In a series of statements to AP, Leica UK denied any existence of the previously rumored new mirrorless system:
"Asked whether Leica plans to launch a more compact system camera than its full-frame M9, a spokeswoman said there was no such system on the horizon."
On several occasions in the past few months (LHSA meeting, LUF meeting, tech support email) Leica representatives did mention the existence of a new system that will serve also as a R-lens solution. It is also possible that this project was canceled or put on hold.
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On amateurphotographer.co.uk there is also this Leica statement regarding a mirrorless system:
„Leica has been producing mirrorless cameras since 1954 (starting with the M3, and even before this, if you consider the screw mount cameras). With the Leica M9, we have the most compact, full format, mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses on the market. Of course, we won’t stop with the M9, but it is definitely too early to discuss a successor to this model.”
He’s got a point to be honest
true, but clearly nobody is talking about an M camera here
1) “camera along the lines of a Panasonic Micro Four Thirds model which carries a smaller imaging sensor” – NO
2) “M9, but it is definitely too early to discuss a successor to this model.” – NO SUCCESSOR YET, SURE
BUT
what it has in common with new line, not Micro 43, not M9 successor – FF EVIL?
Does Leica even know what a PR department is or does?
I mean, it’s always possible that hey interviewer either screwed up the questions, or wrote/recorded/transposed an answer incorrectly.
But geese, would someone from Leica get it together? CAN someone from Leica get it together? Here they are with a ‘free opportunity’ to set everything straight – or something – and all we get is confusion and weird; Leica already has a ‘mirroless’ camera, the M9.
More of the same from Leica – does the left PR department know what the right PR department is doing or saying? Even then, they have said that they have no plans to stay in the 4/3rd’s system – so I guess they got that correct before.
All this because they never came out with the R-DSLR – and now it’s the incredibly morphing (mirroless) R Solution!!!! Something tells me this could REALLY turn into a comedy!!!!
This all boils down to one thing:
- FF, liveview-capable sensor that Leica can buy on the open market, preferably with their own microlens arrangement
Kodak does not have one, nor has Dalsa. Sony, Nikon, and Canon have one but are they willing to sell theirs to Leica and modify the microlenses. Unless Leica gets hold of a sensor, there will be no mirrorless camera (if mirrorless means no rangefinder lens coupling and viewfinder and, naturally, no mirror).
Sounds pretty close to me. Unless of course that they have a new source or something else up their sleeve. N and C would never help them out. Since they’ve only been consistently weird with their ‘PR’ now for some time, it”s impossible to know. Really, now that I think about it, how could they design a body that would have microlenses useable with M and R lenses along with a new lens line? Assuming they are still talking of a multi-use body that is. Oh, the comedy of questions just keeps on keeping on.
I just don’t see the point of reengaging the R solution . . . between the M and the S system, what is the business wisdom of resurrecting the non-AF R SLR system?
It would be foolish to resurrect the manual R system. The only thing Leica did was box themselves into a corner by NOT producing the R-DSLR w/AF as they promised, stating it would be “like swimming with the sharks” (N & C) – so they made the S instead. Allot of loyal R users just want a Leica FF digital body that they can use R glass on. It’s what Leica promised and still is, and gee, after promising that to system users who have spent thousands on it, now they ARE swimming with the sharks; they’re called dissatisfied, traditional, and loyal customers. It’s not that complicated of a picture.