adrianzg
Established
something i've put together from different sources. the s/n seems to be 3803615, corresponding to a post m8.2 camera. menu seems to be different, body seems different..what do you guys think?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Prototypes do not always resemble final versions. Nor do they necessarily work!
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
D&A
Well-known
Hi All,
It's fun to speculate, especially based on images seen in that promotional video.... so here goes my prediction...
1. There wil be a M9, a full frame, possibly 18mp camera, with of course updated capabilities, but keeping with as much tradition as possible (bottom plate still needs to be removed etc....similar to the M8.2 ....in as conventional M type body as feesable.
2. Second new camera might be a Leica compact CL type digital. Somewhat more entry level and less expensive than the M9. Interchangeable lenses, a 1.3x crop factor like the M8. This camera will replace the M8 as the top of the line cropped sendor camera. Possibly 10-12 MP. As such its a clear difference and chocie than the M9. Due to some other desirable changes (including faster loading of SD card and battery and possibly no need of UVIR filters (but can't be sure of this)....it will be a camera than current M8 and M8.2 owner might serious consider upgrading to. Will have conventinal viewfinder and I beleive this is the camera body seen in the images posted at the top of this thread...since the LCD screen appears smaller and no little counter window on the left side of the top plate.
Therefore the above two cameras are two different but serious possible upgrades for current M8/M8.2 users.
3. The last camera will either be a new compact digital camera. Could be micro 4/3rds, could be interchangeable lenses, might have Electronic viewfinder...or some or none of these features. I don't think images posted have anything to do with this camera. Simply a entry type level camera for those not following the traditional route and take current modern electronic advances as their primary interest.
It's fun to speculate, especially based on images seen in that promotional video.... so here goes my prediction...
1. There wil be a M9, a full frame, possibly 18mp camera, with of course updated capabilities, but keeping with as much tradition as possible (bottom plate still needs to be removed etc....similar to the M8.2 ....in as conventional M type body as feesable.
2. Second new camera might be a Leica compact CL type digital. Somewhat more entry level and less expensive than the M9. Interchangeable lenses, a 1.3x crop factor like the M8. This camera will replace the M8 as the top of the line cropped sendor camera. Possibly 10-12 MP. As such its a clear difference and chocie than the M9. Due to some other desirable changes (including faster loading of SD card and battery and possibly no need of UVIR filters (but can't be sure of this)....it will be a camera than current M8 and M8.2 owner might serious consider upgrading to. Will have conventinal viewfinder and I beleive this is the camera body seen in the images posted at the top of this thread...since the LCD screen appears smaller and no little counter window on the left side of the top plate.
Therefore the above two cameras are two different but serious possible upgrades for current M8/M8.2 users.
3. The last camera will either be a new compact digital camera. Could be micro 4/3rds, could be interchangeable lenses, might have Electronic viewfinder...or some or none of these features. I don't think images posted have anything to do with this camera. Simply a entry type level camera for those not following the traditional route and take current modern electronic advances as their primary interest.
Nando
Well-known
Avotius
Some guy
You know I think you are on to something there. It is a little odd especially with the raised finder top and the screws not to mention the missing frame counter and ISO button. Neat...
Ben Z
Veteran
About the "screws on VF" those are the same on the M8, and have been since the MP (and 2nd year production of M7). Leica went to a VF with 3 screws versus the threaded one they used since the M3. Instead of 4 screws, the 9 o'clock position has no screw, because the body casing curves underneath it. It leaves a significant gap, which is where the dust and dirt was getting into the MP before they started sealing it up. The reason you see the screws in the photo is because the rubber grommet/eyeglass protector is not installed. Makes me feel it's a prototype/mockup in the video.
swoop
Well-known
I'm putting my money on a fixed lens RF for the "advanced amateur" market. a lot of people buy an M8 and RD-1 purely for the Leica mystique and wanting to try a rangefinder or simply play around with it. I think a relatively budget priced fixed lens RF similar to a Canonet QL17 would do pretty well for Leica. Something with a 45mm f2.5 equivalent lens would be great. And if they threw a 1.5x crop sensor in there it would be all the more achievable.
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squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
I'm beginning to agree with CLE-RF that those are actually pics of the "digital CL" compact-ish/m4/3 camera, and that the M9 hasn't yet been leaked. It really does look smaller than the M8.
photogdave
Shops local
I would bet good money on this. Except the M4/3 part.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Although I am taking into account Roger's remark on size of a pre-release camera not always being the tell-tale, I still think the concept of a Digital CL is interesting enough to consider: www.portretteur.nl to read the article I wrote about it.
Also, I am still keeping an option open that the M9 might be the same as this partially-depicted Digital CL. After all, didn't Canon downsize their latest G11 specifications, and still give a sequential (read: higher) number? In marketing terms, this makes sense. It satisfies the buyer that always wants the newer model, while offering it at a lower price at the same time.
Meanwhile, this fishing expedition is interesting, right?
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Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I'm thinking the M9 may not be quite that high in resolution. By all reports, the high-ISO noise in the M8 is not that good, at least above 320/640 or so. And the higher the pixel count, the smaller each pixel site has to be; and thus the noise must be higher. Since the M8 has been criticized for its noise, I'd rather see them go for a more moderate, less ambitious pixel count. 12MP ought to do it. I'd also like the M9 (and the CL-D, if there is one) to have a full range of ISO choices, 100-125-160 (etc.) up to perhaps 1600 or 2000. That way, if I don't need 1600, but 800 is not quite enough, I can have 1250 or even 1000. That will help me hold the noise down (to a dull roar, at least).
And If the M9 turns out to really have 12MP, then I would not expect the CL-D (again, if there is one) to be over 10MP. 10MP is, after all, enough for most needs. I can even say that abut 8MP. A CL-D would very likely be a travel camera, like the CL was. Eight MP would take up less memory space, an advantage in such circumstances.
namelast
Member
Wouldn't a digital CL kill the M8.2 sales? Since it would be unrealistic to have a smaller sensor than the one on the M8.2, who would buy the old M8.2 instead of the CL?
I hope for an M9 plus lenses. Only for the reasons that this might keep Leica alive, until the day that I will have the money to buy one!
I hope for an M9 plus lenses. Only for the reasons that this might keep Leica alive, until the day that I will have the money to buy one!
vmlopes
Member
I'd like to see a full frame M9 like a lot of others, but will it be able to compete with the high ISO performance of the 5DII and the newly announce Canon 7D, I doubt it...........and the cost of the new Canon 7D is rumoured to be in the region of £1700??? will it even be close .........
Roger Hicks
Veteran
vmlopes
Member
I see where you coming from and I for one would not compare a Leica with a DSLR, but if and its a big if a M9 does materialise then Leica must surely address the ISO issues with the M8............whats the point of an expensive motorcyle if you cant ride it hard and just have it as a show pony??
snausages
Well-known
It'd be kind of embarrassing if the mid-range car went a lot faster than the expensive motorcycle.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
I like that analogy Roger. I'd pick the Harley over the fast car anytime too. And would not give the fast car a second thought.
Oh, and I'll take mine with gaffers tape, please.