Megapixel had an interview with Stefan Daniel (Director Product Management at Leica Camera AG). Some of the interesting points:
- Leica is in the process of creating a special order department to handle custom and limited edition versions.
- In terms of announcing new products, Leica has "a strong focus on 2012".
- On the size of the sensor in a potential Leica mirrorless camera: "Leica with an interchangeable lens should have at least an APS-sized sensor".
- On the optical vs. digital viewfinder: "I think that the quality of the 1.4MP finders is already very good, and sometimes even more accurate than an optical finder, think of white balance or exposure. Over time, as technology is improving, optical finders will get less and less important. The X100 finder is a very nice concept and well executed".
- On M rangefinder with video/CMOS sensor: "Offering additional functions such as video and live view would extend the usability of the M camera significantly. CMOS is a prerequisite for it, therefore it will be the technology of the future".
- On M rangefinder with AF: "we are totally aware that we could aim at a much larger clientele with AF and are currently studying solutions".
- Next S lenses: "a 30mm and then a 30-90mm zoom as well as a super wide angle 24mm in 2012".
Related posts:
- Interviews with Andreas Kaufmann and Stefan Daniel
- Transcript of the Q&A session with Stefan Daniel
- New Q&A session with Stefan Daniel from Leica
- Some interesting thoughts on the Leica M10 (29MP sensor, hybrid viewfinder, live view, video recording, MAESTRO processor?)
- Interview with Christian Ernhardt (VP Marketing, Leica USA)
24 Comments
hmm..
sounds good
AF and video in M camera!? Leica is so doomed.
Daniels didn’t say the M would have autofocus – he just said they are examining things.
It won’t ever have AF – it would make the M too big – and basically he did say compactness of the M is a good thing. But they need an interchangeable lens camera with AF in their line-up to have some relevant product for more of the masses. The S is not for the masses and even further, way further out of reach for many than the M.
Overall, he didn’t really bring anyhting new to the table that they haven’t already said or ‘promised’. It would be really great if they came out with a FF interchangeable lens (mirroless?) camera. It seems like a no-brainer as a system to capture the market and a suitable camera alongside the traditional M. But he didn’t say that either; he said at least APS sized.
The special order department for those extra special orders (outside the normal M special orders) is really irrelevant to most.
I personally was surprised about the EVF statement – Leica feels that the current EFV technology is good enough. They also praised the Fuji X100 which I did not expect.
These hints are enough to conclude Leica will start use CMOS-sensors in the future offering both live-view and video, even in their M-cameras and that a new mirrorless camera with at least APS-C sensor will use an EVF-finder. Maybe in conjunction with an optical finder like in Fuifilm’s X100. The praise for Fujifilm makes one wonder if Leica is playing under the same sheet with Fujifilm for the release of both companies new mirrorless solutions!
I doubt that Leica and Fuji are working together, but I do agree that those are some serious hints about the future Leica M10. See also those related posts:
http://leicarumors.com/2011/08/29/some-interesting-thoughts-on-the-leica-m10-29mp-sensor-hybrid-viewfinder-live-view-video-recording-maestro-processor.aspx/
http://leicarumors.com/2010/11/07/kodak-announces-new-29mp-full-frame-ccd-sensor.aspx/
http://leicarumors.com/2011/10/09/leica-m10-wish-list.aspx/
You mean some solution like on the Contax AX? That would indeed make the camera more voluminous front to back. On the other hand, abandoning the complex rangefinder mechanics could also save space; as could limiting the shutter size (APS-C sensor).
Leave it all there as it is on the M-System but add an independent electronical focus confirmation by contrast focus that can be switched off. Make the extra electronical confirmation by a moving arrow in the OVF that has to meet a fixed arrow in the middle of a horizontal line so that one can see which direction to turn the MF. This should support the rangefinder not replace it. Leave the useless tech-stuff to the big brands that want to impress the amateurs.
Absolutely!!! Actually, that’s what I wait for and promote since two years (since I bought an Olympus E-P1 just to find out what an operational nightmare it is).
A focus “balance” like e.g. on the Nikon F3_AF would be great.
If Leica follows through with this stuff we can finally welcome them to the new century. They just need to get their prices under control so photographers can use their equipment.
