Leica Digital M in the works

Leica's forays into the digital world have been something of a mixed bag, with some of the more prominent Leica-branded or Leica-compatible cameras — including Epson's R-D1 rangefinder and the Panasonic-built Digilux line — being made by other companies. Now, however, word is trickling out that Leica is planning a product the company had previously said would never see the light of day: a digital version of the Leica M rangefinder. According to reports, the Digital M will be powered by a 10 megapixel Kodak imager, will come equipped with a full range of new lenses, will have a 1.3x focal-length conversion ratio, and will debut at Photokina 2006, with a full rollout sometime in 2007. If you've got a pile of Leica lenses and can't bear to wait, you can always pick up an R-D1 to tide you over; it'll handle your glass, and sells for a mere $3,000.

[Max Fun @ Dec 27th 2005 2:20PM]

It is very hard to decide what to think about the Digital M. It's definitely a very important move, since this will hopefully keep Leica afloat. However, given the problems of rangefinder lenses on digital sensors, this limits the excellence of Leica lenses that people were willing to pay through their noses for. In addition, many people were willing to pay a lot for Leica products is because you can literally keep the cameras and lenses for decades. They are mainly mechanical and are so well made, that you just need a tune-up every few years and it will work as good as new. However, no electronic goods will be able to last as long, so it makes the investment a lot less sense, especially since you can get 10MP cameras for probably less than half the price when the Digital M finally arrives.



Still, I'll be saving up for one.

[Caleb @ Dec 27th 2005 3:09PM]

Good to see Leica back in the game.

[Philipp Eigenmann @ Dec 27th 2005 5:16PM]

If you're looking for additional, semi official infos (even pics), here ya go:



German



http://www.lfi-online.de/ceemes/show.php?lfi_topstory1



English



http://www.lfi-online.de/ceemes/show.php?lfi_topstory1_english



Cheers



P

[Mike Panic @ Dec 27th 2005 9:44PM]

Just a note, Leica already offers a high end dslr called the DMR

[Weegee @ Dec 28th 2005 2:01AM]

The DMR is some hybrid P.o.S. the whole allure of Leica is the sharpness of the lens due to the rangefinder system. I doubt Leica has a winner with the Digital M. As for me, I'll stick with my M7 and an Imacon scanner over 10MP anyday.

[CyBeR @ Dec 28th 2005 3:21AM]

The DMR (Digital-Modul-R) isn't a DSLR. It's just a Digital Back for their R8 and R9 analog SLR cameras.

[Eric @ Dec 28th 2005 10:15AM]

I haven't seen such misinformation in along time. Leica has already statd more than a year ago that a digital M was coming at Photokina 2006 (World's Fair of photography in the fall every even-numbered year).



As a Leica user since '81, I know a bit about things. Leica would NEVER make anything that would not last for decades. They haven't and they won't. Period.



There's plenty more to the allure of Leica than lens sharpness. In fact, sharpness was never their forte. It was the overall design of their lens and the balance they took in choosing how much sharpness vs. contrast vs other aberrations (like chromatic, spherical, astigmatism, etc.). Each lens was designed to suit its purpose. Whether a tele, wide angle, macro, whatever. The lens cahracteristics were balanced to give the absolute best performance.



Their SLR lenses are as good as their rangefinder lenses. I've used them both. They are all in the same family when it comes to performance.



From the people who use the DMR, I've heard a lot of praise. It's certainly not a P.O.S. The R8 and R9 were specifically designed to go digital with a back whenever Leica came out with it. When I bought an R8 (the first month they were availalbe - which I lucked out and got a bug-free one) Leica told us back then the body was the size it was to accomodate digital.



So sticking with an M7 and an Imacon scanner (very good, we almost bought one where I work, but got an EOS 1Ds Mark II instead) is missing out. Digital is now better than film at the high end. Color accuracy is better, and with my 16.7 megapixel monster I don't miss the Leicas any more. My photos are better. Film can't compete. My favorite film - Kodacrhome 25 Professional - can't touch it. I don't know exactly how the DMR is in comparison, I'm waiting to see some definitive results, but if it's as good as the EOS 5D, which has similar-sized files, then I'd have to say it's the best way to get the Leica goodness, that you get from their glass, which exists today.



Another good thing about Leica? Adobe's DNG open RAW file format is native for the DMR. And will be with the Digital M.