WHAT’S NEXT FOR LEICA?

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.

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

http://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2012/09/leica-m-vs-leica-m10-rumors.html

THE NEW LEICA MAX 24MP CMOS SENSOR

http://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-new-leica-max-24mp-cmos-sensor.html

LEITZ CORREFOT AUTOFOCUS SYSTEM

http://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2012/03/leitz-correfot-autofocus-system.

LEICA SUMMILUX C LENSES

http://gmpphoto.blogspot.com/2012/07/leica-c-lenses.html