Oh and yes to the EVF, and no to the AF (at least on the M).
With Blackstone on the board, you can expect Leica to come up with everything a lot of new products. Who knows if we’re lucky Leica can be the next Sony.
Leica will always have the standard M – maybe they’ll change framelines or something akin to that – BUT they will not have video on a classic M.
Remember the physical dimensions of the M platform and to keep it FF and stuff new tech into it will be a major challenge – which is why I believe they will have to resort to a whole new camera concept.
It’s also interesting that they like the X100; what were they doing while the X100 was being developed? Building the $$$$$$ uber S camera, FINALLY squezzing a FF sensor into the M, the X1 and a boat-load of special editions. We’ll see what happens next.
Leica is on a roll now. M8 and M9 are keeping them going forward, not boarding up the shop.
I do hope there is video in M10, as well as live view and focus confirmation. Image stabilized sensor also would make sense.
Add technology that makes camera more useful, skip the fluff like “panorama sweep”.
Addaboy, Leica!
EVF or video on the M would be like having pink plastic interiors in a Ferrari.
Oooooo I like! Add an orange gearshift and I’m having one!
If that was the case there would be a lot of pink interiors in Toyotas…since many people actually want these items.
I’ll take an EVF when it’s as good or better than the optical but I would have to use it to make that decision.. It would be nice to have live view and video. If you don’t want it then you have the wild and crazy option of just not using it.
I expect the M10 to be a lot like the M9, and priced about the same. I wish they would mount the old film advance lever, and use it as a swing-out thumb grip. The mission would be to keep the classic look, feel and operation of the classic M series.
I think Leica is considering a M-mount all-electronic camera. Look at the Sony NEX-7 and image it with a full-frame sensor and a M-mount, but with a bit of Leica classic styling. Leica shooters would grab one as a second camera, as would many who desire a M9 but can’t justify the price. This would be Leica’s risk-taker camera, where they can try all sorts of new ideas without the danger of alienating existing M-series fans.
Somebody needs to step up… maybe it will be Leica?
Sony NEX7 almost there but not quite, Fuji X100 almost there but not quite, Panasonic GF1 (GX1) almost but not quite, Nikon worried about dSLR sales, Canon too nervous to do much of anything.
Leica is perfectly situated to make the perfect mirrorless camera without it messing with their other existing lines. Price would be the only negative factor?
Agreed, they are perfectly positioned to do something alongside and seperate from the classic M camera form-function. If we can trust the comments from Leica/Blackstone that they will support the legacy/quality product lines, then hopefully they have seen the light of day and will go a bit up-tech with a new camera – and it makes perfect sense to make it FF.
Without stepping on anyone’s toes here, it’s really important to understand what the traditional M means to Leica and it’s history. There are PLENTY of things to change on it. But they will keep the next M close if not the same in function and outword dimensions.
Again the advantage Leica has is that they can do something different, keep a traditional line-up with gradual tech upgrades, and build an additional system that is different but represents a lineage between the Leica name, it’s traditions, and systems. I and others believe that a ‘bridge camera’ system is an opportunity to have cross-system compatibility….modern form, modern tech alongside tradition. Seems like a no-brainer.
What I’m taking from this is that an AF rangefinder wouldn’t be an M-series camera, but a new product line. Leica would do good in keeping the M manual focus only for the traditionalists and photographers who want a tried and true “user interface” (God, I hate that term), and use a different solution for the mass market, maybe a lower-priced, AF APS-C solution made in Japan/China/wherever with an X100 style hybrid viewfinder under Leica’s specs – Leica’s mirrorless?
With both Fiji and Leica planning to annouce mirrorless next year, both of the working on APC size sensor, both have cameras receiving M lenses.
Will there be a collaboration somewhere? Or will it be direct competition?
It will be fun if a FijiLeica appears? There was MinoltaLeica, there is PanasonicLeica…
Live View, video and an EVF are inevitablities. Leica has to balance the quality and simplicity that people love with new tech. Leica is keeping a niche market alive that most have abandoned. They need to advance it or leave it behind, IMO.
How would it be possible to have an EVF rangefinder? Without the rangefinder mechanism, it’s just a very expensive EVIL/ILC/mirrorless compact.
Here is one example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/charge5/5261695873/in/set-72157625817957430