"Mass Production" M60 style M coming on March 10th?

[jaapv]

Yes. It is quite possible that Leica will build such a camera parallel to the 240 (or successor).

Whatever else, the rumored camera is beautiful, but thinking it will cost 3500$? The Germans have a word for it:
Wolkenkuckucksland. 😀

 

[Tijmendal]

Really curious what this is going to be like. Time (a few days, really) will tell. Hopefully it will be a little thinner (film-M size). I think the bluetooth idea is ridiculous: that would defeat the whole purpose.

 

[BillBingham2]

Yes. It is quite possible that Leica will build such a camera parallel to the 240 (or successor).

Whatever else, the rumored camera is beautiful, but thinking it will cost 3500$? The Germans have a word for it:
Wolkenkuckucksland. 😀

Waanwolkenland my foot, this would be a volume, volume, volume play! Make your margins at the high end, get people hooked with an affordable entry level offering.

B2 (;->

 

[BillBingham2]

....I think the bluetooth idea is ridiculous: that would defeat the whole purpose.

All we need for years was aperture, shutter speed and recently ISO/ASA. Why not have just those controls on the body and then do everything else on a smartphone? Lower cost of buttons, reduces the number of hole to seal, reduces the cost of testing, overall it lowers to cost.

Where's the down side?

B2 (;->

 

[DominikDUK]

To use an analogy from writing there is Handwriting, and writing on a Computer. Handwriting is forward "thinking" you write and don't stop until you're finished you make mistakes etc... Writing on a PC is backward writing you write and you constantly check for mistakes because you see them and you can correct them immediately. There are advantages to both approaches. But the single biggest advantage of writing by hand is the flow once you're in the flow you don't stop until you have finished the paragraph, text, sentence. Rarely so with a computer. The disadvantage of handwriting is that you have to correct a lot and unless you have beautiful handwriting you have to type the text into a computer anyway.
The same thing applies to LCD screens without screen you don't check whether the image went well you are in an uninterrupted flow but you have the same disadvantage as handwrinting you have to edit later.
Personaly I prefer having a flow that's why I believe this camera to be a winner but different kinds of photographers have different needs, same with writers. Leica now gives the photographer a choice a Camera without LCD will not be interesting to a lot of people but on the other hand will be interesting to a lot of people. Those who don't get it will never get it because they have different needs as those who get it and will use it.

 

[olakiril]

To use an analogy from writing there is Handwriting, and writing on a Computer. Handwriting is forward "thinking" you write and don't stop until you're finished you make mistakes etc... Writing on a PC is backward writing you write and you constantly check for mistakes because you see them and you can correct them immediately. There are advantages to both approaches. But the single biggest advantage of writing by hand is the flow once you're in the flow you don't stop until you have finished the paragraph, text, sentence. Rarely so with a computer. The disadvantage of handwriting is that you have to correct a lot and unless you have beautiful handwriting you have to type the text into a computer anyway.
The same thing applies to LCD screens without screen you don't check whether the image went well you are in an uninterrupted flow but you have the same disadvantage as handwrinting you have to edit later.
Personaly I prefer having a flow that's why I believe this camera to be a winner but different kinds of photographers have different needs, same with writers. Leica now gives the photographer a choice a Camera without LCD will not be interesting to a lot of people but on the other hand will be interesting to a lot of people. Those who don't get it will never get it because they have different needs as those who get it and will use it.

Very accurate analogy and it is how I feel too.
Moreover Its like buttons and dials, many like them plenty others have no need for them and prefer simplicity.

 

[Pioneer]

I like your analogy DominukDUK. It makes sense and it is one of the reasons I work with film so much; I am more tuned in to what I am doing at that moment in time.

 

[DougFord]

...now they're removing parts and charging more? The halcyon days I tell ya, the halcyon days.

 

[jsrockit]

Leica should be applauded for at least trying to appeal to purists.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Just to play devil's advocate, the writing analogy doesn't really work for me; there isn't much different between the writing I do on a computer and in a notebook (though I do love the aesthetic experience of writing in a notebook), and I tend to use digital cameras just like film cameras: I keep the screen turned off when shooting, and am as selective with my shots as I am when I am trying to conserve film. For me, the screen is there for changing settings.

I do wish Leica would make an M with dedicated hardware ISO and exposure comp knobs. That would obviate the need for a screen, for me. The M60 certainly has the former—but is there exposure comp on it?

Also, the bluetooth idea is great. A companion app would satisfy the typical digital user and the purist alike, who doesn't ever have to use it. In fact I wish all digital cameras could be used that way.

 

[FrozenInTime]

I do wish Leica would make an M with dedicated hardware ISO and exposure comp knobs. That would obviate the need for a screen, for me. The M60 certainly has the former—but is there exposure comp on it?

Repurposing the M2/3/4 self timer as a +/- EV lever would be my ideal; as it's a classic feature it would not upset anyone.
Maintaining the frame preview lever is important to me as a horizon reference tool.

 

[Doug]

Just to play devil's advocate, the writing analogy doesn't really work for me; there isn't much different between the writing I do on a computer and in a notebook (though I do love the aesthetic experience of writing in a notebook), and I tend to use digital cameras just like film cameras: I keep the screen turned off when shooting, and am as selective with my shots as I am when I am trying to conserve film. For me, the screen is there for changing settings.

I do wish Leica would make an M with dedicated hardware ISO and exposure comp knobs. That would obviate the need for a screen, for me. The M60 certainly has the former—but is there exposure comp on it?

Also, the bluetooth idea is great. A companion app would satisfy the typical digital user and the purist alike, who doesn't ever have to use it. In fact I wish all digital cameras could be used that way.

+1 on all points, well-stated!

 

[calebarchie]

When I type, I think of an entire sentence or paragraph of what I want to say, then type it out all really fast without looking at the screen, just the keys. You can get into quite a flow this way, and of course I have to go back and correct my terrible typing skills 🙂

AKA don't let the equipment define or control how you work or use it.

 

[robert blu]

I find the writing analogy very appropriate, digital si slowly changing the "thinking" processes of many people (not all, of course).

This is one of the reasons which push me to shoot more film, even less 135 and more 120 or the expensive Impossible which at 2.50 EUR for each shot let me think a lot before shooting 🙂

Having said this when I shoot digital I try to shoot in what I call film style.

It would be interesting a digital leica with no lcd shooting only dng, with mechanical selection of iso which you cannot change for 36 epoxies ...just playing a little with my ideas don't worry...

robert

 

[Ronald M]

The window on the back is the most valuable feature of digital cameras unless ou wish to carry around a computer for tether. I can check composition, exposure, white balance, share with clients.

 

[calebarchie]

This is funny, please refer to my signature 😀

First everyone begged for a mass produced m60 - leica potentially announces one, out come (the same people) who now say no no LCD is COOOL.
Fickle bunch ya are

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

how about a M262 with no LCD screen and only shoots in B&W....

 

[Pablito]

For a more film-like experience, the camera could be limited to one ISO setting. You could buy the ISO 400 model or the ISO 100 model. For a premium price, you could get the ISO 1600 "push" model.

 

[santino]

You would have to buy digital Film.. Just a code you have to enter in order to be able to shoot at a certain ISO setting 36 Frames. An original Leica digifilm would cost 15 € 😀 a piece

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

+1 on all points, well-stated!

Thanks, Doug!