Why not a Leica fixed lens rangefinder?

[keithslater]

I was looking at Leica fixed lens point and shoots, and I wondered why Leica does not make a rangefinder version? It seems that they could build one cheaper than an autofocus camera? It just seems that if anyone could pull it off, it would be Leica. Maybe in the $500 dollar range?

 

[jaapv]

Leica has a "Leica Philosophie" as they call it. As far as I can make out that rules out any camera's with AF, and camera's with fixed lenses. Of course one has to eat, so the philosophy is not applied to point and shoot etc. market.......

 

[Terence T]

There's the Leica A, a tad old but fits the sub $500 budget...

Check it out HERE

It does have an optional rangefinder attachment.

 

[Fred]

An interesting point to ponder this one.

I think the electronic bolt on goodies are now quite cheap as they are made in huge volumes so it's probably harder to make a lower volume RF mechanism of a decent quality for the same cost.

I think the market for a new fixed lens RF would also be quite small and hence the cost would go up also. It would have to compete with the remaing AF zoom compacts on the market (with slow lenses) and the plethora of digital devices as well. It's selling point would have to rely on image quality of the lens and maybe the retro look.

If anyone could pull off the top quality it would be Leica agreed, but if anyone can produce very good quality for a lower price for a limited market then I'd have to say Cosina Voiogtlander would be the prime candidate.

 

[jlw]

Leica's optical rangefinder module is much more expensive to build than an AF system, which can be bought from a subcontractor.

Just leaving out the multiple-frameline feature wouldn't make it that much less costly, and reducing its complexity would harm Leica's reputation (for example, the short-base rangefinder in Bessas is quite good, but a Leica with the same module in it would be considered a huge step downward by Leica fans.)

So, a fixed-lens Leica RF would still be quite expensive -- its cost would have to be that of an only-slightly-simplified camera body plus an only-slightly-simplified lens (since Leica fans would still expect a top-performing lens even on a fixed-lens camera.) That combination likely would put its price below that of an M7 plus lens, but more than an M7 body alone.

And since it would cut the company out of potential profit on the future sale of lenses, there would not be a lot of business incentive for Leica to introduce it.

That's my take, anyway.

 

[pvdhaar]

I think it's a wise choice not to produce fixed lens rangefinders. Leica (or Cosina for that matter) would only save on a bayonet, and frameline selection. It's debatable whether cost and price would really be substantially lower. In return, they get a logistic nightmare. They'd have to carry multiple versions (an ultrawide camera, a wide, a normal, a slight tele, a tele) to satisfy demand from the small, yet diverse rangefinder crowd. With the interchangeable lens bodies, they can serve the entire user base with a smaller nuymber of products..

 

[vha]

Anyway a interesting tough, and now i find myself goggling for old screwmont leicas.
Never read rangefinderforum on a empty stomach 😉

And for those of you who have too much (or was it enough money ?) you have Leica 0 or prototype 2 as they call it on the site .. nice camera, and a fascinating price-tag.

vha.

 

[Skinny McGee]

I think the Leica O repro. is non Functional? and with that price tag.

You could always buy an MD Leica and put a 15mm or 12mm on it and have an expensive Bessa L type....

 

[Chaser]

Now if cosina tried really hard to make the widest/fastes rf coupled compact rangefinder they could, like 21 f2.8 or a 15 f3.5, it would be a marvel of modern technolgy and a awsome shooter.

 

[Beniliam]

Bessa T is good camera, with great RF magnification. And ttl meter. I believe that its the more convenient camera. You can use tele or wide lens. The shutter is loud maybe, but has good quality...

 

[cnguyen]

Check the Leica Minilux and CM both use the fixed lens 40 f2.4 Summarit. Selling for 1,000 bucks but you can get for less. AF or manual focus your choice.

 

[RObert Budding]

Make your own with Super Glue!

Robert

 

[merciful]

Quite functional.

I think the Leica O repro. is non Functional? and with that price tag.

 

[foon]

and i think leica makes more money by selling their lens than the cameras

 

[rover]

and i think leica makes more money by selling their lens than the cameras

Um, well I don't think they actually are making any money.

 

[keithslater]

How does the CM Manual focus? Is there a rangfinder, or SLR type focusing. What do you see in the viewfinder?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Make your own with Super Glue!

Robert

Interesting suggestion. Leica does make fixed-lens rangefinders; they are P&S. One has a 45mm (or is it 40?) f/2.8 "Summarit" (I don't know why they chose to designate it that, since the 50mm f/1.5 is a Summarit) which is reputably very nice and sharp. And expensive for a P&S.

 

[richard_l]

"Summarit" just refers to the configuration of the lens elements, the so-called double-Gauss design. I think the CM is like the Minilux: there is no focussing aid for manual focus. It is by guess and by golly, like the Rollei 35. However, on the Minilux there was an undocumented procedure for setting hyperfocus. Actually there's little reason to manually focus (unless one wants hyperfocal or infinity focus for landscapes), since the autofocus is practically foolproof, provided one understands how it works. (It is not a mind-reader. You have to let it know what to focus on.)

 

[jaapv]

Come to think of it, the Digilux2 is a fixed-lens ERF, and expensive enough......

 

[rover]

I always thought that it would make sense for Cosina to be the manufacturer of a fixed lens RF camera, but as far as a pricing it may not make sense. As stated above there can't be a whole lot of savings. My next best guess would be that this is a project worthy of Canon in conjunction with another manufacturer, perhaps Cosina. A special edition Canonet with a Canon designed lens and body. The price will still be in the range of an R2a and standard CV lens which would make me wonder if it is worth while. Being a giant though, if it were a special edition to celebrate something, Canon can afford to do this if it isn't a profitable venture. All that $$$ from digital success being put to good worthy use.