Bill Pierce
Well-known
The photographic internet is clogged with comments on the new Leica T, most of them paying tribute to Leica’s past accomplishments and expressing concern over the “new” direction this camera is taking. While members of this forum are well aware that Leica was the pioneer in 35mm cameras, continued to be the leader in that arena for a long time and a primary tool in the hands of some of the greatest photographers of the past century, it has for some time now been a conspicuous consumption item. The T is exactly that. In that sense it continues the current Leica tradition. Can a conspicuous consumption item be a good camera also? Of course. But it does at a price and with limitations. Perhaps the most intelligent “T” discussion I have seen blogged, has not been a blog article itself, but the letters in response to the article. Read the column I have bookmarked, but, most important, are the readers’ comments that follow. I truly believe these comments are important, and I would love to hear what you think about them.
http://soundimageplus.blogspot.it/2014/04/leica-t-or-fuji-x-e2.html
http://soundimageplus.blogspot.it/2014/04/leica-t-or-fuji-x-e2.html
GaryLH
Veteran
I think the T is Leica's attempt to become more main stream.. To diversivive, not be so locked into their drf image. Personally, I always felt that both Leica and Zeiss always did best, were there lenses. W/ the new cad/cdm capabilites, so many other companies are getting pretty close to their quality and maybe in some cases better (new Sigma 50f1.4 art is giving the Zeiss equiv a run for it's money for example).
I think they are trying to capitalize on their name brand recognition and the lens quality while getting into a more mainstream camera. Only time will tell how well they succeed or how good these new t mount lenses are going to be.
I will sit on the sideline and c how things develop. The only way I would really be tempted is a monochrome sensor version T, which I don't think will happen right now.
Given how wide the T mount flange is, it certainly looks like they could accommodate a FF sensor. As other have said, this could be a market gage to determine if they should have a non-rf ff body in their lineup. To me I don't c it very hard to use the 240 sensor and digital processing circuits in this body if they decide to do a ff non-drf body.
Gary
I think they are trying to capitalize on their name brand recognition and the lens quality while getting into a more mainstream camera. Only time will tell how well they succeed or how good these new t mount lenses are going to be.
I will sit on the sideline and c how things develop. The only way I would really be tempted is a monochrome sensor version T, which I don't think will happen right now.
Given how wide the T mount flange is, it certainly looks like they could accommodate a FF sensor. As other have said, this could be a market gage to determine if they should have a non-rf ff body in their lineup. To me I don't c it very hard to use the 240 sensor and digital processing circuits in this body if they decide to do a ff non-drf body.
Gary
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I can't tell what article you are trying to point out there, Bill. When I go to the link you provided, I get a popup that talks about Fujis and other dross. When I dismiss that, I get a bunch of articles, about three of which have Leica T in the title.
G
G
newspaperguy
Well-known
Thanks for sharing, Sir.
GaryLH
Veteran
I c the same.. But I think it just mainly heirarchiel (timeline like) blogging u are seeing.
Gary
Godfrey
somewhat colored
When a blog site is too much effort to figure out how to read the contents, it has failed utterly.
G
Bill Pierce
Well-known
Godfrey -
This may solve your problem (depends on which browser you are using).
Don't attempt to scroll down to the bottom of the article and the letters with the scroll bar on the extreme right of the site. Mouse over to the right edge of the column itself and a scroll bar will appear on that edge of the column layout. Scroll down to the responses at the end of the article. Hope this works for you. It's an intereting and informative interchange.
Bill
gb hill
Veteran
Takes a bit to load, least for me but then you should be able to scroll down to read the content. I don't think leica will ever catch up with the Fuji X system. Check out Streetshooter (Don's) blog who uses Fuji X camera's & lenses on the streets of Philly.
http://streetshooter.net/
http://streetshooter.net/
fireblade
Vincenzo.
Most comments on the internet about a new camera are flawed, stupid and silly.
Mcary
Well-known
Come on just because most of us have never even held yet alone used the camera in question doesn't mean we can't make logical and informed comments about it
willie_901
Veteran
The idea that in order to survive Leica has to appeal to market segments that are younger and luxury-brand conscious is entirely consistent with the T and X-Vario products.
The claim that Leica is following rather than leading in the mirrorless camera space segment is irrefutable - as far as features are concerned. From reading about the T, it seems the only thing new is the ability to slide panes around the touch screen to have it your way. Perhaps other cameras do this too? Anyway, to me the GUI is the T's most appealing feature. I noticed the LCD screen uses Gorilla glass (just as iPhones and iPads do). The upscale, younger users expect (demand?) an intuitive user experience, and internet connectivity and the T seems to get all this right. The luxury-brand appeal and contemporary GUI is all the T needs to make profits for Leica.
The results reported here (first posted by another in different thread) may, or may not, be confirmed by in other reviews. But if this level of performance is representative for the T, then the cost is truly extravagant. It will be interesting to see objective comparisons of AF speed as well.
However the technical performance of the T's data stream and lens will not be a priority for its intended market demographic. So I doubt sales will be affected either way. Leica's reputation and desirability as a digital platform is highly polarized in the serious, thoughtful photographers' community. And as before, the T's test results will change very few minds, if any.
If you require a high profit margin, you have to deliver products for people can afford to to pay more. So are they paying more for more, more for the same, or even more for less? It doesn't matter. Leica is a brand that can leverage their decades of excellence in film photography to execute their current business plan. This is what counts and this is how they make profits.
