upgradeable M8?

[Artichoke]

this is way premature, I know
the M8 is a big investment & a great deal of its cost is for the mechanical bits
from what I have seen the Kodak sensor looks excellent, but in 5 or 10 years doubtless there will be significant advances in sensor technology
since the electronics are relatively simple for the M8 compared to other high end digicameras, I wonder if Leica could allow for a sensor upgrade in the future
this would certainly be consistent with their philosophy and would make the initial $$$ outlay seem less onerous

 

[Nachkebia]

5 or 10 years? 1-2 years is my call....

 

[mervynyan]

I suspect it is upgradable when time comes, like R databack, but will be equally expensive.

 

[rogue_designer]

Just like buying any pro-grade dSLR (Canon 1Ds, or Nikon D2x) - the initial outlay is no more onerous than those - if it seems to be, maybe it's not the tool that makes the most sense for your shooting style and workflow.

 

[Sparrow]

Moor’s law (is it?) would give you a 30mp full frame sensor in 3 years, but that’s missing the point I feel confidant that crop factor sensor size and cosmic ray damage will all combine to give us that special Leica digital glow that can be appreciated and discussed by connoisseur for many years to come.

 

[Mark Norton]

I don't know where you get the idea that the electronics is simple. Compared to what?

There's lots of issues about upgrading not least is the labour cost of dismantling the camera and rebuilding it with the new sensor. And you'd want a new warranty on the whole thing, right? Otherwise endless arguments about what's covered and what's not.

It's not going to happen.

Besides, if you compare the M8 with other cameras of the same quality, it actually turns out to be rather good value.

 

[ywenz]

Is the Canon 1DSMKII upgradable? Are all of those digital medium format camera backs upgradable? Haven't we already discussed this subject to death?

 

[sgy1962]

You need to expect a new M digital rangefinder in 4-5 years time. Even Leica states in the current Leica World News "[w]e forsee that product life cycles will now be significantly longer then before --, say two to three years for top tier products." I suspect Leica may, however, have some type of tradein allowance.

 

[lxlim]

I think that while sensor technology will continue to evolve. The image quality of the M8 will not be an issue for many years. It does depend on whether our standards also evolve.

If I needed 30" x 40" enlargements with fine details from noise-free images shot at ISO 6400... and the M8 cannot deliver but a new M does. I will probably buy. Other features may attract different people to the latest and greatest Leica M.

Just some thoughts from one new here( not yet a leica user but considering the M8)

 

[Nick R.]

No matter what improvements Leica will make to models in the future the images from the M8 will still be as good as they are when you buy it. That's the key. Either it's worth $5K to you now or not. The images aren't going to degrade when the M9 comes out.

 

[Artichoke]

I agree with you all

I agree with you all

with apologies if this has been discussed to death ...I have lurked here for some time & had not seen the issue raised prior
I anxiously await the release of the M8 ...I have already purchased an M lens & will get it based on the samples I have seen & Leica's excellent reputation
I do think an upgrade would be simpler to pull off as there are fewer & simpler subsystems (AF/metering/flash) with this camera than with DSLRs
of course the quality of the files from the camera will not change over the years & I am certain I will be delighted with mine ...still it would be nice if an upgrade were available ...I tend to bond to my tools
;-)

 

[lxlim]

Artichoke,

Know how you feel but after bonding you may not need a heart(sensor) transplant. A few threads in the Canon forums had some 1DS users preferring the older sensor to the new sensor in the newer 1DSmkII.

Here, I find members talking about how different leica / Zeiss / CV lens impart a different look. Never dawned on me that different lenses impart different image quality.

Long may you enjoy your M8! 😎

Alex