Live View in the next digital M: A universal Camera.

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eleskin

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How many of you would like to see a live view function on the next digital M? How about a clip on viewfinder that displays an electronic image the way the Panasonic Lumix G1 does incorperated into the next digital M, an electronic Visoflex? As discussed on a previous thread, the idea of this being a "Universal Camera" could make the next M appealing to many more photographers in that they could use any 35mm lens ever made with an adapter (although they will still be tempted by superior Leica Glass). Imagine using some of the wide lenses Voigtlander makes that are not rangefinder coupled. Imagine no more headaches focusing the Noctlux, or saving a bundle of money and using high speed Nikon or Minolta 50mm f1.2 lenses!

This would be an absolute winner. I hope Leica is listening.
 
Due to the difference in register distance between the R lenses and the Visoflex, a new Viso that would take R lenses would be a very complicated construction - technically possible most probably - but at nearly as expensive as an R10 camera.....
 
Personally, not interested. Adds a huge amount of complexity, and therefore cost, when most people would surely be more interested in low-light sensitivity, lower crop factor, and image quality.
 
If a cheaper DSLR can have live view, I think that if I am shelling out thousands more, I should be able to get it if I want it. Besides, Live view is not the latest technology, and it can be part of the next digital M with a throw of a switch on the camera.
 
I do not see the real need and advantage of live view neither for a dslr nor a rangefinder. It might only be interesting for macro or overhead shots which I rarely do. In my point of view its a useless gimmick most of the time.

Regards
Steve
 
I liken the desire to have and use live view as similar to the notion that a return to training wheels makes for a better bicycling experience.
 
I want a viewfinder for the same reason a photographer uses a focusing cloth for a view camera outdoors. All these LCD's suck in direct sunlight.
 
I find live view to be a tremendously useful tool for getting the camera into places that my head won't fit to the viewfinder. It is also great for pre-chimping, that is, checking your white balance, exposure, dof etc.. before you start shooting. The best part though, my shutter is quieter than my leica in live view regular mode, and just about unnoticable in live view silent mode (oops, blasphemy). What do I know though, I just make my livng at this.
 
Unless it's a swiveling Live View for difficult angles, it's useless, the optical RF is plenty good for focusing.

What I'd appreciate more is an EVF with zoom and/or night-vision capabilities :)

... but please leave the square patch in, it's fun to use.
 
I can't imagine needing either, but then I am still using a film Leica. Live view for me is what I see walking through the clear glass viewfinder.

I know I am just being a cranky idiot, but I would be much happier if Leica figured out how to put a pro-quality sensor like the one in a Canon 5DmkII in their next M-digital rather than just adding a smattering of gizmos and doohickeys. For me, that adds much more concrete value.
 
In a rangefinder I prefer the current viewfinder model best. I've tried the G1 with its EVF, but the real deal is still better in most cases. Liveview through an LCD would be nice, but only if it swivels, which is sure to become commonplace very soon. I like the swiveling LCD on my Olympus DSLR. But a swiveling LCD would add bulk to an M.

I've grown very fond of framing with my Zeiss Ikon viewfinder and vastly prefer it to the Olympus or any of my serious compacts with their LCDs.
 
An optical vf with a live view option (with swivel LCD of course) is a great combination, and hardly a 'gizmo' in my book. :) A swivel LCD adds little if any bulk. And if one doesn't care for it, turn it around and don't use it.
 
digitalintrigue said:
An optical vf with a live view option (with swivel LCD of course) is a great combination, and hardly a 'gizmo' in my book. :) A swivel LCD adds little if any bulk. And if one doesn't care for it, turn it around and don't use it.
Click to expand...

Swivel LCD - that would be nice. For those "my T-shirt's too nice to get dirty" low angle shots!
 
The current M8/8.2 suffers already from rather sketchy battery life with the current imaging processor and LCD, that given adding "live view" would cut into battery life even more. We all know that Leica's strength is in its glass and lens designs, we should all be pressing for a camera that is more independent of need for battery power, to work more like the MP where perhaps the action of the rewind lever charges the CCD sensor and winds the shutter for each exposure. The thought of a swiveling display would just be emulating something that others have done and not setting Leica and RF photographers apart.
 
LeicaMSeattle said:
The thought of a swiveling display would just be emulating something that others have done and not setting Leica and RF photographers apart.
Click to expand...

...oh but others' lcds are not made up of sapphire... and the swivel will be individually laser cut titanium... has anybody else done that !
;)
 
I'm about to head out on a shoot with an M2 and a Bessa L. They both have "live view".
I don't even use the finder on the Bessa. I know what the 15mm Heliar's coverage is.

Technology freaks should admit to themselves that the pursuit of The Next Improvement is what turns them on, not photography.
 
I would prefer a small/compact camera without an LCD screen at all. Get rid of the power, size, and weight of the extra electronics. Use a separate box for viewing the images if you have to, or just carry a small notebook computer.

Get it down to the size of a Leica CL, and cut the price.
 
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