Hi Jonathan,
You have many sources close to the factory. What would your guess be as far as Leica's next moves in rangefinders?
Stephen
You have many sources close to the factory. What would your guess be as far as Leica's next moves in rangefinders?
Stephen
Ajax
Jonathan Eastland
What's next...?
What's next...?
What would you like?
There's much speculation about what could come down the tube.
Jonathan
What's next...?
What would you like?
There's much speculation about what could come down the tube.
Jonathan
I would like a Digital version of the Leica CL. It even has a vertical travel shutter.
I still do not understand the argument on the Leica M8 about the requirement for a vertical travel shutter and that a horizontal travel shutter could not be accommodated. The original Kodak DCS was based on a Nikon F3 with a horizontal travel shutter.
I still do not understand the argument on the Leica M8 about the requirement for a vertical travel shutter and that a horizontal travel shutter could not be accommodated. The original Kodak DCS was based on a Nikon F3 with a horizontal travel shutter.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I'm guessing a 50/2 ASPH?
Terao
Kiloran
Large sensor digital compact, perhaps utilising Panasonic's new sensor technology to at least partially solve some of the technical issues. Take the ergonomics of the Ricoh GR-D, improve the build-quality, and pop either a collapsible digital tri-elmar on it (28-35-50?) or a 35 cron. Either build in a high quality optical finder or provide a hotshoe to allow us to use accessory finders. Bring it to market for around $1500/E999/£750. I'll buy three
jbtran
Member
I remember reading an article several weeks ago about Leica's new owner and new CEO (2 separate guys). Mr. Lee (CEO?) did mention something about going "retro" in terms of a new product. That got me thinking. I would love to see a reissue of the LSM IIIG with built in TTL exposure meter. I would definitely start saving up for something like that! Behind my wife's back, of course.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
The original Kodak DCS also had a body that was slightly larger than that of an M Leica.Brian Sweeney said:
Philipp
Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
What next? After the MP, the M Perfect? I guess we need nothing else!
S
StuartR
Guest
A 22mp full frame R10 body for under 10,000 bucks? Oh wait, this is rangefinder forum...hmm, a full frame digital M without IR issues and 16-22MP? I don't mean to skew entirely digital, but I think there is not much left to ask for in the film bodies...perhaps more reliability...
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rxmd said:
It was not too much larger than an F3 with an MF-14 data back. I handled one at a trade show ~1991. I waited for the DCS200 to come out before buying one. It was much bigger than a Leica, and cost over $12,000.
I read a statement by Leica that the horizontal travel shutter was incompatible with the CCD. The M8 uses a sensor that should work well with a horizontal travel shutter. It captures the entire frame at once, unlike some others that work more like focal plane shutters. The cloth material of the traditional Leica would be an issue, but the F3's Titanium Foil curtains would work well in a Leica.
ywenz
Veteran
I would like a Leica version of something like the GRD.. but with even better handling.. I think this could sell very well.
Eric T
Well-known
This is going to sound like heresy but I have to say it.
Leica should build autofocus lenses. With the introduction of the M8, Leica has moved away from the "all manual" format. With aperture priority on the M7 and M8, the next thing to introduce is autofocus lenses. These lenses should have a swtich to turn off AF when not wanted.
Having a combination of the fine M8 sensor, Leica glass, and autofocus would be very appealing.
And I have already braced myself for the strong negative responses to this idea.
Eric
Leica should build autofocus lenses. With the introduction of the M8, Leica has moved away from the "all manual" format. With aperture priority on the M7 and M8, the next thing to introduce is autofocus lenses. These lenses should have a swtich to turn off AF when not wanted.
Having a combination of the fine M8 sensor, Leica glass, and autofocus would be very appealing.
And I have already braced myself for the strong negative responses to this idea.
Eric
Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
Eric T said:
That's a good idea Eric! I would love a Leica AF like the the Hexar AF (but a more simple camera to use than the Hexar AF): 35mm lens, a Summilux for instance; aperture priority; silent mode, small ... . Yes that would be great
Ajax
Jonathan Eastland
What's next...?
What's next...?
