😱. Most of my R lens collection makes more sense on the SL than on the TL2.

[Smogg]

There will obviously be switchers from the SL series, but it is unlikely that there will be many switches from the classic rangefinder M, since manual focus on the rangefinder M is significantly faster through OVF, especially at f5.6-f16. I had the SL601 and now have the X2D, manual focus with these cameras is significantly slower than with the M11

[jaapv]

9 hours ago, Dr. G said:

I've been hearing some chatter recently, with even my local Leica store saying that there was "nothing official, but Leica's reason for developing some of the new close focus M lenses 'might' be because an M body with an EVF is coming soon."  

If an M body with an EVF was to be released, I wonder how many people would consider moving from the SL system to it.  I know there are more than a few people here that use fast manual focus lenses on their SL because the EVF is better for obtaining critical focus.

As a second question, if an L mount interchangeable lens Q body was released with IBIS and AF, would you switch?

Such am camera? No. I like to mix my lens use by with both L and M lenses; it would cripple my photography or force me to carry two cameras all the time. The fake M would be for decorative reasons only in my case. 

As for the Q it would be very hard to do so, as the lens, shutter and sensor are one integrated unit and interactive with the electronics. You would end up with not using most of the Q design and building  a full frame CL2. Or mini SL. 

[jankap]

vor 10 Stunden schrieb Dr. G:

If an M body with an EVF was to be released, I wonder how many people would consider moving from the SL system to it.  I know there are more than a few people here that use fast manual focus lenses on their SL because the EVF is better for obtaining critical focus.

As a second question, if an L mount interchangeable lens Q body was released with IBIS and AF, would you switch?

1. Wrong with the SL for this is, that the M to L adapter should be able to process the M-code? Or what else? Do not forget, that an EVF needs room inside the camera.

2. Isn't there a central leaf shutter inside the Q? Better would be a Q with a 15mm lens AND one with a 75mm lens.

Edited April 26, 2024 by jankap

[jaapv]

As far as I am aware the M-L adapter has a code reader to transfer the code to the SL to process.

[jaapv]

10 hours ago, Dr. G said:

I've been hearing some chatter recently, with even my local Leica store saying that there was "nothing official, but Leica's reason for developing some of the new close focus M lenses 'might' be because an M body with an EVF is coming soon."  

If an M body with an EVF was to be released, I wonder how many people would consider moving from the SL system to it.  I know there are more than a few people here that use fast manual focus lenses on their SL because the EVF is better for obtaining critical focus.

As a second question, if an L mount interchangeable lens Q body was released with IBIS and AF, would you switch?

The reason Leica is developing close focus M lenses is obviously to be able to use them on the M11 with Visoflex. They may (unlikely, but still) bring out an EVF M but as far as I am aware Leica regards this as bastardizing the M concept, only to be undertaken when commercially interesting.

 

What Leica should do is bring out an M-shaped SL with an M-lens-only option @ 1000 $ containing of an M-L adapter and Red Dot Superglue. 

[Photoworks]

14 hours ago, Dr. G said:

I've been hearing some chatter recently, with even my local Leica store saying that there was "nothing official, but Leica's reason for developing some of the new close focus M lenses 'might' be because an M body with an EVF is coming soon."  

Leica has been doing M prototypes with EVF for years, and if it ever comes out it will not be a M camera anymore. But something new. Advancements are welcome, but Leica is challenged to deliver products they already have announced.

14 hours ago, Dr. G said:

If an M body with an EVF was to be released, I wonder how many people would consider moving from the SL system to it.  I know there are more than a few people here that use fast manual focus lenses on their SL because the EVF is better for obtaining critical focus.

EVF is always slower for me to focus on in most cases. I don't see any advantage to focusing

Most of the time I use the rangefinder, sometimes the combination of rangefinder and EVF, I will focus on the rangefinder and frame on the EVF, Just like it was on the Leica IIIg.

