Where Are the Leica X2 Rumors?

[dave lackey]

Why shouldn't we do it? I don't get this line of thought either. Some like it, some don't. Why do we all need to use our tools the right way.

Not sure about anyone else...For me only, it doesn't make a lot of difference whether I shoot a Nikon D2X, D3 or an F5, or for the matter, the M3. I pick up whichever camera, knowing the settings are what I need, and shoot the same each time. No difference in my shooting style. It is rare that I look at the screen, so I could do without one.

It may not work for a lot of people and yes, I did use it for the studio. But I don't do studio work anymore. If I did, I would continue to have the camera tethered to a large screen so I could actually see the image and the changes I would make. But that is a controlled, slower environment than what I do now.🙂

 

[dave lackey]

For purity give it a wind knob once you're at it.

And you should have to chip a corner off the memory cards so that they'll fit in the slot.

Ha, ha! Cool.😎😀

Why not a rewind lever for gripping instead of a thumbs up?🙂

 

[jsrockit]

I'm a chimper for sure... but I'm all for a digital barnack without an LCD.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I want a screen and to chimp. Just offer two backs, Dave can get the plain one and flip DIP switches to set the ISO.

 

[rxmd]

Get rid of the screen and you could save a ton of manufacturing cost, and have better battery life.

You could, now that I think about it, put bluetooth in the camera, make an android/iphone app to go with the camera, and chimp with your phone when you absolutely, positively have to.

Yeah, because putting a microwave radio in the camera and sending files over to the phone all the time is going work wonders for battery life, and chimping with the camera and a phone is so much better ergonomically than just chimping with the camera.

 

[jsrockit]

I want a screen and to chimp. Just offer two backs, Dave can get the plain one and flip DIP switches to set the ISO.

Good idea...

 

[hteasley]

Yeah, because putting a microwave radio in the camera and sending files over to the phone all the time is going work wonders for battery life, and chimping with the camera and a phone is so much better ergonomically than just chimping with the camera.

Yes, of course, because I was clearly indicating my desire for a superior chimping experience, instead of an "occasional, out of necessity" chimping setup. Well spotted!

And I defer to your obvious expertise on bluetooth chipset power draw on idle. I had no idea in whose presence I was speaking.

 

[rxmd]

And I defer to your obvious expertise on bluetooth chipset power draw on idle.

My uneducated guess would be it's somewhere on the order of magnitude of a switched-off display.

 

[Matus]

Back on topic. X100 is starting to hit shelves, X1 just got a long awaited firmware update. There are even no decent rumors about the X2 (!). So - either Leica manages to keep the X2 development secret, or it is too far in the future to consider now.

So - what you want from X2? Just faster AF (means sensor that allows for faster AF), better LCD and some details, or a different design like non-retracting 35/2.0 lens, built-in viewfinder and manual focus ring? I would probably go for the former as I think that compactness is one of the important features ..

 

[DougFord]

So - what you want from X2? Just faster AF (means sensor that allows for faster AF), better LCD and some details, or a different design like non-retracting 35/2.0 lens, built-in viewfinder and manual focus ring? I would probably go for the former as I think that compactness is one of the important features ..

Designing a camera that's essentially positioned in the high-end mirrorless camera market means that Leica will be competing directly with some of the most innovative and talented engineers in the industry.
Differentiating themselves from the rest of the market is doable, based on their 'tradition'. They're not going to be able to compete on IQ/price (i.e. x100, ricoh GXR) so relying on the red dot will only take them so far.
What's the rest of the market doing and where are they heading? Focus by wire manual focus is where they're all heading. Really MF is just an after thought, these cameras aspire to be quick and accurate AF machines first and foremost. How important is the 'experience' of manually focusing a lens via a mechanically linked lens helical? More importantly, what's it worth?
I think Leica should 'double down' on the mechanical rangefinder when they set out to design the x2!
Fixed lens, non-retractable, manual focus 35mm f2 lens with mechanical RF coupling. The 'new' hybrid rangefinder would be a variant of Fuji's. Opto-mechanical RF sub-assembly with a small 'projection' LCD in place of the frame line illumination window, providing heads-up display viewfinder presentation of pertinent camera data with traditional center patch RF focusing. Full HD video capability, with coupled manual focus control is essential.
Farm-out the hybrid RF sub-assembly. Short base length/few parts/sealed unit/non serviceable. Design the lensor sub assembly in-house.
Think of it as a niche within a niche 😉

 

[ZeissFan]

As far as pre-release buzz, in the early days of digital, there was a lot of excitement for the Nikon Coolpix 950. And later, the Canon 1DS. And the Sigma DP-1. The Foveon sensor. Nikon's full-frame digital and then the D700.

