Image of the invitation from Steve Huff
Steve Huff just got a special invitation from Leica for a new event on May 10th. Leica says a “whole range of new product” will be launched. Steve says that the date itself suggests that the M10 could be launched. Leica is also working on a new mirrorless system with electronic viewfinder and maybe they are going to announce that too. That is going to be intriguing. Let’s hope leaks will arrive soon!
73 Responses
As long as you have tons of money to invest in photographic luxury, then yes, it’s intriguing.
crap!!! everytime i save up and about to buy new system, a another camera is released.
D800, X-Pro 1, 5D III, M10 (?)…
This is a great year and the camera war will be spectacular.
It is a great year, no doubt.
I am not so sure if M10, etc are warring with anyone. Sadly, it is boutique ware.
hmmmm i don’t think i’ll be able to afford whatever they have to offer.
i’ll just go with the xpro1 instead 🙂
Based on some mild competition from Fuji, Nex, 1Dx and technological advances in general the M10 will probably be an amazing camera… For those that can afford it.
.
Too bad no one has made a digital rangefinder for the common man. The x-pro1 is the closest thing with its rangefinder like viewfinder but it’s still not a rangefinder.
Would be fantastic to see a fixed lens rangefinder from someone that was within the grasps of the common man. Maybe Leica will make one and it’ll almost be within the grasps of the common man?
I mean, their X1 was made obsolete when the X100 debuted at almost half the price for almost double the camera. Make the X2 a real rangefinder with a fixed 35mm f2.8 lens and sell it for under 3,000 USD which isnt that much more than what a used m8.2 costs without a lens or warranty.
A piece of precision engineering like a rangefinder mechanism is probably too labour-intensive for nowadays mass-production to produce it cost-effective.
Leica mirrorless system: Is it going to be affordable? No? Then I don’t give a crap.
So why comment? If you want cheap there are plenty of options. So far, the high end options are a bit limited. So I love to see Leica’s take on a mirrorless system.
What’s high end? More expensive than everything else for less features?
“What’s high end? More expensive than everything else for less features?”
What is high end? It’s relative of course (my 7D is a higher end 60D), but in the case of Leica we are talking about optical quality second to none, build quality second to none, service second to none. Of course it’s also a luxury good, but in this segment one expects a little extra.
I wouldn’t call it a “little extra”. Build quality is irrelevant in my eyes. In the sense that there isn’t a camera that I’ve ever had problems with. I’ve dropped cameras, seen flying ones, last two winters was shooting outside in -30C with non weather proof bodies. Yes, I’ve actually tried an M9 and it is a gorgeous machine, but I don’t see a K-5 which costs 6 times less being very fragile. The service I can’t speak of, haven’t tried it and the optical quality is obviously what it is. I don’t see a problem paying lots of money for good glass. I just don’t understand the pricing of an M9. Not that I wouldn’t buy it if I had the money.
A Leica mirrorless system like Fujifilm’s X-Pro 1?
Just learnt that Leica rumors is reporting that the M10 would have a B&W only sensor!
Now, that makes it REALLY interesting! 🙂
b&w + no lcd according to leicarumors. definatly something interesting. maybe it could even be affordable that way.
and you gain a ton of resolution by skipping the color filter part. that concept was something i was hoping for for quite some time eventhough it loses a lot of usability.
If it has an EVF, who needs an LCD, eh? 😉
I really doubt it would be “affordable” for many of us though..
yeah, it will probably still be way to expensive for most of the people(including me). but a b&w sensor should be cheaper and the missing display would also save a bit of money (and weight and battery life).
there also would be a couple of interesting options if it really has an evf and not an ovf. i think focus peaking is really the new rangefinder patch. and they could make a really huge evf when there is no display that takes up all the room on the back 😀
No LCD? What, is that some kind of ‘real photographers don’t chimp’ thing?
And painters should be blind-folded, because otherwise they’re cheating.
@mervis (i somehow cant click reply on your post): what do you need an lcd for?
camera settings? -> manual controls
checking the image right after taking the shot?(confirm focus,exposure,ect.) -> use the evf. im sure there is a setting that shows the image for a second after shooting. that would be even faster since you dont have to take your eye from the camera anymore.
checking images way after the shot?(showing it to someone before getting to a pc) -> yeah that would be worse, but that loss is not that bad imo
obviously this just applies if the camera has an evf like vivek said. if it has an ovf a display would still be useful.
You really think that the color sensor and back LCD make the Leica expensive?
I do not. Never did say that. Leica isn’t in to cost cutting if there is no LCD. Their LCDs are prone to cracks and they make an expensive Sapphire version for that reason. Their sensor cover plates (M9) are prone to crack as well. Don’t know if they plan on doing something about that…
That was meant for meCK 🙂
if it really has an evf it doesnt need the whole rangefinder mechanism. one of the most expensive thing that is left in the camera is the name. it obviously wont be cheap, but it should be cheapER.
