I haven't really seen any gimmicks in this spec. Bluetooth as mentioned is too slow for file transfer, but it could be usable for controlling the camera remotely. That might be gimmicky for some, but not for others. Who is the gimmick arbiter? 
1/4000 shouldn't be a problem, the M8.2 has that. The M8 had 1/8000, even nicer for using wide apertures in bright situations.
Image stabilization: this is cool, enables another couple of stops for low light. Especially cool if the sensor is not all that great at ISO 6400.
Matrix metering, autofocus, X-frames per second, LCD live-view, flip-out LCD:
These are standard features of the competition. LCD live-view would mean that every M9 would have a built-in modern Visoflex. Hardly gimmicky.
RD-1 has flip-out LCD, that's been out 5 years, not really leading edge technology there.
Let me know when I can place an order.
1/4000 shouldn't be a problem, the M8.2 has that. The M8 had 1/8000, even nicer for using wide apertures in bright situations.
Image stabilization: this is cool, enables another couple of stops for low light. Especially cool if the sensor is not all that great at ISO 6400.
Matrix metering, autofocus, X-frames per second, LCD live-view, flip-out LCD:
These are standard features of the competition. LCD live-view would mean that every M9 would have a built-in modern Visoflex. Hardly gimmicky.
RD-1 has flip-out LCD, that's been out 5 years, not really leading edge technology there.
Let me know when I can place an order.
antiquark
Derek Ross
Let me know when I can place an order.
You already can:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcg1/
Oh, well I already have one of those. This concept is somewhat of a merger of the best features of G1 and the D700 into an RF.
This concept is somewhat of a merger of the best features of G1 and the D700 into an RF.user237428934
User deletion pending
Gave it back. I just didn't find the menu option for switching from crop factor 2 to 1.33 or 1.0
Bill Pierce
Well-known
A long time ago, Leitz had the Leica School. It presented lecturers like Walter Huen to interested groups, often the journalism departments of universities. For 2 days Walter would talk about not only about Leitz, but about photographic technique in general. When talking to students, he even mentioned Canon lenses as economical alternatives until they could afford Leica lenses (and I’m sure the powers to be at Leitz were choking back cries of “Do you have to do that?”)
There was a constant flow of journalists through the Leitz headquarters in Rockleigh and Wetzlar. You could literally find yourself having a beer with the president of Leitz USA or the parent company in Germany.
No question Leitz was interested in the needs of journalists and that their cameras were exceptionally popular tools with that group. But I don’t think this was an act of selfless devotion to our trade on the part of Leitz.
I think they recognized that the needs of the journalist paralleled the needs of their most important customer, the advanced amateur. He needed a small, portable camera that could take on a variety of situations minimizing the use of flash or tripods, a viewfinder that let you see easily and even anticipate (everything sharp, including what was about to come into frame) in a variety of situations and was capable of delivering a very high quality image.
I don’t know when Leitz decided that the advanced amateur really wanted a camera with custom colored leather in limited editions named after celebrities (and probably easily affordable only to other celebrities), but I regret it.
I think Harry’s proposals are brilliant - and, in terms of Leitz’s marketing philosophy, delightfully old fashioned. It will be interesting to see whether modest innovations something like Harry’s or a red leather, Paris Hilton limited edition M8 will appear first.
There was a constant flow of journalists through the Leitz headquarters in Rockleigh and Wetzlar. You could literally find yourself having a beer with the president of Leitz USA or the parent company in Germany.
No question Leitz was interested in the needs of journalists and that their cameras were exceptionally popular tools with that group. But I don’t think this was an act of selfless devotion to our trade on the part of Leitz.
I think they recognized that the needs of the journalist paralleled the needs of their most important customer, the advanced amateur. He needed a small, portable camera that could take on a variety of situations minimizing the use of flash or tripods, a viewfinder that let you see easily and even anticipate (everything sharp, including what was about to come into frame) in a variety of situations and was capable of delivering a very high quality image.
I don’t know when Leitz decided that the advanced amateur really wanted a camera with custom colored leather in limited editions named after celebrities (and probably easily affordable only to other celebrities), but I regret it.
