Possible Leica Promotion - Free M/G1 Panny adaptor with a new Summarit M Lens

[stevelap]

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Heard this from a reliable source, it's not definite but is an idea being discussed. Not sure if it's Leica UK only though.

 

If it comes to pass, good idea or bad?

[jaapv]

Whatever, no interest. Might help to sell one or two lenses maybe.

[delander †]

Seems a strange move since Leica are evidently not interested in micro 3/4.

 

But maybe its a Leica UK thing only, they seem to do be fairly independantt with regards to sales and promotions. Leica do lots of things to make a little extra money, green M8s white M8s etc.

 

Jeff

[Speenth]

Seems a strange move since Leica are evidently not interested in micro 3/4.

 

Jeff

 

Officially not interested in micro 4/3, but testing the waters perhaps? To me it is odd that Leica is disdainful of this interesting new development. The concept is engaging punters worldwide and Leica is one of the few manufacturers ready to reap the benefits. They desperately need a product with a more popular appeal and at the same time they need to come up with something uniquely Leica (not a rebadged Lumix or the like). Micro 4/3 offers that opportunity, potentially with a relatively low development curve and the potential to sell a load more M lenses.

 

I for one, would look seriously at a small pocketable camera with all the best Leica attributes and the capability to take my M lenses. It wouldn't replace a 'real' M, but it would be great for the beach (particularly in an immersible housing) and kids' parties (immersable housing still advisable) or best of all, as something to do everything the M8 doesn't do well - like scuba, skiing, serious dust and shirt pocket portability etc.

 

I'd like to think Leica are at least considering the idea. If not, why not?

[odyocu]

I would understand if it was a Panasonic idea.

Why would Leica do that?

 

BTW, how can a 2X crop factor and an inferior sensor camera become so interesting for M8 users? If you have the M8, why not use it?

[Speenth]

I would understand if it was a Panasonic idea.

Why would Leica do that?

 

BTW, how can a 2X crop factor and an inferior sensor camera become so interesting for M8 users? If you have the M8, why not use it?

 

Such a product, if manufactured by Leica, would no more be aimed at M8 users than the D-Lux 4! Instead, it would offer the opportunity for Leica to stay true to its roots, but deliver a small and affordable, genuine Leica product, to a more 'mainstream' market. At the same time, such a popular camera might considerably uplift sales of the compatible M lenses and thus present a cash-cow from which Leica might subsidise the top-end stuff that sustains its reputation for uncompromised imaging performance.

 

As my tongue-in-cheek comments in my earlier post suggested, such a camera might be deliberately promoted as a lifestyle tool for a younger market than that of the M range.

 

This is why I'd appreciate views on why Leica seems to have dismissed this format, which it initially partnered at the development stage and which is compatible with its existing lenses. I guess it must be limitations on imaging performance - but having seen both Panny G1 images and more recently those of the Pen EP-1, that has to be questioned, if the market sector would be the one I am suggesting. Surely Leica could compete effectively in the G1, Pen EP-1 arena - especially if it manages to produce a small and minimalist rangefinder-like body.

[jaapv]

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This is why I'd appreciate views on why Leica seems to have dismissed this format, which it initially partnered at the development stage and which is compatible with its existing lenses. I guess it must be limitations on imaging performance - but having seen both Panny G1 images and more recently those of the Pen EP-1, that has to be questioned, if the market sector would be the one I am suggesting. Surely Leica could compete effectively in the G1, Pen EP-1 arena - especially if it manages to produce a small and minimalist rangefinder-like body.

1. Lack of development resourced

2. Unwillingness to be actively involved in a sensor format of limited potential.

3. Lenses nor cameras would be built by Leica, just branded (and in the case of lenses co-developed, which they can do just as well on Panasonic cameras)

[leicanut2]

Speenth,

 

The new olympus E-P1 miro 4/3 camera beats out the G1 at almost all iso's there is comparison pics on the internet. You can get adapters to use ALL 4/3 lenses and adapters for R and M glass but I would stick with the Leica M8 or M8.2 for M lenses. I am looking at the E-P1 for use on R glass. No view finder on it If. Leica would come out with a camera like this but full frame and higher pixals for R lenses I bet it would do well. This would not be to hard and would be cheaper to make, cost savings for them maybe a lower price for us could help them, lots of r glass out there.

 

Jan