“most expensive thing that is left in the camera is the name”
+1
A dedicated BW sensor?! It’s definitely a niche market but I’d jump if I had the money. Hope it’s true.
Phase One now makes a dedicated BW digital back called Achromatic+. I don’t know who makes the sensor but I’d guess it’s whoever bought Kodak’s sensor division.
I hope this technology filters down to all camera types, not just medium format.
I see it as a desperate attempt to attract a “would like to go leica but can’t afford it” crowd and minimize the temptation of the Fuji xp1. No LCD, no color, that should make it much more affordable.
Although I have much respect for Leica as a brand for the high quality of their lenses, beautiful classy design (they were the only company left to make beautiful collectable cameras before Fuji came with the X series), and general dedication to excellence, but I expect them to have a hard time this year with the release of the SLR magic 50mm and Fujifilm’s xp1, unless they come up with something really really good.
Is really RF something we want/need? Isn’t fast and accurate AF better? I had a Leica and had to send it for adjustment of RF just too often. It worked well when it worked, but there was always a less nice surprice when you developed a film and found most exposures being out of focus.
To me Leica is solid build, simplicity and super image quality due to excellent lenses.
To me, in this millennium, a Leica should have AF on the same level as the rest of the system. Until then Leice is “no-show” for me…. OK I can’t afford one anyway 🙂
If leica goes to AF, all lenses must be upgrade to put some motors in it. And people start to complains about slow AF and lack of true manual focus 😉
I have shot Leica for many years (still do- the film variety). Even used an Epson R-D1s for 2 years. I do not want anything other than live view cams (no DSLRs either). I do not miss the mechanical RF at all.
I also do not care much for AF. I am happy with liveview (EVF) and manual focusing.
However, a true B&W cam would be neat. 😉
Steve Huff? The lamest of the famous Leica users alongside the lamest of all Leica owners – Seal? Please Leica, there are hundreds of really talented Leica shooters. Why promote talentless d-bags?
Steve’s website is informative. It’s not the same technical jargon….. real reviews for real people. How do you contribute to the photography community? What is your website?
What does that have to see with him having a website or contributing to the photography community?
He’s putting down Steve Huff and his website. I would bet that if he had his own blog he wouldn’t appreciate people criticizing him.
Well, yes he is. It’s his opinion. Not that I agree with him, but I don’t think one needs to be a photographer to dislike someone’s photos.
I don’t always agree with him, but he seems to land some pretty impressive photos.
These 2 guys Seal&Steve are supposed to be buddies. One taking photos of the other. And all together taken big $$$ presents from Leica 😉
Just check his website.. Leica advertising at its worse..
A) They sell advertising on their website. Big deal. Welcome to the internet. What, is Huff supposed to reject ad revenue?
B) At least they write positive thoughts about photography & gear, unlike the league of bitter angry trolls on internet forums.
+1
The essential of photography ? Simply and aperture ring on lenses, speed ring on camera, along with iso, ev correction and wb, add some button like raw/jpeg/movie and a touch screen for all other setup . Leica lenses are manual focusing, so i guess a RF camera is the good old choice. For the sensor part, the new 36mpx sony with no AA seems right. There is not many good sensor maker around, leica don’t sell so much, so sony can easily handles few hundred sells a year 😉
Wow! New items for 10 k€….
The M10 cannot use the D800 sensor as is. It needs the offset microlens that were advertised so much in the M9. So whatever sensor it uses must be a custom order specifically for Leica.
Sorry to be persistant but in the long run Leica must go AF to be able to stay in business. People from the old MF era will die out…..
The Leica S2 has AF which means Leica is learning.
“Sorry to be persistant but in the long run Leica must go AF to be able to stay in business.”
Have you seen Leica’s sales figures? Those seem to suggest quite the opposite. The M9(P) is a huge success, outselling all expectations.
You shouldn’t argue too much based on your own preferences. There are still plenty of people (young and old) who will happily pay the Leica premium in order to get a quality digital rangefinder.
Personally, I would love more dedicated manual focus cameras.
One thing: Were it that Leica made an AF M camera they would develop lenses for that and sell loads of them! = Make a lot of money. They can sell MF cameras and lenses too.
Of course the prerequisite is that that AF is top notch in speed and accuracy.
Forbes: “You shouldn’t argue too much based on your own preferences” I do not think any of us contributing views here is representing anything but him/herself! Or do yoy have some special mandate over me? – No you don’t! We put forward different views – that’s it. Anyone who puts forward his/her view here must accept others have the same right.
You said: “People from the old MF era will die out…”
I take that to be a conclusion you draw based on your own preferences for AF, while ignoring the large number of people (young and old) who prefer to use MF. I can see no other reason why else you would conclude that in view of the popularity of Sony’s focus peaking feature, the Leica M series, etc..
