Interchangable lens body based on the Q?

[Ken Ford]

How likely do we think this is? And would it be likely to accept M mount lenses with an adapter?

I'm going to check out the Q tomorrow, and while I think the Q's concept is sound I would really rather have a similar full frame EVF only body that I can use with my existing M lenses. Fuji doesn't seem to be going there, and I don't care for the Sony FF offerings. Leica's own current FF offerings are out of range for me, a Q body in the $2500 range would be a better fit.

Part of me wants to take a wait-and-see attitude since either would be a major purchase and I could only do one. What's the feeling on a body with mount being in the development chain?

 

[raid]

It may then cost $8000 or so.

 

[danielsterno]

Being the Q is AF. Is the AF ability within the fixed lens? The body? What makes the Lux lens in the Q able to AF? Thanks….

 

[Ken Ford]

Raid - Why would that be? If the Q with integrated 28 is $4250, why would a body with mount cost more?

 

[gustavoAvila]

If the Q is successful then the chances for a new full frame ILC body increase.

However,I agree with Raid with regard to price.

(The Leica prices are not out-of-sync for their small production runs.)

 

[ferider]

If the Q is successful, Leica is more likely to release another camera with different lens. How does a "P" with fixed Noctilux sound ?

 

[DougFord]

Leica's response should be interesting.
I'd think that maybe one more digital M model with the traditional RF assembly perched on top is in the pipeline.
After that, a new dual purpose, interchangeable lens model that is Q centric in its form and function seems logical. Offering new AF lenses and M mount compatibility would seem like a natural progression.
Dependent on sales and escalating production costs, the 'old' digital M model would be kept in production.
This 'bifurcation' of the M line, and the acceptance or non-acceptance of Q technology will help determine Leica's future design specifications for digital m mount cameras.

 

[rbelyell]

theyve been truly muddling about, throwing non rf stuff on the proverbial wall to see what will stick: the T, i T-hink not; xvario, if it were any slower itd be goin' backwards; 35mm fixed lens X models, no vf--end of story for many.

to me, with its new sensor, low light ability, and fast reliable FF af, the Q might finally and actually be something upon which they can build. either different fixed FLs or an interchangeable model, or both. but theyll probably muck that up too.

 

[GaryLH]

They can either way if the q is successful..but only if they deem it a success
- q50 or q75 vs a interchangeable one that everyone hopes for
As for price, they are going to protect their drf line in someway..that is to be expected.. They may for example use a non-m mount for the q and for a proprietary mount adapter which for m mount lenses which third party adapters would not work as well.

My bet would be toward a q50..to minimize the drf side issues.. Raid's comment about price maybe a bit high, but to protect drf sales, they may sell if above the q price..

Gary

 

[Keith]

Forget Leica ..... I would rather Sigma did it, then at least I could afford it! 😀

 

[GaryLH]

So true 😀

Gary

 

[Michalm]

Af Leica M

Af Leica M

Now Leica is time to create first M AF camera and lenses 😀

 

[rbelyell]

Forget Leica ..... I would rather Sigma did it, then at least I could afford it! 😀

not me. i require a vf and being able to shoot above iso400. to each their own. i love foveon, but i wouldnt buy a quattro with someone elses money.

 

[Godfrey]

How likely do we think this is? And would it be likely to accept M mount lenses with an adapter?

I'm going to check out the Q tomorrow, and while I think the Q's concept is sound I would really rather have a similar full frame EVF only body that I can use with my existing M lenses. Fuji doesn't seem to be going there, and I don't care for the Sony FF offerings. Leica's own current FF offerings are out of range for me, a Q body in the $2500 range would be a better fit.

Part of me wants to take a wait-and-see attitude since either would be a major purchase and I could only do one. What's the feeling on a body with mount being in the development chain?

Not very likely to have a Q become an ILC, unless you mean "a camera that looks like a Q" ... However, Leica might indeed produce an M with an EVF. It won't cost much less: an EVF of comparable quality isn't that much less money than the RF assembly.