I think Harry’s proposals are brilliant - and, in terms of Leitz’s marketing philosophy, delightfully old fashioned. It will be interesting to see whether modest innovations something like Harry’s or a red leather, Paris Hilton limited edition M8 will appear first.
tmfabian
I met a man once...
you know, on the other forum i mentioned not liking the idea of where the "new" shutter dial was located, however the more i look at this new design, the more I'm digging it...and the battery pack is something that should have been introduced as an accessory a long time ago and if this comes to fruition, i'm slappin down the cash on a pre-order right away. I particularly like the idea of the OLED...it's such neat technology.
part of me wants to see a cloth shutter again with an advance lever, but if they can get rid of the whirr at the end of the shutter recock, the metal blade shutter is actually pretty quiet and introduces a level of durability since i roll without lens caps (although I will say that last night, after a few drinks I was cleaning some dirt off the cover of my m7 and had the lens off and accidentally shoved my sausage finger right into the shutter...luckily the pressure plate didn't allow me to push a hole in it, but a metal blade shutter would surely be off for repair right now haha.)
part of me wants to see a cloth shutter again with an advance lever, but if they can get rid of the whirr at the end of the shutter recock, the metal blade shutter is actually pretty quiet and introduces a level of durability since i roll without lens caps (although I will say that last night, after a few drinks I was cleaning some dirt off the cover of my m7 and had the lens off and accidentally shoved my sausage finger right into the shutter...luckily the pressure plate didn't allow me to push a hole in it, but a metal blade shutter would surely be off for repair right now haha.)
victoriapio
Well-known
Ditto losing the removeable bottom plate. Please a weather tight door on the permanent bottom plate is fine that would hide the card and the battery pack.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Leica needs to get back to listening to working professionals and professionals who understand how to shoot with a rangefinder. In most businesses technology trickles down from the top. That's another reason why they need a tiered product line, with bodies priced low, mid and high.
Thanks Bill, very kind of you. As for the Paris Hilton edition, it looks like a Panda and Safari model beat it to the puch, but how far behind can it be? These special editions are a good sign that they need to spice up the M8, because it is reaching it's exparation date in the market place, from a technological standpoint. Time for a replacement in one year or less and it better be good (and priced correctly).
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
How about adopting the Hexar's top-mounted EV comp dial? And the front-edge mounted shutter speed wheel that can be turned with the right index finger without displacing one's grip?
Matt(1pt4)
Established
Yes to both. The way the Hexar's shutter speed dial hangs slightly over the edge is far better than the Leica design.
While we are contributing DNA from other camera families, what about using the OM's around the lens-mount shutter speed dial as white balance dial? No need to dig into menus for anything then.
While we are contributing DNA from other camera families, what about using the OM's around the lens-mount shutter speed dial as white balance dial? No need to dig into menus for anything then.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Interesting solution, but I think two dials would make the top of the M8 cluttered. It also places the shutter speed dial in an odd place, so it no longer falls under your index finger.
samoksner
Who stole my light?
Simplify
Simplify
I don't think it needs any menus at all.
Have a nob for shutter speeds, a nob for ISO and MAYBE a selector for preset WB, no auto WB to keep internal computer stuff to a minimum. A selector switch for RAW, JPG, RAW + JPG and that's it. So what, we've added 2 nob /lever/selectors compared to an M6?
I don't need an LCD to see what I shot, i don't see what i shoot on film! It's a leica, with no mirror blackout, their is no reason to not know what you got when you got released the shutter. And to be honest, I don't see what I need an LCD for on my Canon 5D except to look at images (and I only do that because it's irrisistable to not look at what I just shot, but when my LCD was broken and I had no image review, I was almost glad)
If the sensor could be 1.3 or better crop that would be awesome, i can deal with 1.3x. As for frames, i would love to be able to select frames ONE at a TIME. The lever can individually select 28,35,50,75,90,135 (or the equivalent considering the magnification). I hate having my 35 frame crowded by some junk in the middle, but then again, I'm quite used to my M6 so this is very minor. How about a little red light that comes on in the very far corner of the rangefinder when i only have space for 25 pictures left on the card?
I don't need AE, don't need a top LCD, or a back LCD, just the usual M7 meter readout in the rangefinder as long as shutter speeds are displayed.
I would love to have a shutter crank, so that it doesn't make that sound the M8 makes right after taking a picture. Winding the crank could be like turning the camera ON so that we don't encounter the issues that the M8 switch had (swithcing from S to C and worse to self timer). A good old style self timer, the wind back on a spring type, works for me. A crank would also alow for better grip like we are used to on film M and act as an ON OFF switch, pull it out for ON, keep it in for OFF.
I don't however, care much for the bottom plate design of the M8, I understand the legacy behind it, and it's fine on my M6, but for digital, it's overkill, however, if it means Leica will save money by producing less parts by keeping the bottom plates generic, that's fine.
