Leica announcing M10 on May 10th?

[Spyro]

Ok, with 2 months to announcement I expect RFF to speculate with 83.6% accuracy on the spec and pricing of the new camera, the price of used M9s and M8s immediately after launch and 1 year after launch, as well as the impact of the new camera on M lens prices.

Commence 🙂

 

[kmallick]

what would be the benefit of a b&w only sensor (less noise)? I wouldn't never ever buy a camera that can only take b&w pictures (even the most stupid made of plastics Smena can be loaded with color film)... or am I missing something important here??? 😀

no worries. in no time someone will come out with a software to convert those b&w images to garrish colors and smooth skin tones. 🙂

 

[tbarker13]

Some of the individual parts might be cheaper. But the overall development costs would have to be spread across a much smaller group.
We on this forum may love the idea of a B&W-only camera. But a B&W rangefinder? Talk about a niche within a niche.

That would start to sound like a special edition.
I don't remember much from calculus, but I do think there was a forumula that went something like this:
Special Edition + Leica = $$,$$$

 

[bensyverson]

If it's B&W only, it'll be an M9 special edition. If it's called "M10," it'll be color. That's my guess!

 

[kbg32]

I thought they were working on some APS-c mirrorless thingy?

I believe this is true. There was a direction Leica spoke about over a year ago. APS sensor or M4/3 based camera with interchangeable lenses.

BTW - Kodak produced an all b+w dSLR quite some time ago.

 

[luuca]

native iso 25-6400 selectable with a rear wheel
manual advance cock lever
no rear lcd
mini lcd on top for battery and memory space
same size of analogue M
only-dng output
=

SOLD




ok, let me dream 😛

 

[Araakii]

what would be the benefit of a b&w only sensor (less noise)? I wouldn't never ever buy a camera that can only take b&w pictures (even the most stupid made of plastics Smena can be loaded with color film)... or am I missing something important here??? 😀

No ugly color and interpolation. Everything has better contrast and less noise for the same sensor size.

 

[Mackinaw]

Several year's back, at a LHSA meeting, Stefan Daniel asked the audience if they would buy a B&W-only, digital M-series Leica.

All this proves is that such a camera is something Leica has thought about. Remains to be seen if they actually build it.

Jim B.

 

[BobYIL]

Some of the individual parts might be cheaper. But the overall development costs would have to be spread across a much smaller group.
We on this forum may love the idea of a B&W-only camera. But a B&W rangefinder?

If Solms has decided about a B&W only sensor then it should rather be a CCD type, not CMOS, for monochrome-CCD exhibits somewhat 10dB SNR advantage over the color version. Probably they are aiming for improved hi-ISO capability over the existing models. (Cost does not change with sensor version..)

Secondly, if they are to stick to the Truesense (former Kodak) range of sensors and if the new model is to come with an FF-size sensor, then expect something with 28-29MP (CCD, naturally).

Hi-res CMOS has become rather a proprietary product; for example I think any access to the new 36MP sensor could be possible following the licencing agreement first through Nikon Inc. and then Sony, as Nikon seems to act as a joint-developer of the new technology. Similarly the access to the low-pass filterless APS-C sensor on the X-Pro1 passes through licencing from Fujifilm as the design belongs to them before the manufaturing rights by Sony.

 

[ymc226]

I hope it is B&W. I was planning to get a back up M9P but will hold off until the dust settles.

 

[johannielscom]

I think you can rest well then. 🙂
There's just no way anyone is going to make a digital camera without an LCD screen. I'm doubtful about a B&W only model. But that's infinitely more likely than a digital without an LCD.

+1 on that.

No manufacturer is willing to fill a niche that small. At best, one can have the B&W sensor as an option (read: higher price)!

 

[user237428934]

We read this "no display" stuff just before the M9, now before the M10. When will people recognize that no one will build such a digital camera for a worldwide market of not more than 20 people, all of them members here 🙂

 

[Paul T.]

We read this "no display" stuff just before the M9, now before the M10. When will people recognize that no one will build such a digital camera for a worldwide market of not more than 20 people, all of them members here 🙂

Indeed. The 20 people who don't want to press an "off" switch.

 

[250swb]

This annoucement is for the EVIL camera, a camera that Leica need to get out well before an M10, and especially as M9 sales haven't exactly dried up.

And I think everybody is reading too much into the 10th of the month. It is a Thursday. Announce something earlier in the week and it gets superceeded over the weekend by other news, announce it on the 11th (Friday) and it doesn't get into the weekend press. Getting the news out on the Thursday means it is in the top spot for more days.

Steve

 

[victoriapio]

This annoucement is for the EVIL camera, a camera that Leica need to get out well before an M10, and especially as M9 sales haven't exactly dried up.

And I think everybody is reading too much into the 10th of the month. It is a Thursday. Announce something earlier in the week and it gets superceeded over the weekend by other news, announce it on the 11th (Friday) and it doesn't get into the weekend press. Getting the news out on the Thursday means it is in the top spot for more days.

Steve

1. A true CL digital? Perhaps not.
2 A b/w sensor only. No way.
3. Leica would be crazy to upgrade the 9, there is still a limited supply.
4. No LCD.? No way
5. An m 10 to upgrade from the 9? Don't think so.

 

[tbarker13]

Indeed. The 20 people who don't want to press an "off" switch.

Yeah, I've never understood this thing people have with the LCD display.
Even if you don't want access to your images as you shoot, you still need to be able to fiddle with menu items.
Like it or not, digital cameras are going to have more things to control than you can handle with a few analog dials/switches. Unless, that is, you think someone is going to build a digital camera with only shutter speed, aperture and ISO controls.
I guess you'd also need a dial for exposure compensation.
And then one for file quality - RAW, jpg, etc.
And then some way to format your disks.
And something to activate the sensor-cleaning mode.
And then something for frame rate selection.

I guess you could handle a lot of this in a souped-up frame counter screen - sort of like what you'd find on a DSLR. But that would not be the simplistic camera that film-users want in a digital body.

 

[dcsang]

Awesome !!
An excellent opportunity for me to live above my means (like so many governments of late).

My curiosity would be who's making the sensor now that Kodak is sort of.. well.. Kodak.. *smirk* 😀

Cheers,
Dave

 

[swoop]

May 10th makes sense since they were all about the 09/09/09 for the M9.

I'm dreading this because I know I'll want one so bad even though there's no way I could afford it. I use a 5D mk2 and an M9. Would love to upgrade both in the same year. Alas, I didn't pick the right lottery numbers. And none of my calls to the NY Times pleading for work have been answered.

 

[umcelinho]

better high iso, better lcd screen.
having that, it'll be sweet.

 

[Harry Lime]

Given the cost of the new Nikon D4 and Canon 1Dx and current price of an M9 I'm going to guess that the M10 will go for $7000-9000 (body only).