Rumor: A new Leica M design

I never imagined Leica releasing a full frame digital body, never saw the X1 coming either. I'm having a hard time imagining what a new M body would look like.
The one thing I think would be nice though is a viewfinder with adjustable magnifications. The kind that doesn't protrude from the body, maybe a lever, switch, dial?
 
figure out how to make the RF focus close, and build new lenses with a 10inch focus distance🙂 I'd buy new glass for that feature🙂
 
endustry said:
The only problem with this is that it would require metal shutter curtains. I suppose it depends on how much value you place on the subtle clunk of the cloth shutter to the more pronounced noise of Bessas and the digital Ms. If they could figure out how to squeeze at least one extra stop out of the existing cloth shutter, that would be great. Not so sure I'd buy an analog M that goes "CHAK!"
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Well, given what they're asking for an M9 with a vertical-traveling shutter...

The actual shutter noise in my Hexars is close to negligible; it's the film-advance motor that's somewhat noisier (though not crazy-noisy). I'd surmise Leica could refine things in that regard.

And, yes, a Nikon FM-3a-type shutter in a film-based M would be Super Keen. As long as that shutter, like the one in the Hexar, is truly light-tight for an RF body, and not needing either the "crutch" of a mirror box (SLRs) or a second curtain (a-la mechanical-shuttered Bessas, which is part of why those cameras are rather noisy).


- Barrett
 
DON’T BELIEVE IT.

The notion Leica is even considering a new film camera design is utterly absurd. Last I knew (around mid-year) they were down to making +/-10 film M units a month – that’s M7 and MP combined.

Some months back, there was talk of a CL sized digital M camera. Now that might make some sense.
 
Film is dying slowly. Exactly when is not known, but not 5 years. 20 for sure.

A major redesign is too costly for a company barely surving.

Not much could tempt me anyway.

Maybe if they partnered up with Ilford and Kodak to assure a supply of film and paper. A quality scanner would go a long way, and not a $10,000 one either.
 
Of course, the "rumor" is utterly ridiculous, because a new body color could hardly be considered a redesign.

There is one potentially huge problem (well, several) with dropping a digital imager into a cloth-shuttered rangefinder. And that is the irreversible damage that would occur when a user leaves his camera facing upward, burning a hole through the shutter and searing the costly sensor.

Another potential problem is the dust that would be generated every time the shutter is wound and then released. You might not think there's dust in your camera, but there is plenty that is held by cloth, especially in cameras owned by photographers who toss their cameras about.

However, I think the idea of a smaller body would be an excellent one.
 
The Leica M design is almost near to perfection, from 1954. Even the film loading system is excellent, not difficult at all, just slower compared to cameras with hinged back. The only true defect, for those who likes using the flash, is the slow sync flash (usually 1/50") but that gives us a very quiet shutter.
A new 35 mm film Leica M design? And how? With a new metal vertical shutter, to gain a more faster flash sync shutter time? With a new hinged back, to gain a more faster film loading? All this is simply absurd, because it would open the door to a red dot Cosina Voigtländer...
Mala tempora currunt!
Ciao.
Vincenzo
 
The Leica MP and M7 have always been sold in low numbers, due their high prices and small scale production system. Now, then, the selling numbers are what they are due to the digital revolution: the same thing happens, in the new market, for the Hasslbland and Nikon film cameras, for example.
I don't thing, then, that the introduction of a new Limited Edition should be preceded by a rumour about a new camera design: it's never happened before, and the Limited Versions there are been several, since the advent of the Leica M3 (and before than, with the LTM Leicas).
We will see what will happen in the future, i just hope it is not something low-profile technical and/or qualitative: the brand and his loyal followers do not deserve it.
However, we must also consider another hypothesys: that is to say, the rumour of the Leicarumours may still be simply a blunder.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
 
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jarski said:
how few M7 & MP ARE they selling, per year for instance ?
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A few months back, several people from the Leica Forum toured the Leica plant in Solms. It was mentioned during their visit that Leica only builds about 100 - 150 MPs' and M7s' per month.

Also, I guess you guys missed this. The "new" Leica film model is a special "Hermes" edition M7. Take a look at the Leica Rumors site for more info.

Jim B.
 
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