Interview with Leica CEO: Future of Leica

[aka5ha]

Friends,

If you have not read this yet, it is a good read. Among other things, M8 sensor upgrades are not likely, FF RF is not likely, and we can expect new high speed wides and some compacts in the Fall, announced in the summer.

http://www.popphoto.com/popularphotographyfeatures/5316/the-future-of-leica.html

 

[Tuolumne]

Oh no, not this one again! 😱

/T

 

[mr_phillip]

It's already been an interesting year for Leica users (if not always for the right reasons). Looks like it's set to stay that way.

 

[jmarcus]

Incidentally we will show something else significant for the M system at Photokina, not just lenses.

--Andreas Kaufmann


Any speculation on this comment in the article?

 

[Richard Marks]

--Andreas Kaufmann


Any speculation on this comment in the article?

Well if we have done full frame to death, the other option might be a higher resolution or lower noise sensor. We already have a shutter upgrade. There is not a lot else left to the imagination. A cheaper 'copmpact' m is perhaps an outside chance with Panasonic partnership. Time will tell.

Richard

 

[RF-Addict]

I guess all the talk about Leica being the first upgradable digital system is now put to rest. There will be no new sensor for the M8 and all the upgrades will be minor - like the one announced already and it is questionable if those make sense for most M8 users - given the cost.

Kaufmann said himself that it would be economically difficult to swap out the M8 sensor.

 

[jmarcus]

I think you would probably have to have a screen. But it would be kind of cool not to have one, just as long as you can still format the card when in the camera. I don't look at pictures that I have taken with my R-D1s until they are on my computer.

Here are my guesses:
M7 Digital conversion (highly unlikely)
CLD with a 8 MP sensor and a film advance lever to cock the shutter
M9 Which will piss a lot of people off

Whatever it is I'm hoping that I can afford it. My R-D1s has a shutter that is tripping.

 

[jmarcus]

Just a few additional thoughts.
- I don't need or use auto exposure
- I like cocking the shutter, it keeps me in check
- I would like a bigger RAW buffer
- No Screen

I wonder if that would make for a more profitable Digital M

 

[dcsang]

*waits for the inevitable downward spiral of this thread as well*

Just as it happened in this thread on the exact same topic 😀
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59020

Cheers
Dave

 

[jmarcus]

Just put masking tape over the screen. Geeze.

You ever watch a photography student look at every picture they take while shooting?

I learned a lot from shooting with my R-D1s. As soon as I missed a picture because I didn't understand exposure, I never forgot the lesson.

 

[jmarcus]

*waits for the inevitable downward spiral of this thread as well*

This thread isn't going down hill.
Leicasniper is just having some fun, with a relatively new rangefinder user.

James

 

[dcsang]

This thread isn't going down hill.
Leicasniper is just having some fun, with a relatively new rangefinder user.

James

I'm saying that this topic has been discussed before in a previous thread (linked to in my post) that's all. 😀

Dave

 

[jmarcus]

Dave,
Do you have a prediction or a wish?

James

 

[dcsang]

Dave,
Do you have a prediction or a wish?

James

Ya.. I predict the thread will get bashed like the other one did or be deleted because it's rehashing something that was brought up no more than a few days ago 🙂

Do I have a wish?
Ya... for people to search the forums prior to reposting similar topics.

But I know what people are like... so I doubt that either my prediction or wish will come to fruition.

Dave

 

[Richard Marks]

You know the only other possible would be a decent flashgun
Richard

 

[Cranialpush]

You know the only other possible would be a decent flashgun
Richard

That's my betting also, and crossing fingers it is!

CS.

 

[M. Valdemar]

A "no screen" digital camera is asinine un-saleable nonsense.

 

[jmarcus]

M. Valdemar What camera do you use?

 

[Tom Niblick]

Just a few additional thoughts.
- I don't need or use auto exposure
- I like cocking the shutter, it keeps me in check
- I would like a bigger RAW buffer
- No Screen

I wonder if that would make for a more profitable Digital M

I'd go for cocking the shutter if it made the camera quiet, but I'd like to keep the auto exposure and the screen. Checking a histogram makes bracketing exposures unnecessary. Of course you could replace both with something that indicated blown highlights. Still, with the framelines set to closest focus, I'd miss the screen. However, if you set the framelines for 2 meters, I'd go along with the rest. Call it the MDP and let it sell for $3,000.
LOL
Tom

 

[Richard Marks]

A "no screen" digital camera is asinine un-saleable nonsense.

I agree entirely.
The real asset of digital for me is the ability to check exposure / focusing / subjects eyes open etc.
It is easy enough to turn playback off, but I bet for an important job, few would do so.

Richard