New (cheaper) Leica Film Camera on the Way?

Whatever it is, I don't think it will be meterless.

In the strange world of Leica economics, less is certainly more. While folk buying an M-A might be happy paying a lot to get a camera without a meter, I suspect that the 'cheaper' end of town will be more demanding of basic conveniences.

My guess:
- MP-esque
- Cheaper materials
- Made in Portugal
- ~$3999usd
 
farlymac said:
Like I said, I don't know any more or less than anyone else here. We're all outsiders looking in through frosted windows. My thoughts about all this don't mean anything, they are just ramblings. No different than all the dreamers calling out what their requirements would be for this "cheap" Leica.

PF
Click to expand...

Sure, we're all just guessing.
 
Good luck with Leica's launch. This said I'd wish Leica spend money on parts for the existing M range and invest in regional service centers and training of repairpersons -so that users don't have to send their cameras to Germany, or rely on overworked and aging repairpersons living in North America. The system in place right now is not up to Leica standards. Cheers, OtL
 
Out to Lunch said:
Good luck with Leica's launch. This said I'd wish Leica spend money on parts for the existing M range and invest in regional service centers and training of repairpersons -so that users don't have to send their cameras to Germany, or rely on overworked and aging repairpersons living in North America. The system in place right now is not up to Leica standards. Cheers, OtL
Click to expand...

Yes. Leica service is one of the worse in the industry.
And I had to wait for months before independent one was able to find replacement part.
 
"Cheaper materials" presumes the same underlying mechanism and design. The Leicavit winder vs. Tom Abrahamsson's winder are good examples. The former has about 50 moving parts whereas Tom's had something like 12.

-Innovative, simpler mechanism
-Laser-cut mechanical metal parts
-Aluminum-alloy or carbon-fibre structural elements and casings
-Robotic assembly, finishing where possible

...and you've achieved significant savings to pass on.
 
I think the broad hint was that this would be an "M6TTL-like" camera, and M6TTL had a good but more basic level of finish and wasn't so elaborately detailed as MP/MA.

I'd imagine that the top cover alone is a big part of the actual cost. Although the CNC milling may be automated, it's a slow process, and likely there's much hand working needed to turn the freshly milled product into a finished part. That's why most other cameras use die-cast top covers with some sort of powder coating, and Leica themselves used such castings for most M6 and M7 cameras.
 
nickthetasmaniac said:
Really?

How many other brands allow you to send a 60 year old camera to the OEM for servicing?
Click to expand...

1+

My 50 Rigid circa 1957 had a serious focusing issue that could not be properly repaired by a legendary repairer in the US, but was set in perfect working order by Leica USA. Took a while, yes, wasn't cheap but it is now to spec.
 
Lower Cost Leica Efforts to Date

Lower Cost Leica Efforts to Date

Leica first sold its cameras Leica I cameras to the public in 1925 - we have quite a Leica anniversary coming up in 4 years!

In that time the two major attempts at providing lower cost Leica cameras were the M2 and original film CL - both featuring substantial design changes and both very successful in the marketplace.

Here is hoping the new cost cutter will be a successful new cost cutting design - cosmetically and sales wise.
Maybe Leica can still surprise its jaded Leica sports fans in a good way. We will see.

Leica sports? To me Leica fandom has all the nutty qualifications both good and bad to qualify itself as a sport in and of itself.
 
css9450 said:
Judging by some of the complaints posted here on the forum, even cameras less than 60 years old take months for service. M9s for example.
Click to expand...

am happy Leica did M8 and 9, even those weren't as fault free digital products as bigger makers managed todo from the beginning. if those didn't exist, we would not have later versions. am M8 and M240 shooter, always eyeing for a well priced M9's as well.

but this thread is about new possible film M, so enough of that.
 
How about an MP, no autowind connection, alloy top and bottom plates, old style crand rewind knob, plastic tipprd film advance, alloy speed dial. I remember when the MP was ~£2100 in the Uk, Lieca price restructuring them pushed it up to £3000 over night? And tge price keeps going up. To get more buyers for the new model small changes could justify a decent price drop. As mention previously, if no meter forget it. And this is from a person who uses light meters for large format.
 
css9450 said:
Judging by some of the complaints posted here on the forum, even cameras less than 60 years old take months for service. M9s for example.
Click to expand...

I won't buy another new Leica. The list of service issues is very long, going back to the M8 from 14 years ago. From major issues like corroded sensors all the way to loose strap lugs on the M240.

Q still under warranty: 3 week promised turn; took 8 months at Leica USA.

Unacceptable for any camera manufacturer at any price level, but especially so for a premium brand.
 
loquax ludens said:
Another photographer opines on what a new lower-cost Leica camera might be like.

https://petapixel.com/2021/01/02/what-a-new-budget-friendly-leica-m-35mm-camera-might-be-like/
Click to expand...

All points already made here. I differ in his dismissing aperture-priority. Hipsters and their dying Olympii, Contax, and Yashicas are used to that option and may find it comfortingly familiar. Electronic shutter and a CL-sized film option keeps the product lines distinct.


hap said:
This same with Rolex.....denied independents access
Click to expand...

And Nikon?
 
Used M6 cameras are often selling for about $3K now.

Wetzlar still must have tons of various M parts.

Maybe the M6F for Frankenstein -- made of dead M parts camera?

Producing several thousand M cameras at $3,000 each would make for a nice profit when the majority of those parts were written off Leica's books decades ago.

Hmm. I wonder
 
CameraQuest said:
Used M6 cameras are often selling for about $3K now.

Wetzlar still must have tons of various M parts.

Maybe the M6F for Frankenstein -- made of dead M parts camera?

Producing several thousand M cameras at $3,000 each would make for a nice profit when the majority of those parts were written off Leica's books decades ago.

Hmm. I wonder
Click to expand...

One has to wonder how many they can produce with these leftovers. Then the 'Frankensteins' need parts themselves for future maintenance.
 
james.liam said:
AHipsters and their dying Olympii, Contax, and Yashicas are used to that option and may find it comfortingly familiar. Electronic shutter and a CL-sized film option keeps the product lines distinct.
Click to expand...

Somehow I doubt the Olympus 35 SP and Yashica Electro crowd are going to step up to the $3,000 + "cheap" Leica. Also, Leica does not need anything to make the lines distinct other than materials and price. There's always someone in Leica-world that requires the best of the best. In fact, Leica banks on that. I'm not so sure making a whole new camera would be cheaper than making another M with cheaper parts.
 
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