When rumors were flying widely
what the new “M10” would be like, my crystal ball proved to be quite
accurate. I missed several of the new
features, but the rest proved to be quite accurate. Even though it seems somewhat silly to look beyond
the just introduced Leica M and Leica M-E, it is actually quite interesting to
take a look into the future.
Obviously, this will
inevitably be a look at features that the new Leica M does not offer, features
that would definitely enhance the camera and its overall position on the
photographic market.
So far the reports on the
Leica M have been very positive, rightfully so.
Without a doubt, the camera presents a giant step forward, and it is not
an overstatement in saying that the camera will be a success.
But with all the praise that
has been put forth, it seems that, at this point anyway, nobody is willing to
mention the big gorilla in the room – autofocus. Whether this is important to any of us
individually is of no consequence. The
fact is that, in spite of all its new features, the Leica M is missing one feature
that is important in today’s market world, and that is autofocus.
I am certain that this is definitely
on the minds of the engineers at Leica, just as I am certain that a solution to
this will be forthcoming. Let’s take a
look at how this might be achieved.
The new Leica MAX 24MP CMOS
Sensor is certainly capable to determine accurate focus as evidenced by the new
‘focus peaking’ feature. This
information could be electronically transferred to a new line of autofocus lenses. To start with, these could be optically the
same M lenses that are available right now. The rangefinder coupling and standard focusing mounts could be eliminated,
thus making room for the electronics and built-in motors to effect
autofocusing. By maintaining all of the
other features of the Leica M, standard rangefinder lenses could be used and
accurately focused as could be the R lenses.
As a matter of fact, Cmotion
in California makes a servo motor for the Summilux C line of lenses which
allows motorized focusing for these lenses.
It is actually very similar to the servo motor prototypes of the Leitz
Correfot autofocus system. These motors attach
directly onto the lens and couple to the focusing ring of the lenses via a
small gear. This could be electronically
coupled to the autofocus information of the camera body and thus convert the R
lenses to autofocus as well.
With this major feature out
of the way, what else might we look forward to?
I can certainly see a replacement for the Leica M Monochrom, featuring the
Leica MAX 24MP CMOS Sensor without the bayer filter, just as pure black and
white was achieved in the M Monochrome.
Thus the camera would be elevated to offer superior black and white
performance with all of the features of the new Leica M.
Considering the relatively
small size of the current Leica M lenses, I can also envision additional M lenses
longer than 135mm. These lenses could
definitely be smaller than the equivalent current R lenses because they don’t require
the auto diaphragm mechanism.
My crystal ball also
shows a camera similar to the Leica M, but without the rangefinder. Instead it would replace the rangefinder with
a built-in electronic viewfinder. Of
course Leica would have to find another designation for the camera. The M designation was derived from the German
word Messucher, meaning rangefinder.
Thus the M designation wouldn’t make sense any longer.
Finally, we might also see a new version of the Leica X2 equipped with a zoom lens. That would certainly extend the versatility of the camera and very likely create additional interest in the camera.
Finally, we might also see a new version of the Leica X2 equipped with a zoom lens. That would certainly extend the versatility of the camera and very likely create additional interest in the camera.
Needless to say, we won’t see
all these changes at once, if ever. But
I am sure if any of them materialize, the autofocus will be the first one next to an X2 replacement with a zoom lens. I didn’t make it to the Photokina this year,
but I am planning a trip to Germany this coming year. That will most certainly include a visit to
Solms as well as Wetzlar.
I recall a visit to Solms a
few years back. During my conversations I
brought up the issue of medium format. I
asked if Leitz would ever consider expanding to that field. Of course I received the typical non-committal
answers, like “we are always considering other venues” and, “we might also
consider making medium format lenses.”
In retrospect, that foreshadowed the Leica S cameras and its line of
lenses. Maybe I can ask just the right questions to do some reading between the lines.
For more information go to:
LEICA M vs. LEICA M10 RUMORS
THE NEW LEICA MAX 24MP CMOS
SENSOR
LEITZ CORREFOT AUTOFOCUS
SYSTEM
LEICA SUMMILUX C LENSES
Are you promoting to cram even more features into the M cameras?
ReplyDeleteNobody is promoting "cramming" anything. My suggestions are based on missing features in comparison to other makers cameras, plus some ideas of what else might come from Leica AG in the future.
DeleteYou seem to be dissatisfied with what the new Leica M represents. I would find it a lot more constructive if you were to elaborate on that.
For those who can't handle all of the features offered by the Leica M there is always the Leica M-E, and for those that are solidly mired in the past, Leica still makes the M7 and the M-P. They don't force anyone to buy a camera that is too crammed with features.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that in this digital age Leica is still making the film Leica M 7 and MP. They would loose their shirt.
DeleteWell, your expert opinion does not match reality. Both the M7 and the M-P are currently in production and will continue to be made.
DeleteCan you offer any proof of that?
DeleteIf you click on the Leica link at the top of this post, you will be redirected to the official Leica website. It clearly shows the M7 as well as the MP as part of the Leica product line. In addition, Stefan Daniel, Leica Director Product Management and Alfred Schopf, CEO of the Management Board of Leica Camera AG were recently asked at the Photokina if the M7 and MP will continue to be produced. Their answers were:
DeleteStefan Daniel: Yes, we will continue the production of the M7 and the MP. There is a continuing demand. While things remain that way we will keep on offering those cameras.
Alfred Schopf: We will certainly not cease the production of our analog M in the year of Leica’s centennial.
I suspect they are just trying to sell whatever they have left in stock of those cameras.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, what gives you cause for this extremely negative attitude? I have personally seen the M7 and MP being assembled in Solms. Maybe you should go and see for yourself, because nothing else apparently is sufficient to convince you.
DeleteWhy do some people appear to make it their mission to criticize Leica every chance they get?
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with criticism of Leica and their products, as long as it is based on facts. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
ReplyDeleteIsn't 24 megapixels inadequate in comparison to the competition?
ReplyDeleteThe short answer is “no.” The megapixel race, while once important, should have come to an end a while ago already. But it is oh so salable. The buying public in general has been conditioned to think that all it takes is more megapixels to increase camera performance. Nobody is ever talking about lenses, yet it is the lens that ultimately delivers the image to the sensor. To make sensors with a resolution that surpasses that of the lenses makes no sense. The ever increasing number of pixels of a full frame sensor, for instance, naturally necessitates making the individual pixels smaller to allow them to be all fitted in the full frame sensor space. At one point the individual pixels become so small that they exceed the resolution capabilities of the lenses used in conjunction with that sensor. With other words, we have a theoretical resolution that cannot possibly be met. At that point all that’s left is advertising potential.
DeleteI wrote about that very issue a while ago in an article, titled…
“THE MEGAPIXEL RACE - ARE THERE LIMITS?”
http://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-many-megapixels-can-camera-handle.html
Go take a look. It should answer your question.