New Leica M Lenses and Accessories

I will ultimately be interested in a digital M, but it would really have to fit my requirements before I go and bite the bullet.

First, I wouldn't be willing to buy a whole new set of lenses, and I would want to keep using my film M bodies alsongside the digital one, so it would be important to me that my current M lenses be usable on the digital M. This entails that the latter should have framelines that match current 21mm, 28mm, 35mm and 50mm lenses, converted for the sensor dimensions; i.e. for a crop factor of 1.33x, the framelines should correspond to effective focal lengths of 28mm, 37mm, 46mm and 66mm (or close). I might be remotely interested in a digital-only 21/2.8 lens, but only if it is significantly more compact than the existing full-frame 21/2.8 Leica and Zeiss lenses.

The viewfinder should have sufficient eye relief for comfortable use with spectacles; equivalent to, or better than, the current 0.58x viewfinder. I have tried the japanese "minifier" that Peter mentioned and didn't like it at all, so unless the idea can be implemented in a significantly better way (which I doubt) I would only be interested in a low-magnification viewfinder body, ideally identical to the current 0.58x for consistency with the film bodies.

I only do black-and-white, so I'd be happy with a monochrome sensor if the benefits in terms of sensitivity, dynamic range and image quality are significant. If not, then I'd rather have the higher level of tonality control that a color sensor provides.

I would be interested in motorised shutter winding, but only if complements, rather than replaces, manual shutter rewind. I wouldn't like motorised shutter winding to be built into the body if this increases the camera dimensions and weight. An optional add-on would be the best option as far as I'm concerned.

The camera should retain the analog controls of the M7 as they are, with the addition of a judiciously positioned dial for ISO selection.

Shutter and meter should be as on the M7. A spot meter option would be nice but not essential, especially if it increases the cost of the camera. 1/1000 max shutter speed is fine with me as long as an iso 100 (or lower) sensitivity setting is available.

The LCD screen at the back should be kept small. It should be used for histogram display and access of basic menu functions only; image preview is not essential. The screen could even be monochrome if this can help bring down cost and energy consumption. The screen could be foldable a la R-D1, but not if the camera sturdiness is affected. There could be a sliding cover to protect / conceal the screen when not in use.

RAW mode should be usable without any detrimental effect on camera responsiveness. This just means a large buffer and fast data transfer to the memory card. I wouldn't mind if image parameters settings (white balance, file compression, etc) were only accessible via menus, as I would be shotting RAW exclusively.

In fact, what about a RAW only camera? This would be consistent with a true "digital negative" approach, the RAW files containing a "latent image" which would only be available after "development". If the sensor is a color sensor, there could be a monochrome-only RAW converting mode so that the images would never be seen in color, while the ability to combine R, G and B channels for tonality adjustments would be retained.

Essentially, what I would like is a camera that retains the feel, look and functionality of an M7, except that it would be fed memory cards rather than film, and that it would have per-image selectable ISO.

That's my take on it. I'm sure others will disagree. 😉

Vincent
 
Thanks for the feedback folks but I just want to remind everyone that what I'm looking for are ideas for lenses and accessories that the digital-M. The camera itself is way past the concept stage but Leica is looking at what people want to go with it. Specifically. lenses, etc. that will be useful for both film and digital rangefinders. And...the emphasis here is on things that *you* would buy if they were made.

Again, thanks for the replies so far. I'll be summarizing in an hour.

Cheers,

Sean
 
True macro lenses -- if the camera is to have an LCD screen, which I think is a given, then lenses that will focus (and provide real macro quality) down to close to 1:1 will be a whole new dimension for Leica RF lenses.
 
My vote: a 27/2 (OK, 28/2) lens that corresponds to the 35/2 FOV on film, made for digital if that brings the cost down. I honestly wouldn't mind if the digital-only lenses were made in Japan if that kept costs down. Of all priorities, a slightly wide lens, ie 35mm FOV, with a decent speed, at a relatively affordable price, represents the better mouse trap.
 
I think one of the lenses I would buy, that I don't have, is the CV 15. If the crop factor is about 1.5, it would be an "effective" focal length of, I think, about 18mm.

I already own the CV 35mm Ultron, and with the same "factor" it would be about a 52mm. That would give me what I want. almost

I am 50/50 on this, though. I would really like to hold on until a full-frame sensor comes out. It all depends on the price and what the camera really ends up being like.
 
Response re New Leica M lens for Digital M

Response re New Leica M lens for Digital M

In addition to the comments so far, I believe a 18mm which would translate into a 24mm equivalent would be very useful and appropriate. Again, at least 2.8 f.

I am pleased to see all the interest as the timing is right for a quality and reliable digital rangefinder.
 
I shall see how I like my new M6TTL... then will have to see. If they keep it under $5K US... then it is a possibility.
 
Hi,

I'm ready to spend a reasonable (in Leica terms) amount of money on a digital M and a new Bi- or Tri-Elmar that offers the FOV of a 35mm film equiv. 35mm/(50mm)/90 - 100mm.
If the crop factor is 1.33, then a Bi-Elmar f2.8/28mm - f4/75mm would be perfect.

