More Leica M Porn: It’s getting closer! More info and Brochure available on the “Milestone”

84 Comments

1. I am waiting for a humidity/ vapor/ splash/ sand/ dust proof M body and lens system.

2. Leica has so far failed to engineer a vapor/ splash/ dust proof M range finder and lens combination. Leica wish to charge premium prices but have been slackers when it comes to meeting field performance requirements of serious photographers.

   I am still waiting for such a Leica camera.

3. Owned 2 Leica M9 and 1 Leica M9 titanium limited edition. Nikon D3, D3s, D800. For self appreciation and taking my time to enjoyed the piece of art of what Leica made, I used the Leica. For daily use including holidays, I used the Nikon. Surprising during my recent trip to Bhutan, I brought along 2 Leica. One with a Noctilux 0.95 50mm and the other with a Summilux f1.4. After the trip sitting down looking at all those shots, I enjoy every single one of it.Bhutan is just a colourful place and the shots do stand out compare to my trip to North Korea. I should I brought a Leica M9-p as the place is almost black, white and grey.
   To be honest after using so many brands and types of camera all these years, nothing can be compared against each other.Its just up to individual choice and likings. Try comparing a Lomo with a Leica? Well, it’s still depend on how we enjoy and appreciated it. Compare a shot with the iPhone and a DSLR, still depend on what we think.
   Once in remote China, I was being told off by a 12 years old boy. He say” don’t show too much of your big canon (Nikon D3), look at my picture. he is using a Casio 5 mp DC. he show it to me and I felt a step back.
   He told me, it’s how he appreciated his camera and how he want its to produce. I mean the contents.
   End of the day I could only say, we respect the users and the manufacturers. the user might just spend 10k on an upgrade but the manufacturers spend millions to do the R&D and production. for them it’s might involved several hundred ppl to produce it and for us we max lose 10k if we didn’t like it.
   So most important is for us to perfect on our skill and stick to what we like and appreciated. no 2 person can produce the same picture and no 2 persons can like.

4. i read that the M-9 and upgrade model? are discontinued! So much for digital models..Leica will not use the Kodak sensor as i doubt it is available! Not sure what Pentax 645D and Leica S2 will do now..
   The way of modern computers and similar stuff..

5. Interesting video. The final word is “rich”. Very interesting, really…

6. I spoke to a major dealer today. He said Leica had said they hoped to have pre-orders filled on 28th Feb, but that there wouldn’t be stock on the shelves till after the summer! I hope that isn’t the case!

7. For whatever it is worth: I received the confirmation this week for a seat in the Leica Akademie one day Workshop “Die Leica M im Test” (I assume I don´t have to translate this) on February 23. There is actually an earlier Workshop on February 22. I assume we can take this as a further proof that the Leica M is approaching its release date in February. So, expect to see plenty of images coming up end of February latest.

   I intend to take my Canon 1Dx with me to take some comparison shots. I´m looking forward to have a lot of fun.

   Best regards,

   Wolfgang

8. Weather sealing, great. Though I never heard on the subject of impermeability of leica lenses. Neither from Leitz ( they could if any afford to give their precious a tropical downpour for a trial ). Could anybody illuminate me on the subject? Never heard anything of kind from all kinds of leica gear field testers neither.
   Well, here`s a free hint for Leitz company to make some extra buck with the coming of weatherproof M. Make a special edition of water- and dustproof lenses, call them Safari or GS (Gelande und Strasse) and charge 20% more.
   p.s. perhaps that would woo Joe McNally to Leica. His Pirelli stuff was after all shot in hot steamy and rainy Rio de Janeiro.

   • The 2013 Pirelli calendar was shot by Steve McCurry, the famed National Geographic photographer, not Joe McNally.

     But I do get your point….

     • Sorry, you`re right of course.

9. Truthfully, the images in that brochure are some of the most mediocre I’ve seen.

   If Joe McNally had been shooting at that location, with those people, using a D4 and his Speedlight setups, he would have gotten images that were vastly, spectacularly, superior to what are contained in this Leica document.

   But then, it proves the point that most professional photographers (and I emphasize “most”) don’t use Leica gear.

   • They should have sent Stephen DuPont to Afghanistan with one.

     That would have been good.