M focusing takes practice, but I have no problem with 0.95 lenses or any other summilux  I have wide open

14 hours ago, Dr. G said:

I've thought about the Visoflex/M11 but I've heard that the Visoflex is nowhere near the quality of the EVF in the SL3 and Q3.  

Visoflex of M11 is similar to q2, but I think it would have been nice to have more resolution to be able to see clearly and focus without magnification, just like the SL2.

 

But to be short. NO I don't want an EVF only M camera.

[BernardC]

14 hours ago, Dr. G said:

If an M body with an EVF was to be released, I wonder how many people would consider moving from the SL system to it.  I know there are more than a few people here that use fast manual focus lenses on their SL because the EVF is better for obtaining critical focus.

As a second question, if an L mount interchangeable lens Q body was released with IBIS and AF, would you switch?

An M camera without an optical viewfinder or rangefinder would be useless. I know that some people on the internet claim to want such a thing, but I assume they think it will be cheap. It won't be. Owning it will bring shame upon their families for several generations, so that should be a concern.😀

However, a smaller L-mount camera that looks vaguely like an M would be great. I love the SL series for intensive work, but it's not a "walking around" camera. I use the Sigma fp for that, but that camera has room for improvement. Leica could offer an "M-E" kit with a bundled M-Adapter-L for those who think they want a fake M.

[Dr. G]

1 minute ago, BernardC said:

An M camera without an optical viewfinder or rangefinder would be useless. I know that some people on the internet claim to want such a thing, but I assume they think it will be cheap. It won't be. Owning it will bring shame upon their families for several generations, so that should be a concern.😀

However, a smaller L-mount camera that looks vaguely like an M would be great. I love the SL series for intensive work, but it's not a "walking around" camera. I use the Sigma fp for that, but that camera has room for improvement. Leica could offer an "M-E" kit with a bundled M-Adapter-L for those who think they want a fake M.

The more I think about it, an L mount interchangeable lens Q style body would potentially keep the M purists happy, allow for AF, possibly have IBIS and could use M lenses with the adapter.  So basically a new version of the CL with a full frame sensor.  I love my SL3 (and loved my SL and SL2-S) but agree that a smaller body for walking around and travel would be great.

[tomasis7]

A smaller body with M mount lens would be great.    

It wont replace SL because the SL can take the heavier weight of lenses. I added a thumb-up thing and a RRS plate. It feels so comfortable and grippy. 

I never bought an M digital body because it is so pricey even as a used one. SL works great as an M-body. One can always wish for a smaller body though. 

I agree that an optical viewfinder is the easiest to focus. I use zone focusing mostly so Im getting used to red lines as an indication of a sharp area in the SL LCD screen. 

Edited April 26, 2024 by tomasis7

[LBJ2]

I'm good with the 3.7 MP resolution and image stabilized VisoFlex 2 for those rare moments I need/want EVF with my M lenses and M11. And I don't have to buy another Leica priced camera just to have an EVF with my M lenses. 3.7MP is more than plenty but of course not at the level of the larger SLx EVF. However, if Leica can get its customer base to buy yet another Leica priced rangefinder body with built in EVF then I say why not. The more money spent the merrier for all involved! 

The Leica SL APO primes are a priority for me and they balance well on the SLx bodies, so I would not give up the SLx for a built in EVF rangefinder style to specifically use M lenses. However, I might try the new EVF/M just to see what it's about. 

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Edited April 26, 2024 by LBJ2

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[M11 for me]

vor 15 Stunden schrieb Dr. G:

I've thought about the Visoflex/M11 but I've heard that the Visoflex is nowhere near the quality of the EVF in the SL3 and Q3.  

That is definitely wrong 🙏. Just buy a Visoflex and you have your EVF-M11.

[trickness]

With the buggy freezing bricking overexposing nightmare that the M11 variants have been, putting a bunch of additional tech in that form factor just seems to be asking for trouble.