You don't need to make it out of brass, make it out of the polycarbonate stuff the use for Canon / Nikon digital cameras since no one is going to keep one of these for as long as they keep an M3 or any film M. If it's simple and made with a cheaper exterior, Leica will sell more and will be able to afford to make newer models more often. They could even sell the brass top and bottom plates for an extra $750 if they want to those who feel like they need it. How much can some brass plates cost? Cheaper materials since digital is not timeless.
I don't need 15fps, in fact i'd rather the camera save some electronics and not bother with multiple fps in the first place. After all, it's a leica, not a canon. As far as I'm concerned, I don't need burst at all.
I don't need shooting modes modes, or anymore flash control then i have on an M6 TTL.
The frame counter can stay
I really don't see the use of a rear LCD unless i totally forgot something, i would rather not have it use up batteries, cost more to manufacter and make the whole thing bulky.
If it's priced at $2500 and not made quite as well as an M3 , so what? As long as it's built as well as quality DSLRs are today, I would buy 1 the day it's announced. I would sell all i can the day i get it in my hands and buy a second one the day after that.
I think most people feel this way, keep it simple and consider it's purpose, it's a digital, not a timeless M3. It's a camera for everyday people that appreciate Leica glass, not for collectors, collectors won't keep a company alive, photographers will. If everyone who bought a M9 if it came out tomorrow, also bought an M10 in 4 years and an M11 4 years after that, Leica would be doing just fine.
Simplify
I don't think it needs any menus at all.
Have a nob for shutter speeds, a nob for ISO and MAYBE a selector for preset WB, no auto WB to keep internal computer stuff to a minimum. A selector switch for RAW, JPG, RAW + JPG and that's it. So what, we've added 2 nob /lever/selectors compared to an M6?
I don't need an LCD to see what I shot, i don't see what i shoot on film! It's a leica, with no mirror blackout, their is no reason to not know what you got when you got released the shutter. And to be honest, I don't see what I need an LCD for on my Canon 5D except to look at images (and I only do that because it's irrisistable to not look at what I just shot, but when my LCD was broken and I had no image review, I was almost glad)
If the sensor could be 1.3 or better crop that would be awesome, i can deal with 1.3x. As for frames, i would love to be able to select frames ONE at a TIME. The lever can individually select 28,35,50,75,90,135 (or the equivalent considering the magnification). I hate having my 35 frame crowded by some junk in the middle, but then again, I'm quite used to my M6 so this is very minor. How about a little red light that comes on in the very far corner of the rangefinder when i only have space for 25 pictures left on the card?
I don't need AE, don't need a top LCD, or a back LCD, just the usual M7 meter readout in the rangefinder as long as shutter speeds are displayed.
I would love to have a shutter crank, so that it doesn't make that sound the M8 makes right after taking a picture. Winding the crank could be like turning the camera ON so that we don't encounter the issues that the M8 switch had (swithcing from S to C and worse to self timer). A good old style self timer, the wind back on a spring type, works for me. A crank would also alow for better grip like we are used to on film M and act as an ON OFF switch, pull it out for ON, keep it in for OFF.
I don't however, care much for the bottom plate design of the M8, I understand the legacy behind it, and it's fine on my M6, but for digital, it's overkill, however, if it means Leica will save money by producing less parts by keeping the bottom plates generic, that's fine.
You don't need to make it out of brass, make it out of the polycarbonate stuff the use for Canon / Nikon digital cameras since no one is going to keep one of these for as long as they keep an M3 or any film M. If it's simple and made with a cheaper exterior, Leica will sell more and will be able to afford to make newer models more often. They could even sell the brass top and bottom plates for an extra $750 if they want to those who feel like they need it. How much can some brass plates cost? Cheaper materials since digital is not timeless.
I don't need 15fps, in fact i'd rather the camera save some electronics and not bother with multiple fps in the first place. After all, it's a leica, not a canon. As far as I'm concerned, I don't need burst at all.
I don't need shooting modes modes, or anymore flash control then i have on an M6 TTL.
The frame counter can stay
I really don't see the use of a rear LCD unless i totally forgot something, i would rather not have it use up batteries, cost more to manufacter and make the whole thing bulky.
If it's priced at $2500 and not made quite as well as an M3 , so what? As long as it's built as well as quality DSLRs are today, I would buy 1 the day it's announced. I would sell all i can the day i get it in my hands and buy a second one the day after that.
