Digital M7

[ulrik]

CLICK HERE!
Digital Preview wrote:
Much to the delight of many Leica aficionados there's now more than a hint that Leica are readying a digital version of the M7 rangefinder camera. Stefan Daniel of Leica is quoted in the latest edition of LFI (Leica Fotografie International) magazine as saying "The Digital M will be introduced as a complete package that will include new wide-angle lenses." The rumour mill also carries some specifications; 10 megapixels with a 1.3x crop factor, 2.5" LCD monitor and SD storage. We expect to hear more at PMA in February.

Ulrik

 

[RML]

New wide angles.... I think these may be a clincher for many. Now, if these lenses don't cost the world and a bit more then I might be interested to get one or two for the R-D1. 🙂

 

[Will]

Any hint on prices?

 

[Tom Diaz]

Will, there was a thread called "Sean Reid and the Digital M" a few weeks ago. I thought it contained credible predictions that the price would be less than US$5,000. I personally think Leica will have a good launch with it if they can keep it under that number, or better yet as low as $4000.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11355

 

[Nikon Bob]

I am interested to see if these products are released but if they follow the trend in digital the prices will be higher than their film equivilants. That would make the body and a couple of dedicated wides worth more than the car I drive so it is interest only in seeing how it all shakes out. Good to hear that Leica is still plugging away at it.

Bob

 

[jlw]

I'm guessing that by "new wide-angles" they mean lenses with shorter focal lengths but less than 24x36mm coverage, much as Nikon has done with its DX-only lenses.

It makes sense as a strategy, but I wonder how much the Leica faithful will scream...

Speaking of the Leica faithful, remember a year or so ago when that amusing "Film Dinosaur" web page sprang up, inviting all film diehards to proclaim their faith? It wasn't made explicitly clear on the page, but the photo press soon revealed that Leica was behind this.

I wonder if this "film dinosaur" page wasn't actually a disguised trial balloon aimed at evaluating potential interest in a Leica "system" (as opposed to fixed-lens) camera...

 

[jaapv]

I'm guessing that by "new wide-angles" they mean lenses with shorter focal lengths but less than 24x36mm coverage, much as Nikon has done with its DX-only lenses.

You may be right, but I would be highly surprised, as Leica is the company with the best record of product compatability of all.

 

[Taipei-metro]

CLICK HERE!
Digital Preview wrote:
Much to the delight of many Leica aficionados there's now more than a hint that Leica are readying a digital version of the M7 rangefinder camera. Stefan Daniel of Leica is quoted in the latest edition of LFI (Leica Fotografie International) magazine as saying "The Digital M will be introduced as a complete package that will include new wide-angle lenses." The rumour mill also carries some specifications; 10 megapixels with a 1.3x crop factor, 2.5" LCD monitor and SD storage. We expect to hear more at PMA in February.

Ulrik

Strange, I click on 'read on', then 'back issues of LFI' came on.

10 MP, 1.3 crop( I doubt it), 2.5 lcd(a must now), means....It's after D2X.

New wide angle?, well, it's like TTL on M6, lete already!
$5,000? $6,000? $7,500? wish Euro value went back to 2001, worth 89 cents to one US dollar.
Wait, RUMOUR?

 

[Taipei-metro]

1.3 crop?
isn't it 1.3x on EOS-1D,?
There is a new 1-D now, EOS 1D Mark II-N.

 

[waterlenz]

You may be right, but I would be highly surprised, as Leica is the company with the best record of product compatability of all.

Building a 1.33x (or whatever) crop specific WA lens will have several advantages - in cost, lens size, and performance. In particular, excessive coverage, i.e., for 24 x 36mm, when not needed is a cause for more flare. This a problem, for example, when using a 14mm lens on a 1.5x dSLR to get 21mm (24 x 36 format) coverage compared to using a 21 or 20mm on 24 x 36 (i.e., film) based on personal experience.
Tom

 

[LCT]

Stefan Daniel of Leica Camera AG is reported to have said that the new wide lenses would be compatible with existing M Cameras and that Leica's philosophy is against digital-only lenses.
See http://leica-users.org/v30/msg14142.html
Which means a monster like the Zeiss 15/2.8 to get a mere 20mm FoV for a price we can guess easily.
Not for me thanks.
Best,
LCT

 

[waterlenz]

Stefan Daniel of Leica Camera AG is reported to have said that the new wide lenses would be compatible with existing M Cameras and that Leica's philosophy is against digital-only lenses.
See http://leica-users.org/v30/msg14142.html
Which means a monster like the Zeiss 15/2.8 to get a mere 20mm FoV for a price we can guess easily.
Not for me thanks.
Best,
LCT

This could motivate someone else to develop M mount 'DX' lenses: CV, CZ . They may wait until a certain number of digi rangefinders are produced first, however. Nikon has been sluggish in their development - other than the 10.5mm fisheye they have no prime DX lenses. Sigma beat them with the 30/1.4 for example.
Tom

