One of the big shortcomings
of the Leica M cameras has always been the limited number of lenses and the
limited close-up capabilities. Granted,
for what the camera was and is intended, it is virtually without equal. But it would definitely be nice if it were
possible to extend its versatility beyond that intended use.
Leitz/Leica solved that
problem already in the 1930s with the introduction of the PLOOT, the first
reflex viewing attachment. It allowed
virtually unlimited close-up capabilities and the use of lenses longer than
135mm. The Visoflex, as it was later
called, culminated in the Visoflex III which essentially converted the Leica M
cameras into a single lens reflex. Yet
it was always plagued by a certain clumsiness with the consequence that it did
not allow rapid shooting as it was possible with real single lens reflex
cameras.
Enter the upcoming Photokina
and a bit of crystal balling, or dreaming, if you prefer. Please keep in mind, this is pure conjecture,
but it does paint a pretty good picture.
It is generally assumed that
Leica will introduce an updated version of the M9 in form of a new camera,
generally referred to as the Leica M10.
In May of this year Leica introduced the new Leica X2 and along with it,
an electronic accessory viewfinder.
Let’s continue to dream what
a similar electronic viewfinder could do for the M10. Just like on the X2, it would allow full
frame viewing with virtually 100 percent accuracy. In addition the camera would, of course,
maintain its rangefinder focusing with the standard M lenses. Why the addition of an electronic finder? Two reasons, for one thing it would allow for
another means of focusing for any of the M lenses. But, and this is where it gets interesting,
it would also allow accurate viewing and focusing of other lenses. With an adapter, any of the Leica R lenses could
be used. In addition, because of the
relatively short lens to sensor distance, with an appropriate adapter a whole
slew of other lenses could be used as well.
Close up photography would no longer be a problem. With other words, such an electronic
viewfinder would convert the Leica M to a complete system camera while
maintaining all of the attributes of the M cameras in general. The only fly in the ointment would be the
fact that there is no autofocusing. But
let’s not get too greedy, let’s take this one step at a time.
I am sure that some will
argue that the electronic finder adds some bulk to the camera. While that is certainly correct, the added
bulk is essentially no different than the prism housing on conventional DSLR
cameras and it does have the advantage of being removable when not needed.
All of this sounds almost too
good to be true and this bit of wishful thinking makes the upcoming Photokina
that much more interesting, because then it will finally be revealed what great
new items we will be presented with by Leica.
Postscript September 18, 2012
To see what the rumored M10 actually turned out to be, go to;
THE NEW LEICA M
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1320126156594375642#editor/target=post;postID=5831785015347457059
And For a comparison between the imagined M10 with the
electronic Visoflex and what really appeared at Photokina, see:
LEICA M vs. LEICA M10 RUMORS
http://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2012/09/leica-m-vs-leica-m10-rumors.html
I have been thinking about this for a few days now and I have come to the conclusion that this would be a perfect solution and an awesome camera. The versatility of this system would be virtually unmatched. If this really should come about, one can only hope that the connections to the electronic finder will be the same as for the Leica X2. Well, we will keep on dreaming until Photokina.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be relatively easy to add an autofocus sensor to the camera, along with the necessary contacts to connect to a line of autofocus lenses? Then, not unlike the Leica S2 adapter for Hasselblad lenses, it should be possible to use other manufacturer's autofocus lenses on the M10 and maintain autofiocus functions. This would further enhance the overall versatility of the camera while maintaining all of the attributes of the Leica M rangefinder cameras.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it would be "relatively easy," but it could be done. The autofocus sensor system would need to be of the kind used in some of the new mirror-less cameras. Adding electronic contacts to the lens mount would not be much of a problem. Of course all of this would only make sense if Leica would design and offer a line of autofocus lenses of their own. As I see it, most of the current M l;ens designs could be used in a new form that includes an autoficus system via ultrasonic motors or something similar. That, of course, would mean that these lenses will not couple to the rangefinder.
ReplyDeleteI just read this article again and I am amazed about your foresight. You described the new Leica M exactly as it turned out. Did you have any input from Leica before the official announcement?
ReplyDeleteLeica is very stingy with any advance announcement. Especially with the new Leica M there were only a few select people that were aware of the new camera. I can assure you that I wasn't one of them. The article I wrote was simply based on evaluating what was missing with the Leica M9, compared to the rest of the market, and then figuring out how the M9 could be made more competitive on the general market without changing the basic layout and philosophy of the camera.
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