FYI, one of Mr Lee's aims, who is variously quoted, depending on media sources, as either marketing director or new CEO, is to bring to market the kind of Leica product which might appeal to 'American soccer mums..'
You might deduce from this tid-bit (quoted in a US business paper some months ago.) that Mr Lee sees plenty of opportunity to take advantage for Leica consumer type compact digital cameras, of continuing developments at Panasonic.
I have, in recent weeks, devoted considerable time and effort to reviewing top end compacts with a view to purchasing one myself to replace my ageing Digilux 4.3 and which I would use for semi serious media work. (if it works for that, it will work for almost everything else.) The models under continuous review include the Panasonic Lx2 (Also Leica version) and three of the Ricoh's, including the GR-D and the new GX100. Posts on these can be found on Ajax News and Info blogsite. A printed report was also in the British Journal of Photography earlier this year.
My feeling is that the GX100 has greater possibilities for high end repro image quality than the LX2, but it's not quite there yet and there is a big problem with geometric distortion - issues which could easily be fixed with firmware.
I meet occasionally with Pansonic's R&D DSC manager; sessions are devoted to imporoved ergonomics and looking at ways to bring on board professional (and enthusiast) desired features, such as an accessory shoe (aka Richoh) and better hand(ling) , but that's not happening at the moment for production and assembly reasons. I'd love to see a combination of some of the LX2 features and the GX100, so maybe some more work in this direction will bring forth .....who knows?
One of my pet Leica hassles has been trying to persuade the co. to also revamp the old IIIG with TTL, an M mount and other stuff. The idea has not been dismissed out of hand, but until now, they have not been equipped to do this. Perhaps when the new Wetzlar facility comes on line, they'll get around a table.
Meantime, for those who are interested, the M8 is under long term review and results will be published in due course. An early review is slated for the BJP in early August, but depth will be limited to page allocation. For the moment my opinions of this product are as published in the BJP last year.
Owners of M8s unhappy for whatever reason, feel free to post one liners under the topics of, Colour issues; Handling;
Shoot Kodachrome or lose it
Jonathan
www.ajaxnetphoto.com
What's next...?
FYI, one of Mr Lee's aims, who is variously quoted, depending on media sources, as either marketing director or new CEO, is to bring to market the kind of Leica product which might appeal to 'American soccer mums..'
You might deduce from this tid-bit (quoted in a US business paper some months ago.) that Mr Lee sees plenty of opportunity to take advantage for Leica consumer type compact digital cameras, of continuing developments at Panasonic.
I have, in recent weeks, devoted considerable time and effort to reviewing top end compacts with a view to purchasing one myself to replace my ageing Digilux 4.3 and which I would use for semi serious media work. (if it works for that, it will work for almost everything else.) The models under continuous review include the Panasonic Lx2 (Also Leica version) and three of the Ricoh's, including the GR-D and the new GX100. Posts on these can be found on Ajax News and Info blogsite. A printed report was also in the British Journal of Photography earlier this year.
My feeling is that the GX100 has greater possibilities for high end repro image quality than the LX2, but it's not quite there yet and there is a big problem with geometric distortion - issues which could easily be fixed with firmware.
I meet occasionally with Pansonic's R&D DSC manager; sessions are devoted to imporoved ergonomics and looking at ways to bring on board professional (and enthusiast) desired features, such as an accessory shoe (aka Richoh) and better hand(ling) , but that's not happening at the moment for production and assembly reasons. I'd love to see a combination of some of the LX2 features and the GX100, so maybe some more work in this direction will bring forth .....who knows?
One of my pet Leica hassles has been trying to persuade the co. to also revamp the old IIIG with TTL, an M mount and other stuff. The idea has not been dismissed out of hand, but until now, they have not been equipped to do this. Perhaps when the new Wetzlar facility comes on line, they'll get around a table.
Meantime, for those who are interested, the M8 is under long term review and results will be published in due course. An early review is slated for the BJP in early August, but depth will be limited to page allocation. For the moment my opinions of this product are as published in the BJP last year.
