Mic Drop Moment: M10-D with thumb lever

[bayernfan]

if you had shown that leaked image to a group of 10 leica film/digital shooters with no explanation, id bet hard money that at least 8 of them would have expected it to be functional.

hindsight is 20/20, as they say.

 

[aizan]

the other 2 being the cynics?

 

[FrozenInTime]

Still think there are too many user aids:
Monochrome sensor with no light meter or auto exposure and WORM SD cards is the way to go ;-)

 

[RichC]

This is a toy, not a camera.

Leica began as a truly innovative company that led through technology and design. They were the epitome of modernity, with a simplicity of form that followed function. There was nothing excessive about a Leica camera; nothing unneeded, no frills, no frippery.

Today, Leica sells nostalgia and imitation. It's no longer interested in function or photography, only in parting rich people from their money with fakery. Pretending to not have a screen (but still needing one - thus the Heath Robinson phone app). Pretending to have a film-cocking lever. Pretending this is what using film is like.

I'd call it a joke. But it's not funny. Just sad.

Leica isn't the only company doing this - it seems to be a growing trend. Someone mentioned motorcycles earlier - the modern Triumph Bonneville is a pathetic pastiche with its fake carbs. And there was that awful Yashica with "digital film".

The ghost of Bauhaus is spinning in its grave...!

 

[splitimageview]

I guess I don't get it. People have been paying up to $200 for various Thumbs Up models for over 10 years, which is nothing more than a fake advance lever.

Think of it this way, getting an M10-D saves that expense!

😀

 

[aizan]

if i were in charge of leica, i would have redesigned the body so that it wouldn't need a fake film advance lever for a rear grip. authenticity is part of the leica brand, after all. they should be reinforcing it, not spoiling it!

 

[Godfrey]

I guess I don't get it. People have been paying up to $200 for various Thumbs Up models for over 10 years, which is nothing more than a fake advance lever.
....

Not everyone buys ... or wants ... those things, ya know?

G

 

[Godfrey]

This is a toy, not a camera.

Leica began as a truly innovative company that led through technology and design. They were the epitome of modernity, with a simplicity of form that followed function. There was nothing excessive about a Leica camera; nothing unneeded, no frills, no frippery.

Today, Leica sells nostalgia and imitation. Its no longer interested in function or photography, only in parting rich people from their money with fakery. Pretending to not have a screen (but still needing one - thus the Heath Robinson phone app). Pretending to have a film-cocking lever. Pretending this is what using film is like.

I'd call it a joke. But it's not funny. Just sad.

Leica isn't the only company doing this - it seems to be a growing trend. Someone mentioned motorcycles earlier - the modern Triumph Bonneville is a pathetic pastiche with its fake carbs. And there was that awful Yashica with "digital film".

The ghost of Bauhaus is spinning in its grave...!

The Leica M is only one product line in Leica Photo's portfolio of cameras, lenses, and accessories. And likely the least relevant to the "innovation edge" of the company.

G

 

[tightsqueez]

This is a toy, not a camera.

Leica began as a truly innovative company that led through technology and design. They were the epitome of modernity, with a simplicity of form that followed function. There was nothing excessive about a Leica camera; nothing unneeded, no frills, no frippery.

Today, Leica sells nostalgia and imitation. Its no longer interested in function or photography, only in parting rich people from their money with fakery. Pretending to not have a screen (but still needing one - thus the Heath Robinson phone app). Pretending to have a film-cocking lever. Pretending this is what using film is like.

I'd call it a joke. But it's not funny. Just sad.

Leica isn't the only company doing this - it seems to be a growing trend. Someone mentioned motorcycles earlier - the modern Triumph Bonneville is a pathetic pastiche with its fake carbs. And there was that awful Yashica with "digital film".

The ghost of Bauhaus is spinning in its grave...!

Couldn’t have said it better!

 

[airfrogusmc]

This is a toy, not a camera.

Leica began as a truly innovative company that led through technology and design. They were the epitome of modernity, with a simplicity of form that followed function. There was nothing excessive about a Leica camera; nothing unneeded, no frills, no frippery.

Today, Leica sells nostalgia and imitation. It's no longer interested in function or photography, only in parting rich people from their money with fakery. Pretending to not have a screen (but still needing one - thus the Heath Robinson phone app). Pretending to have a film-cocking lever. Pretending this is what using film is like.

I'd call it a joke. But it's not funny. Just sad.

Leica isn't the only company doing this - it seems to be a growing trend. Someone mentioned motorcycles earlier - the modern Triumph Bonneville is a pathetic pastiche with its fake carbs. And there was that awful Yashica with "digital film".

The ghost of Bauhaus is spinning in its grave...!

I think Leica, once past the very early days, was never leading with technology especially when compared to Nikanon. How long did Nikanon have meters in their cameras. Leica is still not auto focus THANK GOD. Leica as they are now are making cameras that no one else makes, that are for photographers not gadget hounds. I have no desire to have one of these cameras but I do have an M 10 and it is the finest 135 digital camera I have shot with and I have shot with and owned a fair amount of digital cameras. Plus how much of all the technology gets in the way. For me most of it. That's why I prefer Leica M.

