Would you buy a 1.3 crop digital rangefinder with superior ISO at a better price?

No, and I hope to get a full frame digital soon.

I do enjoy film and its ability to get me 24 mp scans at full frame. So, I'm keeping an M7, but the GXR/A12-m is going. I really like the camera, everything about it except for the 1.5x. I like to shoot wide and don't really want to get a 15mm to get close to what my 21mm delivers.

Which means I'm selling off a few things to be able to afford a FF Leica. Besides the GXR, a 3 lens Bronica RF645 kit and a Leica MP have to go. Depending on what happens at Photokina, I may get something new next year or pick up an M9.
 
Sorry folks but what would be the point for Leica to develop anything not full frame after they have gotten a good scolding for the M8 with all its disadvantages. A not full frame M is a complete NO GO after the M9.
 
Analyzing my camera use over the past digital decade, I find the specific sensor size to be mostly unimportant. I say mostly because while I have sold good work made with teensy sensor cameras, in general I prefer a FourThirds format sensor or larger for purposes of adequate sensitivity and focus zone control.

More important are the quality of the sensor and the FoV I intend to work with, implying suitable available lenses.

- FourThirds is wonderful for telephoto work, netting a nice reduction in FoV with additional DoF at larger lens openings in a smaller overall package.
- APS-C works great for a wide range of FoV choices, for me the 21, 24-25, 28, 40, and 90 mm focal lengths on the format are terrific and there are many excellent lens choices available.
- I find I want to pull out the FF 35mm format camera mostly for use with 21 to 50 mm focal lengths, only occasionally longer or wider FoV.​

Between 1.5x and 1.3x crop I see only minor differences, my same lenses for APS-C or FF net plenty of choices. It doesn't make much advantage to be dogmatic about "fast 35mm EFL" really... I know a good 21 to 28mm lens will get me what I want on the 1.3x sensor format.

So sure, I'd buy a good 1.3x RF camera if I needed one. I already have the FF RF and 1.5x TTL mirrorless, though, so it would have to be pretty compelling. (As further constraint, I will only buy what I can use my current, manual focus, M-bayonet lenses on as I quite like what I get from them, and prefer the consistency and control of manual focus.)

Life's too short to just play with equipment all the time. I want to pursue my Photography .. That's more important to me. :)
 
..Life's too short to just play with equipment all the time. I want to pursue my Photography...

i like to do both...but then i'm not a very serious person at the best of times.
 
Absolutely! I love the handling of my Leica M's and were it not for the high ISO performance would not see any need for an upgrade of the M8...maybe besides a less antiquated display, but I can live with that one. With current Leica price developments, I am one of the many no longer able to afford / justify the expense of their products.

A utopic dream would be a parallel upgrade path for existing M8 owners...
 
A 1.3 crop rangefinder at $3,500 is in competition with the Sony NEX 5N at $600. So, no, I wouldn't pay $3,500. Get it done for $1,000 - $1,500 and I'd be interested.
 
Should my M8 break down it would be very nice to have an equivalent replacement option. Crop 1.3 is perfect for the lenses I have. But I see no chance for another crop Leica because the number of potential buyers is not so big.
 
Would I buy second best because it is cheaper?

Yes, of course, if there were absolutely no way I could afford the camera I really wanted.

But I can't help wondering how many people refuse to reassess their priorities.

Our newest car is 1990. We don't have central heating or air conditioning. We spend very little on clothes, and eat out only when we are travelling. But we travel a lot, with good cameras...

Cheers,

R.
 
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