Any interest in a new Leica M film camera?

[telenous]

Leica has most bases covered with the MP, M7, M8. The hybrid shutter is an interesting proposition but I doubt it will be as silent as we are used to with M's. I would also like to see a higher shutter speed (say 1/2000s) but, again, if this were feasible or economical to begin with, then we 'd have already seen it.

 

[Magus]

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[martin-f5]

one feature would rock me,
a spotmetering plus the actual metering in the MP.

 

[Magus]

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[mfunnell]

Actually (and I wasn't entirely kidding earlier) a combination like an all-electric Hexar RF / M7 meld (with the best features of both, most especially Hexar film handling and Leica VF magnification options) coupled with an OM-4-like spot-metering system to provide one end and an MP-all-mechanical counterpoint (with OM-3-like spot-metering) would give you a two camera film system that, to my mind, would be about ideal.

As it is, I have the Hexar RF, an M3 and an OM-4T. I think that's about the "best" combo I can get for manual-focus film that I'm also prepared to afford. For everything else, well, I may be in the wrong place but I love my Canon dSLR system (and cheap pocket digital P&S).

...Mike

 

[kevin m]

Magus, Leica already makes the MP for the traditionalists who would like it to stay 1954 forever (plus a meter. 😀 ) What I think they should do is allow some innovation in the M7 line.

I was shooting weddings with my M6TTL's but finally sold them after getting burned one time too many by the antidiluvial 1/50th flash sync speed. Put in the shutter from the M8; Put in a built-in motor wind; (the single greatest advantage to the Hexar RF, IMO.) modernize the viewfinder to allow framelines to pop up singly, rather than in pairs, etc., etc.. and it could be a real professional tool for those who still want to shoot film. 🙂

 

[markinlondon]

Magus, Leica already makes the MP for the traditionalists who would like it to stay 1954 forever (plus a meter. 😀 ) What I think they should do is allow some innovation in the M7 line.

Hey, Kevin, 1954 was a good year! Both the Leica M3 and the Fender Stratocaster were introduced 🙂 . Tools with staying power, that's what I like. From the current ads I would say Leica are pushing the M8 as the innovation in that line of cameras, but maybe I'm reading it the wrong way.

 

[mfunnell]

modernize the viewfinder to allow framelines to pop up singly, rather than in pairs

I don't think that's do-able while maintaining backwards-compatibilty, at least with automatic, mechanical frame-line selection. But there must be some way of allowing both that and manual frame-line selection (the Bessa's do manual) in some appropriately ergonomic fashion.

Oh, and I missed the flash-synch thing, because I almost never use flash. But if we're going for an all-electric Leica (but, please, keep something very MP-like as well) then let's go the whole hog. A fully modern TTL flash system like Nikon seems to do so well (or even a pale Canon-like imitation).

...Mike

 

[AusDLK]

> I'd love it if they offered a replacement for the M7 that had the
> shutter from the M8.

What a HORRIBLE idea....

 

[FrankS]

I've editied my own post. I am not a moderator. Sorry Dave.

 

[Les Lammers]

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! 🙂

Kevin,

I have an MP and prefer the feel of the ZI. I have had no issues with the ZI and as long as I don't use it for a hammer I think it will last as long as I do.
Take a quick trip to NYC and handle one. You can get a ST for $15.

Les

 

[kevin m]

1954 was a good year! Both the Leica M3 and the Fender Stratocaster were introduced . Tools with staying power, that's what I like.

Mark, me too. I added the M3 wind levers to both my TTL's and had DAG reduce the frameline set to 35/50/90 to try and have the best of both worlds. I called them my 'M2TTL's' 😉

 

[kevin m]

What a HORRIBLE idea....

Why? Who's buying the M7 now? What I mean is, how many working pros are shooting film for their work, anyway? And if they're shooting for their private pleasure, then they have the MP, right?

So why shouldn't the M7 be 'innovated?' If Leica decides that there's no future for a pro-featured film body, then so be it. But I'd be tempted to keep shooting film longer if the M7 were modernized a bit. My TTL's were otherwise quite capable with flash, much more than most Leica users realize, but the 1/50th flash sync was an absolute deal breaker for outdoor use.

I have an MP and prefer the feel of the ZI. I have had no issues with the ZI and as long as I don't use it for a hammer I think it will last as long as I do.
Take a quick trip to NYC and handle one.

Les, I'm going to NYC for the holidays and I'm going to handle one for sure. 😀

 

[Sparrow]

That's not cricket, Dave. Everyone has a right to an opinion and have it respected. You are free to offer yours, respectfully, as in, "I prefer the existing cloth shutter, not a metal one like in the M8."

Frank, as a mark of respect to the English members I don’t think it’s cricket to mention cricket………not when the Australians are awake anyway

🙁

 

[santino]

My M6 classic is all want, anything automatic wouldn't be Leica for me (ok, the M7 is ok but thats it) 😀

 

[Magus]

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[Magus]

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[FrankS]

I guess you didn't notice that I edited my post before you responded so emphatically.

 

[Magus]

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[FrankS]

No worries, Magus.