Thinking out loud: Will M7 be the last film M?

-kk- · 06-10-2007

aside from fixing the few niggly issues, i dont see how/what they can do to improve the platform.

what do you think?

kelvin

HSI · 06-10-2007

MP
/thread.

CameraQuest · 06-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by -kk-

aside from fixing the few niggly issues, i dont see how/what they can do to improve the platform.

what do you think?

kelvin

I think the MP is a very easy guess to out last the M7.

the M7 and M8 and have similar features except film/digital.

the all mechanical MP appeals to traditionalists.

Stephen

-kk- · 06-10-2007

DOH! i meant to ask if there is room for a more "advanced" M.

As Stephen pointed out, the MP will last given its historical appeal.

RayPA · 06-10-2007

I agree. The M7 and the MP are probably the end of the film line for Leica RFs. At least they're still making them. That's more than can be said for some other film camera manufacturers.

.

Bully · 06-10-2007

Hello together,

a person from Leica told me a few months ago, that Leica will never develop any film body again. Every Euro of income will go to develop and increase the digital range.

I think that the M7 will be made till the near future and then will be discontinued.

The only m film body which will stay is the MP, thats for sure.

Greetings

Bully

pvdhaar · 06-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bully

Hello together,

a person from Leica told me a few months ago, that Leica will never develop any film body again. Every Euro of income will go to develop and increase the digital range.
...

Let's hope that this means that somewhere in the not too far distant future they'll make one with M-mount that's affordable..

HSI · 06-10-2007

...and full frame.
Jezzzzzzz!

rxmd · 06-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvdhaar

Let's hope that this means that somewhere in the not too far distant future they'll make one with M-mount that's affordable..

Unfortunately Leica doesn't exactly have a track record of making affordable products... More advanced maybe; and even more maybe causing a price drop with existing M8s, but I doubt that due to the high demand.

Making an affordable M rangefinder falls to other parties - Zeiss (maybe), Cosina (probably not) and small semi-hobbyist outfits offering M2, M3 and M4 conversions (hopefully)

Philipp

mani · 06-10-2007

If you take a look at the latest LFI, and in particular the interview with the new(ish) CEO, I think you'll find there's definitely gonna be a wider price-range of M-mount offerings from Leica in the future.
But I'm guessing none of them are going to be film cameras

rxmd · 06-10-2007

Unfortunately I don't think there is a copy of LFI within 1000 kilometers of me

pvdhaar · 06-10-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxmd

Unfortunately Leica doesn't exactly have a track record of making affordable products... More advanced maybe; and even more maybe causing a price drop with existing M8s, but I doubt that due to the high demand.

Making an affordable M rangefinder falls to other parties - Zeiss (maybe), Cosina (probably not) and small semi-hobbyist outfits offering M2, M3 and M4 conversions (hopefully)

Philipp

Well, the removable back of the M4 would make it a candidate, but I've not yet seen any hobbyist project completed so far.. What I've seen till now all seems to run aground halfway through.

Avotius · 06-11-2007

frankly I cant see what else a leica shooter would want in the film way. Obviously you dont want built in motor drives, you dont want a bunch of flash options, you dont want a million metering options, or anything else of the sort, so what more can one ask for then a m7 or mp? Digital is the future of leica, and thats where I hope they focus their attentions. If they are really smart they will come up with a digital back for the older cameras, even if its lower resolution (6-8mp) it will be so well received that it will keep people happy for a long time because they will get the best of both worlds, their favorite classic cameras with the option for modern imaging.

Frankly if leica wants to do anything with their old film line they can start making sure there are parts and supplies ready for all the m3's and m2's out there that sooner rather then later or going to need serious work on them.

Nachkebia · 06-11-2007

As long as they wont stop producing it, I have no problem, zeiss ikon and M7 is all I might ever need, well perhaps fully mechanical camera is what I need as well

jaapv · 06-11-2007

The only thing they might change is a shutter with a faster sync speed - but given the flak they got over the "noisy" M8 shutter Leica will think twice before doing so - so I doubt there is any reason to replace the camera for a long, long time.

Axel100 · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by -kk-

...what do you think?...

Hi,

M7=film, M8=digital, M9=film+digital?

The only improvement I could imagine so far.
But, like Zeiss Ikons, Leitz' next step will depend from the further development of sensor-technology.
Items to fix there were the avoidance of AA- and IR-Filters for not-so-flat-looking digital pictures.
And it should be a kind of 24x36-sensor to support the full advantages of the historic grown 35mm-format and the experiences with that.

Regards, Axel

varjag · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axel100

M7=film, M8=digital, M9=film+digital?

So none of the options will be battery independent?

If they leave an item in product line for purists, the current MP (perhaps la carte) seems more likely.

Axel100 · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by varjag

So none of the options will be battery independent?

Hi,

from my point of view there is no need for a battery-dependant M9.

Quote:

Originally Posted by varjag

If they leave an item in product line for purists...

Thats the point!
I don't think that an M8 is a product for purists. Consequently there should be a replacement for film when they plan a digital rangefinder. Something like a back with a sensor and a storage.
But what they do (like all other "market-lemmings") is a hightech-display-menue-processor-cam.
And they get the same flaws like all the others.

Regards, Axel

Michiel Fokkema · 06-11-2007

Hi,

I still hope for a film M based on the shutter in the M8. like a M7 but with that shutter.

Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

Nachkebia · 06-11-2007

Now that I think about it, would be cool if I could shoot wide open in the daylight

pvdhaar · 06-11-2007

Hey, if we're dreaming about what may give, then why not something like a CL(E)-D, a digital CL(E)? Same concept, focus on affordability and compactness.. If that were announced, I'd be saving up. Heck, I'm saving up right now, but there's nothing in sight that's within my budget and that's compatible with M mount lenses at the same time..

-kk- · 06-11-2007

oh yes, a properly thought out 'compact' line ala CL would definitely interest me.

peter_n · 06-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michiel Fokkema

Hi,

I still hope for a film M based on the shutter in the M8. like a M7 but with that shutter.

Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

Yes I agree. I asked for one of those in the German Leica forum when the M8 came out as apparently company people read that forum.

I think the Bessa R4 has stolen a march on Leica so I don't see them doing a wide-angle special. If they stopped producing film cameras and I needed a replacement I'd get a ZI.

35mmdelux · 06-11-2007

Look at Leicas' historical pattern. Generally they develop a product and stick with it a long time. The future holds reduced film camera sales(duh) as more RF shooters go digital. I think the M7 will have a short life (10 yrs). The MP will hold out longer because, as Stephen said, it appeals to the traditionalists, is fully mechanical, and will have more repair outlets into the future. The M7 will always need to go to Leica for repairs due to its electronics. I can see the MP around a long time for those that like solid well build products.

boilerdoc2 · 06-11-2007

Absolutely a film camera with a 1/250 flash sync would be a big improvement and 1/8000 shutter speed. Of course, my F6 does that now, but an M7+ would be really nice.
Steve