What you'd want in the M9

I want X-ray vision, film-loading faster than a bullet, digital images as truthful, fearless and unfiltered as a news journalist, as unique as a candidate's promise, as sharp as literally-translated German, as original as a Nikon rangefinder, as affordable as a Leica A-la-Carte LHSA 24K Gold MP, and new integrated Ultrasonic autofocus mechanism...

What are we talking about, now? :angel:
 
x-ray said:
Sorry but leica dropped the digital back for the R and they don't make the P&S cameras. They're panasonic designed and built. They're available under the panasonic name too.
I beg to differ.

Here are official links to the Leica P&S
http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/compact_cameras/d-lux_3/
http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/compact_cameras/c-lux_1/
http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/compact_cameras/cm/

Here is the link to the digital back
http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/r_system/digital-modul-r/

Please do some research before making these claims.
 
Business is business !!

Business is business !!

We can have dreams.... we can dream that : to be more profitable a firm has "to sell products that give a real pleasure to the customer" BUT it does not work like that: listen to a tube radio from 1956 and compare it to what we have now on sale, tube radio is a lot better but bigger more expensive to produce , not good for mass production. Now every young boy listen to music on MP3 and will never know the real sound. The same for films and digital. The market will get more money changing every year so that the customer feel the urge to buy again.
For me the main problem even with film with Leica and Hasselblad is that they are so expensive that they can only be bought by rich people or professional photographs, a normal person will not walk in town with a 3000$ camera around his neck ...
Then what would be my LEICA dream: 1)to have a film camera with a possible digital position that the digital sensor would come in the right position only if necessary , like the lightmeter on the M5, 2) the price should be around 1000$, 3) the feel of an M5 and size of an M3.:angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel:
 
maitrestanley said:


Thought we should keep the record straight even though it's a little off topic.

check the link to Rob Galbraith concerning the DMR being discontinued

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-8736-8825


also look at DPreview on the Panasonic / Leica cameras

look down the page and select the particular camera of interest

for example the D-Lux 3 is a Panasonic DMC-L1 and the C-Lux 1 is a Panasonic LX-2 with slight tweeks to the engine

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0107/01072403leicapanasonic.asp

Just wanted to keep things straight.
 
Additional features:

To see the aperture in the viewfinder (through a prism of some sorts picture it in from the lens barrel (like the minolta700).

Continue the direction of the shutter wheel of the M7

Combine ISO and EV compensation in a ring under the re-wind lever
(like Pentax K1000).

Have long time exposures where the reflection of the light on the film is measured to calculate correct exposure (like some of the Nikons); TTL sensor could be used here.

Keep the tripod point where it is. It makes positioning of the camera more difficult, but ensures minimal camera shake when pressing the shutter (since shutter and tripod are in line).

Wireless remote shutter. Great for street photography; hang the camera around your neck and fire away with your hand in your pocket.
(could also be an after-market gaget to be screwed into the shutter).

User adjustable vertical range finder alignment

Possibility to expose the same frame twice.

In camera spare battery compartment.

Still so much to improve.....

Mad_Boy
 
I think the M7 is film camera perfection. I wouldn't change anything.

So, give me a digital M9 which is an M7 with the film functionality replaced with a battery compartment, an SD card slot, and a CCD. Maybe a single button for white balance and ISO selection. Nothing else.

That would be digital camera perfection.
 
AusDLK said:
I think the M7 is film camera perfection. I wouldn't change anything.

That would be digital camera perfection.
I think whoever mentioned the mp to digital is a little more on the mark mate. In my opinion; as I don't want to start too many arguments, just enough to keep the thread hot, the m7 is the camera for the wanna-be Leica shooter - far below the true purist of the Leica mp photog (one step below the purist of the M3 shooter).
There is no discussion over the fact that digital is king in the professional world as it produces instant and, not but recently, professional results. An MP digital, full frame, camera is perfection (in the d*gital world).
I feel obligated to throw in the point of realiablility (kudos to the man who first mentioned) as well. Unfortunately the digital realm seems to be one that of one time use cameras in the sense that you have to upgrade every two years or so. Maybe an upgradable sensor back would be the ultimate in digital advancements? Just think of keeping your basic rangefinder bodies, lenses, and only having to buy an upgraded rear section of the camera (with the sensor) ever two years or so. Not a bad deal. Cheers.
 
Last edited:
The problem with just upgrading the sensor is the electronics associated with the sensor change too. Look at the new 1DIII that's just coming out. It's in it's 3rd generation of digic processing. I think it actually has two processors in tandem. In any rate it's a 10mp at 10fps and a very large, can't remember exact specs, buffer. It also has a much improved AF system. Pretty much all the electronics are different in the III vs the IIN.

I would agree the mechanical M is at it's peak and would'nt be surprised if no new mechanical M are introduced. Look at the M evolution over the 50+ years. Cosmetics have changed, the RF changed in magnification and minor points between models untill cost cutting measures in the M4-P, M6 and not certain but possibly some of the M4-2 bodies. These cost cutting measures like the removal of one lens from the RF / VF were not improvements but in reality set the M back a generation, in my opinion. The introduction of rapid loading, motor couplings and standardization with motors and bodies plus the intro of different RF / VF magnifications were the primary differences in 50 years of evolution. Also the TTL in the M6 was an advancement but this and the buiklt in meter could be considered electronic advancements. In my opinion the introduction of the built in meter was the one greatest improvement in 50 + years.

Like I mentioned before I think the M will have to go all electronic and have a total overhall with a new shutter and electronically generated VF lines. Lighter and stronger materials would be a major improvement.
 
I would also agree that existing film M designs are at their limit. Suggestions to "modernize" film M line by reusing M8 tech and tooling make certain sense. Take the new shutter and chassis, add film transport.. the lever wind is not necessary in fully battery dependant camera, so it can be motrdrive with continuous mode. Maybe add Contax AX style autofocus by moving film plane too.

However it's not clear if such a camera would sell at all.

P.S. I disagree with sentiments that M8 should've been called 7D: such a name assumes that film and digital bodies have something in common, while in reality there's almost nothing.
 
My Two Cents.
What would it hurt to do some mass pandering? How about some revolution along with evolution? Why not offer an M with all the capabilities of the latest gear alongside the M7 and MPs?
Matrix metering, large viewfinder for glasses, 1/250 synch, back loading, 6-fps motor capable, A S priority and Program, maybe even AF. And darn-it, an option for a digital back.
It would be interesting to see if it sells. My suspicion is that it would, and very well.
 
I would like leica to build a digital insert for the m system, instead of the M9. I realized the design would have to be ulta tight. I say remove the pressure plate. Put a battery and card slot in one film canister section, run some wires across to the sensor, and put the rest of the electronics where the take up spool goes. The German engineers will be in heaven; they will have to be oober efficient with space.
 
i'm crossing my fingers for canon to enter the drf market. all they have to do is digitize their prototype rf system.
 
Back
Top Bottom