I am not rich. I am a full time professional photographer and have been for over 3 decades. I shoot with Leica M digital because it matches the way I see and work period. I never liked the gadget heavy cameras from the big two. As I said if this camera like many collectors items Leica makes helps keep them financially sound so they can make cameras like the M 262 MD, M Monochrom and M 10 then I say rock on. At least these are cameras that no one else is making and gives me a choice other than all the one size fits all cameras that are everywhere already.

 

[giganova]

This is a toy, not a camera.

Leica began as a truly innovative company that led through technology and design. They were the epitome of modernity, with a simplicity of form that followed function. There was nothing excessive about a Leica camera; nothing unneeded, no frills, no frippery.

Today, Leica sells nostalgia and imitation. It's no longer interested in function or photography, only in parting rich people from their money with fakery. Pretending to not have a screen (but still needing one - thus the Heath Robinson phone app). Pretending to have a film-cocking lever. Pretending this is what using film is like.

I'd call it a joke. But it's not funny. Just sad.

Leica isn't the only company doing this - it seems to be a growing trend. Someone mentioned motorcycles earlier - the modern Triumph Bonneville is a pathetic pastiche with its fake carbs. And there was that awful Yashica with "digital film".

The ghost of Bauhaus is spinning in its grave...!

Negative much? The mirrorless Leica SL is an amazing camera and was ground breaking when it came out not long ago, so is the S, and they still build some of the best lenses (and sports optics) out there. Their cameras are still minimalistic and focus on the essential, exactly the opposite of what you claim. Plus, it is the only camera company that still produces film cameras (M-A, MP) and support the community. Their stores (yes, they have stores, how many other camera stores are there still out there?) have great programs for the photographic community (book reviews, photos critiques, workshops, film screenings, photo walks, etc).

To me, everything you said above is wrong, including motorcycles. There are amazing motorcycles out there. Have you checked out BMW's safety features on their motos?

 

[splitimageview]

Not everyone buys ... or wants ... those things, ya know?

This is true, but I've never seen them referred to as a 'joke' before.

I have no intention of buying this camera, so I have no opinion on the matter, other than perhaps they should have done this with their first M digital; every M Leica user at that moment in time was a film shooter, and quite familiar with the 'wind lever as support.' Perhaps there would have been a lot less snark about it back then!

 

[splitimageview]

it is the only camera company that still produces film cameras (M-A, MP) and support the community. Their stores (yes, they have stores, how many other camera stores are there still out there?) have great programs for the photographic community (book reviews, photos critiques, workshops, film screenings, photo walks, etc).

All good, if only they'd upgrade their service department...

 

[airfrogusmc]

All good, if only they'd upgrade their service department...

Totally agree. Something that they really need to address.

I had heard that they were thinking of going to pro service system like CPS.

 

[Sumarongi]

Negative much? [...]

It's Debbie Downer week, apparently 😉

 

[bayernfan]

the other 2 being the cynics?

Yes, I suppose so. Perhaps, people that have lost faith in the M system over the past decade or two.

Leica did such a stellar job with the M10, it's a shame to see them tarnish that design so quickly.

 

[Emile de Leon]

If Leica went out of business...or axed its camera dept forever..people would be clamoring for this camera like no other Leica ever made...esp with the weenie..thingy..lol..

 

[jsrockit]

This is a toy, not a camera.

It is a completely capable camera up to modern standards... how is it a toy?

Leica began as a truly innovative company that led through technology and design. They were the epitome of modernity, with a simplicity of form that followed function.

But they haven't been since the first SLRs hit the market in the late 50s. Yet, they are making one of the only cameras that is true to its original form from 70 years ago!

There was nothing excessive about a Leica camera; nothing unneeded, no frills, no frippery.

Come on...it was always expensive and was never no frills. A no-frills or no frills service or product is one for which the non-essential features have been removed to keep the price low.

Today, Leica sells nostalgia and imitation. It's no longer interested in function or photography, only in parting rich people from their money with fakery.

What is fake about a 24mp camera with great lenses?

Pretending to not have a screen (but still needing one - thus the Heath Robinson phone app). Pretending to have a film-cocking lever. Pretending this is what using film is like.

Well, a little bit fair, but also a little bit nitpicking since it is a special model...the M10 is perfectly fine if you want a screen and lack of film lever grip.

 

[Steve M.]

"The ghost of Bauhaus is spinning in its grave..."

Amen to that one. That was an art movement that was way, way ahead of it's time, and that's why many of the Bauhaus designs are still highly relevant. They had some incredibly talented and unique design people involved in that movement. I can't even imagine who actually comes up with these Leica ideas and designs. Focus Groups Gone Wild I suppose.

 

[Steve M.]

Trust me, Leica is perfectly capable of making joke cameras. In fact, they seem to have made a long tradition of doing just that. This one is nice!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-R4-3...78bad60:g:pv4AAOSw1MZZj7uK:rk:5:pf:0&LH_BIN=1