I recall people bidding hundreds of dollars for the opportunity to get in line to buy the Canon 1DS. Not to buy the camera -- just the chance to get in line to buy it. Talk about questionable expenditures.

It seems that there's been the appropriate amount of overhype for major product releases, including this camera.

 

[bwcolor]

So, why doesn't Leica simply eliminate the competition. X2= same processor and sensor used in the M10, but fixed 35mm f/2.0 lens and an electronically projected rangefinder. A full frame with a next gen EVF, or optical viewfinder would change the camera from a really small, slow, but capable camera, like the X1, to a stellar performer worthy of the Leica name. Let re-badged Panasonics keep the plebeians happy. You can afford the $4K - $5K cost. After all, it is cheaper than the 9K plus M10. Leica needs to return to producing stellar products... price be damned. ...me too.

 

[sepiareverb]

All this hubbub over a P&S camera. I just don't get it. It's a Contax T3 with a sensor and some fancy projections in the VF.

 

[Matus]

If I could get a full frame digital P&S with usable viewfinder (optical or digital) with 35/2.8 (or even 35/2.0 - if the sensor would be "only" APS-C) that would be close to T3 - I would get it. We are not going to get one so soon though - look at the X100 - that is pretty much the state of art right now. While it could be made probably a bit smaller - I am not sure whether also much thinner. CCD seems to need more space than film (not surprising though).

I personally would prefer if the X2 would stay more on the compact side. I am not convinced that a camera with a fast, fixed, non-retracting lens with full manual controls (includes usable manual focusing via RF or digital VF) for +$4k would be a large success - the size would get too close to M9. The Ricoh GXR allows for different lenses, is well made and reasonably fast. The X2 would have to be damn good for people to buy it over GXR (which will keep improving too)

Just give the X2 faster AF, lockable controls, good external electronic VF (possibility to attach optical one should be possible - it could be a smart one that would show some info too) and maybe a bit better body material and it would do the job for me. Please keep the price where it is ...

 

[dave lackey]

I am certainly interested in an X1. It is the best looking of all the so-called P&S. There is little difference between any of them and certainly are not great aesthetic designs save the X1. You immediately know it's a Leica.

Although I would prefer interchangeable lenses, I could live with the X1. What more does it really need? What more does Leica think it needs? Time will tell.

For me,here is a short list:

1. NO LCD screen - No chimping necessary
2. Optical finder only
3. Interchangeable lenses (M, screwmount, new line?)

Keep the thing simple and elegant. Price? Well, it is a Leica, so what? Expect the highest price they can draw.😛

Personally, I cannot afford to pay attention much less buy a new camera. If I could, what would it do that I cannot do with the ones I already have?😉

If My wife's D40 dies, then we'll see. Until then, I will await the used market for a substantially reduced price on an X1.🙂

 

[jsrockit]

I would like to see an optical VF or EVF, a non-retractable lens (if no interchangeable lenses), fast AF or properly implemented MF by a ring around the lens, a little more heft to the design.

 

[rxmd]

For me,here is a short list:

1. NO LCD screen - No chimping necessary
2. Optical finder only
3. Interchangeable lenses (M, screwmount, new line?)

Sounds like an M8.

Maybe with Gaffer's tape over the display.

 

[bwcolor]

Those arguing that a full size sensor will ruin the size and price of the X2 might be right, but Leica still must set itself apart. So, APS-C Exmor-R sensor. That should provide much of the advantage of the larger sensor, if only Sony can scale the process up for a reasonably high price.

 

[dansanphoto]

I bought an X1 and sold it two months after just to buy the M9. I loved this P&S camera, far better than the G10 I had before. I think it is the best P&S camera.

I now think I would love to buy one again, but I rather wait for a future release of an X2. I would like an X2 to be a 35/2, THAT would be my perfect P&S camera! And if it came with HD video, a lot better!

A bit faster switching on would help.

 

[jsrockit]

Not really concerned with waiting for Leica to get it right in this department when Fuji already did for the most part. To me, Leica is the M camera...