M9 - When?

[Olsen]

For a camera producer of the digital age it is important to assure a steady stream of income and keep the small organisation evenly busy. With the launching of the S2 in 2009 Leica will be busy for a year or more. Then there is rumours of a R10. Then an additional year might go. So, it is likely that a M9 will be around first in 2011.

Or, what do you think?

 

[user237428934]

They have no need to move fast. No other digital rangefinder appeared on the scene this year.

 

[Olsen]

Tom,

That is another good question; will some competitor come up with a good alternative to the Leica M8 before a M9 is launched. I think that it is likely. What we can be sure of is that it will not be full frame. That technology is not around yet, - and will hardly be around three years down the road when a M9 can be expected either.

 

[Ken Shipman]

Given the recent very wide very fast lens announcements, I think it signals we'll have the smaller sensor for awhile yet. Couple of years or more?

 

[Olsen]

I am 99% sure that a M9 will be with a cropped sensor, with a crop factor of 1,33 or possibly slightly better. And that a M9 will be launched in 2011.

 

[blazeicehockey]

For a camera producer of the digital age it is important to assure a steady stream of income and keep the small organisation evenly busy. With the launching of the S2 in 2009 Leica will be busy for a year or more. Then there is rumours of a R10. Then an additional year might go. So, it is likely that a M9 will be around first in 2011.

Or, what do you think?

According to the article with Maike Herbert in the BJP, the S2 is the new technology platform for all future leica products. Unless the M9 uses this chip/set up (wow!) then this may mean the end for Leica and RF development.

 

[jaapv]

2012........

 

[gb hill]

I think with the new Leica S2 we have seen the last of the M system cameras. Enjoy the M8.2 because thats about all you will get. The masses don't wan't a RF system. Thats why the RD-1 died.

 

[Olsen]

According to the article with Maike Herbert in the BJP, the S2 is the new technology platform for all future leica products. Unless the M9 uses this chip/set up (wow!) then this may mean the end for Leica and RF development.

A lot of things could spell 'the end for Leica and RF development'. Like the dollar fall, for instance. But that 'S2 is the new technology platform' should mean the end to Leica RF I find unbelievable. What does it mean, really?

 

[jaapv]

I think with the new Leica S2 we have seen the last of the M system cameras. Enjoy the M8.2 because thats about all you will get. The masses don't wan't a RF system. Thats why the RD-1 died.

The last year the masses wanted an RF system was 1958.... Since then Leica has never produced for hoi polloi. That is the reason Leica didn't die.

 

[blazeicehockey]

A lot of things could spell 'the end for Leica and RF development'. Like the dollar fall, for instance. But that 'S2 is the new technology platform' should mean the end to Leica RF I find unbelievable. What does it mean, really?

Just a thought:

- Leica needs to be the quality camera manufacturer.
- RF in its current format does not provide them with a future in this.
- nor will making 4/3 or apc type pro-enthusiast cameras
- nor will making p&s cameras that are like for like Panasonic's
- Zeiss is doing a better job of selling lenses for non-Leica bodies
- Nikon and Canon are making better DSLRs
- Sigma, Panasonic and Olympus now have large sensor small cameras (the later with interchangeable lenses) - the 'discreet' niche for the M8 is not as apparent.
- Leica must do something extra special with the M9, but does the Market still have an appetite for non-AF RF? And can Leica commercially succeed or gamble their future on this?


Darrin

 

[Richard Marks]

I think there will be a long series of M8.upgrades. Ther is still quite a lot of refinement that could be done. I agree if anything happens with the sensor it will be 3 years plus, but advances in other products may put this on permanent hold.

Richard

 

[gb hill]

The last year the masses wanted an RF system was 1958.... Since then Leica has never produced for hoi polloi. That is the reason Leica didn't die.

What you and others fail to realize is we are in a 'I want it now' digital age. Masses are not into manual focus cameras. Why spend thousands on a DRF when they can have a DSLR for hundreds even thousands less. Face it, we're a niche group. Epson gave it a go & where is the RD-1 today?

 

[pachuco]

What you and others fail to realize is we are in a 'I want it now' digital age. Masses are not into manual focus cameras. Why spend thousands on a DRF when they can have a DSLR for hundreds even thousands less. Face it, we're a niche group. Epson gave it a go & where is the RD-1 today?

Bingo. Let us all be honest with each other, things just do not look good for RF users. There does not seem to be a an organized group effort on anyone's part to demand such a product. We all want one here but then complain when one comes out. I'm sorry to say that I have been really tempted to just abandon the digital RF dream and stick with film for as long as I can. It is just too damn depressing otherwise.

Some great Point and Shoots are coming out now that have a RF feel to them and who the heck are we kidding, you know HCB would use one. His deal was small, quite, and portable.

Now, back to my wine. 🙂

 

[gb hill]

I think there will be a long series of M8.upgrades. Ther is still quite a lot of refinement that could be done. I agree if anything happens with the sensor it will be 3 years plus, but advances in other products may put this on permanent hold.

Richard

I don't mean to sound critical but I hope the next upgrade will be more exciting to the user than a "snapshot mode" making the camera automatic. Canon did this with the AE-1program ages ago.

 

[Avotius]

When I think about what I want on a drf the list really is not that long. Full frame would be nice but we all know why it can't be done now. Maybe some of that nice self cleaning sensor tech. Really though the m8.2 has what a rf should have. The better framelines, the quieter shutter, pity they did not do something about the IR problem though but other then that and a full framed sensor what more do we want?

My guess is we will see the m9 in 3-4 years and no other company will jump into the drf games favoring instead the micro 4/3 type camera concept which I think a couple others will get involved with.

 

[Frankie]

If Kodak will cut its new 6 micron 50 M-pixel chip down to size for the S system, then why not also a 6,000 x 4,000 chip for the M8?

The only explanation is: the contract for the original M8 custom chip is not yet fulfilled...and usable Leica lenses are not yet ready.

 

[bottley1]

I bought into the Leica system many years ago simply because I perceived the cameras as being the antithesis of the "throw-away" cameras then coming through. When I bought the M8, I thought the camera would have the longevity of other M cameras. Nothing I have experienced with the M8 has changed my view on this score. In my opinion, the M8 takes some of the sharpest digital images I have ever seen, when shot and processed in RAW. My question is: Is the "looking forward" to the next digital M, the "M9" or whatever, indicative of an underlying dissatisfaction with the camera, or an indication of a general desire in society for always wanting something new?

 

[Jodorowsky]

It's just boredom, I reckon. Nobody's got anything else to talk about. What sort of strap do you think the M9 will have?

 

[sunsworth]

I think with the new Leica S2 we have seen the last of the M system cameras. Enjoy the M8.2 because thats about all you will get. The masses don't wan't a RF system.

The masses want p&s cameras. Does that mean Nikon and Canon will stop making SLRs?

Rangefinders probably haven't been mainstream since the Nikon F was launched.