Leica's economical performance

[lns]

Perhaps a FF sensor M9 (say, 20 megapixels) at $8,000 and an M8 Mk. II at $5,000 for the budget minded.

Is that said jokingly? $5,000 for the budget-minded sounds a bit rich. Nikon's top of the line (for now) new D3 is $5,000. The D300 is about $2,000. Canon's 5D is what, $2,500? And the perfectly acceptable entry level DSLRs are less than $1,000. I know, I know, they aren't rangefinders, but ....

 

[infocusf8@earthlink.]

The Panacea

The Panacea

I hear they'll soon market a small 12 MP rangefinder based on the CL CLE body with a Leica processor and Panasonic electronics called the Panacea. It will be the Leica for the masses.

 

[brachal]

Great. I won't be right all day. To quote from Futurama, "You've seen it, and you can't UN-see it!"

 

[Trius]

A CL-sized digi RF from Leica would sell. 12MP wouldn't be necessary, 8 or 10MP would be fine with me. It would make sense to implement the M8 sensor as they have paid for the R&D on that. Then if the M9 comes in w/ a 24x36 sensor, the lineup would be:

C-Lux (or maybe gone?)
DigiLux (4/3s)
CL-D
M9
R-x DSLR

Only the M9 would be Solms production for sure, maybe the CL-D, thus optimizing production efficiency for the rest of the line.

 

[philhirn]

ErikFive, I was actually sort of translating some of what was left unclear in the google translation, they are not Kaufmann´s words, but rather stated as a "fact" by the article´s writer. So I also assume they would mean something like a monster MkIII, unless the article´s writer doesn´t really know his stuff. And a FF "M9" was always the obvious next step (though that must be hard to take for current M8 owners).

 

[varjag]

There should be some ways to make a "not-so-expensive" (can't press myself say cheap) Leica digital RF. Get rid of LCD and unnecessary associated controls for a start - a few hundreds are sliced off right away. Then, the M8 sensor by that time will be unimpressive old technology not costing nearly as much as at time of introduction. Most of M8 circuitry will probably be reused as well, eliminating extra R&D costs that otherwise have to be recouped.

Still I'd be surprised if it will be priced below $3000.

 

[jobo]

ErikFive, I was actually sort of translating some of what was left unclear in the google translation, they are not Kaufmann´s words, but rather stated as a "fact" by the article´s writer. So I also assume they would mean something like a monster MkIII, unless the article´s writer doesn´t really know his stuff. And a FF "M9" was always the obvious next step (though that must be hard to take for current M8 owners).

Also, note that the author writes in the subjunctive mood about the M9 and the CL digital, but not about the R10.

2c, /J

 

[Olsen]

"First, there will be M9 viewfinder camera with a full-size sensor. That brings the highest picture quality. Moreover, a R10-Spiegelreflexkamera with übergroßem chip and autofocus in the works - a new complex to the closure and the lenses. And finally, should provide a kind of "small" digital M on the market."




Erik,

Sorry, but this is pure speculation on the journalist's part. A 'full size M9' is not technically possible - without even further grave technical problems already revealed in the M8. - Still a M9 with a crop'ed sensor could offer considerable improvements compared to the M8.

Further....

Kaufman has earlier 'given his thoughts' to another journalist on the R-series future. He seemed uncertain about what to do with the R-series and if Leica at all had the resources to develop it further. - There was a link to this interview earlier here. Although an AF camera with a sensor slightly larger than the old 24x36 mm 'negative' could be quite realistic. Provided Leica has the resources to pull it through.

Short term; more realistic is a compact and cheaper ('pancace') 'DCL-M' which will be affordable for a larger market, not the least the American users.

 

[Digital Dude]

...If they can figure out how to make a lower priced digital M without diluting their high end market, they should make a killing.

Well, based on the 9k I just spent on my new M8 w/28-cron’ I figure their already making a fairly nice killing!
Regards,:angel:

 

[jaapv]

ErikFive, I was actually sort of translating some of what was left unclear in the google translation, they are not Kaufmann´s words, but rather stated as a "fact" by the article´s writer. So I also assume they would mean something like a monster MkIII, unless the article´s writer doesn´t really know his stuff. And a FF "M9" was always the obvious next step (though that must be hard to take for current M8 owners).

The original text is a lot more careful than the Google translation. Let's translate properly: It does not say " there will be a..." but "there is supposed to be.." which sounds a considerably different. Nor does it say " Thus far....innovations" That translates better as:
" As far as known up till now the developers are fiddling primarily with three innovations. On one hand there is supposed to be an M9 rangefindercamera with full-frame sensor. That makes for maximum image quality. Further they are working on a R10 DSLR with an extra large chip and autofocus, a complicated development, especially the shutter { ??? I presume they mean the mirror} and the lenses. And finally there is the possiblity that some kind of " small" digital M should come on the market."

It sums up what we find on LUF but tells us nothing about actual developments, as "The company tells us little about the future model lineup"....

The whole die Welt article is a compilation of Leica press handouts and Internet forum summaries and adds nothing new.