It has nothing to do with “mandate”. I was simply pointing out that your conclusion did not reflect the observed.
“People from the old MF era will die out…” meaning those who operated cameras before AF existed. It is an undeniable fact that we all will die.
You are talking about “people (young and old) who prefer to use MF” – that is another defintition I have not mentioned!
– I speak as one who think AF is the best way to go.
– You speak as one who prefer MF
So why your arrogance?
I don’t speak as someone who prefers MF, I speak as someone who looks at the market and sees plenty users who enjoy MF. It has nothing to do with arrogance, I simply reason based on the observed.
You mean they would sell loads of them in the same way they sell loads of S2s? Compare price of S2 vs D800, then compare price of M9 to NEX-7 or X1-Pro.
I haven’t seen Leica’s sales figures. Is it possible for you to link to those?
Nevermind, found them.
Imho, the moment someone like Sony brings a mirrorless FF camera, the sales of the M9 will go quickly down.
@Vlad
Only in your dreams. People don’t buy Leica because it is the best camera, they buy it because it has a lengthy high class pedigree, costs a fortune, and tells the world something about the Leica owner.
Look up Veblen Goods on wikipedia.
“People don’t buy Leica because it is the best camera, they buy it because it has a lengthy high class pedigree, costs a fortune, and tells the world something about the Leica owner.”
From all the people who own a Leica M, few will fall into this category. Leica’s reputation is based on merit, Leica’s pricerange is due to its niche market, high standard, and of course a bit of marketing (nothing wrong with that).
“Imho, the moment someone like Sony brings a mirrorless FF camera, the sales of the M9 will go quickly down.”
No, I don’t think so. Appart from the fact that the Sony mirrorless would still be considerably bigger than a Leica, Leica has appeal of its own. The build quality, the optical quality, it’s a rangefinder, just look how many people own a film Leica M.
The Leica M is a niche market that does not compete with cameras such as the Sony NEX, or even the Fuji X pro 1. They might look alike, but it’s an entirely different proposition.
Well, I certainly don’t think it will disappear 🙂 The Fuji and the NEX with their APS-C sensors are a waste of glass. If Sony makes a FF NEX I doubt it will be bigger than a Leica (for what reason?) and will be quite better featured. Surely it will affect M sales.
I’ve seen the build quality of a Leica, but I don’t understand how it justifies such a huge premium. It’s not like the NEX-7 or D800 are falling apart after a day of use.
Basically, I do get what you are saying about the M being a different proposition, but with current advancements it starts to look less appealing. At least that is what I think. For me the M9 is totally overpriced. 🙂
“I doubt it will be bigger than a Leica (for what reason?)”
One reason is the lenses. Sony targets a much larger audience and a lower pricerange. So Sony has to include AF, which takes up space. Also aperture control, which takes up space. Both already make the overall lens size bigger.
But there is another element, the glass itself. As I understand it, Leica uses a special, very expensive type of glass that not only has outstanding optical quality, but also allows them to make the lenses smaller. For Sony, this type of glass is simply not expedient. This means Sony has to increase the surface area of the glass to achieve decent image quality.
“As I understand it, Leica uses a special, very expensive type of glass that not only has outstanding optical quality, but also allows them to make the lenses smaller. For Sony, this type of glass is simply not expedient. This means Sony has to increase the surface area of the glass to achieve decent image quality.”
+1
That is the case with every other manufacturer of lenses.
The overall package, yes. But then you’ll have AF.
I was talking about the bodies though. Many people already own Leica glass and if there is a mirrorless FF body with NEX features (magnification, focus peaking, etc.) costing two or three times less, I am sure some of them will think twice before purchasing a Leica.
“People from the old MF era will die out…..”
Literally! 🙂
I’m hoping to hang in for at least another 20 years!
I have just switched to leica m and I don’t need AF much and I’m just 29 years.
So, you have to wait another, say, 50 years 😉
I no longer care about Leica M10 or whatever. Now we have XPRO1 which perhaps is the world best camera. I think that XPRO1 may be superior to Leica opically and also in terms of performance.
sure 🙂
Fuji has 21bit color resolution and cropped sensor. No way it can stand against 36Mp Sony full frame sensor equiped Leica M10 with wonderful Leica glass.
It says ‘new range of products’ not new iteration of existing range.
This will be the mirrorless new range – think X1 with interchangable lenses
I don’t see Leica having a major impact with mirrorless systems. They will continue to appeal to a tiny slice on the upper-end market.
It says a whole new range of cameras. That sounds like more than one to me. Maybe one will be for “regular people”.
We always hear people complaining about the cost of Leica -to paraphrase a well known Asian reviewer of digital cameras who said when he was reviewing the Leica M9- You have the comfort of knowing your camera was not made in some Asian sweat shop!