10. A digital camera for forever is a oxymoron. I would never order a camera before knowning how well it makes images. Knowing Leica it will some time in Dec. of this year before a camera store will have one to hold and test. I would never buy a camera with out meeting it frist, let alone putting down over seven grand for the meer pleasure. I have a Fuji X-Pro, because it is a more senable camera. Leica the 21st century beckons. The M/RF platform is great for film. Not so much digital. Time for autofocus and SLR/Mirror. I will keep my M7 forever with film.

    • Best idea Leica ever had was the Digital Module R.

      They could have kept bringing a new Module out for the existing R bodies for decades to utilise new sensors, more MP’s and so on. Instead they binned what should have been the future of digital cameras IMV.

      • selling add-ons not a good financial plan..
        The idea marvelous. The results were good!
        Leica saw the light of many new models, quicker obsolete and newer customers..
        I already encountered problems with parts for repair on my M2.
        What did i think? “It is so old!”

11. It never ceases to amaze me how much useless conversation is generated around the ‘price’ of Leica products by those who attach their personal ‘value’ position to such. There’s no doubt that like its predecessors the new M will be capable of quality images. Would any photographic enthusiast knock back to opportunity to own one; highly unlikely! So what’s most often the determinant; whether you have the money and consider the product to offer appropriate value. To this, ‘each his own’ and no one else needs to be the judge as to the value or otherwise. What’s that I hear a number of you murmur, ‘I wouldn’t buy one even if I had the cash because of, blah blah blah’! To you, do you really think anybody cares; just get over yourself and let those who wish to engage their passion in whatever way they choose to do so. Go away and enjoy your Nikon blah blah blah, Canon whatever, Sony……..Fuji……….Pentax…………..etc etc and let’s focus on the shared passion of photography regardless!

    • to me It never ceases to amaze me how much useless conversation is generated around “GEAR” … i’ve been following from time to time that website for some interesting well written articles speking passion in photography. this happens fewer and especially in comments…

      has anyone tried to watch the video and understand what the photographer Jean Gaumy is saying? you all miss the essential! has anyone really look at the pics to appreciate them?

      essential about Leica is in the video! purity

      i quit! i decide to be no more a fellow of that website, it become low profile and n-intresting, i divorce
      vive la france

      as per Leica brochure for those who miss it:quote as a change from travelling through distant countries, globe-trotting magnum photographer Jean Gaumy has been
      capturing impressions of his native region of Upper Normandy. The high profile, multi-award-winning photographer
      has been living in the ancient seaport of Fécamp since 1995. Like Le Havre, Étretat, Dieppe, and Le Tréport, Fécamp
      lies on the 80-mile-long alabaster coast. The tall and majestic white chalk cliffs have made this part of the
      Normandy coast famous far beyond the borders of France. Jean Gaumy formerly studied in rouen, located
      a mere 30 miles from the coast. as a freelance photographer back then, he took photos of small events and
      celebrations in the villages and towns of the region for local newspapers. Today, around 40 years later, he attempts
      to approach his subjects again with the same methods he used in the past.
      The outcome of this is an intensely personal ‘journal’ that provides an informal, almost intimate, view of the
      coastal region and its inhabitants. Jean Gaumy likes to compare his style of photography with the art of fly fishing:
      “you wade into the stream, get closer to the ‘fish’, establish a certain trust, wait patiently, persistently, with
      determination, with the apparent aloofness of a cat prepared to spring – and then, with a fast reaction, recognise
      a shot and simply grab it!” Join us on a journey of discovery in Normandy – all captured with a love of life and
      authenticity by a rather special photographer with a rather special camera. Jean Gaumy and the new Leica m.

      • Well on paper the pictures and the camera look ok, that’s all. I’m sure many Leica fans will buy because it’s a Leica and picture quality will be 90% down to the camera user. Everyone should buy and use what they want to, the important bit is the end result. Some of my fav pictures have been taken using a Zenit 18 , Yashica Electro GSN and recently Sigma DP1 Merrill. Happy Days to have so much choice 🙂

12. Oh greeeaaaaattttt !!! The new M is coming soon !!!
    Who cares ! I just bought the tiny Voigtlander 15/4.5 and 2 batteries for my beloved M9P !
    The M9P is the last real M. Period.
    If I want to mount R lenses, I buy a R6, if I want a waterproof body, I buy a Nikon D700.
    If I want to take photos, I use my Canon 1V or my FM2 and some Tri-X rolls.

