EVF M rumoured

[RMF]

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52 minutes ago, Dazzajl said:

I am that number 2 but I’d be totally fine with an upgrade to a 1.5 

Let’s be fair, if one’s budget stretches to. Leica, why not. I don’t believe that you get a better camera/lens for your cash but you do get a nicer one and the styling might not improve your photos but it is gorgeous. 

Fully agree that there should be a third choice in the list as there are those that might somewhat fall to one side or another or have one foot in both camps; in essence those two lists are not antithetical.

 

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Edited February 23 by RMF

[jrichie]

3 minutes ago, RMF said:

Fully agree that there should be a third choice in the list as there are those that might somewhat fall to one side or another or have one foot in both camps; in essence those two lists are not antithetical.

 

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well I am a 1.5 too.  When I bought my M11 I had a very decent income and it wasn't a problem at all.

However I had wanted an M for 15 years and it was the first time I could afford one comfortably.  

The manager did state he much preferred selling to people who actually wanted one and were passionate.  Obviously he can tell the difference - it wouldnt be too hard.

However I dont think we should complain too much as Leica probably wouldn't be the same without these wealthy benefactors.

[evikne]

20 minutes ago, jrichie said:

However I dont think we should complain too much as Leica probably wouldn't be the same without these wealthy benefactors.

I am probably a category 3: A very passionate Leica enthusiast, but could never have bought my camera if I hadn't won a lottery or inherited, as I did. If all Leica users were like me, they would have gone bankrupt a long time ago. 😄

[jaapv]

When I see that it is was impossible to travel through Germany last weekend because of the skiing holiday traffic jams, the prices in jam-packed restaurants, etc . I feel with all respect for those who have to scrape to buy Leica, that it is more a question of what to spend one’s money on than a lack of money. 

[Dazzajl]

1 minute ago, jrichie said:

well I am a 1.5 too.  When I bought my M11 I had a very decent income and it wasn't a problem at all.

However I had wanted an M for 15 years and it was the first time I could afford one comfortably.  

The manager did state he much preferred selling to people who actually wanted one and were passionate.  Obviously he can tell the difference - it wouldnt be too hard.

However I dont think we should complain too much as Leica probably wouldn't be the same without these wealthy benefactors.

I might not be able to afford the new leicas but I’m very happy to celebrate the purchases of anyone who can. 🍾🥂

[Herr Barnack]

12 minutes ago, evikne said:

I am probably a category 3: A very passionate Leica enthusiast, but could never have bought my camera if I hadn't won a lottery or inherited, as I did. If all Leica users were like me, they would have gone bankrupt a long time ago. 😄

@evikne has hit the nail on the head.  I wish all the best to my fellow Category Three types. 

[pgk]

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5 hours ago, jrichie said:

yes, this forum is for number 2's

But, whilst it might be fun to be in the position of a number one, its unlikely to happen😁.

[Photon42]

Number one is needed to keep Leica afloat and to keep number 2 happy with new releases 😎

[Guest]

I'm a number two, but I'd much prefer to be a number one!

[phojomatic]

Unrelated to money, I’ve noticed two groups of photographers using Leicas and mirrorless cameras in general:

1) those who look through a viewfinder

2) those that only use the lcd on back. 
 

I am baffled why someone would use an M11/35 Lux like a smart phone…and I saw this most recently last week at an event at the Leica store. Usually the lcd group shoots vertical like an iPhone. I’ve even seen someone use an SL3 lcd only…thinking you have the best EVF on the market right there.
 

I just don’t get it but I think an EVF M is not for lcd shooters….how strange to have an EVF and still use the camera lcd to shoot?

[SrMi]

Everybody is jealous of #1, hence the disdain for #1. It's human nature.

[mujk]

26 minutes ago, phojomatic said:

I am baffled why someone would use an M11/35 Lux like a smart phone…and I saw this most recently last week at an event at the Leica store. Usually the lcd group shoots vertical like an iPhone. I’ve even seen someone use an SL3 lcd only…thinking you have the best EVF on the market right there.
 

I just don’t get it but I think an EVF M is not for lcd shooters….how strange to have an EVF and still use the camera lcd to shoot?

These people have probably grown up taking pictures with a phone and mainly in a portrait (vertical) orientation. Their brains have settled in this mode and would require a learning effort to do it in another way. Leica should probably make a viewfinder-less M for this group (i.e. no OVF or EVF), maybe with added video and expanded touch-LCD control.

