How Long Until more MICRO Format Cameras?

[CameraQuest]

OK, we have the Micro 4/3 format, the Samsung NX MICRO Pentax mount which won't quite take Leica M lenses via adapters, the newly announced but not here yet Sony Alpha Micro Format which appears it will take Leica M lenses via adapters, but WHATS AROUND THE CORNER?

Well, we still have Nikon to show up with its own MICRO Nikon format, and perhaps even Leica! With its successful X1, can a new MICRO Leica format be that far way? Both Leica and Nikon seem to design new products where the sales are.

Time will tell.

Stephen

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Come on, Nikon!!

Come on, Nikon!!

I've some nice glass waiting for you!!

It would be REALLY nice if the Nikon body was in the form of their rangefinder body AND had a zooming viewfinder window, similar to the Contax G's (but bigger of course). If they didn't want to engineer some sort of coupling between lens mount and viewfinder, they could simply put in a dial or menu item that would let user input focal length.

 

[M4streetshooter]

I wouldn't count on Leica coming to m4/3. What reason for them. At most they could do something with Panny.
I think Oly will have some new features with the Pen Cameras. That's where I camp now. The 1&2 are really great cameras.

Just like in 35mm film, there's a division between users. Some liked the SLR's and some the Rf. This new format is similar with the Pens and the GF1 vrs the G1, Gh1 etc.

So if someones coming in new, they have to decide where they want to set up to do battle. That Samsung thing's a waste of time but then there's many that can't wait to get it....
I wait for a high end Pen....it would be an M10 with m4/3 setup and sell for around $1500.00 USD....
I'm dreamin' but it's a shared dream.....
shooter

 

[Al Patterson]

I'm waiting for a Canon micro FD, as I have a bunch of FD glass to go with my A-1s.

Well, if canon stays away, Oly will play...

 

[Meatboy]

and perhaps even Leica!

Time will tell.

Stephen

As much as I'd like to see Leica in the Micro 4/3 camp from what I have heard they have stated they never will - can someone confirm it? I could see Leica and other manufactureres doing an about face on this especially if all our purchasing money goes 4/3.

Imagine a pile of pancake Micro 4/3 lenses from Leica in everything from 9mm though to 65mm and beyond.

 

[benlees]

Sigma, also, is going to join the ranks of the small interchangeable lens camera. They will surely be focusing on their own mount in order to sell their lenses.

 

[Meatboy]

Sigma, also, is going to join the ranks of the small interchangeable lens camera. They will surely be focusing on their own mount in order to sell their lenses.

Ahh yes, the lure of foveon 4/3. We can only hope they have improved AF and a decent LCD.

 

[CameraQuest]

guys,

what I am wondering about is NEW lens mounts based upon the MICRO idea of reducing the back focus.

While Leica and Nikon and Canon are unlikely to make a MICRO 4/3 camera because they don't want to pay royalties to Olympus, I personally think its very likely they are at least looking at creating their own version of the MICRO mount.

This would mean new cameras with NEW lens mounts!

Stephen

 

[remphoto]

guys,

what I am wondering about is NEW lens mounts based upon the MICRO idea of reducing the back focus.

While Leica and Nikon and Canon are unlikely to make a MICRO 4/3 camera because they don't want to pay royalties to Olympus, I personally think its very likely they are at least looking at creating their own version of the MICRO mount.

This would mean new cameras with NEW lens mounts!

Stephen

Good question. I am wondering whether those new lens mounts will take their legacy lenses like Panny and Oly are able? I am having incredible fun rediscovering my Canon FD lenses. Even pulled out my F1 and A1 bodies for wide angle uses.

My wife wants a small 4/3 to replace her Rebel DSLR, but prefers the Canon brand, and will be first in line to buy one if and when they roll one out.

 

[Al Patterson]

guys,

what I am wondering about is NEW lens mounts based upon the MICRO idea of reducing the back focus.

While Leica and Nikon and Canon are unlikely to make a MICRO 4/3 camera because they don't want to pay royalties to Olympus, I personally think its very likely they are at least looking at creating their own version of the MICRO mount.

This would mean new cameras with NEW lens mounts!

Stephen

Yeah, I did get that, but as I have about 7 or 8 FD lenses, and 3 Leica M lenses, unless someone other than Oly comes out with a way to use them on a digital, I'm not really interested.

As the owner here, and a merchant, you are of course free to want things that don't interest me, but I don't think we really need any more new lens mounts. JMHO...

 

[Meatboy]

I personally think its very likely they are at least looking at creating their own version of the MICRO mount.

This would mean new cameras with NEW lens mounts!

Stephen

Its likely to happen i think now that you put it like that. Imagine not only the new lens mounts but the plethora of adapters for each mount and set of lenses. One reason this is likely to happen is the new markets for lenses, new Micro EOS mount and a whole new slew of Micro EOS lenses. Keeps the $$ rolling in. After all they sell probably a minimum of 2-3 lenses with each camera body?!

 

[Harry Lime]

Waiting for Nikon... I'm hoping that if anyone can get the ergonomics of one of these things right it will be Nikon. Is scale or zone focusing really such a difficult concept to understand?

Ricoh gets it in that respect, but I'm not sure that I am sold on the GXR. It's expensive and the selection of lens/sensor modules is limited.

Leica? Still waiting for that digital CL-D with a APS-C sensor...

 

[CameraQuest]

Yeah, I did get that, but as I have about 7 or 8 FD lenses, and 3 Leica M lenses, unless someone other than Oly comes out with a way to use them on a digital, I'm not really interested.

JMHO...

yes indeed. you can already use Leica M and FD lenses on Micro 4/3, and almost certainly on the new Sony and other possible Micro mounts as well - except for Leica M on the Samsung Micro Pentax. that's the point.

Stephen

 

[remphoto]

The kit zoom and pancake lenses that come with the Oly and Panny are really sweet, too. I see why so many people like them. Quick focusing, sharp and relatively fast. Plus IS in some cases.

I saw my Dad "age" from a Canon A1 to increasingly smaller and lighter cameras as he aged. Now he loves his Canon G10. I find myself also preferring smaller and lighter as I age, but am not quite at the G11 stage, yet.

 

[Finder]

This would mean new cameras with NEW lens mounts!

Stephen

The cost of even thinking of new lens lines are going to give Nikon and Canon pause. They may see their markets as DSLRs and consumer P&Ss. This was not as big a gamble for Olympus or Panasonic as one had already developed a format and neither were a strong contender in the DSLR market. Sony's announcement was a bit of a surprise, but they are trying to expand their market share and going for the m4/3 audience (which is not the RFF crowd) is a way to do it.

The other thing in this topic is whether the small sensor camera is starting to hit a wall. I am not sure I could build a case for the argument as all you need to do is please the customer base--if the customer thinks the picture is good, then it is.

 

[shadowfox]

Well, we still have Nikon to show up with its own MICRO Nikon format, and perhaps even Leica! With its successful X1, can a new MICRO Leica format be that far way? Both Leica and Nikon seem to design new products where the sales are.

Time will tell.

Stephen

I think Nikon *need* to come out with its own mirror-less innovation if they were to grab the lead from Canon (market-wise), and I'm not only talking about the DSLR market, already people are talking more about G11 and S90 than whatever Coolpix is the latest.

Just curious, how *successful* is the Leica X1?

 

[gavinlg]

Canon is currently developing their own mirrorless interchangeable lens micro camera with a big sensor.

Nikon is said to be developing something to use a smaller than m4/3rds sensor.

 

[aizan]

contax comes back from the dead! 😀