    If I want to shine in high-class parties sipping Ruinart with Qataris, I buy a M (see the photos of the official M presentation…)

    It’s up to one’s taste…

    • Kais, how does that 15mm/4.5 work w your M9? Any colour issues on the edges/corners?

      Thanks!

      • I’ll tell you as soon as I post-process the files. I have already noticed some vignetting but that’s something expected for an ultra-wide lens.

        • Thanks Kais.
          I’m not worried about the vignetting, just the reports of magenta tones on borders, which some have published. But firmware updates may have corrected that.
          Are you using a manual lens code setting?
          Worst case scenario – I can use it exclusively for B&W

          • There are some magenta casts with lens coding set to off.
            I’ll try to use this coding : Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21mm f/4 ASPH.

            If you want more details, email-me (you’ll find my email on my blog, just click on my name and you’ll be redirected).

            Cheers.

          • Thanks Kais.
            But too late for me! I succumbed to a good deal on a used Super Elmar 18mm yesterday….

    • quote:If I want to shine in high-class parties sipping Ruinart with Qataris, I buy a M …. and with the M9-P you wanted to sip tap water at a street level with guys that can afford a 150 box camera ?

13. I got this brochure back in November last year on the Photo & Adventure Expo in Linz (Austria). They even let me play with the new M.

14. well… i m looking forward on a used M9P for about 2500-3000€ when the new M is out + a nice and new X100s… Awesome IQ for when there’s enough light with the M9 and when it gets dark i just whip out the X100s (oh.. and when I need AF! :P)… around 4000€, still 2200 less then the new M.
    That will give me an awesome travel kit in addition to my beloved M6! Already stoked to go on holiday again! 😉

15. The brochure images are always “interesting”. But, to me, I think it’s a more honest approach for the company to take. You give an artist a new tool and free creative rein to do his/her thing. You take what he gives you. It’s honest, true. The other method is your classic CaNikon approach you give the production company a massively restrictive brief, basically to do exactly what your told that fits the companies marketing plan for this year. You then photoshop the crap out of them to suit the global campaign.

    I think this approach, whilst sometimes delivering different results (subjective,) is a truer approach to the artist, and buying target audience.

    • A good point actually. But…they should get better artists!

      • Anyone who is invited into Magnum is artist enough, IMO!

16. Leica has a great line up here with the M-E, M Monochrom, and M type 240

    I hope in 3 years they consider a new M-E based on that kodak 28 megapixel CCD, and a new M Monochrom based on the same chip. Can you imagine the black & white images with 28 megapixels and newer CCD with lower noise (although not as low noise as a CMOS sensor). An M Monochrom update could have usable ISO 25,600

    Of course that’s all speculation. I’m willing to bet the next M-E will be a slightly stripped down M type 240, and the M Monochrom will go closer to 5 or 6 years before an update since it is a specialized camera (a niche in a niche class of camera) and because it still has the BEST files I’ve seen from any full frame camera on the planet.

17. It never ceases to amaze me that with a camera the caliber of a Leica M the photos they use in the brochures are always so awful and don’t give any idea what the camera is capable of!

    • well I guess the camera just takes regular photos (we knew that already though) they all do, I do agree that the brochure images are very, very strange.

      • The brochure images are the kind of pictures a graphic designer would use in a page layout whilst waiting for the ‘real’ images to be delivered by the client…

    • Not to mention, it’s not just the brochure. Look at all the images on the lens pages as well. Most a very ordinary indeed. I can only assume Leica are trying not to give the impression that this is a camera for professionals. I’m guessing most buyers of Leica M’s are not professionals. I suppose Leica is trying to appeal to that market..?

18. I remember Leica saying on launch that the M8 was a digital camera for life……. well it seems judging by the reported lack of support issues that they were meaning a very short life! Each to their own thank god but this still seems like a lot of money for offering not much more (or even less) than other cameras at half the price or less, but then owning “that red dot” was never about value for money was it. I’m just glad there is more choice out there than ever with companies like Fuji ( X100S, X-E1, X20 X-Pro) and Samsung pushing the boundaries hard (new NX300 has some incredible spec’s and features especially regarding Wj-Fi), Happy Days 🙂

    • Until they come up with an M camera with a sensor module that can be replaced every 5 years when the technology jumps, they will never be for life.

