What makes the Leica D-LUX 8 so good? Well, great color but even more important is the beautiful EVF.
What makes the Leica Q cameras so popular? Yeah, it's the EVF.
Why do so many pros swear by the Leica SL2s and SL3s?
Again, it's the EVF...
I had lunch yesterday with a friend who has been doing a deep dive into Leica and Leica cameras. Much deeper than me. He was in New York for the tennis Opens and made a trek to the Leica store to see what might be new and ripe for the picking. He mentioned the rumors of an M11-V to a clerk thinking he'd get the usual Leica store disclaimer that, "Nobody knows until they announce..." but not this time. This time he got a knowing nod and every indication that the camera is coming. Why did he believe this person? Because they offered to put him on a waiting list for the new camera. That's pretty convincing.
So, what might a Leica M11-V camera be? I'm thinking it's pretty obvious; it's probably going to be a basic M11 body but without the rangefinder or viewfinder windows to the front of the camera. They'll keep the rangefinder focusing in order to maintain 70+ years of backward compatibility with M series lenses, and because rangefinder users prefer rangefinder focusing, but the camera will be focused and composition will take place on an EVF screen, a la the Q series cameras.
Even though it's a move that will remove some mechanical complexity I expect that it will hit the market at a higher price point than the current M11 models. And since the expected name is M11-V it's very likely that, like the P cameras and the monochrome cameras the traditional M bodies will continue to be part of the product line up.
This new style of M, with an EVF, is what a large segment of Leica aficionados have been asking for since the highly successful launch and acceptance of the Q2 (the original Q had a sucky EVF by comparison). An M camera with an EVF for those old, tired eyes. Fully functional with the vast collection of M lenses. All presented in a historic and well loved body configuration.
The only thing most people will not love? The $10,000 to $12,000 price tag.
Want one? I'd be calling my Leica dealer right now to get on the secret lists I'm sure the stores are keeping. Even if they won't admit it to the general public.
Gotta go. I've got a phone call to make.
8 comments:
Imminent. It won't be eminent until it's on the market and wisely devouring all competitors.
I wonder how long Leica will be able to tap that vein? Photographers of our generation used and some loved the RF experience. Are the younger photographers who have that kind of disposable cash interested in dealing with the quirks of RF focusing? RF focusing is nice for things that aren't moving around much and have some sort of vertical element to them, but in my experience when using them in a dynamic environment it was best to just rely on hyper-focal distance. You don't need an EVF for that. Sure an EVF would eliminate the need for a secondary viewfinder when using wide angles, but would people interesting in buying an M11-V really care about that? Best to buy two of them, one for WA lenses and one for 50mm and up.
I had on loan an M240 mono for about a year. Sure it was fun to play with, nice to use my Leitz glass without adapters but in the end I found it heavy, slow and noisy. The images were not any better in anyway than what I could get from my Lumix GX series cameras set to B&W. I much preferred my M4 and M5 experience. Not because they are film cameras, just the feel of them. So if I want a Leica RF experience I will load up some B&W film, get someone to soup it and I will scan the negs with my Lumix FF camera. Each to their own.
Eric
In Austin I see plenty of Gen-X and millennial kiddos sporting M10s and M11s. I think Leica will sell every single one they make. I think it's a great idea. But I don't understand when you write: "Best to buy two of them, one for WA lenses and one for 50mm and up." Since the EVF will show the field of view for both wide and tele lenses without any need for an auxiliary finder. But as long as you are suggesting it I'll put in my order for two.
I don't understand the allure of machinery (says the guy with five cameras.) In terms of images, would a V really be better than anything you already have? I have two Fuji X-T5s as go-to cameras, two Fuji X-E5s for travel, and a Nikon I no longer know what to do with. But I have reasons for it all that doesn't make the machinery into religious icons. For $20K (two Leicas) you could have a heck of a good time almost anywhere in the world. Just sayin'.
John, If I employed the same argument to you, would you see the $20,000 as binarily exclusionary? That you could EITHER have a good time almost anywhere in the world OR you could have two cameras? But not both? Can't people with a certain net worth actually have both? Could you not buy, say, a $20,000 camera and still afford to travel someplace fun? Or, could you buy a $100,000 car and still have enough cash to fly someplace to, say, play golf?
I don't think the M11-V is aimed at making better images as much as it's aimed at making the focusing of rangefinder lenses both accurate and easier. That, and being able to preview images before shooting. A benefit of all EVFs. Just asking cuz you're just sayin.
But maybe the M11 isn't the right camera for you. Maybe a couple of Hasselblad XD2D's would be a better choice? And cheaper than the Leicas into the bargain. My call to action was prima facie tongue in cheek. I'm happy with my ten year old M240s. And yeah, they do make better images than most of the cameras I've used.
Unlike John Camp, I do understand the allure of new machinery—not because I have any illusion about yet another camera turning me into a better photographer, but because I enjoy the look and feel of precision hardware. Also, sensible mechanical controls and well-designed software (firmware) contribute to making the experience of shooting pictures pleasant even when the resulting images turn out to be less than exceptional.
I have an M10-R and an SL2-S and use them for 95% of my (hobbyist) photography. It's really great to be use them together, with the M having a lens in the 28-50 range and the SL having either a much wider or much longer lens (like 21mm or 135mm). My only complaint is that the SL2-S is comparatively big and heavy. I do, however, love its EVF. I think I'd definitely be in the market for an M11-V. I bet there will be a lot of well-heeled Leica shooters of all ages who will want to have a regular M11 and an M11V as a pair.
There's no way I'll be able to justify that kind of expense for my hobby, however. So I'll stick with my M10-R and SL2-S.
I’ve given some thought to what Leica could do to make this exceptional. One thing I came up with was a larger than FF sensor that would allow floating framelines at 24x36. No matter, it’ll be out of my price range - luckily I’m quite happy with my M-P240, M246, Q2 and Q2M. I have no shortage of hardware.
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