I think most people feel this way, keep it simple and consider it's purpose, it's a digital, not a timeless M3. It's a camera for everyday people that appreciate Leica glass, not for collectors, collectors won't keep a company alive, photographers will. If everyone who bought a M9 if it came out tomorrow, also bought an M10 in 4 years and an M11 4 years after that, Leica would be doing just fine.
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
Harry, put briefly, your traditional design doesn’t really address what I perceive to be the range of operational deficiencies of the M8 (or more accurately, what has driven me up the wall for the past two years). My list would be significantly different. It also could be done (presumably) without any massive re-engineering of the camera.
The modern spec camera? Well, nothing should make this camera any heavier, any bigger, any uglier or any more like a DSLR in controls – because at that point, a D700 (especially with the AA filter removed) is going to be better in most ways. If you really want to go modern, add these to the list above:
Dante
(a) Kill the metering and flash-ready “lag.”
(b) Speed up the shutter recycling, even if it makes the camera louder. If you need to make it quiet, do it like Konica did with the Hexar AF and have a mode where you can slow down the motors.
(c) Admit defeat with Metz’s kludgy and slow (pop-pop) M-TTL and license Nikon’s D-TTL flash system (not i-TTL or CLS, which would actually cost money to license). While they’re at it, add an SC-18 style plug to the side of the camera. When you need to use an external finder to see a 28mm field of view (on a 21m lens), it’s obnoxious that you can’t connect a flash. I love the fact that the $950 Universal Wideangle Finder M doesn't have a pass-through for a flash signal.
(d) Add an audible (or vibratory) clipping indicator to eliminate the need to check histograms all the time.
(e) Eliminate the self-timer setting from the top deck. This isn't a super telephoto camera, it isn't a macro camera, and people who take self-timer pictures of themselves can learn to live with using a menu so the rest of us don't miss the moment.
(f) Add an exposure compensation dial to the outside of the camera and move the shutter speed dial to the front right corner. Using buttons for compensation doesn’t tell you anything about the setting unless the screen is turned on.
(g) Put a center button on the jog wheel for doing a 100% blowup immediately to check critical focus.
(h) Add more steps to the LCD contrast settings.
(i) Uncompress the RAW files (we have SDHD now) and allocate more data to highlights for better recoverability. Adopt Kodak’s Digital Exposure Correction for in-camera JPGs.
(j) Dustproof it.
(k) Have manual lens selection and auto-calibration.
(l) Ditch the absurd bottom-plate loading.
(m) Click white balance (eyedropper).
Some things on your list for the traditional spec, like a full-frame sensor and Matrix meter are beyond Leica’s R&D capabilities. Making it 16-21Mp would exceed the focusing accuracy of the RF system and lenses as collimated. If one thing were changed about the sensor, it should be increasing the dynamic range. Other things you suggest (auto ISO, no AA filter, AE lock) are features of the existing M8 (maybe it is an explicit statement that you would keep them)?(b) Speed up the shutter recycling, even if it makes the camera louder. If you need to make it quiet, do it like Konica did with the Hexar AF and have a mode where you can slow down the motors.
(c) Admit defeat with Metz’s kludgy and slow (pop-pop) M-TTL and license Nikon’s D-TTL flash system (not i-TTL or CLS, which would actually cost money to license). While they’re at it, add an SC-18 style plug to the side of the camera. When you need to use an external finder to see a 28mm field of view (on a 21m lens), it’s obnoxious that you can’t connect a flash. I love the fact that the $950 Universal Wideangle Finder M doesn't have a pass-through for a flash signal.
(d) Add an audible (or vibratory) clipping indicator to eliminate the need to check histograms all the time.
(e) Eliminate the self-timer setting from the top deck. This isn't a super telephoto camera, it isn't a macro camera, and people who take self-timer pictures of themselves can learn to live with using a menu so the rest of us don't miss the moment.
(f) Add an exposure compensation dial to the outside of the camera and move the shutter speed dial to the front right corner. Using buttons for compensation doesn’t tell you anything about the setting unless the screen is turned on.
(g) Put a center button on the jog wheel for doing a 100% blowup immediately to check critical focus.
(h) Add more steps to the LCD contrast settings.
(i) Uncompress the RAW files (we have SDHD now) and allocate more data to highlights for better recoverability. Adopt Kodak’s Digital Exposure Correction for in-camera JPGs.
(j) Dustproof it.
(k) Have manual lens selection and auto-calibration.
(l) Ditch the absurd bottom-plate loading.
(m) Click white balance (eyedropper).
