M9-P or Digital MP hasn't been posted yet?

[Roger Hicks]

It would make sense though, with all the M-mount lenses out there, (considered by many the best in terms of quality), to introduce a cheaper alternative to the M9. Perhaps it's not feasible now in terms of costs - but that would probably change soon. I think it would be pretty popular.

Look at it from a manufacturer's viewpoint. He wants people to buy HIS lenses -- not second-hand lenses, or worse still, second-hand lenses that impose additional design restrictions on his new camera.

Cosina Voigtländers started out with two remarkable lenses and one cheap body. Current ZIs started out with half a dozen lenses and one body. Bodies aren't where the money is.

I fear you are falling into the trap of "I'd like one, therefore everybody would like one."

Cheers,

R.

 

[Jonas]

The camera has been photoshopped in - it's a fake IMO. Still, great publicity ;-)

Yup. The Dailymail photoshopped in a fake camera so that people can write about it in internet photography foras.

 

[jmarcus]

And another post on Leica Rumors:
http://leicarumors.com/2011/05/25/lfi-magazine-teaser.aspx/

 

[jsrockit]

And another post on Leica Rumors:
http://leicarumors.com/2011/05/25/lfi-magazine-teaser.aspx/

Wow, that was anti-climatic. 😀

 

[jmarcus]

These threads are generally anti-climatic

 

[Jchris3201]

http://twitpic.com/53td59

The top plate.

 

[gavinlg]

The top plate indeed. So an m9-p IS coming...

 

[jmarcus]

What from the picture makes it an M9-P and not just a chrome M9?

 

[jmarcus]

I couldn't make out the P on my iPhone I can see it now, cool.

 

[jmarcus]

If this is true (quoting Leicarumors):

Here are the details.

No Leica logo or M9 marking
Classic Leica writing on top plate
Chrome 0r black finish
Vulcanite cover
Sapphire LCD glass
$700-$1000 more expensive than the M9

Everything else should be identical to the current Leica M9 model

Would you pay an $700 for these options? Or wait for this camera?

I personally would pay it for a fold away LCD

 

[gavinlg]

If I had the money to buy a new M9 - yeah I probably would. Looks so clean and simple without the markings and the sapphire LCD glass is a big plus seeing how soft the read LCD on those things is...

 

[jmarcus]

Does anyone think the M9P will have the LED illumination of bright-line frames in the viewfinder?

 

[jsrockit]

Does anyone think the M9P will have the LED illumination of bright-line frames in the viewfinder?

No. The M9-P appears to be going for a classic M look from the past... Leica would piss a lot of people off if they went with illuminated framelines.

 

[Ted Witcher]

Is there something wrong operationally with the LED framelines? Seems like a welcome innovation.

The M9 improvements should be low-light performance to at least 3200, and a higher-res viewing screen for checking critical focus. Maybe some kind of focus confirmation or focus-assist system. Whatever. Keep improving the product. It's a digital camera; there's no sense in pretending it's not. If all these guys can come up with is some cosmetic changes available for an upcharge, then...

 

[braver]

Is there something wrong operationally with the LED framelines? Seems like a welcome innovation.

The M9 improvements should be low-light performance to at least 3200, and a higher-res viewing screen for checking critical focus. Maybe some kind of focus confirmation or focus-assist system. Whatever. Keep improving the product. It's a digital camera; there's no sense in pretending it's not. If all these guys can come up with is some cosmetic changes available for an upcharge, then...

Apparantly the lines are not so clear in many situations, and they don't show if the camera is off. Then again, I love the concept, you could basically make framelines for every odd focal length or even zoom lenses (!aaah what I just say? 😉 ).

It being digital isn't a very good reason to tack on features. This is very tricky to do considering the actual market for these cameras. Photography is a simple process and for many Leica reflects that simplicity. I hope to see sensor performance improvement though. High-ISO obviously, if only for marketing purposes, but live view and video are pretty obvious steps to take. That and data throughput improvements (like going CF, advanced buffering). That's real improvements.

I really love the look of the M9-P and to me is says Leica knows what it's doing. Also very smart move to have Seal prance around with it.

 

[jsrockit]

Is there something wrong operationally with the LED framelines? Seems like a welcome innovation.

The M9 improvements should be low-light performance to at least 3200, and a higher-res viewing screen for checking critical focus. Maybe some kind of focus confirmation or focus-assist system. Whatever. Keep improving the product. It's a digital camera; there's no sense in pretending it's not. If all these guys can come up with is some cosmetic changes available for an upcharge, then...

What I meant is that this new M9 will appeal to people who like Leica's of the past. I have no issues with illuminated framelines... I just think that will be in a different Leica camera in the future.

 

[jmarcus]

I agree with jsrockit that the M9P is to appeal to the legacy of the MP and the film cameras. Looking back I think my question was a bit silly, however my line of thought was after releasing a special edition like the titanium, has Leica had a history of adding new features in special editions and then release the features in the next major camera release.

 

[veraikon]

Dr K. with his Leica 😉 at a Westlicht show (Vienna, Austra , 17th.June 2011) http://www.be24.at/show/49780 😀

 

[rizraz]

a few more cameras that I can't afford........ http://leica.bresson.no/2011/06/16/leica-m-special-editions/#more-400

the vienna shop's edition is called a M9-P but the Ginza is just called a M9, must be a typo....... and there is also a M3-P?

 

[Mister E]

It is a disgrace to call the the covering on the Black M9 vulcanite. It is cheap, synthetic junk! Mine is already pealing off.