19. Technically, in “the right hands” as you say, any camera would do! When you spend 9k on a camera you expect a bit more than that I guess…

    • When I was an art student in the 1980‘s and living in the UK, I bought a second-hand Leica M2 with a 35, 50 and 90mm lens for £280. The ‘kit’ came with a leather case. It was a fantastic deal even then. I loved the camera – definitely the best made camera I had ever owned at that time. After a few years, I eventually sold the lenses and the camera body in individual sales for a tiny profit. The leather case actually fell to pieces when I took it out in the rain! (yes, is was a genuine Leica case) Anyway, with the money I was able to buy a Pentax ME Super (a very small 35mm reflex camera) a 28mm lens and a plane ticket to Portugal where I spent a week or so taking pictures. One camera, one lens. I took very Leica-like pictures with that camera – because that is the kind of picture making I was into at the time. I believe I took some pretty good pictures. It was the plane ticket, the opportunity, the new things to see and my enthusiasm that made those pictures, not the camera. I’ve never regretted selling my Leica. What kind of Leica gear would £280 buy today (even allowing for inflation); a lens cap… a lens filter, maybe… ? 🙂

      • Hi Keje, your question what kind of leica gear would £280 buy today got me thinking so I did some quick research.

        £280 then in today’s money is about £900-950 depending upon which year you bought the camera.

        An M2 back then would have been about 30 years old. A 30 year old Leica today would mean an M4 or M5. I can see used M4 cameras sell for about £450 and an M6 for £550. A used Elmar or Summaron sells for anywhere between £300-400 so to answer what kind of leica gear would £280 buy today – more than you’d think!

        • Thanks for that! I’m not sure of the year exactly; but you are probably right – my M2 may have been 30 years old when I bought it. The camera worked beautifully for quite a while until one day the range-finder mechanism got out of alignment. To repair it, meant taking a day trip to Bristol to a repair shop and leaving the camera there for 2 weeks. This happened a number of times and I eventually got fed up of the cost of the repairs and the wait, so I sold it. But it was still one hell of a camera. I’m totally out of touch with second-hand Leica prices, but its good to know that they can be had at a reasonable price (I mean the film Leica’s of course).

20. Hi Steve,

    Thanks for including the PDF brochure. Like you I am very excitied over the up coming release, of what appears to be quite a camera. Not that I can afford one, but still. After all what’s not to like!

21. I still think I’d rather have a Nikon D4.

    • Yes.

      Although I would have Leica S series if I did not have to sell my house to buy one.

22. If I had the money I would buy an leica monochrome… I just hate the design of the new M, The AF button why is it front of camera ? why they changed the color of scroll wheel? but what I do like is the BIG BIG screen in the back of camera I think its just amazing!

23. I’ll stick with my leitz M6 with 28mm cron and my M6 RPS with matching 50mm cron. Both cost me less than an M9 body with no lens.

    And all where new apart from the early leitz M6.

    In the UK an M hovers around the 5K mark I think. That’s a lot to pay for a camera that is manufactured in Portugal (some of the lowest wages in the Euopian Union). And to add insult to injury, look at what leica has done with the M8. You can no longer get replacement screens and major components for it if it breaks.

    Yet you can still send a 1950s M’s and early thread mount leicas back to Germany for a full service and repair.

    The new lenses are amazing but the digital M’s are pants.

    • Mike, whilst I agree with you completely and now follow the same route as yours I still wouldn’t turn one down if a free camera turned up in the post one day. 😀

    • Future support is a serious issue. I agree with your comments about the M8.

      ‘Progress’ will mean that every digital Leica will become obsolete two or three years after its launch. The cameras are expensive and should still be working in 5 years and more.

      The killer will be the inevitable none availability of replacement batteries – we know new ones only last a short few years. And once the sensor develops a fault, or other key electronic components fail (rear screen, etc.), the camera will become an expensive ornament. Given the high price, this is enough to put me off buying one.

      If we intend to keep our digital Leica for any length of time, we know that other manufacturers will be producing better cameras at cheaper prices given the speed with which they refresh their products, which we would be happier to dispose of and replace, e.g. Fuji X-E1.

      My other concern with a Leica would be the danger of ‘being relieved of it’ in the street. But there is no way round that one.

      • I’d also take a new M if I was given one for free. I just wouldn’t spend 5k on one.