Edited February 24 by mujk

[SrMi]

An LCD is useful when you do not have external EVF/OVF and want to frame using LCD (wider than 35mm for glass wearers), or you want to focus closer than 0.7m or focus precisely with a Noctilux, or your eyesight has issues with the OVF.

[Smogg]

Also when your knees hurt and you don’t want to squat to shoot from the bottom point

[adan]

4 hours ago, Photon42 said:

Number one is needed to keep Leica afloat and to keep number 2 happy with new releases 😎

Probably true - every business needs its cash-cows.

But the trick with cash-cows is always to extract the maximum amount of cash with a minimum amount of "mooing."

One of the unspoken "costs" of using a Leica M is, and has always been, being competent to use it - as is. "Uncompetence"= "User error."

Leitz/Leica used to be a bit more up-front about that........"The Leica M4(6/7/8/9/10/11...) is for those of you who prefer to do your own thinking, your own creating....its only limit is the scope of your imagination and the condition of your reflexes."

All others need not apply..... 😁

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Edited February 24 by adan

[lct]

Leica M4 with Summicron 50/2 v3. This ad prompted me to buy this very kit in my youth. I was a student then so # 2 i guess but i hoped to become an # 1 and this did happen sadly of fortunately

Edited February 24 by lct

[charlesphoto99]

5 hours ago, SrMi said:

An LCD is useful when you do not have external EVF/OVF and want to frame using LCD (wider than 35mm for glass wearers), or you want to focus closer than 0.7m or focus precisely with a Noctilux, or your eyesight has issues with the OVF.

I rarely use the back LCD, but when I do it really comes in handy. Like yesterday shooting out of a plane window at an extreme angle - an add on EVF (without the ability to swivel it) would have done nothing for that. 

[JohnathanLovm]

On 2/24/2025 at 2:32 AM, jrichie said:

Anecdote for you here - I was talking to the manager of a Leica store once about the Leica customer.  He said there were usually 2 types [obviously you can also be both].

1. Wealthy, and walk in and buy up a whole system and lenses because they can, and are only in the store because it's 'Leica'.  They are buying the brand.

2. People who have saved up / or are very passionate about the process and love photography and using M cameras, lenses etc.

I fall into number 2.  I was fortunate to have the money, but also love the M [except for my glasses issues hence wanting an EVF].

He told me most customers of Leica fall into number 1 and I witnessed it first hand on multiple occasions.

So yes the M is still and expensive niche camera.  Its popularity mainly due to trend on old looking cameras bought by people with a lot of money.

I would prefer the M to look and operate in a thoroughly modern manner, have minimal controls, large screen and EVF.  It won't, as Leica are making more money out of these people who just want to buy cool and have the right brand and product around their necks to demonstrate so called wealth.

 

 

I probably in type 3 category: waiting type 1 and type 2 upgrade their Leica by selling their old Leicas.

[JohnathanLovm]

With the announcement of Sigma BF and the release of Lumix S9, I hope the EVF-M is 24MP and price around 3000-4000 below SL3-S.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Calvin]

After looking at the Sigma BF announcement, my epiphany on an M EVF is more of a minimalist L-mount camera with EVF and optional M-mount adapter, basically a modern day TL2 or a more stills focused equivalent to the Panasonic S9. It has to win on design, but with more usability, and better suited to still photographers. Costs can be saved with 24mp sensor which is sufficient, ideally the semi-stacked version on the Z6III so mechanical shutter can be eliminated, but more likely the same on the Panasonic S9. With Leica premium, it could be more like US$4K instead of Us$2K for the BF, but if it performs well, looks and feels awesome (expect more uniqueness than a Q), and have mostly acceptable compromises (like don’t remove the mechanical shutter if you are still on a slower sensor), it will sell like hotcakes for a Leica, with me being a likely customer. The TL2 was not only ahead of its time, but also more limited in capability despite the lower cost.

As a primarily Nikon shooter, I just got a Zf as a more portable supplement to the Z8. I feel it is still a bit big and heavy, and still use it mostly with AF lenses and in semi-auto modes, ignoring the dials. Like the subject detection in MF mode even if it is less tactile than mechanical rangefinder, and it becomes problematic if chooses a different subject and I need to scramble and change the focusing area, but the MF focusing aids are improving. I feel this new camera should point the way to the future, while the classic M stays with the past. With I am thinking, then you get the best of both worlds. AF and video with L lenses, and also use M lenses. It won’t be as nice to use M lenses without the classic rangefinder, but for that, you just stick with your classic rangefinder. For people who are more budget constrained, and I can count myself that, then availability of more affordable L lenses from Sigma and others makes it attractive.