The claim that Leica is following rather than leading in the mirrorless camera space segment is irrefutable - as far as features are concerned. From reading about the T, it seems the only thing new is the ability to slide panes around the touch screen to have it your way. Perhaps other cameras do this too? Anyway, to me the GUI is the T's most appealing feature. I noticed the LCD screen uses Gorilla glass (just as iPhones and iPads do). The upscale, younger users expect (demand?) an intuitive user experience, and internet connectivity and the T seems to get all this right. The luxury-brand appeal and contemporary GUI is all the T needs to make profits for Leica.
The results reported here (first posted by another in different thread) may, or may not, be confirmed by in other reviews. But if this level of performance is representative for the T, then the cost is truly extravagant. It will be interesting to see objective comparisons of AF speed as well.
However the technical performance of the T's data stream and lens will not be a priority for its intended market demographic. So I doubt sales will be affected either way. Leica's reputation and desirability as a digital platform is highly polarized in the serious, thoughtful photographers' community. And as before, the T's test results will change very few minds, if any.
If you require a high profit margin, you have to deliver products for people can afford to to pay more. So are they paying more for more, more for the same, or even more for less? It doesn't matter. Leica is a brand that can leverage their decades of excellence in film photography to execute their current business plan. This is what counts and this is how they make profits.
thegman
Veteran
The T, for me, is not interesting as a camera, but I can see how it could be.
It's an interchangeable lens Leica without the heart-stopping price tag. It's so-so looking, but let's be honest, it looks like just about everything else.
Leica certainly can be conspicuous consumption, but I'm not quite sure this camera is it.
I doubt performance will matter very much, I don't think Leicas have really ever been bought for technical output. I mean, smaller medium format cameras have been around longer than the Leica M has.
It'll suit a certainly buyer, whether it'll do so in numbers is hard to say, I'd be inclined to say that it won't sell in great numbers, but it's pure speculation.
It's an interchangeable lens Leica without the heart-stopping price tag. It's so-so looking, but let's be honest, it looks like just about everything else.
Leica certainly can be conspicuous consumption, but I'm not quite sure this camera is it.
I doubt performance will matter very much, I don't think Leicas have really ever been bought for technical output. I mean, smaller medium format cameras have been around longer than the Leica M has.
It'll suit a certainly buyer, whether it'll do so in numbers is hard to say, I'd be inclined to say that it won't sell in great numbers, but it's pure speculation.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
Leica knows what it is doing..
1. Sell to the rich..they have the money..
2. Don't sell to the middling..or poor..as they don't...
3. Strengthen the myth..as in..people buy a myth..they always have..and always will..
as in..take the name off of it..and it wont sell..no matter how good it is..its all about the myth..
This should be a good one for Leica..and bring in the bux for them..allowing them to continue with the M cameras..for those that can afford it..
1. Sell to the rich..they have the money..
2. Don't sell to the middling..or poor..as they don't...
3. Strengthen the myth..as in..people buy a myth..they always have..and always will..
as in..take the name off of it..and it wont sell..no matter how good it is..its all about the myth..
This should be a good one for Leica..and bring in the bux for them..allowing them to continue with the M cameras..for those that can afford it..
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
I thought it was nice that they are actually building the camera instead of re-branding Panasonic models.
Chris101
summicronia
Comments are often the best part of any blog.
As for the T, I'm just gonna sit on my hands and wait for some early adopters to actually use it before forming a substantial opinion. I like how it looks, for sure. Especially with that 23 ...
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Ok, I finally found the meat of the article and the responses. Pretty much the same drivel I've been reading on all the other forae, frankly. Nothing new at all. I'm surprised you'd find this interesting, Bill.
It is a lovely looking camera, the T. According to those who've used it, it works very nicely, has excellent lenses, and makes fine photographs. Arguably better than the competition. It's expensive yes... So friggin' what? Isn't what it is as a camera more important than what it costs? Or do all Fuji lovers just really want a Leica but can't afford it so they go on for page after page of rationalization about how what they have is cheaper, better, and cheaper so it must be better...?
In the end it's a camera, they're all cameras. Buy what you like and make photographs. I hope Leica sells a bazillion of them.
G
It is a lovely looking camera, the T. According to those who've used it, it works very nicely, has excellent lenses, and makes fine photographs. Arguably better than the competition. It's expensive yes... So friggin' what? Isn't what it is as a camera more important than what it costs? Or do all Fuji lovers just really want a Leica but can't afford it so they go on for page after page of rationalization about how what they have is cheaper, better, and cheaper so it must be better...?
In the end it's a camera, they're all cameras. Buy what you like and make photographs. I hope Leica sells a bazillion of them.
G
ChrisLivsey
Veteran
Regrettably I suspect they would be unhappy if they did. They will have a target market which I suspect would not like bazillions owning them.
I do have misgivings over that beautiful chassis. If the M8 had been built like that the electronics would still be where we are today, 7 years on, obsolete and partly un-repearable. I am pleased to say however mine still takes photographs as well as it did, if not better with updated software, than when new and I believe I can mount M lenses with a crop just like the T
I have just bought, at a bargain price, SNAPS by Elliott Erwitt. Virtually every shot, and there are 500 of them, was on an M3 with a 50mm Summicron using 400iso film Kodak or Ilford in Microdol. Of course the success he has enjoyed in producing the work is entirely down to that tool and that film/developer combination and has nothing at all to do with his eye.
Sparrow
Veteran
... if only he'd had a m2 just think how much better it would be
ChrisLivsey
Veteran
Sparrow
Veteran
I have a few ...