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.
