M9 long-term: upgrade of the sensor?

[larryk34]

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Many of us hoped that we could simply upgrade the sensor on our M8 when a better/full frame sensor became feasible and available. Willing to pay $ 2000-$3000 for such an upgrade. Well, in retrospect it's now obvious that modification of the M8 would have been too difficult and simpler easier to build a whole new camera. But alas, they fit the full sensor and 2 processors in to the same shell. Now that the full frame sensor is occupying that space, it would seem much more feasible in 2014 to upgrade to a higher quality Kodak sensor. The length-width would be the same and there's no room for more depth anyway. And no one wants a larger frame. So, long-term, it would seem that Leica may have produced a digital camera that would last. No one would need a larger sensor (buy a larger camera today if you do). So, it's a matter of swapping in a new sensor, processors, etc., for let's say, $3000 to $ 4000. Perhaps worth the cost if there's a time limit on the quality of the one in there now and the quality would be that much better. I don't mind spending $5000 (M8) or even $7000 (M9) if I think it could last as long as my M6 as long as I keep paying Leica for upgrades. Do we finally have a digital Leica M that will last for 10 years or more and adapt to new digital improvements over time?

[Leicaiste]

Do we finally have a digital Leica M that will last for 10 years or more and adapt to new digital improvements over time?

 

It is not only the sensor that can be improved on a camera.

 

I bet it will never happen, and I certainly don't want it.

 

Lucien

[mjh]

Do we finally have a digital Leica M that will last for 10 years or more and adapt to new digital improvements over time?

I don’t think so. The M10 will not only have a different sensor, but most likely also different electronics (based on the Maestro processor or its successor maybe).

[Overgaard]

Most likely you will be looking at a new Leica M10 when there's an upgrade. And someone else will e looking at a second-hand Leica M9.

 

I think that's realistic, and it's a good way to go about. It's a mater of how much you want to write off on used equipment, and how much the upgrade of image quality, image size, speed and other improved features will be worth.

 

There is an interesting thread going on right now about "Buying M9 and keeping M8" which gives a good idea what happens when a new improved digital M comes about.