Digital back for M Leica

[monster]

if they can make digital back for film camera.

M8 or M8.2 can be sell? it cannot be. 😀

 

[pmu]

x1.3 or (or preferably bigger) sensor, 8 Mp, good ISO 1600 and I´m in!

 

[johannielscom]

Says it all!

Says it all!

...YES!!!

Have you seen the tread at Photo.net? A guy has made a FF (!) MF back work with Leica glass. Utterly impractical (yet), but it works.

I think the OP's solution will be APS-C, but for 900$ that would be a steal considering what we all spend on our Leica gear 😀

I'd definitely, DEFINITELY buy one...

Guess what, I also voted Yes!

Battery in one compartment, processor in the other, button on the modified back door to reset the sensor for the next shot (no film advance coupling necessary then), original design swing-up back door with the sensor o/t inside and the card slot flush at the outside. ISO setting with jumpers on the processor part (you remember those small jumper blocks to set character sets on those really old printers?), metering with a handheld meter, or the top-mounted MR meter, as with a true film camera.

The whole thing to be taken off in a minute, and leaving the camera ready for film shooting by replacing the original door.

If I could build it, this would be MY poll 😀

 

[johannielscom]

...and the LCD screen is an extra priced option because real photographers don't chimp.

There you go Ron, leave the LCD off, it's for pussies. I wouldn't even bother putting one in, it gets scratched, it fails, it needs replacement, etc.

Save the LCD investment for the Full Frame sensor, it will definitely increase sales with rangefinder folk 😎

I'M SOOO HOPING THIS WILL FLY, I'M ALL FIRED UP FOR A DIGITAL BACK ON MY DOUBLE STROKE M3'S!

 

[Fred Burton]

"I'M SOOO HOPING THIS WILL FLY, I'M ALL FIRED UP FOR A DIGITAL BACK ON MY DOUBLE STROKE M3'S!"

LOL. Fly with whom? I'm not aware of anyone currently seriously considering doing it. What an incredible thread! 😉

 

[johannielscom]

...I'm not aware of anyone currently seriously considering doing it. What an incredible thread! 😉

Read the OP Fred, the OP is one of a team that is researching it. And yes, we have seen more of these attempts.

Personally I do not hold the thread on photo.net to which was referred here, very high. So far, the poster on PN has only produced a number of shots with a Medium Format ditigal back, to which he has stuck some Leica glass. Not even that, he started out with an Industar mounted on it. That setup does not by far resemble a Leica camera. We have yet to hear from him how he captures the image, both hard- and software-wise.

This guy on the other hand seems on to something that will at least fit into an existing M body. And, lets not forget: he's a Dutchman! It was the Dutch that founded New York, Fred! 😀

 

[dmr]

I voted yes, since if this really really happens, it would be the closest thing to what I want, which is to have digital as an option for an otherwise film camera.

I would not be interested if it's not full frame. Why? It just bothers me if it's not!

I don't have a Leica, but if this project materializes I would get one.

Oh, I don't care about a screen on the back or 10,000 teeny tiny buttons and such.

 

[RF_newbie]

Yes
Full Frame
No Screen
I will take 2
OK , so like, i am totally ready :smile: And i hate the thought of selling my car to buy an M8 or sell some of this and some of that to buy an already outdated(no offense)R D1
Question : if there is no screen would there be a need for a swap on /off back ? Could most of it go to a winder type bottom ?

 

[JustPlainBill]

As a longtime Leica user I'd happily buy a well thought out digital back for a film Leica M camera. I'm currently considering adding a Nikon D60 or D90 or an Olympus 520 to my accumulation. JustPlainBill

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I'm holding out for a film back I could slap on the new 5D MkII

I'm waiting for one that comes with an MP3 player and Tetris.

 

[2REP]

I vote "yes". I never oppose anything which would let me to enjoy the Leica lens more!

 

[user237428934]

Sorry. $900. Now way at that low number of pieces that could possibly be produced.

 

[M like Leica M6]

Make it 12 or more MP and I buy it for twice the price.

 

[M like Leica M6]

I'm holding out for a film back I could slap on the new 5D MkII

I have two analog backs for you, they attach directly to the lenses: an EOS 1v and an EOS 3 🙂

 

[anoldsock]

What a great idea!!! A digital back without the LCD screen, I'd prolly splurge one one.

There you go Ron, leave the LCD off, it's for pussies. I wouldn't even bother putting one in, it gets scratched, it fails, it needs replacement, etc.

Save the LCD investment for the Full Frame sensor, it will definitely increase sales with rangefinder folk 😎

I'M SOOO HOPING THIS WILL FLY, I'M ALL FIRED UP FOR A DIGITAL BACK ON MY DOUBLE STROKE M3'S!

 

[Rui Morais de Sousa]

Digital back for M Leica

I fully agree with Eleskin.
Something not bigger than a Leicavit or a motor, not much thicker than the hinged door with pressure plate, would be rather interesting... After all we already have the detachable base and the door... The space of the film-cartridge is also already there. I wouldn't really need LCD screen, only RAW would be more than enough.
It surelly would be a very good alternative to my Canon EOS, when I need/want to use a discrete digital camera: still much smaller, much better glass, much better handling feeling, much better everything! Also would be an interesting way of "modernizing" a lot of the equipment I already have and love to use. Of course, it would only interest me, if I could change in a moment back to film, I WANT TO KEEP ON SHOOTING FILM! I see it like changing magazines in my Hasselblad...
What can be wrong on having one more possibility with our equipment? After all, I have been changing backs and holders for many years now with lots of cameras. Why not also with Leica?
They have already done it with Leica R, or am I wrong?
Rui

 

[Al Kaplan]

With an interchageable back there's no reason why they couldn't offer a chice ~ LCD or no LCD. With no film to fog you could switch backs anytime you wanted. If Leica doesn't make one some other compay might think "Gee, there are a lot of M Leicas out there!"

 

[johannielscom]

Now here is something mr. Gandy should get Cosina interested in. An interchangeable back with a sensor, with connectors on both ends, to hook a battery (in the one compartment) and a processor/memory card unit (in the other compartment) up with.

To remove, just swing open the back door, pull both connectors loose, and remove both units. Then unhinge the back door and install the original door, film and spool. Back to film you are!

I'm still pretty sure there would be no need at all to add depth to the back door like this, and no Leicavit bottom part would be necessary either.

You'd end up with a 6MP classic Leica without LCD and with RAW only. ISO could be set with the jumpers you used to find on old printers. A frame counter on the rear with a small LCD screen would be all.

Anybody up for a trial run with this?

 

[user237428934]

Now here is something mr. Gandy should get Cosina interested in. An interchangeable back with a sensor, with connectors on both ends, to hook a battery (in the one compartment) and a processor/memory card unit (in the other compartment) up with.

To remove, just swing open the back door, pull both connectors loose, and remove both units. Then unhinge the back door and install the original door, film and spool. Back to film you are!

I'm still pretty sure there would be no need at all to add depth to the back door like this, and no Leicavit bottom part would be necessary either.

You'd end up with a 6MP classic Leica without LCD and with RAW only. ISO could be set with the jumpers you used to find on old printers. A frame counter on the rear with a small LCD screen would be all.

Anybody up for a trial run with this?

Sorry. No. Jumpers for ISO :bang: No LCD :bang: 6 MP :bang:

 

[Olsen]

900 $ - ha ha! The up and coming M9 will be something like 10,000 $ - or it will be yet a disappointment.