New (cheaper) Leica Film Camera on the Way?

[Steve_Pfost]

I have to say, I love using my film cameras. But I have never owned a new film camera. That being said I know I'm not alone when I say I have had my fair share of incidents with the aging bodies. It would be nice if this were actually affordable and I could use it without a worry of a cla or something going wrong with it.

 

[JeffS7444]

Super obvious if you're active in Facebook film groups, film subreddits, and Instagram.

I mostly avoid social media myself, but some of the people who created it are warning that it's very good at figuring out what you believe, and feeding you more of it for the sake of keeping you engaged:

https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/

Hence if I could convince their algorithms that I held completely different views, I could potentially be presented with a very different set of post and videos which seem equally compelling.

 

[rfaspen]

M1 with a meter?

 

[Andy Kibber]

Knowing Leica they will come out with a "budget" model that will sell for what an MP sells for now, and the MP will go up another thousand...

😀😀😀😀😀

 

[james.liam]

M1 with a meter?

And no RF?

 

[valdas]

I think that the last truly German M was the M4?

Depends on what do you mean by “truly German”...

 

[JeffS7444]

Depends on what do you mean by “truly German”...

At least as of 2012 when this article was written, a company could legally call their product "Made in Germany" if final assembly was done there, even if 90% of the work had been done elsewhere.
https://www.thelocal.de/20120116/40137
And so far as I've been able to see, Leica Portugal is where most actual manufacturing for Leica Camera has been done for many years.

And another article from the same era:
https://www.spiegel.de/internationa...l-made-in-germany-label-at-risk-a-809300.html

 

[former member]

In the past Leica teamed up with Minolta to make the Leica CL.

Maybe Leica will team up with Cosina, how many other camera manufacturers have made RF viewfinders this century? Leica, Cosina, and Nikon (S3-2000 and SP-2005)- what others?

 

[valdas]

At least as of 2012 when this article was written, a company could legally call their product "Made in Germany" if final assembly was done there, even if 90% of the work had been done elsewhere.
https://www.thelocal.de/20120116/40137
And so far as I've been able to see, Leica Portugal is where most actual manufacturing for Leica Camera has been done for many years.

And another article from the same era:
https://www.spiegel.de/internationa...l-made-in-germany-label-at-risk-a-809300.html

Yes, I see, but then basically “true German” is a definition based on those specific EU rules. My M6 is “made in Germany”, but probably not in Germany if those rules are applied retroactively. Agree. But then - all this is a matter of how we make the rules. The rule could be (hypothetically) that it is “made in Germany” only when everything (including raw material) is made in Germany. Anyway, those days they often put “made in EU”, so the difference is gone. If there was any...

 

[dourbalistar]

In the past Leica teamed up with Minolta to make the Leica CL.

Maybe Leica will team up with Cosina, how many other camera manufacturers have made RF viewfinders this century? Leica, Cosina, and Nikon (S3-2000 and SP-2005)- what others?

Yesterday, I read an article on 35mmc about the Yasuhara T981. Manufactured by the Phenix Optical Company in China, and predates the Konica Hexar (not sure who made the Hexar) and the Cosina Voigtlander Bessas:
https://www.35mmc.com/04/01/2021/yasuhara-t981-nikon-50mm-f-2-my-impressionist-kit-by-aivaras/

A review on EMULSIVE about the T981:
https://emulsive.org/reviews/camera...abi-rangefinder-yasuhara-t981-一式-isshiki-t981

 

[former member]

https://www.cameraquest.com/yasu2.htm

I remember that camera, came out before the Bessa R.

And you are correct- it was produced from the late 90s into the 21st century.

 

[sarkleshark]

Hope they bundle Germany made lenses with a "cheap" plastic non-rangefinder single use film camera to avoid US tariffs. Here is a mock up of a "Vintage K" and sp5ecial edition "princess"model.

 

[HHPhoto]

Hm, if this new camera is indeed part of the M system (and not for example a fixed-lens compact like the nice former Leica CM) maybe it could be made this way:
There is currently a gap in the line because the M7 is not produced anymore.
If Leica would take the existing electronic shutter of the digital M bodies they could save costs. And make a kind of new "M7" again. Maybe some additional cost reductions at some other places, too (top plate).
So in the end an aperture priority mode (and manual mode, too, of course) camera like the M7, but 500-800€ cheaper than the MP. Not cheap, but cheaper than the current MP and M-A.
Could at least be realistic 😉.
What I know for sure is at least that the demand for new film M Leicas is increasing steadily for years. Leica told that at all the last Photokina fairs since 2014 (since the introduction of the M-A). Also on their special film event in Wetzlar in fall 2019. And recently in interviews they have told that meanwhile the demand surpasses their current production capacity by a significant margin.

Cheers, Jan

 

[Dante_Stella]

Since some of Leica's mirrorless lenses are right off Konica-Minolta patents, they may as well buy the design for the Hexar RF and call it a day.

Dante

 

[oldwino]

Since some of Leica's mirrorless lenses are right off Konica-Minolta patents, they may as well buy the design for the Hexar RF and call it a day.

Dante

+1. Would be a fun camera.

 

[rfaspen]

I have a friend who really likes the hexarRF and nearly convinced me to get one. And he had plenty of Leica Ms film and digital, to compare with.
I still wouldn't mind trying one out.

 

[jsrockit]

Since some of Leica's mirrorless lenses are right off Konica-Minolta patents,

Really?

they may as well buy the design for the Hexar RF and call it a day.
Dante

Hey, at least it would differentiate it from other Leica Ms.

 

[Dante_Stella]

Really?

Hey, at least it would differentiate it from other Leica Ms.

Yes. I can't take credit for spotting it. This is one; I recall two others. I think the SL 50mm was another one.

https://www.diyphotography.net/pate...35mm-was-actually-designed-by-konica-minolta/

I think there were more for Leica m43. It's not surprising; Leica had a relationship with Minolta, which was bought by Konica.

Dante

 

[froyd]

i just think it will be produced out of germany-it will look the same-maybe just less framelines available... .

In Leica-land less framelines (actually LESS ANYTHING) = mo'money, by I get what you are saying 🙂

 

[kram]

Any news on this proposed new Leica?