 

[Taipei-metro]

This could motivate someone else to develop M mount 'DX' lenses: CV, CZ . They may wait until a certain number of digi rangefinders are produced first, however. Nikon has been sluggish in their development - other than the 10.5mm fisheye they have no prime DX lenses. Sigma beat them with the 30/1.4 for example.
Tom

When enouf # of digital rangefinders are produced?
Epson practically gave up RD1( guess how many tech man can repair your RD1 in Canada plus US? they're printer Co., their P&S are made by Sanyo, Pentax and BenQ, Taiwan), they are in the business of repairing RD1 now, Forgetaboutit , RD1 is like Canon AE-1, developing squeeky shutter noise, and no one cares about it, not even Canon. In digital world one failed project is to be step over and look forward, RD1 intro-ed summer of 2004 in Japan, what, 1 year 5 months ago, which equals to 13 film years, if it's an F5(1996), F6 came out 5 years ago.
If there is money don't you think big Canon won't spare a 5-man team to develope a digital M body?

You can't look at digital from film's point of view.

Sigma's 30/1.4 is, dare I said, Leica quality? 7g 7-element, w 2 ED glass plus one Asph. glass, . Not cheap, 57,750 Yen, that's $502, I'll say maybe $420 street. Not only this lens, how about, 20/1.8, 24/1.8, 28/1.8 EX-DG? this Co. is something.
IF Leica put out digital M7( or d-back whatever), they will get into DEEPER fiancial abyss. Maybe, they're thinking...What can be worse now...
A view from Taipei.

 

[Taipei-metro]

Up to today, 1-6-06 Fri. Each and every your affordable digital Leicas are made by Panasonic! Non by Leica.

After the old chief Mr. Matzushita( I read his book) died, this Co., called National in Japan is getting worse and worse in quality-conscience road, which the old Mr. Matzushita insist.

M7 digital back or camera?
one word, R-D1.
Deja vu

If you lived in the lower 48, now you have to send your digital Leica to repair to where now?



from Taipei

 

[RML]

Hey🙂

Remy, please tell me the above is you trying out new material for your set at the local comedy club. Should have them rolling in the aisles. 🙄 😉

ManGo

Manolo, I'm sorry but I don't get you. 🙂

I'm serious about them new wide angles. If Leica were to produce wide angles like CV, I would think many would be tempted to jump the digital Leica band wagon. And if I can afford them wide angles, I might get me one.

OK, they'll probably cost the world and a bit, but for many that doesn't seem to matter. Anyone bought the latest Summilux 35 or 50 lately? Not quite cheap glass.

 

[RML]

Taipei-Metro, people also called mr K nuts to revive the Voigtlander brand. Perhaps it wasn't a definite financial success but it wasn't a failure, even though everyone and his granny had predicted so. Besides, success isn't always measure in money, which is what you seem to think (at least, I get that idea from reading your posts on the viability of a digital M).

If I want the best bang for my buck I'd stick with some cheap B&W film (Efke, or perhaps the Chinese film Bill is researching), a cheap FED-2 or Zorki, or a cheap 20 year old SLR, and a cheap 50mm lens. I have that at home:a nice Praktica MTL-5B with a nice 50/1.8 lens; and a nice FED-2 or Zorki 4 with sweet Jupiter-8 50mm. However, I don't use them because they don't suit my shooting style. The Bessas, my M2 and my R-D1 do suit my style. And the R-D1, though it's an incredibly expensive piece of gear, suits me best. Yes, it might develop hick-ups and such but until that time I'll use it to the fullest. If the R-D1 ever dies on me, and there's a digital M out that I can afford, I might get that instead. 10 Mpix and 1.3x crop is enough for me. I don't even really need the preview screen, though I've grown accustomed to it on the R-D1. If I really need better for some reason I'll could delve into the wonderous world of MF. A nice Bronica 456 or so would do nice (though I'll need a good MF scanner then). Some people, like me, are crazy and don't care for what's most useful for the large majority of the world but care for what's most useful for them.

 

[jaapv]

Well said Remy!

 

[LCT]

... IF Leica put out digital M7( or d-back whatever), they will get into DEEPER fiancial abyss.....

I beg to differ Taipei WADR.
The Digital M in the only way for Leica to survive IMHO.
Any M user wants or dreams to have a good digital body for their beloved Leica lenses.
Those who can afford to pay 4 or 5K$ won't resist to order one... unless Cosina or same decide to compete, but they will think of it twice after the R-D1 experience and the possible failure of the ZI film body.
Best,
LCT

 

[jaapv]

And the success of their DMR will certainly spur them on to bring out te digital M. I understand orders are already backlogged, nearly a year before they even start producing the thing.

 

[jaapv]

Up to today, 1-6-06 Fri. Each and every your affordable digital Leicas are made by Panasonic! Non by Leica.

Most Leica-bashers wouldn't call the Panasonic/Leica Digilux2 affordable 😉