My Nikon 50/1.2 AIs has 9 aperture blades, the Ai version had 7. Most of my RF lenses with manual aperture have more.
Why Does Leica Not Make AE M Lenses?
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Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Exactly.
If this were the 1980’s or 1990’s, maybe. Not from 2000 onward. But, even back then the appeal was the simple rangefinder camera with three settings: focus, aperture, shutter speed.
There is the M7 with aperture priority.
It sounds like you are designing the camera have the motor to drive a geared aperture system as opposed to putting the servo into the lens.
Basically- the same as a screw drive Autofocus mechanism, just driving the aperture.
Basically- the same as a screw drive Autofocus mechanism, just driving the aperture.
das
Well-known
To me, this all goes to the larger point is that digital Leica Ms have slowly but surely crossed every "purist" line in the sand that has been drawn. A "quiet" horizontal cloth shutter with a top speed of 1/1000 and a flash sync of 1/50? Replaced by a better and more advanced metal hybrid electronic shutter that can reach higher speeds. Rangefinder focusing only? Supplemented by Liveview and the Visoflex accessory. Simple center-weighted metering indicated by arrows in the viewfinder? Improved by aperture-priority AE with multiple metering modes. Enjoying the imperfect character of rangefinder lenses? Coding lenses so that software in the body can apply automatic image corrections. I am sure that no one will have a problem if Leica introduced M lenses that can communicate and be controlled by the camera body, as long as the camera can be still be used in "M6" mode if one wants. "Purism" is often a moving target.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I agree that this is a definite use for it ... action photography. I would imagine the top motosport photographers would have a very good understanding of shutter speed and what it can mean to the end result.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
I don’t believe Leica has or could have the engineering staff and resources to do it - even if they wanted to.
For me, the Fuji X system is a good substitute which does these things.
For me, the Fuji X system is a good substitute which does these things.
JeffS7444
Well-known
Remember the Leica M-D? They removed the LCD and a bunch of buttons and people loved it because purity.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Word on the street is that there will be an M-f which will keep the most recent 36 images encrypted on the SD card for seven days, and only after the seventh day can you view them.
santino
FSU gear head
The digital equivalent of Pan F 😉 but just the other way around. Pan F encrypts your latent images after seven days 😁
The Nikon D2x encrypted the Color Balance data and Nikon relied on The DMCA to prevent Adobe from reading the data, meaning you had to use Nikon's software to process your NEF files. Nikon backed down.
In any event: placing a motor in the camera body with screw drive connection to the lens is certainly doable- but means a new series of camera bodies and lenses.
In any event: placing a motor in the camera body with screw drive connection to the lens is certainly doable- but means a new series of camera bodies and lenses.
das
Well-known
An alternative to a screw drive would be an aperture pin ala M42 lenses or just an aperture lever. That would not require a significant redesign of the body or make the body incompatible with older lenses.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
The Leica M is a rangefinder camera, not a "mirrorless" camera. The Leica SL, SL2, CL, et all, are "mirrorless" cameras by concept and implementation, and have all the AE aperture automation, the program and shutter priority modes, that you are seeking. The M does not, nor does it need any of that stuff.
Let me turn the question around at you: Why must all cameras be the same thing? Why cannot some cameras have fewer options and convenience gizmos when there are other choices in cameras that have more, and from the same manufacturer? The simple design of the Leica M and its limited "features", through all the many variations of the M since 1954, presents an archetype of photographic capability and usage that has seen unparalleled success in the hands of thousands of professional and amateur photographers. Why change that? All of those users have other options as well ... why do they continue to choose the Leica M anyway?
G
das
Well-known
I get it, but the latest digital Leica Ms have virtually nothing in common with any film M, except for the mechanical rangefinder, the general shape and size of the body, and the lens mount. I am just saying, why not just go all the way and make something loosely based on the Leica M philosophy (like the M10/M11) but with full capabilities, with the option of having a "nostalgia" mode if that is what floats people's boats. But I think the point is very good -- why does anyone even use the latest digital Ms given the cheaper alternatives that can all equally use Leica M glass as well?
The Leica M11 is a mirrorless camera implemented with an attached viewfinder/rangefinder. Leica went the direction of using the main sensor for a light meter. Shutter operation is just like any other mirrorless camera. The M240 and M10 series all have liveview, again features of a mirrorless camera. The M9 and M Monochrom require the use of the rangefinder to focus, the others can be focused by liveview or the rangefinder. The M8, M9, and M Monochrom are digital cameras that rely on the rangefinder coupling for focus, and viewfinder for framing. The others- can be used as true mirrorless cameras.
From my viewpoint, having an aperture controllable by a dial on the camera would make no difference to me, on a Leica.
Same with shutter priority, I would never use it with a rangefinder. I have used SP with DSLRs on occasion, mostly shooting auto racing, to ensure a slow enough speed so the wheels/tires have a slight blur but a fast enough speed so the car itself is sharp, while panning. This isn't a subject I would ever shoot with a rangefinder.
I never have used program exposure with any camera.
Having electronic contacts between the lens and camera so the camera can record shooting aperture in EXIF would be nice, but I wouldn't want to pay extra for that.
Heck, I don't want to pay for a digital Leica in any case. My last new digital Leica (a Q) went back for service which was supposed to take 3 weeks but ended up being 8 months. Haven't been impressed with Leica support/service; would rather they spend money on this than on engineering and NRE to add electronic aperture. 😉
Same with shutter priority, I would never use it with a rangefinder. I have used SP with DSLRs on occasion, mostly shooting auto racing, to ensure a slow enough speed so the wheels/tires have a slight blur but a fast enough speed so the car itself is sharp, while panning. This isn't a subject I would ever shoot with a rangefinder.
I never have used program exposure with any camera.
Having electronic contacts between the lens and camera so the camera can record shooting aperture in EXIF would be nice, but I wouldn't want to pay extra for that.
Heck, I don't want to pay for a digital Leica in any case. My last new digital Leica (a Q) went back for service which was supposed to take 3 weeks but ended up being 8 months. Haven't been impressed with Leica support/service; would rather they spend money on this than on engineering and NRE to add electronic aperture. 😉
shawn
Veteran
The current system comparing the recorded data vs. an external light meter actually works pretty well. It won't give the exact aperture but it is typically pretty close. Filters throw it off of course.
Wish other mirrorless cameras would do something similar with adapted lenses.
shawn
Veteran
Did the M11 get rid of the classic metering option?
JeffS7444
Well-known
Leica is a luxury-products company, maybe as a matter of survival. And the M-system is their most "boutique" product line. It exists because there is a small but passionate audience for such products. Thanks to great marketing, there is a sense of heritage, even if the camera, the company, and the people who make it happen, are all completely different from those of 1960. This is not a matter of deception: Fans genuinely relish that sense of connection, even if some of it is manufactured.
ptpdprinter
Veteran
That is a well reasoned explanation. It sure beats the stuff you usually hear. I have no idea how many aperture blades my 50mm lens has.
Yes, they went totally mirrorless. The sensor is always on, the shutter is open just to provide metering.
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