Any interest in a new Leica M film camera?

After owning an R, R2a and a ZI I can say that the ZI is the quietest, smoothest, best built camera of the bunch. The R2a is definitely a nice camera in its own right, especially given the price. However, handle any Bessa and the ZI and you'll quickly realize that its not just a rebadged Bessa.
 
And again, I didn't say the Ikon is a Bessa. Sorry if my rambling response made it read that way. 😀

What I meant to say is that the Bessa bodies have some compelling features, but the general build quality hasn't been enough to tempt me away from either my M or Hexar RF bodies. To me, a used M6 for a grand is a better value than a new Bessa for $600. But if the build quality is good on the Ikon, then its features are even more tempting than the Bessa bodies. Huge viewfinder; long rangefinder base; 1/125th flash sync; Auto exposure, etc. The only thing it's missing that I can see is a self-timer and a provision for a motor/trigger winder. I just wish they were available on the used market! 🙂
 
hm....I like the idea of a metal shutter m film camera for some reason, the higher shutter speeds would be more then a worth while trade off for me
 
If it ain't broken, why fix it? Can one improve on what's already perfect?

Hmmm... maybe a firmer RF system? Something that wouldn't get misaligned easily? A brigher VF?

Nice attempt at making us think! 🙂
 
Would it be possible to redesign the viewfinder concept?

I'm thinking of not having framelines as we've always had but having a tinted mask a little like we have in Photoshop when we crop images. We could see everything in the viewfinder area, but the image for the lens we're using would be bright and the surroundings would be darker but still visible.

Classic Leicas were innovative cameras which wrote the rules for all 35mm cameras. Offering old style engraving in the a la carte program is a dead end. They should be coming up with new technology for film cameras.

Voigtlander are about to launch their R4 with 21mm framelines in the viewfinder. Zeiss recently launched their SW and extreme wide angle lenses. What are Leica doing that's new and exciting apart from the 16/18/21mm lens?
 
In the last issue of LFI magazine, there was a short interview with a Leica employee who didn't rule out the possibility of a new film m. I don't recall the exact words but it didn't seem impossible, rather the opposite!
 
It does sound like the Z1 could cause Lecia to improve the viewfinder etc. However, would this mean that it would be even more expensive still. I think Leica really is at the absolute price limit right now....There are still good reasons to bet a lecia M body if you have the cash but an even higher price for a film body i think would really test the market...
 
More I use M7 more I love it, it feels very solid, very elegant, shutter sound is natural, mounted the grip that lovely akptc droped it with M7 and it is much easier to handhold, so yeah it would be sad if they stop producing it, now that chrome MP :bang: :bang:
 
Leica was innovative in the thirties with the original 35mm cameras.

Leica was innovative in the fifties with the M series.

Leica could be innovative in twenty first century too:

* A website to specify the exact camera you want: a la carte could be standard.

* Not selling cameras, but a monthly lease.
 
A "factory" frameline option would be nice. My perfect (for a given value of perfect) new M body would be an MP with M2 finder, chrome finish. It'd be nice if they could use the "right" sized frames of the M2 and the old chrome finish too. Alittle more eye relief would be nice. I can dream, can't I?
 
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