        I’d rather buy a new 35mm summilux and a second hand 90mm cron if I had a spare 5k burning a hole in my pocket.

      • Your first three points emphasize the true pitfalls of spending $7K for a digital body if you are not a professional photographer.

        It will be interesting to see if Leica can maintain its exclusivity and build quality over the long haul in a digital world driven by rapid technological advances and short product life-cycles.

        They may well be able to do so. Leicas cost a lot more to start with, and folks are liable to keep them longer – so Leica may be able to buck the trend, especially since we seem to be rapidly approaching the upper limits of what’s possible (and necessary) in terms of sensor resolution. (Nikon’s D800 has reached a point where anything less than their best glass, and any faults in user technique, negate the usefulness of the camera’s high res sensor.)

        A 24 megapixel full frame may represent the sweet spot for a while. I expect further improvements in sensor design will focus more on improving dynamic range and low light capability. This may extend the usefulness of the new M beyond what was possible with the M9 and M8.

        • I agree with what you’re saying here. Realistically further improvements in sensor design and processing capability will occur, and we would want them to, but there is point where the performance is more than good enough. That point has been reached, certainly in the case of the D800. Further improvements will be small and incremental.

          I think what we want, is to know that an expensive camera like a Leica M, will work properly for long enough for us to feel that we have had value for our money. With the reduced use amateurs give their cameras, there is no reason why the camera’s longevity would be a problem, but issues with consumables like batteries, are a concern.

          Leica especially (but others too) could design the camera body so that the battery fitted into a built in module, which could be easily removed by their service department, so that when a particular battery model became obsolete, Leica could use a different battery thereafter, and by changing the ‘holding module’, allow all digital Leicas to be ‘converted’ to use a different (and easily obtainable) battery for many years.

          All they would have to do would be design a removable module which housed the battery, and was large enough to accommodate possibly larger sized, or different shaped batteries in the future. The battery size and shapes only vary slightly, but vary enough to prevent a new type from fitting in the original slot. This would cost them very little and would reassure potential buyers like myself.

          Those who wanted to upgrade their cameras could do so as and when they felt the additional features/improvements justified this course of action.

          24 megapixels is always going to be enough for most users. This is one area where the modular design of a Hasselblad minimises this problem as you can just buy a new back with the latest sensor.

          For that matter Leica could even build the sensor into a module, which they could update in the future.

          A little imaginative thinking from Leica, could address this built in obsolescence.

      • Batteries only last a few years? I am still shooting my D2H bodies on the original batteries I purchased when I bought my first body in 2003? Yeah, they are finally nearing replacement (at a “4” of “4” butI have two new ones already on hand). So, almost 10 years of using the same batteries and shooting over 200,000 images and I still get images I like out of my Nikons. But, to be honest, I am looking to pick up a Fuji X system soon as my travel system of choice. Probably the X-Pro1 and maybe an X100 or X100s depending on funds. Anyhow, keep on SHOOTING!!!!

        • You’ve been lucky with your batteries but they have lasted well. The real question is how long should a camera last?

          Your D2H was a top notch camera 10 years ago. I know pixels aren’t everything, but the 4.1 megapixels specs illustrate just how much progress has been made in digital camera technology since then. And that point will also apply to the Leica M. How long will it work for and how long would you want to keep it for?

          I collect old cameras and regularly use cameras that are between 50 and 60 years old. They all work perfectly and produce excellent image quality – and they are older than me …..

          • My son uses his D2H and original batteries all the time 🙂 He loves it and while it has an AWFUL LCD and is very low resolution and the AWB is awful and the Dynamic Range is horrible, it can put out some nice looking images at times. Very fast camera.

          • Fair point Steve. I’d be interested to know how long you think a new Leica M should work for given it’s price. Do you think my point about batteries and electrical component longevity is a valid one, or am I worrying too much? I’m sure it will be a fantastic camera.

      • Valid points, but Leica is still replacing sensors on Digilux 2s (the only “Leica” I can afford, except for a Minolta CLE half-breed Leica), so what makes you sure they won’t stand by the newer digital models.

        • OK – but why do the sensors need replacing after such a short period of time?

    • The Leica M series cameras are made in Germany, not Portugal.

      It even says it in engraved on the back of the camera bodies, to the right of the viewfinder.

      • It’d be interesting to see what percentage of parts are actually manufactured in the European Union …
        “Made in Germany” means no more than “Assembled in Germany”.