I would also prefer a rangefinder magnification of 1x, because I love shooting my RD-1 with both eyes wide open. Looking at the ZI finder 28mm frameline, it should be possible to realise a 1.33x crop 28mm (ergo 35mm FOV) frameline in a 1x maginfication finder.

Of course I would love a BW only version, but this thing should allow IR photography (as the RD-1 does).

Ah, and why not implement the ultrasonic CCD dust-off thing like in all those crappy 4/3 cameras?

I can even imagine buying two digital M, an RGB and a BW only. If I could afford this, well, thats up to Leica.

And then there is the digital R, but that is another story...

Cheers

Dragan
 
I will surely buy a Digital M as soon as it available. I wish I could duplicate my Leica lens collection to bridge the gap but I am afraid I will not have budget for that. I bought most of my Leica lenses for under 2000$, and that includes the 21 elm/asph, the 28 cron, the 28 elm, the 35 lux, the 50 cron the 74 lux and the 135 apo/Elmarit. However, current prices of new lenses are much higher and are around the 3000 and above and I cannot imagine having that sum after buying the MD. . If there will be a 21/2 I will consider, but it will probably be very big (unless it has a crop factor, but then it will have to be cheap). A 15 elmarit? I am still shocked by the price of the new Zeiss. not because I think it is unreasonable, but simply- I don't have the money for it. I will also consider a kit lens with f/4 and 21/28/35 at around 2000-2500 usd, if high iso will be good enough to compensate the loss (at least for situations in which the use of wide aperture is for shutter speed and not for depth of field).
 
Crappy four thirds? Hmm.... seems I find my pair of E-1's incredibly usefull and better built than most.
 
As others have mentioned I'd like at least the same speed in lenses having angle of view equivalent to current wides such as the 21 & 24 Elmarits, and 28 Summicron and 35 Summilux. And this speed and compact size are so desirable that I suspect at least some would have to be digital-only... I would buy at least a 75-deg FoV Summicron or Summilux, and perhaps in 63-deg FoV as well.

We will need new narrower lens hoods for existing lenses used on a digital body.
 
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Hmm, hard to think of things without knowing what the camera can handle already.

What others said though, 28/2 lens.

I think that this is going to be a whole new world for Leica, so they might as well have a few special lenses along the whole wide to normal range. Partly to celebrate, and also to show that they are commited to the digital M, that it is a real tool for photography and that it is built to last!
 
kennedda said:
In addition to the comments so far, I believe a 18mm which would translate into a 24mm equivalent would be very useful and appropriate. Again, at least 2.8 f.

I am pleased to see all the interest as the timing is right for a quality and reliable digital rangefinder.
Click to expand...

I agree ... an 18/2.8 lens would be great.
Also (as mentioned by others) a 21/2.0 would be nice.
 
NoTx said:
Crappy four thirds? Hmm.... seems I find my pair of E-1's incredibly usefull and better built than most.
Click to expand...

I had that same reaction. There are some very good 4/3 cameras.

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I sent the list in at about 5:00 PM but i've pointed my contact at Leica to this thread and I think he'll look in if he gets a chance. Leica equipment isn't going to be inexpensive but they really do care about knowing what photographers want from them.

Cheers,

Sean
 
BTW, with the various feedback I've gotten today from photographers, the three lenses that are most often requested are:

15/2.8
21/2.0
28/1.4

Cheers,

Sean
 
A useful accesory would be an extra baterry unit that attaches to the camera so that you don't have to change batteries as often. This could be added to the bottom of the camera (like the fast winder units) or be part of a hand grip.

Actually... this could also be an interesting way to have extra memory storage.. have an extra memory unit that attaches to the bottom of the camera.

Phil
 
BTW, with the various feedback I've gotten today from photographers, the three lenses that are most often requested are:

15/2.8
21/2.0
28/1.4

Cheers,

Sean
 
I just want to add one point. If the new Leica MD is going to be a really good camera- that is, a camera that delivers a quality which is comparable to the best digital cameras and feels as reliable as my M7, M6ttl or any other M body, I will easily be tempted to sell much of my Canon gear and then I will be willing to spend much more on new Leica lenses. I don't know about others, but for me, much of my slr gear which I collected in the last few years, I obtained because I wanted to use digital and could not use my M system for that. The RD-1 is great, but I would not risk my canon gear for it, not in terms of quality and not in terms of reliability. I am optimistic about the Leica M, in particular, because of the choice not to use an AA filter. If they will, indeed, have a solution for high iso noise and for Moire, it will be great. Currently, I am using for low iso high resolution shots the Kodak dsc slr/C with canon L lenses and I like the image much more than the canon's (5D, 20D, 1Ds) in particular because of the absence of AA filter. But high iso and Moire are limitations. Also, I find the fact that Leica chose to use a CCD rather than Cmos a great choice . I find CCD much more to my taste (as the R-D1 proves) and I find it much more "film like" and in particular "slide film like".
 
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