Thinking out loud: Will M7 be the last film M?

[-kk-]

aside from fixing the few niggly issues, i dont see how/what they can do to improve the platform.

what do you think?

kelvin

 

[HSI]

MP
/thread.

 

[CameraQuest]

aside from fixing the few niggly issues, i dont see how/what they can do to improve the platform.

what do you think?

kelvin

I think the MP is a very easy guess to out last the M7.

the M7 and M8 and have similar features except film/digital.

the all mechanical MP appeals to traditionalists.

Stephen

 

[-kk-]

DOH! i meant to ask if there is room for a more "advanced" M.

As Stephen pointed out, the MP will last given its historical appeal.

 

[RayPA]

I agree. The M7 and the MP are probably the end of the film line for Leica RFs. At least they're still making them. That's more than can be said for some other film camera manufacturers.



.

 

[Bully]

MP will be the last one

MP will be the last one

Hello together,

a person from Leica told me a few months ago, that Leica will never develop any film body again. Every Euro of income will go to develop and increase the digital range.

I think that the M7 will be made till the near future and then will be discontinued.

The only m film body which will stay is the MP, thats for sure.

Greetings

Bully

 

[pvdhaar]

Hello together,

a person from Leica told me a few months ago, that Leica will never develop any film body again. Every Euro of income will go to develop and increase the digital range.
...

Let's hope that this means that somewhere in the not too far distant future they'll make one with M-mount that's affordable..

 

[HSI]

...and full frame.
Jezzzzzzz!

 

[rxmd]

Let's hope that this means that somewhere in the not too far distant future they'll make one with M-mount that's affordable..

Unfortunately Leica doesn't exactly have a track record of making affordable products... More advanced maybe; and even more maybe causing a price drop with existing M8s, but I doubt that due to the high demand.

Making an affordable M rangefinder falls to other parties - Zeiss (maybe), Cosina (probably not) and small semi-hobbyist outfits offering M2, M3 and M4 conversions (hopefully)

Philipp

 

[mani]

If you take a look at the latest LFI, and in particular the interview with the new(ish) CEO, I think you'll find there's definitely gonna be a wider price-range of M-mount offerings from Leica in the future.
But I'm guessing none of them are going to be film cameras 🙁

 

[rxmd]

Unfortunately I don't think there is a copy of LFI within 1000 kilometers of me 🙂

 

[pvdhaar]

Unfortunately Leica doesn't exactly have a track record of making affordable products... More advanced maybe; and even more maybe causing a price drop with existing M8s, but I doubt that due to the high demand.

Making an affordable M rangefinder falls to other parties - Zeiss (maybe), Cosina (probably not) and small semi-hobbyist outfits offering M2, M3 and M4 conversions (hopefully)

Philipp

Well, the removable back of the M4 would make it a candidate, but I've not yet seen any hobbyist project completed so far.. What I've seen till now all seems to run aground halfway through.

 

[Avotius]

frankly I cant see what else a leica shooter would want in the film way. Obviously you dont want built in motor drives, you dont want a bunch of flash options, you dont want a million metering options, or anything else of the sort, so what more can one ask for then a m7 or mp? Digital is the future of leica, and thats where I hope they focus their attentions. If they are really smart they will come up with a digital back for the older cameras, even if its lower resolution (6-8mp) it will be so well received that it will keep people happy for a long time because they will get the best of both worlds, their favorite classic cameras with the option for modern imaging.

Frankly if leica wants to do anything with their old film line they can start making sure there are parts and supplies ready for all the m3's and m2's out there that sooner rather then later or going to need serious work on them.

 

[Nachkebia]

As long as they wont stop producing it, I have no problem, zeiss ikon and M7 is all I might ever need, well perhaps fully mechanical camera is what I need as well 😀

 

[jaapv]

The only thing they might change is a shutter with a faster sync speed - but given the flak they got over the "noisy" M8 shutter Leica will think twice before doing so - so I doubt there is any reason to replace the camera for a long, long time.

 

[Axel]

...what do you think?...

Hi,

M7=film, M8=digital, M9=film+digital?

The only improvement I could imagine so far.
But, like Zeiss Ikons, Leitz' next step will depend from the further development of sensor-technology.
Items to fix there were the avoidance of AA- and IR-Filters for not-so-flat-looking digital pictures.
And it should be a kind of 24x36-sensor to support the full advantages of the historic grown 35mm-format and the experiences with that.

Regards, Axel

 

[varjag]

M7=film, M8=digital, M9=film+digital?

So none of the options will be battery independent?

If they leave an item in product line for purists, the current MP (perhaps la carte) seems more likely.

 

[Axel]

So none of the options will be battery independent?

Hi,

from my point of view there is no need for a battery-dependant M9.

If they leave an item in product line for purists...

Thats the point!
I don't think that an M8 is a product for purists. Consequently there should be a replacement for film when they plan a digital rangefinder. Something like a back with a sensor and a storage.
But what they do (like all other "market-lemmings") is a hightech-display-menue-processor-cam.
And they get the same flaws like all the others.

Regards, Axel

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

I still hope for a film M based on the shutter in the M8. like a M7 but with that shutter.

Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

 

[Nachkebia]

Now that I think about it, would be cool if I could shoot wide open in the daylight 😀