Leica M240 w/o Screen

[Samouraï]

Sounds as though Leica might be releasing a digital M without an LCD screen that only shoots raw photos.

http://leicarumors.com/2014/08/21/how-about-a-leica-digital-rangefinder-without-lcd-screen.aspx/

This is the camera for which I've been waiting...but the CMOS sensor, the same large size as the 240 (I wish it were M3-sized), and the idea that it could be more expensive than the other digital M cameras has me rolling my eyes.

 

[filmtwit]

Less functions for higher price?

No thank you.

 

[roundg]

unless they can reduce the body thickness

 

[kbg32]

They are coming out with a Leica M-P. An updated version of the M240.

 

[Monochrom]

Great!

Now my question is about depth of the body, will it be close to a regular m film camera?

If so i´ll go for it!

 

[jsrockit]

Rumored to be the same size as the 240, sold in limited quantity (which means higher price), and will be a different model than the M-P.

 

[aeturnum]

I would be interested for a lower price and smaller size. I have no love of a rear screen, but I don't fetishize the lack thereof.

 

[sevres_babylone]

And as the article concludes: "For now, take this rumor with a grain of salt."

 

[Dante_Stella]

A gold-threaded hairshirt for those who can't stop randomly pressing buttons.

Dante

 

[jaapv]

Just a regular M with a few embellishments, the expected facelift like Leica always does after two years of production. Announced yesterday.

 

[icebear]

Oh, ... darn it :bang: ... it does come with a screen 😀.

 

[jsrockit]

I'm not so sure the M-P and this rumored camera are the same...

 

[KoNickon]

I probably shouldn't be jumping into the rumor mill, but why would not having a screen be a good thing? I understand the concern about added thickness, but is that the only drawback?

 

[willie_901]

• Apparently some LCD screen vendors are unreliable and suddenly refuse to supply replacement parts. So if you don't have a screen to begin with, you don't have to worry about what happens if the screen fails or becomes damaged by accident. On the other hand, this could be credible excuse to upgrade to a newer camera.
  
• LCD screens are perceived as evil because one can actually view the results immediately. Oddly this is considered a weakness despite a long history of professional photographers using Polaroid backs (not on M bodies obviously) to check lighting, exposure and composition before switching to negative or transparency film for the final shot(s). Somehow performing the same function quickly is just not right.
  
• LCD screens are the gateway to the ill-designed, user-hostile, assembly language user interfaces present in all digital cameras. No screen means no menus; so life is good.
  
• Even worse, no LCD screen means the camera's parameters could be controlled by a much more sinister means... the smart phone. With a smart phone/tablet the user interface to set and menu parameters could be significantly improved and even customized. Many sets of menu parameters could be saved. Unfortunately, there is nothing worse than having to use a smart phone/tablet. And even if you already use a smart phone, your risk of disappointment doubles because you now have to two batteries that could expire unexpectedly.
  
• Besides playing jokes on your peers, you can also deceive strangers. If you are working and someone says, "Hey did you take my picture? I hope not 'cause I don't wanna be in the internet." You can show them the back of the camera and reply, "Chill dude, its just an old film camera and film can't be on the internet. Have you ever seen film on the internet?" This strategy might even work with dim-witted rent-a-cops.

 

[jsrockit]

I probably shouldn't be jumping into the rumor mill, but why would not having a screen be a good thing? I understand the concern about added thickness, but is that the only drawback?

Some people are just purists. I think many of us can relate to the fact that most digital cameras just do not feel as nice as their film counterparts.

 

[burancap]

...the camera's parameters could be controlled by a much more sinister means... the smart phone. While the user interface to set and store menu parameters could be significantly improved and even customized....

You just hit your head on a nail. Not to go off topic too far, but this, or some semblance of it is the near future. Everything done on a handheld: setup, review, FW updates etc.

 

[YYV_146]

If you don't like the screen, set the camera to full manual and tape it over. Even better, order a nice leather case which covers the screen.

I don't see why anyone absolutely needs a camera without one.

 

[Lss]

I don't see why anyone absolutely needs a camera without one.

If certainly affects ergonomics. Screen position and size dictate placement of some buttons and other controls.