New Leica Statement

[bob cole]

FYI, from a different Leica site:

''Already, in the working hours since the departure of Steven Lee, the
Leica product development team has begun to review the M system
strategy. It is too early to say what changes will be made; however
it is likely that the path may differ from the one set by Steven Lee.
In any case, the M8 will continue to be our flagship camera into
2009. We can confirm that comments made during PMA regarding the
possibility of an M8 upgrade to full frame were premature and we
apologise if one of them gave a too optimistic outlook.

It is true that it is the desire of Leica to consider full frame
within the M system, however the final decision regarding the
appropriate camera body configuration has yet to be made.''

<http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/

 

[Didier]

Translation:

"Forget the M8 upgrade program; we'll likely have a fullframe sensor once, but will put in a new and more costly body; and please don't ask us when this will happen"

Didier

 

[johnastovall]

Good, get the FF nonsense of the table for awhile.

But I hope the Leica design and engineering team has a dozen or so Konica Hexar RF's on the table to look at for some starting ideas.

 

[amateriat]

The merry-go-round speeds up, slows down, briefly gets thrown into reverse, comes to a screeching halt, loses a painted pony or two, then starts up again (forward, this time). Between this and Bill Buckley's death, this is anything but a dull Wednesday.

And, obviously, I agree about the Hexars. I'd send one of mine to Solms if I didn't need 'em so much. 🙂


- Barrett

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Translation:

"Forget the M8 upgrade program; we'll likely have a fullframe sensor once, but will put in a new and more costly body; and please don't ask us when this will happen"

Wow, has Fox News launched a new online translation application (Rabbidfish)?

 

[Olsen]

It isn't that many weeks ago that I was declared an idiot by posters here, because I claimed that a FF-M is an impossibility within foreseeable future (4 - 5 years). Now the Leica board has fired their CEO and issued a statement which indeed confirms my posts on the issue....

 

[BillP]

It isn't that many weeks ago that I was declared an idiot by posters here, because I claimed that a FF-M is an impossibility within foreseeable future (4 - 5 years). Now the Leica board has fired their CEO and issued a statement which indeed confirms my posts on the issue....

Hm.

"Interesting" interpretation.

Absolutely nowhere in the Leica statement is there mention of a lustrum...

Regards,

Bill

 

[Ororaro]

I'm sorry, Olsen, but you are confused. The first post is from Leica and it is clear FF is coming, beyond 2009.

You are probably basing your post based on the joke translation from Didier in post #2. Even though I wasn't the one to declare you an idiot, I think you may end up like one when Leica releases a FF in 2010 or 2011.

It isn't that many weeks ago that I was declared an idiot by posters here, because I claimed that a FF-M is an impossibility within foreseeable future (4 - 5 years). Now the Leica board has fired their CEO and issued a statement which indeed confirms my posts on the issue....

 

[Tuolumne]

I want an orphan R-D1, but the price is alot less. For $2K, I would take an orphan M8. Not more.

/T

 

[Olsen]

I'm sorry, Olsen, but you are confused. The first post is from Leica and it is clear FF is coming, beyond 2009.

You are probably basing your post based on the joke translation from Didier in post #2. Even though I wasn't the one to declare you an idiot, I think you may end up like one when Leica releases a FF in 2010 or 2011.

Sorry, but that is daydreams.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I'm actually surprised Leica released such a statement. The confusion and uncertainty it shows on Leica's part will probably bring M8 sales to a halt.

Just like the "Purple hysteria" of November 2006 prior to its release, which made many bashers claim M8 sales would grind to a halt. 🙄

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

It's good Leica still has some true believers.

And bashers. The Universe balances out.

I'm not either, btw. Only a basher would think that. 😀

 

[Tuolumne]

''Already, in the working hours since the departure of Steven Lee, the
Leica product development team has begun to review the M system
strategy. It is too early to say what changes will be made; however
it is likely that the path may differ from the one set by Steven Lee. "

This is an amazing statement coming from any company. There must have been a considerable uproar caused by Stephen Lee. But which uproar was that? What was the direction Stephen Lee had set?


