The M240's Successor - what would you like to see ?

[CameraQuest]

Eventually Leica will introduce the M240's successor.

A separate thread is guessing when.

What new features or improvements would you like to see in it ?

Personally I would like to see -

a state of the art EVF add on digital visoflex
tilting / folding LCD
higher ISO quality
much improved menu interface
camera ability to recognize and follow voice commands
menu optionally controlled by a smart phone app
CMOS DNG files that look CCD DNG files
virtually crashproof camera software
framelines that change size with the focus distance for accurate framing
ability to dial in frame line focal lengths for oddball focal lengths
broadcasting file pics to a linked laptop or tablet

software that electronically crashes any Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Olympus camera within 10 feet distance
when video microphone picks up the phrase "is that a film camera?"

-- separate thread
When do you predict the M240's successor will be introduced?
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147687


Stephen

 

[DNG]

not an owner of Leica DRF's...
But. looking at the current specs....

• A new 24mp sensor with higher ISO Capabilities... OR, really clean ISO 6400
• Flash Sync at 1/250 (though 1/180 is good for most)
• Maybe 1/8000 top speed.. (Better than 1/4000 for using fast lenses wide open)

The specs are pretty good already... in my eyes.

 

[FrozenInTime]

camera ability to recognize and follow voice commands

To quote from Dr Who "chap with wings there, five rounds, rapid!" 😀

 

[Livesteamer]

Price and reliability. I take pictures for fun and if I'm going to invest so much money, I want the camera to be reliable and hold its value. Joe

 

[rscheffler]

A digital camera will not hold its value relative to lenses. Leicas are somewhat better, but as Leica produces more M bodies, the number of used and demo copies of current and past models has increased significantly compared to the early-mid M9 period. My feeling is the market can only absorb so many $5000+ cameras.

As for the M240 replacement:

Deeper buffer (as good or better than M-P)
Robust, reliable electronics - no lockups.
Electronic shutter, preferably global, with shutter speed options shorter than 1/4000. (If a global shutter, it will mean silent operation.)
Improved live view and EVF.
A solution to allow simultaneous flash and EVF use without having to buy ~$1000 worth of accessories.
No high-ISO banding.
No weird green shadows currently found in ISOs 200-1000 due to some sort of black point clipping.
Lighter build without sacrificing durability and 'robust feel.'

Down the road:

Use of phase detect pixels to act as a focus confirm option in conjunction with RF patch.
Integrated optical and electronic viewfinders.
Thinner camera.

 

[neonart]

I'm so happy with the M240, there are only a couple of little thing that wold be nice "upgrades".

1) Slightly better ISO performance, more dynamic range. (Less megapixels)
2) Image stabilization.
3) A simple, user serviceable rangefinder.
4) Slightly lighter without feeling hollow, and maybe slightly thinner than M240.
5) I don't know. Pink leather? Gold plated?

 

[ramosa]

A camera the size and weight of the M6 that can handle the basics just as well ... albeit in digital ...

 

[MCTuomey]

a full stop improved iso performance would be nice (truly usable iso 6400)

live view that supports focus point/magnification scrolling

articulating LCD screen, nice to have, but well down the list compared to the above items

the ccd v cmos thing is 'way overblown - not hard in post to get the files of the M240 quite close to the M9's, when one wants to do so.

the M240 overall seems pretty complete to me, as is

 

[Monochrom]

Hi,

I´d love to see a cloth shutter, better iso and slimmer body like original m´s.

But above all...a better sensor that can withstand WA lenses.

 

[jaapv]

But I would definitely not want to see a return of the 1/50th sync speed...

 

[uhoh7]

A camera the size and weight of the M6 that can handle the basics just as well ... albeit in digital ...

+1 or even a bit smaller 🙂

 

[Gary Sandhu]

-lighter
-thinner

 

[michaelwj]

Not a DRF user, but in order to get me to consider it, it would need;

1. Reliable electronics - this's should be a given these days
2. Good WA performance, without the need to use corner fix etc - one of the best qualities of the traditional RF is the compact wide angles, if like to use them digitally.
3. That's all.

Stephen, is that really your wishlist for an M? What would you want an articulated screen for? If you want all that, get a mirror less camera. Keep the M simple.

 

[Keith]

Address the blackout of the EVF after each exposure. It's only a second or so but it feels like forever! I gather it's a buffer issue?

Aside from that I find the camera perfect in it's current form.

 

[Tijmendal]

A camera the size and weight of the M6 that can handle the basics just as well ... albeit in digital ...

I was gonna say this. I'm not sure the 240 is the same size as the M8/M9 (but I reckon it is?) and it's just so big. It'd be nice if it was the size of a film M.

 

[YYV_146]

I was gonna say this. I'm not sure the 240 is the same size as the M8/M9 (but I reckon it is?) and it's just so big. It'd be nice if it was the size of a film M.

It's the same basic profile but a bit fatter.

I agree - the shape and weight (700 grams) is really a pain in the hand.

Anyways, my laundry list:

1. EVF black out/quality/focus magnification off-center/refresh rates - a new and better EVF in general. The Leica T Visoflex finder is excellent. But maybe a bit more low profile if possible.

2. 1/8000s. Alternatively, a true iso 50 would do the job.

3. Ability to control brightness of LED framelines.

4. Something resembling a high speed continuous mode (6-7 fps)

5. Wifi/wireless tethering. I never thought I wanted wifi, until I owned a camera that had it.

6. Electronic front curtain/full sensor metering.

4 out of 6 and Leica can have my money for a new digital M. 3 out of 6 will prompt me to seriously consider one again...

 

[Lss]

The current Leica M is already going beyond rangefinder still photography. The product road map probably maintains this direction. As the old design does not work very well in the new field, they need to consider changes. There is both a risk of losing too much of what makes the M work for many, and a risk of introducing a product that offers certain functionality but remains very compromised in using that functionality. Neither is a particularly desirable way, especially considering Leica's price point.

I would personally think of ways to improve customization and offer people choice within a single framework. Take the LCD screen for example. There is no technical reason the same body could not be available with either a fixed screen (for solid compactness) or an articulating screen (for more flexibility in video work etc.) to address customer preference. Both solutions absolutely have their place, and they are both compromises for some existing or potential users. (Even a no-screen version could easily be built, although it would hardly be as elegant as possible if the same basic frame were used.)

Customization is an expense and may create challenges in marketing and logistics. It is however an expense that many customers would be willing to cover. Even today Leica offers customization, but it is largely limited to cosmetics.

 

[gunston]

M240p is complete for me

 

[jaapv]

Address the blackout of the EVF after each exposure. It's only a second or so but it feels like forever! I gather it's a buffer issue?

Aside from that I find the camera perfect in it's current form.

It feels so indeed. Reason I have set the review to "hold shutter release" which will replace the blackout with a frozen image. Much better and it will revert as soon as the camera is done.

 

[gustavoAvila]

Perhaps its time for Leica to consider splitting the M platform.

For sure, they cannot stray too far from the existing M form factor for traditional models. (Though it would be nice if they could get the digital M's back into line with regard to size and reliability.)

A new "e-M" would eschew the optical range finder for a built-in EVF. (It would also be cheaper (by Leica standards) than traditional models due to the lower component count and easy assembly.)

The "electronic-M" does not have to be feature competitive with the Japanese MILC's. Its main functional requirement is a sensor that plays well with M lenses.

The e-M would expand the utility of the existing lens inventory and open up new markets for Leica. This model would be a "win-win" for both users and Leica.