What's the Digital M word?

[Tom Diaz]

I was wondering whether any new word is leaking out about the digital M, whether it will see the light of day this year as promised, price, and all the usual.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I think it's 1001101 😉

Nothing new, no rumors from the mill so far...

 

[Ben Z]

I was wondering whether any new word is leaking out about the digital M, whether it will see the light of day this year as promised, price, and all the usual.

It will 100% certainly say "Leica" on it, the single specification which Leica knows they can count on to sell it to a minimum number of repeat customers, regardless of its other specs or price. It will also 100% certainly be priced beyond the budget of many people, myself included. That and the fact that Leica has a strong history of delayed introductions and buggy early-production samples, might account for the majority of people taking a relaxed if not skeptical outlook on it. For me the Digital M will be an item of great curiosity if and when it arrives, but sadly, nothing more than that at least until there are used ones around for 60% or less of initial cost.

 

[Socke]

I think it's 1001101 😉

that would be unsigned 77, but better written 01001101 to fill the eight bits of the bte :angel:

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Didn't want to get too technical, Socke -- what if we're talking 64-bit processors? Double double words (care for some gum?)-- then we could get into double-entendre bits.

Dammit, Jim, I'm a punologist, not a pedagogue 😉

 

[Tom Diaz]

that would be unsigned 77, but better written 01001101 to fill the eight bits of the bte :angel:

You forgot to end your reply with the classic "hope this helps." 😀

 

[Avotius]

havnt heard anything new, but like Ben Z said, its gona be too expensive and too much of a novelty for some people to actually consider buying one. And naturaly those who do will probably have a nice tool to work with with a lot of heritage behind it, lets hope leica gets some sence into their heads that what they need is not another novelty, but something that is going to save their necks because nowaday and to the future if you cant make it in digital you are toast, which kinda sucks really.

 

[jaapv]

That and the fact that Leica has a strong history of delayed introductions and buggy early-production samples, might account for the majority of people taking a relaxed if not skeptical outlook on it. .

I would rather say Leica has got a reputation for not using their paying customers a beta-testers or rushing their new camera's onto the market with teething troubles and poor quality control.

There are quite a number of things known about the digital M

M-shaped and M-sized.
Traditional Leica RF viewfinder.
about 10 Mp
1.33 crop sensor, optimized for RF type lenses.
Suitable for virtually all M-lenses.
New WA lenses at a less high price.

Expected price (rumour) 4000 to 5000 Euro.

 

[Kin Lau]

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00FPuU&tag=

M2aD, Full-frame 14mpix monochrome. Huw might actually finish his camera before Leica releases a digital M 🙂

 

[jaapv]

It won't have the sensor-technology Leica uses to get real quality out of the Mp's.The centre might be fine, the corners will be quite a bit less, I fear.

 

[Tom Diaz]

I would rather say Leica has got a reputation for not using their paying customers a beta-testers or rushing their new camera's onto the market with teething troubles and poor quality control.

There are quite a number of things known about the digital M

M-shaped and M-sized.
Traditional Leica RF viewfinder.
about 10 Mp
1.33 crop sensor, optimized for RF type lenses.
Suitable for virtually all M-lenses.
New WA lenses at a less high price.

Expected price (rumour) 4000 to 5000 Euro.

I hope it's closer to 4000 but think under 5000 Euros is a very reasonable price, assuming it is a body with Leica build quality and that it addresses some of the (few) shortcomings of the RD-1, which is $3,000.

For instance, I would like a nice long RF baseline so it works with my fast lenses, and I would like some kind of approach to fixing vignetting with wide-angle lenses, which I also use frequently. I think the Leica Photographie article alluded to a slightly curved sensor to address vignetting...?

I also hope/trust it will have a nice big buffer so you can shoot raw files in rapid sequence and not have to wait for the camera. In fact, as someone who fairly often uses an M motor, I hope it has a capability for sequence shooting.


Anyway, I will definitely buy one if it comes out soon and in that price range. I'm just impatient.

 

[Ben Z]

I would rather say Leica has got a reputation for not using their paying customers a beta-testers or rushing their new camera's onto the market with teething troubles and poor quality control.

I would rather say that too, if only it were supported by customer reports.

 

[Gman]

I'm going to quote from the current issue of the 'Viewfinder' which is the Leica Historical Society of America (LHSA) quarterly publication. This is from a presentation given by Stefan Daniel of Leica at the LHSA meeting in Oct. 2005 in San Francisco.

'Due to the quality control issues with Imacon, Leica will be using a different but unnamed German partner for the electronic component of the camera. The sensor will be manufactured by Kodak, will be 10.5 Mpixel with a 1.33 crop factor and so will be close to but not identical to the one in the DMR (digital module R).

The camera will have the same form factor as the M (M7/TTL or classic unspecified), will be 1.5mm thicker than the M due to the LCD and controls on the back. It will have a 2.5 inch LCD with buttons to the left and a control dial to the right, will have motorized shutter cocking with 1/8000 top speed and be basically like the R shutter. Menus will be like those found on the DMR, it will take a LiIon battery and SD cards. The viewfinder will be basically like that in the current M cameras, adjusted for the 1.33 crop factor both in magnification and frame lines. The latter will be either 5 or 6 in number. There will be no 'VR' or 'IS' built into the camera. Like the DMR the sensor will have no anti-alias filter, but will be considerably thinner due to not only the lack of an anti-alias filter, but the IR filter will act as a cover glass as well and every effort is being made to allow the problematic oblique rays to enter the photosites. Microlenses will have differential offset and acceptance angles to allow the use of all current lenses. All lenses except the Super Angulons, the early 28 Elmarit and of course the Hologon will be usable. The Visoflex will be usable. To make true wideangle photography available, one or more shorter focal length lenses will be introduced to offset the crop factor; first up will be something of about 15mm. This lens will also be useable full frame with film on the current cameras.

The camera has already taken pictures, and will be produced in a '0' series in the spring. Introduction of the camera is planned for the next Photokina (fall 2006) with a projected price of about $5000 US. Dr. Spichtig (the CEO) is adamant about both the price and the schedule, which dictates shipments very shortly after Photokina if not at the show date.'

Whew! I know that was long, but it does convey quite a bit of information. Also, elsewhere in this issue of Viewfinder it stated that Stefan Daniel hinted at the possibility of there being a special B&W version of the digital M that would have much higher resolution than a standard digital camera can offer. Hopefully they will be able to stick to this projected release date- you all know how Leica can be...

Gman

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

You forgot to end your reply with the classic "hope this helps." 😀

Thanks for the reminder. It was helpful. 😀

 

[jaapv]

No anti-alias filter and a Kodak sensor. 🙂 🙂 Now that should produce results that come very close to film. It will certainly be the end of the "plastic look".

 

[Tom Diaz]

Gman, I really appreciate your spending the time to write up the information from the LHSA interview! That had some information I hadn't seen before. Thanks!

 

[kvanderlaag]

Gyaaaaah. Digital M...

Though really, with what Huw is doing over on P.net, it makes me wish I could digitalify MY M2.

 

[dcsang]

The Digital M Word???

"Expensive"

Cheers
Dave 😀

 

[Gman]

Gman, I really appreciate your spending the time to write up the information from the LHSA interview! That had some information I hadn't seen before. Thanks!

No problem- now how about lending me that digital M when you get one... 😀