Then again, they could surprise us. But if it takes M-mount lenses, it will not be auto focus.

G

 

[DNG]

Now Leica is time to create first M AF camera and lenses 😀

I don't think Leica will make an AF M mount.....

Why??

Their long stance on making sure EVERY Leica lens can be used on the Leica M bodies... remember the coding was the best they could do so older lenses could be coded.
Or just ignore updating old lenses to allow firmware correction with the digital bodies.
Leica decided to make sure all owners of any lens made can be adapted to allow firmware corrections with modern digital bodies.


IF.... I say IF Leica did make a ICL AF M body.... then they will have to make a whole new line of Leica AF/M lenses OR.....
Make a totally different Leica mount for the new AF lenses.

Can Leica afford such a project?

I don't see it....

The "Q" could other bodies...it could have a 24-75 zoom, one with a high-speed 35mm f/1.4, and one with a high-speed 50mm f/1.4.....

I think a Q family could like: 28mm, 35mm 50mm, 24-75mm

The name Q reminds me of the entity named Q on "Star Trek, The Next Generation" 😀

 

[aizan]

if they do, i hope it's aps-c and that the lenses still have a focusing tab. the q is what the t-mount system should have been like.

 

[willie_901]

Raid - Why would that be? If the Q with integrated 28 is $4250, why would a body with mount cost more?

Because the sensor for the Q and the lens are a matched pair. The sensor micro-lens optics are heterogeneous to compensate for the spatial differences in the rear lens element's light ray angles. With this design the lens rear element can be much closer to the sensor.

A different issue involves business strategy. How many Leia owners are willing to adopt an entirely new lens line considering their reverence for and appreciation of existing M/LTM lenses?

I will speculate the Q design is optically incompatible with M/LTM optics even if a M240 sensor assembly would physically fit in the body. But let's assume I'm wrong. In that case the only differentiating aspect of the M240 is the optical rangefinder. How many first-time (young) Leica owners will pay more for an optical RF?

 

[willie_901]

If the Q is successful, Leica is more likely to release another camera with different lens. How does a "P" with fixed Noctilux sound ?

Wonderful.

 

[Ruhayat]

I seriously doubted it, due to the well-known history with the CL. And now I just read in a comment made on Mirrorlessons, that the Q did eat into M sales. Imagine what an interchangeable lens Q would do to the flagship, bread-n-butter M. Even if they stuck a T mount into a Q body, it would still likely kill off M sales, because all you'd need is an adapter to turn it into a very attractive compact "full frame" body that would take any M, LTM, R and T lens in the world.

Hence I doubt there will be an ILC based on the Q anytime soon. What I do hope for, though, is that R&D into the Q will enable Leica to make a digital M the thickness of the old films M's. And that Leica will introduce a "Cartier-Bresson" version of the Q, with 50mm lens (and 75/90 crop lines) << I would buy this.

Speaking of the SL. I suppose dreaming that Leica would one day stick that sensor into a T body is out of the question, too.

 

[jsrockit]

I seriously doubted it, due to the well-known history with the CL. And now I just read in a comment made on Mirrorlessons, that the Q did eat into M sales. Imagine what an interchangeable lens Q would do to the flagship, bread-n-butter M. Even if they stuck a T mount into a Q body, it would still likely kill off M sales, because all you'd need is an adapter to turn it into a very attractive compact "full frame" body that would take any M, LTM, R and T lens in the world.

There will always be people who want the M. Of all places, we should know that (meaning RFF). So what if the Q eats into M sales? It's still money in Leica's pocket. I think you really underestimate the importance of a mechanical rangefinder to hard core users.

Speaking of the SL. I suppose dreaming that Leica would one day stick that sensor into a T body is out of the question, too.

I don't think so. I think the T is one and done. The SL is beautiful.