The camera that will save Leica… probably (just daydreaming)

[Ronald_H]

This is simply what I want and what I would do. No excuses. Flame if you want to (and you will).

- Firstly, Leica should continue making M film cameras for the niche market.


Then the new camera system:

- M mount.


- Has to look and feel like an M but might be slightly smaller, see below.


- APS-C sensor. For the obvious reason of cost and problems with the closeness of the lens to the sensor. Look at what a Nikon D300 or Canon 50D can do.


- APS-C primes. Have them made by Cosina under a license agreement. If Zeiss can do it, Leica can too. Mr. K. will be delighted. For the naysayers, what about all those Leica branded lenses on digital compacts and camcorders? There’s no reason for them not to be very good and afforable, unless you have near terminal ‘made in Germany’ snobbery.


- Update the M mount to the current electronic state of the art, while retaining full compatibility. Include auto focus. AF motors will have to go in the lenses. A bit like the Nikon F-mount as it is now, but skipping Ai and ‘non AF-S’ auto focus in the progression from 1959-F to 2008-F.


- For those who can’t bear the thought of auto focus on a Leica, offer the new lenses in a manual focus version.


- Give the user a choice of a body with an optical rangefinder or a body with an advanced EVF.


- For those who can’t bear the thought of auto focus on a Leica, offer the body in a ‘purist’ manual focus version


- Give the user the choice of a LCD monitor or no monitor


- Allow for the minimum of controls needed for digital operation when no monitor is present.


Some more thoughts: The micro 4/3rds format looks promising, but that would make the crop factor 2 i.s.o 1.5. This makes using classic M lenses too much of a pain. And the sensors and image quality of APS-C is plainly better, especially for low light photography. It may all sound a bit radical, but heck, the Leica I WAS radical and so was the M3. Leica is long overdue some radicalism. For those into cars: Morgan survived for a long time with a 1930’s design and the new Aeromax may not be to everybody’s taste, but it IS a succesful blend of old and new.

 

[Harry S.]

The way I see it is, Leica cameras are pretty close to what their' fanbase wants already. I dont think new users will flock to a new cheaper m-mount digital just because it carries a Leica badge. If there was one thing that would make current Leica users let go of liberal amounts of money, it would be a FF sensor in an MP chassis.

Their cameras will always be expensive, and Leica as a company may already have its' fate sealed. I think there is too much pride for them to outsource most of their manufacturing

I personally wouldnt buy Cosina-built Leica Lenses. They'd be too similar to the CV or ZM lenses to be worthwhile IMO. Youd be buying the badge essentially.

 

[Rogier]

Its like Hi end Car brands. Ferrari, Rolls Rolls.
They have their niche customer base. And a huge appreciation by public. Every one dreams of owning one. Just because they are so special.
Their exorbitant price tag allows to produce cars that are truly pieces of artisan craftsmanship. Unfortunately the hi price tag also leads to exclusivity...
Creating a lower priced Leica will be like a Fiat with a Ferrari badge (even while Ferrari is owned by Fiat...) its just not right and will loose its appeal.

Leica should stick to creating their specialized camera's stick to their concept and adapt to modern technology in order to push beyond the limits of the rest.

I agree with Harry. A full frame sensor in a MP body is a likely candidate to continue improving on a proven concept for a niche market. Not only should a "regular" FF sensor be spooned into the MP body but even this replacement of film should be improved beyond what Canon and Nikon do with their mass production camera's.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

At this point, an APS-C 12mp+, M-mount camera offered at $1500-$2000 would be ideal for the market even if it looked nothing like a Leica M, which is likely because Leica isn't likely to make a camera in this price range. It's more realistic to hope that Panasonic might with a Leica badge on it, but I ain't holding my breathe.

Truly, full-frame would be better, but there's a lot of nice choices in 28mm and 35mm lenses now, more than there used to be.

 

[tomasis]

If you want this, that and such, buy Canon, Nikon.

There are panasonic LC1, GX etc. Digilux 3,4 Canon G10, 5D 40 D 1000D

All sub 2000$..

Forget leica when you want have this and that ... If you are prepared to buy a diamond, just buy it, just forget about Leica brand and your "realistic wishes" 🙂

 

[Ronald_H]

I never said it was realistic, just that it was what I wanted 😀

Anyway, if you like the M8, by all means, enjoy it. A good friend just bought one. I declared him mad but I'm still itching to use it.

And in all likelihood, Nikon etc. will do what I just described, albeit with a micro F-mount or something. Suits me fine, I've got a closet full of F mount glass. But I was just daydreaming about seeing Leica go (premium) mainstream withsomething really good and radical.

As for the Ferrari comparison... yes, expensive for the rich and demanding, no problem with that. But Ferrari's are state of the art... Leica's are really well made 1950's cameras, in case of the M8 with some nice contemporary electronics shoved in.

 

[MartinP]

Hmmm, how about APS-C sensor - some version with good performance at low light and no i.r. filter on the chip (like M8). The lens, equivalent of 35/1,4 lens FIXED in place with built-in i.r. filter, and not an M mount ! Accurate, large, optical viewfinder too please. The company may even have the resources to design that.

The mechanical rangefinder could be replaced by a single-spot, focus-confirmation-when-button-is-pressed light, or just use a Panasonic auto system. The body can be well sealed and then everyone will want one as their second camera. Make it a sort of high sales-volume price point too of course, less than 500 euros..... Edit: nearly forgot, only leica branded, not Panasonic.

 

[Ronald_H]

Martin, that sounds a bit like a Sigma DP1 to my mind. Interesting concept for sure but sadly a bit flawed. Slowish lens (albeit a rather good one and slooooow).

That having said, for under 500 euros with a good 35mm lens, I'd buy one.

 

[MartinP]

The Sigma does not have an appropriate lens, or a viewfinder, or a great chip - so not very similar unfortunately, just the same general direction. 🙁

 

[Rayt]

In the old days the profit margins are in the lenses not the bodies. Prices for bodies did not reflect their real costs and manufacturers hoped the user would buy at least two lenses with every body purchased. I don't know if this is still true now given the high prices of Leica bodies. Assuming it is true that the real margins are in the lenses then what does it matter who makes the camera as long as the mount is compatible with your bread and butter products. Why not cooperate with a 3rd party for the body and license to that party a set of lenses, say the Summarits and instead concentrate your resources on the high demand products such as fast and faster and still faster wides?

 

[jmkelly]

It seems to me that Leica's release of the 21mm and 24mm Summiluxes is a tacit announcement that a FF Leica-badge digital is not on the horizon. Or one with high-ISO capability.

 

[Paul C. Perkins MD]

No FF digital Leica? So I should buy an M8 and make my 15mm Heliar a 20-whatever? No sale - EVER.