Leica AG CEO has replied

[BillBingham2]

Raid,

Most Excellent work.

If I remember right, there was a Leica CEO a while back that did put out a road map.......

IMHO, road maps are used to keep customer buying their product and not moving to a competitor. Leica doesn't take this approach, they build the best product they can at the time that blends tradition, quality and value. You're buying a Leica after all.

I'm more interested in challenging sensor designer/builders to create a sensor design that would allow us to reuse all the great glass that is already in existence. If we paid an extra $1000 could they build them?

But then I'm a bit touched.

Thanks for sharing Raid, hope all is well at work, with the family and well.

B2 (;->

 

[raid]

This is obvious with film cameras, but maybe not so clear for digital cameras. It would be a breakthrough to have a digital Leica with modular upgrade possibilities for a few years.

 

[raid]

Raid,

Most Excellent work.

If I remember right, there was a Leica CEO a while back that did put out a road map.......

IMHO, road maps are used to keep customer buying their product and not moving to a competitor. Leica doesn't take this approach, they build the best product they can at the time that blends tradition, quality and value. You're buying a Leica after all.

I'm more interested in challenging sensor designer/builders to create a sensor design that would allow us to reuse all the great glass that is already in existence. If we paid an extra $1000 could they build them?

But then I'm a bit touched.

Thanks for sharing Raid, hope all is well at work, with the family and well.

B2 (;->

Thanks. All is well at home and at work.
I agree that it would be great to have some Leica cameras that allow the use of old lenses on them, plus, allow a modular upgrade with a new generation of sensors that is capable to accept new modules over time.
It may not be good for business.

 

[BillBingham2]

....
It may not be good for business.

If they price it in the traditional approach it would flop.

First change the design to modularize the sensor and the in-camera processors. Keep the controls the same. Dump the LCD on the back of this model and replace with wifi/NFC to share/show output. If I'm interested in review I can look at my iPhone or tablet.

If they looked outside the box, charge $2500 for the upgrade to the sensor, $1250 for processor it could work. You cut out the percentage you need to pay for sale/marketing/etc I bet it would pay their shareholders well.

B2 (;->

 

[raid]

It is something to consider for the next round of questions for the CEO. He may reply then that this is technologically not possible for Leica.

 

[raid]

I was careful about wording what I said above. It is Leica who may not want such applications.

 

[sevo]

First change the design to modularize the sensor and the in-camera processors.

Nice idea, but experience tells us that modularizing does not guarantee upgrade-ability in the world of computers, as too many components have interdependencies. Even desktop PCs, essentially made from individual and standardized modules, don't upgrade all that well - you may be able to carry over the case, drives and GFX board (if the performance of the latter still holds up), but the next generation CPU will inevitably also require a next generation main board and next generation memory, so you essentially face a monolithic upgrade of parts that make up at least 2/3 of the cost of a entirely new computer.

In the Leica world of small production numbers and with no competing parts supplier, the added effort for managing upgrade paths and more diverse parts inventories would presumably eat up that relatively small benefit...

 

[raid]

This is what I was anticipating to hear. I therefore said "upgrade possibilities for a few years." There is a time limit.

 

[uhoh7]

I think they should have a gander at that great Nikon SP with the dual finders onboard.

Imagine a M6 footprint, with dual finders like that, the outer a optical RF, the inner an EVF of the latest panasonic design, as seen on the Q. With a movable magnification box.

To Leica's credit: their digital cameras are all still excellent in most measures. I often see great work with the M8. The M lens line is simply the best, in terms of design and performance. The weakness is only close focus, and that also could be easily addressed in that new dual finder body: upgrade the mount with both a helicoid and maybe some overlap to reduce light leaks.

 

[raid]

Have this request ready when we send out the second round of questions at Christmas! Dear Santa,
We have been loyal Leica users.
Please

 

[raid]

Have this request ready when we send out the second round of questions at Christmas! Dear Santa,
We have been loyal Leica users.
Please

Joke aside, we need a set of meaningful questions and suggestions.

 

[BillBingham2]

... so you essentially face a monolithic upgrade of parts that make up at least 2/3 of the cost of a entirely new computer.....QUOTE]

Yes, upgrading computer CPUs, I/O structure, with the exception of disk drive and more memory rarely leads to a cost reasonable outcome.

The heart of the M is the viewfinder/rangefinder and control. By loosing the LCD for image viewing you reduce the complexity of the system dramatically. Standardizing on a power supply, networking and storage module (not upgradeable) would also lessen the complexity.

Designing a modular sensor and processor module(s) is actually a pretty straight forward effort. The key is working with your suppliers to keep their designs within your design. Pay enough and I'm pretty sure they will.

The key is finding the correct price point for upgrades, developing a strong (Fuji-like) approach to firmware upgrades for every camera built.

B2 (;->

 

[raid]

We may be onto something here.

 

[CameraQuest]

OK folks,

What followup questions would you like directed to Leica's CEO?
The questions go in this week.

Stephen

 

[-fp]

My questions are:

Why do you only offer one digital M without a screen? The Leica M body, when reduced to the barest of capabilities, is the very embodiment of great design. I am struggling to understand why, on what is a camera for enthusiasts and professionals, why all your models have a screen, and buttons, and other excess. An ideal digital M would have no screen, no collection of buttons, no hot shoe. ISO dial, shutter speed dial, shutter release. That's all we need.

It's great to hear that you will be supporting the M9 for the foreseeable future. How do you see your ability to support your digital models changing over the next 10 years as the pace of electronic development increases, and therefore production runs reduce? Adding just in time manufacturing to components as well as final products, and I imagine spares will be tighter year on year. How far ahead can you plan, and how does that effect the luxury market where people expect longer and more complete levels of support?

 

[raid]

I suggest that we create a list of questions/comments that have not already been addressed by the CEO or that have not been set aside by him for some erasons tha he gave us. There are technical issues and there are service related issues. Maybe we can separate these two issues as two sections in the list.

It really is better to have the CEO tell us what he is willing to tell us than not to ask him at all.