The modern spec camera? Well, nothing should make this camera any heavier, any bigger, any uglier or any more like a DSLR in controls – because at that point, a D700 (especially with the AA filter removed) is going to be better in most ways. If you really want to go modern, add these to the list above:
(a) Go to an ERF that can actually compensate for the focus shift of fast lenses. The ERF could also drive ultrasonic AF lenses. The prism RF is out of its depth in focusing the 75mm Summilux (among others) due to these forward-backward shifts.
(b) Ditch the loud and bulky mechanical shutter – go to one like on the D1x.
(c) Use RFID chips in the lenses instead of 6-bit coding. If I were Leica, I would use this to eliminate 6-bit “hacking.” Better yet, have the lens transmit the set aperture into the camera for recording.
(d) Use plastic covers. The brass covers on the M8 comprise 25% of its weight.
I’m not holding my breath.(b) Ditch the loud and bulky mechanical shutter – go to one like on the D1x.
(c) Use RFID chips in the lenses instead of 6-bit coding. If I were Leica, I would use this to eliminate 6-bit “hacking.” Better yet, have the lens transmit the set aperture into the camera for recording.
(d) Use plastic covers. The brass covers on the M8 comprise 25% of its weight.
Dante
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Sorry, but almost nobody is going to buy a digital camera without an LCD display.It's just not going to happen and it's really not all that practical.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
It was an evolutionary approach. I have ideas for a whole new camera, but people were already firing up the torches and getting out the pitchforks, because I added two buttons to the camera.
Sure, why not.
Sure, that would be nice, but only if they can keep the camera silent. I think most M shooters take single or a few measured shots at a time and silence is very important to them. It sure is to me. 5fps would be nice for certain type of work, when noise is not an issue, so multiple shooting modes would probably be the solution.
Sure.
Good idea. Another one would be an exposure mode that doesn't clip the highlights in the first place.
I'm neither here nor there on this one. I think a bigger probem is the half-assed selecter switch, that will move if you look at it cockeyed.
Dials are no good for fast shooting. You have to slow down and concentrate on counting clicks or watch the readout change in the viewfinder / display. When you press a button you know exactly how much you have adjusted the EV compensation by (it should also show up in the viewfinder). Every push equals -/+ a fixed amount. Buttons are also easier to manipulate, without having to devote a lot of attention to them.
sure.
Check
Agreed. There is no reason why Leica shouldn't allow you to write an uncompressed file if you wanted to.
Yes. Professional level protection against dust and moisture. A $6,500 dollar digital camera without this is a bad joke.
Yes, if possible.
I like the baseplate.
Good idea.
Leica isn't developing their own chip, so it's not a problem of their internal R&D department. If someone in the market comes up with the technology to make this possible, Leica would order one.
There is no reason why Leica couldn't develop a good matrix metering system. It's not rocket science.
You could say the same about most AF systems. Focusing accuracy would not be an issue, unless you were shooting wide open, but stopped down you should be ok. You certainly would see the benefits of 21MP when shooting at something like f8.
Agreed. DR ueber alles. I want a sensor that delivers a solid 12 stops of real range @ 32bit color. Probably not possible for several reason, but that's a different story.
Keep them.
Sure, but at that point you longer have a Leica M, but a Contax G2 or Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1.
My suggestion would be to increase the length of the optomechanical RF and learn to live with a little slack in the system.
Being a rangefinder the M series has always been about compromises. It's never been very good at using long lenses and very wides need brightline finders. The results from the camera have always been something of a compromise in terms of focus and framing accuracy. Using an RF camera is not an exact science. If you examine prints from negatives that have been made with Leicas over the past 75 odd years you will notice that the vast majority of them where focus could be deemed critical are off just ever so much, yet we are talking about some of the most famous pictures in history. An RF is more about making a sketch, than a detailed rendering. Absolute accuracy is not a rangefinders raison d'être. That's what an SLR is for.
It's been many years since I shot a 1Dx, so I'm a little fuzzy on how loud it was. I think it also used the sensor as the shutter at very high speeds. I can't remember what the trade off was for going this route.
How about a simple chip, like in Nikkor lenses? RFID takes a lot more juice to run. It could also increase electronic interference etc.
Sorry, but you lost me on this one.
Me neither.
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Matt(1pt4)
Established
'An RF is more about making a sketch, than a detailed rendering.'