"In any case, the M8 will continue to be our flagship camera into
2009. We can confirm that comments made during PMA regarding the
possibility of an M8 upgrade to full frame were premature and we
apologise if one of them gave a too optimistic outlook."

Transaltion: Don't hold your breath waiting for an M9. Please buy our M8 now.

"It is true that it is the desire of Leica to consider full frame
within the M system, however the final decision regarding the
appropriate camera body configuration has yet to be made.''

Transaltion: when we bring out a full-frame rangefinder, it will loook nothing like you expect an M camera to be. The M8 is the end of the line for "thinking inside the box".

<http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/

 

[Ororaro]

Sorry, but that is daydreams.

Sure it's daydreams. Exactly the same Daydream a Nikon, when they announced they'd never have a FF all until 1 month before the D3 announcement.

With sony producing FF chips, Canon and Nikon being FF, Pentax will soon join the parade and then Leica. Daydreaming is over.

But me, personally, I don't care. FF is not an issue for me.

 

[kbg32]

""Andreas Kaufmann will run the company jointly with board financial controller and treasurer, Andreas Lobejäger, on a temporary basis until 28 February 2009, according to a statement issued by Leica late today.

'This change of management allows Leica Camera AG to immediately review strategies and make changes where required,' Leica UK's MD David Bell tells AP. 'One of the first tasks for Dr Kaufmann will be to positively review all options for the M system's future. There will be more details in the following weeks.' ""

 

[popobsd]

I would like to see some JP company release a FF cheap plastic M body. the price is around 1000$, Even without the Screen behide.

 

[J. Borger]

I do not care for FF very much but ........ IF i did not have an M8 already and there would be strong rumours of a FF version later this year i would probably hold on and wait before deciding......
That is exactly where Lee made an unforgivable mistake ..... he killed a part of the M8 restpotential with his remarks.... no matter if there will be or will not be a FF version short time.
From a company point of view It would probably even be wise for Leica to wait with a FF M9 (even if the technology was there!!) till the restpotential of the M8 is fully consumed .....

 

[tripod]

I do not care for FF very much but ........ IF i did not have an M8 already and there would be strong rumours of a FF version later this year i would probably hold on and wait before deciding......
That is exactly where Lee made an unforgivable mistake ..... he killed a part of the M8 restpotential with his remarks.... no matter if there will be or will not be a FF version short time.
From a company point of view It would probably even be wise for Leica to wait with a FF M9 (even if the technology was there!!) till the restpotential of the M8 is fully consumed .....

That's what I'm thinking, except for the first sentence.

 

[Ben Z]

'

"In any case, the M8 will continue to be our flagship camera into
2009. We can confirm that comments made during PMA regarding the
possibility of an M8 upgrade to full frame were premature and we
apologise if one of them gave a too optimistic outlook."

Transaltion: Don't hold your breath waiting for an M9. Please buy our M8 now.

"It is true that it is the desire of Leica to consider full frame
within the M system, however the final decision regarding the
appropriate camera body configuration has yet to be made.''

Transaltion: when we bring out a full-frame rangefinder, it will loook nothing like you expect an M camera to be. The M8 is the end of the line for "thinking inside the box".

I'm in agreement with your paraphrasing of the first paragraph. The second one I'm getting a different message. What I'm getting is We haven't decided whether FF will be available as a retrofit for current M8 owners or only as a complete camera Somehow I don't forsee a FF body being a radical departure from the M8, but I was always skeptical that it would be economically feasible to put a FF sensor and everything else (like a more powerful battery, larger buffer card, and all various and sundry electronic circuits and stuff) into an M8, along with the labor involved to first take it apart.

 

[Tuolumne]

I'm in agreement with your paraphrasing of the first paragraph. The second one I'm getting a different message. What I'm getting is We haven't decided whether FF will be available as a retrofit for current M8 owners or only as a complete camera Somehow I don't forsee a FF body being a radical departure from the M8, but I was always skeptical that it would be economically feasible to put a FF sensor and everything else (like a more powerful battery, larger buffer card, and all various and sundry electronic circuits and stuff) into an M8, along with the labor involved to first take it apart.

Ben,
I guess there is a conservative and radical interpretation. Your conservative interpretation is a certainty. I hope my radical one is more likely.

/T