Owners of M8s unhappy for whatever reason, feel free to post one liners under the topics of, Colour issues; Handling;
Shoot Kodachrome or lose it
Jonathan
www.ajaxnetphoto.com
S
StuartR
Guest
I am a bit dubious about the whole "Leica for the soccer moms" thing, but if it enables them to continue to develop and sell the M and R line, I will put up with it.
As for the M8, I greatly enjoy using it, but I have a couple of pet peeves, probably similar to most other users.
1. I just don't like the crop factor. It's as simple as that...I feel a lot of the "magic" of certain lenses is gone with the crop factor. A 35mm f/1.4 ASPH turns into a nice 50mm lens, but is otherwise unmemorable. Same for 24/25mm lenses. Their ability have a very wide field of view yet with more or less natural perspective is gone. The 75mm lenses used to be unique in that they were able to isolate a detail and completely blur out the foreground and background, but still have a fairly wide angle of view. Now they are just like any other telephoto. The new framelines are also a bit of a drag. Anyway, I'll put up with it, but I do not like it.
2. The IR issue is real, in every shot and a big pain in the ***. In my experience, using the filters means cyan fringing and greater flare propensity, but not using them means color shifts (particularly in foliage, which goes brownish and of course any synthetic black which goes purple). This needs to be solved somehow in the next camera. It truly is a big shortcoming to an otherwise fantastic camera.
Otherwise I am quite happy with it.
As for the M8, I greatly enjoy using it, but I have a couple of pet peeves, probably similar to most other users.
1. I just don't like the crop factor. It's as simple as that...I feel a lot of the "magic" of certain lenses is gone with the crop factor. A 35mm f/1.4 ASPH turns into a nice 50mm lens, but is otherwise unmemorable. Same for 24/25mm lenses. Their ability have a very wide field of view yet with more or less natural perspective is gone. The 75mm lenses used to be unique in that they were able to isolate a detail and completely blur out the foreground and background, but still have a fairly wide angle of view. Now they are just like any other telephoto. The new framelines are also a bit of a drag. Anyway, I'll put up with it, but I do not like it.
2. The IR issue is real, in every shot and a big pain in the ***. In my experience, using the filters means cyan fringing and greater flare propensity, but not using them means color shifts (particularly in foliage, which goes brownish and of course any synthetic black which goes purple). This needs to be solved somehow in the next camera. It truly is a big shortcoming to an otherwise fantastic camera.
Otherwise I am quite happy with it.
aizan
Veteran
a p&s with a 4/3 sensor, mostly panasonic designed
more options in a la carte, from limited editions
ff m9, maybe
more options in a la carte, from limited editions
ff m9, maybe
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ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
I can envisage a 'carbon fiber' camera fixed lens digital camera, covered in black rubber, and engraved with my name.
existrandom
Established
i am not sure about the digital direction, we have thousands of variants on the market and we are not exactly happy with anyone of them
i would want an MP with less glossy paint and a less ugly ASA dial at a more affordable prize; i am 32 years old, meeting my younger friends, i often have a feeling that i am among the last generation on earth who knows how to load film and would load them on a RF. i am thinking of starting to develop myself. before the whole thing dies
i would want an MP with less glossy paint and a less ugly ASA dial at a more affordable prize; i am 32 years old, meeting my younger friends, i often have a feeling that i am among the last generation on earth who knows how to load film and would load them on a RF. i am thinking of starting to develop myself. before the whole thing dies
SteveM(PA)
Poser
Ajax said:
Wow, really?
We've discussed, in the past, a rewind crank-powered battery-independent digital M, a sort of "digital MP." Does that sound like a totally wacko idea?
Any discussion of a drop-in digital film module for the analog M's or, (heck, since you brought it up) the barnacks even?
thank you
S
StuartR
Guest
SteveM(PA) said:We've discussed, in the past, a rewind crank-powered battery-independent digital M, a sort of "digital MP." Does that sound like a totally wacko idea?
Actually, yes, it sounds like a totally wacko idea. It's like putting a startup crank on a Mercedes SLK. Batteries are not the enemy! If you need a fully mechanical camera, there is the MP, if not just carry an extra battery...
I am not trying to be snide or mean about it, but don't you think there are better things that can be done? Even if it is just improving currently available models?