MartinL
MartinL
Within 3 years:
The M-E will be Leica's "purist" camera. Priced under $5k US, it will appeal to those who are like the people who now carry the torch for film M's. There will be no loss of status associated with "entry level" products; instead, a certain panache that goes along with "I don't need all that other crap; just give me a great lens." The camera is likely to improve its specs as all things digital must. But I'll stick with the price point target.
The M9/M9P might disappear, or it will become like the "sports package upgrade" that BMW offers. More power, different suspension, and a little badge-ing that sets its owners apart from the pack.
The M-new will be, simply, the best Leica ever. Folks (like me) who "have no use for video" will get used to the idea of a premium ("the" premium) camera that has most of the features of a smart phone. 2016 will bring the "Auto-Rangefinder" in a body not much different from today's M's.
The M-E will be Leica's "purist" camera. Priced under $5k US, it will appeal to those who are like the people who now carry the torch for film M's. There will be no loss of status associated with "entry level" products; instead, a certain panache that goes along with "I don't need all that other crap; just give me a great lens." The camera is likely to improve its specs as all things digital must. But I'll stick with the price point target.
The M9/M9P might disappear, or it will become like the "sports package upgrade" that BMW offers. More power, different suspension, and a little badge-ing that sets its owners apart from the pack.
The M-new will be, simply, the best Leica ever. Folks (like me) who "have no use for video" will get used to the idea of a premium ("the" premium) camera that has most of the features of a smart phone. 2016 will bring the "Auto-Rangefinder" in a body not much different from today's M's.
bugmenot
Well-known
M9/M9P will be discontinued by the end of September. Replacement parts will be available due to the continued production of the Leica M-E.
denizg7
Well-known
i think the video option is just a filler. Of course if you are going to have a cmos sensor it will record video , but it's irrelevant to us leica shooters..
I really really hope in 2014 leica can have a premium price M and a lowered one that is half frame extremly nice iso performance , small like a barnack or x1 , has a built in viewfinder with 100 percent magnification and interchangable lens.. the new m is thick..
I really really hope in 2014 leica can have a premium price M and a lowered one that is half frame extremly nice iso performance , small like a barnack or x1 , has a built in viewfinder with 100 percent magnification and interchangable lens.. the new m is thick..
Archlich
Well-known
In three years the Leica "M" will be stripped of all the fancy features - LED frameline, EVF, Live View, focus peaking, and video of course - to be made into the new M-E2.
You know all these features come with the CMOS, but they'll simply disable it...like someone who took the effort to take all the electronics out of his MP some years ago here on RFF (no offense).
You know all these features come with the CMOS, but they'll simply disable it...like someone who took the effort to take all the electronics out of his MP some years ago here on RFF (no offense).
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
If the new M is as good as it seems Leica won't have to do much for a few years me thinks. In fact they will probably be flat out making the new M as fast as they can to keep up with demand.
cosmonaut
Well-known
I wonder if it's a Sony sensor. Same size as tha D600 and a99.
hausen
Well-known
New M has me intrigued. Not sure about the CCD M Monochrom I am on list for. Should I just get new M and convert to B&W like I always have with current M9?
robklurfield
eclipse
anyone know what the weather will be tomorrow?
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
NeeZee
Well-known
I don't get it. You must've had a reason to want a b&w digital camera. Well, maybe the reason was to own the newest Leica product, then of course get the M...
swoop
Well-known
The Monochrome keeps in tradition with vintage Leica's. The Milestone is a departure from that toward the feature set of modern cameras.
hausen
Well-known
I want the Monchrom because of the fact it is designed for B&W and I would love to go out with a digital camera with the same thought process I would with my M6 + Tri-X. But it is CCD sensor and we just saw that that is being replaced and it still has all the PITA M9 issues like slow buffer, bad screen etc.. but new M has these solved so then do I look that way and and convert to B&W as I always have? Is a good problem to have I admit, I have current 2 year old M9 already and that is now worth what an M8 was when I bought the M9!:bang:
kbg32
neo-romanticist
Chris101
summicronia
Wait for the MM.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Well I'm that someone (no offense taken). I'm just into "projects" in general.
Anyways, I think M-E line will remain hand-me-down version of the M line, but I think they'll make sure M-E won't eat into M's sales figure. And like MP was to M7 or M8, the purists' "pureness" level will be compared to the "most advanced" model of that given time. Like MP has modern RF optics and lightmeter though it's considered as the modern purist Leica compared to AE equipped M7 or M9-P, MM, M-E to video capable M, the future version of M-E will *have* the "lack of advanced features" of the M of that time to satisfy the purist type customers. (while fulfilling cheaper market segment)
So with that analogy, there maybe M-E3 with CMOS and live-view but no video/EVF in a few years time when the M-3 (?) is sporting EVF/OVF combo, weather sealing, built-in electronic level, etc, and the purist of that time can accept the M-E3 is the minimalist's camera.
EdwardKaraa
Well-known
I think it won't be long before they release a non RF M with EVF in the place of the OVF. It will be priced exactly as the M. I will buy it.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Oh now I mentioned it, I can see finally the weather sealing going into the future M. That means of course Leica will be doing weather sealed line of lenses with über premium price tag.
And no, I won't be able to afford them.
And no, I won't be able to afford them.
DougFord
on the good foot
I think leica should rethink the M-E and upgrade the sensor to a 29mp ccd if at all possible. This would give current M9 owners something to think about and bring in more sales. I don't see a danger in selling these cameras (M-E & M) side by side either.
This would have been a much more aggressive move for leica, especially in a market that keeps producing digital cameras that you can mount your m lenses to.
This would have been a much more aggressive move for leica, especially in a market that keeps producing digital cameras that you can mount your m lenses to.
Lss
Well-known
I still don't quite understand the problem, good or bad. The two cameras are very different, and you seem to want only b&w and imitate your M6. The obvious digital choice is then the Leica Monochrom. If you want more than that (colour, TTL viewing, video), Monochrom is clearly too limited. The sensor update does not change anything here. While we don't yet know the performance of Leica M at ISO 6400, the Monochrom is shown to perform quite nicely at ISO 10000.
