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Coming late to this thread, but will add my 2¢:
I'm a Leica photographer since 2010. I use the equipment professionally alongside Canon DSLRs. Leica is an integral part of how I cover many the events/jobs I photograph. I love the M system and am extremely encouraged by the technological progress evident in the M240 vs. the M9, the capability of the Q and what it likely bodes for the next round of cameras.
The greatest failing of Leica, IMO, is service repair TIME. Often service quality is good, though I'm currently dealing with an incorrectly repaired lens and having some trouble getting it sorted out. And everyone at Leica has been great to deal with in person, when I've had the opportunity. But 6-8 week turnaround time is utterly ridiculous and must be improved.
It is my #1 request of Leica.
In terms of future product, it's more along narrowly focused details than a grand concept. Probably because I already like the M system so much...
- An M body with much more reliable, much faster electronics package: deeper buffer, option for higher fps if desired, no more random lockups.
- Fully electronic shutter option.
- Aluminum top plate to reduce weight. Heck, make it composite, carbon fibre, polymer, whatever.
A few comments about other comments/requests:
T system: I briefly tried it and liked it in general. But it felt too slow and likely would benefit greatly from the Q's electronics package. Put the Maestro II in it, along with firmware improvements in a new body (current design is fine with me) before deciding whether to kill it off. Oh, and Leica blundered IMO with the lens release. While the zooms are fine, the system needs more than one prime. There should be at least 3 or 4. Something wider, a normal equivalent and a portrait lens. But maybe this is what the Q interchangeable lens system will be?
Summarit-M lenses: Am I the only one extremely disappointed with the 'new' line? Fine, it's a cosmetic refresh, but with a ~40-50% price increase. Maybe it's our own faults. So often I read in forums about the inferiority of the Summarit lenses compared to the rest of the M lens lineup. I suppose the only way Leica could improve the line's credibility was to increase prices.
Umm... YES. The older Summarit lenses are stellar, and really cheap now considering what they were priced at. And also used market 2.5s are a no brainer.I guess those of us who have had no problems with Leica's quick and personal service will go out and buy the excellent older Summarit lenses then.... ];-)
G
So here's the thing ...Umm... YES. The older Summarit lenses are stellar, and really cheap now considering what they were priced at. And also used market 2.5s are a no brainer.
I've always liked them. The 75,35,50,90 in that order.. Although I've never had a need for the 50 and the 90 isn't last, just the last one I'd buy, since I find the 75 to be straight up awesome. And just to put it out there, 0.7m should have been on the first version of this lens.
Tough call at that price. If you want to buy either of them new, the extra $200 might be worth it, since 75mm at .7m is actually a bit closer then most lenses in that range. Good for detail shots. I never used my hood on my 2.5 but I did have one. I prefer pull out hoods, like the 75APO has, it's just easier for me.So here's the thing ...
Right now I can get a Summarit-M 75mm f/2.4 for $1892 (current discounted price) which includes 0.7m minimum focus and lens hood. Or I can get the Summarit-M 75mm f/2.5 for $1599 + $84 for the lens hood and hood cap, but can only focus to 0.9m minimum distance. That's a $200 premium for the updated design including hood and 8" worth of focusing distance.
Is it worth it? (oh, the devil is in my mind today... ;-)
G
For the 90 Summarit, I think I'd go for the old one. No real reason to update it.My Summarit 90mm f2.5 is one of my favourite and most used lenses.
If I had to replace it with a new lens today guess which I'd choose, the f2.5 at £1,039 or the new f2.4 at £1440? (Red Dot Camera prices).
That's what I thought. I might just go for it.Tough call at that price. If you want to buy either of them new, the extra $200 might be worth it, since 75mm at .7m is actually a bit closer then most lenses in that range. Good for detail shots. I never used my hood on my 2.5 but I did have one. I prefer pull out hoods, like the 75APO has, it's just easier for me.
...
But again... That .7m on 75mm is mighty close (worth the $200 I'd say).
Quite interesting really given that Leica was the first company to patent autofocus...No auto focus yet (thank God).
What did they use it for? AFAIK, one of the Focomats (film enlarger) had an AF mechanism. Do you know of any where the patents were used?Quite interesting really given that Leica was the first company to patent autofocus...
+1. M240 is way too large.My message to Leica: take your camera bodies as seriously as you do your microscopes.
The body is an instrument. Do your best to design to purpose. When in doubt look back to the beginning: Ur-Leica. Small footprint, high quality.
M240 way too big, way too heavy. At least get the RF version of your body back to M6, in fact a digital M6 replica would cause widespread fainting and huge pre-orders, no matter how many fans say the current body is "fine".
If you give EVF option on RF camera, build it in. No more fragile warts, please.
Make an EVF M body, but give us more focus aids than Q. At least, the Mag box needs to move. Make this body small, light and very tough. Weather proof, obviously.
Build a helicoid into the M mount so we can close focus. Do it well. This is not rocket science.
Leica, I cannot fault your lenses. Give us some new bodies which are as compact and as high quality.
Not sure. All I know is that they sold the rights afterwards to Minolta.What did they use it for? AFAIK, one of the Focomats (film enlarger) had an AF mechanism. Do you know of any where the patents were used?
I am very curious about the (delayed) new S I have to say.BTW, the long forgotten Leica S1 was the first medium format digital platform.
My message to Leica: take your camera bodies as seriously as you do your microscopes.
The body is an instrument. Do your best to design to purpose. When in doubt look back to the beginning: Ur-Leica. Small footprint, high quality.
M240 way too big, way too heavy. At least get the RF version of your body back to M6, in fact a digital M6 replica would cause widespread fainting and huge pre-orders, no matter how many fans say the current body is "fine".
If you give EVF option on RF camera, build it in. No more fragile warts, please.
Make an EVF M body, but give us more focus aids than Q. At least, the Mag box needs to move. Make this body small, light and very tough. Weather proof, obviously.
Build a helicoid into the M mount so we can close focus. Do it well. This is not rocket science.
Leica, I cannot fault your lenses. Give us some new bodies which are as compact and as high quality.
Let's be very clear what you're talking about in terms of the size difference between an M6TTL and an M typ 240 when you say "M240 is way too large"... from Camerasize.com:+1. M240 is way too large.