At 21MP, that's going to be an awfully big sketch ;-)
I'm not all that interested in AF or ERF, but it seems some system for dealing with focus shift is necessary. The Hexar AF did this with a fairly simple AF system, its only shortcoming in practice being the lack of parallax correction for the AF point indicator.
At 21MP, that's going to be an awfully big sketch ;-)
I'm not all that interested in AF or ERF, but it seems some system for dealing with focus shift is necessary. The Hexar AF did this with a fairly simple AF system, its only shortcoming in practice being the lack of parallax correction for the AF point indicator.
Bill Pierce
Well-known
Glancing through the entire thread, looking for what folks want in a digital rangefinder, it seems that the one thing that is not mandatory is the rangefinder focusing itself. Even when the cams and feelers are within factory tolerances, it's possible to come up with lens and body combinations that aren't dead on when wide open. That is certainly not to say that other focusing systems are automatically superior, but they do eliminate that specific problem.
In general, folks seem to want a small, quiet camera that is rugged and durable, one with relatively simple and easily accessable controls, and a bright line viewfinder system. They want high-speed lenses that deliver quality results wide open (and, I presume, that also means they want a system without mirror bounce to coax the least image degradation out of hand-held slow shutter speeds). They want a sensor that delivers good results at high ISO's.
This could be everything from an M8 with a better sensor and a thumb wind to a variant on the mini 4/3's (the Maxi 8/3's). But, apparently, it wouldn't have to be a rangefinder, just as long as it didn't have a mirror and a pentaprism, just as long as it wasn't a DSLR. Instead of the Rangefinder Forum we would have the When The LED Lights Up You're In Focus Forum.
Any thoughts?
Bill
In general, folks seem to want a small, quiet camera that is rugged and durable, one with relatively simple and easily accessable controls, and a bright line viewfinder system. They want high-speed lenses that deliver quality results wide open (and, I presume, that also means they want a system without mirror bounce to coax the least image degradation out of hand-held slow shutter speeds). They want a sensor that delivers good results at high ISO's.
This could be everything from an M8 with a better sensor and a thumb wind to a variant on the mini 4/3's (the Maxi 8/3's). But, apparently, it wouldn't have to be a rangefinder, just as long as it didn't have a mirror and a pentaprism, just as long as it wasn't a DSLR. Instead of the Rangefinder Forum we would have the When The LED Lights Up You're In Focus Forum.
Any thoughts?
Bill
Al Kaplan
Veteran
Bill, it's beginning to sound like a philosophical discussion on the existance of God. Does God exist? It depends on how you define "God".
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
Harry, on that button-for-EV thing, I'm struggling to think of any serious camera that achieves EV compensation via buttons, except possibly the Hexar AF, and even then, the top deck display would always display the compensation until you told it to display something else. DSLRs have blind click wheels, but they also have in-viewfinder displays.
Take a look at the Hexar RF top deck - this is a good model for a future digital M:
Inside the VF, the Hexar has a graphic shutter speed display running up the side. You can see the meter-indicated shutter speed versus the selected speed and how many stops they are apart. This would be a nice feature with the M8, which really only tells you in generalities where your exposure is versus metered.
By the way, what you can't see in this picture (rushed as it was - have to get to some Valentine's day stuff) is that Leica shamelessly lifted the left-side battery-and-frame counter design from the Hexar RF. On the right, you'll also see that Leica also copied the 3-position main selector switch as well.
Take a look at the Hexar RF top deck - this is a good model for a future digital M:
- Really hard-detent main selector whose "tail" sticks out of the front of the camera so you can easily feel whether the camera is turned on. If you have to have a self-timer on the main switch, this is the way to do it;
- Coaxial ISO and EV controls (that trigger a compensation indicator in the VF);
- Shutter speed dial (also hard detents) near the rear edge where you can move it with your thumb;
- Shutter speed dial that locks in AE or AEL (you can easily switch between the two, and to get off them, you press the button in the middle), is unidirectional (unless you hold the center button), and is virtually impossible to knock out of position.
Inside the VF, the Hexar has a graphic shutter speed display running up the side. You can see the meter-indicated shutter speed versus the selected speed and how many stops they are apart. This would be a nice feature with the M8, which really only tells you in generalities where your exposure is versus metered.
By the way, what you can't see in this picture (rushed as it was - have to get to some Valentine's day stuff) is that Leica shamelessly lifted the left-side battery-and-frame counter design from the Hexar RF. On the right, you'll also see that Leica also copied the 3-position main selector switch as well.
kuzano
Veteran
Quite a coincidence....
Quite a coincidence....
Quite a coincidence....