        Ernesto

    • It is always interesting to read silly statements, packed with dogma and prejudice. Not very intelligent.

24. “My favorite part about the new M? The price. It is the same as the M9 was at launch. Sure it is a huge chunk of change but at least Leica did not pull a $10k mistake.”

    I respectfully disagree with the first part of this statement, Steve. Even though the price is on par with the M9 and below the initial fears of $10k, it still remains way too expensive for a camera with such specs. I have been a Leica user for many years, but I will not rush on the M and will stick to my M9 which gives me great pictures.

    Ernesto

    • Sorry but i am puzzled by your logic. So the M9 with all its drawback is worth the $7k (making an assumption that managed to justify it because you own it) but the M is not with all the listed improvements?

      • Read my post again: Where does it state that I consider the M9 worth the money?

        I simply do not want to spend $3-4k (new – trade-in) at each release of a new M anymore (Already did it when upgrading from the M8 to the M9).
        And believe me, you will read the very same posts in 3 years when Leica will release its next new M (2xx).

        Ernesto

        • ” it still remains way too expensive for a camera with such specs.”

          So if you do not consider it a reasonable improvement for you (quoting: “I simply do not want to spend $3-4k (new – trade-in) at each release of a new M anymore “), why then argue that the price is too high? Cause in my eyes, this is a much more worthy of the $7k than any of the M digitals so far.

          Other points:
          – M9 – I was making an assumption. You own it, thus you managed to justify it. Of course it is not worth the money, but the fact is you have it and compare it to a product that is more “up with current and past” realities in camera industry than M9 ever was (well maybe 2004 it could have been considered as “high end”).
          – they are not released yearly. Yes, much more often than film M’s but they MUST be competitive.

          Either way, happy shooting 🙂

          • Thanks!

            To be completely honest, I would not buy the M8 and M9 anymore. With hindsight, I consider it was not worth the money. I should have simply continued with my M6 only.

            Ernesto

          • If i would be fair, i have no love for any offerrings yet…

    • Agreed. Too much money for a digital. Any digital camera is a disposable product as this site bears witness to by the comings and goings of this weeks favorite flavor of camera.
      Would you pay 500 dollars for disposable batteries or razors? Really? If they had a red dot on them?
      Such an investment made sense with film when it was certain you could use it for years.
      I can afford one of these but won’t buy it. Rather use my M6’s actually and scan the film. No menus and constantly recharging batteries to deal with.I have no doubt that the new M is a nice camera but if you’re smart I think you’d buy an OM-D for digital and a used M.

      • Steve, totally agree with you about cameras being disposable. I have owned an M9 for a while now and frankly do not get any of the wow factor from any of the sample photos I’ve seen from the M to justify the cost. Sure, there will be some great improvements, but the whole field of photography is moving so fast that if it is the latest technology you want, then you should be prepare your finances for that 1-2 year refresh cycle.

        The funny thing is that even when you look at the photos of the popular professional photographers trying to convince you to upgrade the the latest camera, their portfolios don’t look any different than when they had the older camera model. And after spending the hard-earned cash on my M9 a few years ago, I am now seeing some stunning Leica X2 photography out there everywhere, both in color and b&w. So what did the extra money got me: a few extra lenses so my feet didn’t have to move as much. Sad how we have all been drinking the cool-aid for too long. I’m keeping my money in the bank.

    • The price is worst part.

25. Does anyone know if the Focus Peaking works in the Viewfinder (EVF I suppose – a Fuji-like Hybrid would be too useful for Leica to include!) or is it just Live view?

    If just LV then this remains useless as I hate LV and cannot see well enough to focus using the RF.

    Better for me would have been a scaled down S crossed with an M to include new AF lenses.

26. I use a M9 and after seeing the pictures and the brochure of M, I do not feel like upgrading to M, I have not cancelled my pre-order.

    About the M, the LCD at the back, I do without it, the processor, and the megapixel no big deal, use of R lenses-do not want to use them.

    The only item I may love to have in a M9 is the weather sealing. But, what I like is Leica keeping the same price and also introducing the M-E, that just means that somewhere Leica believes there will be 2 set of users one who like the Kodak CCD sensor and the others the CMOS sensor. For a low light I would not use a Leica because the Nikon’s and Canon’s are better in that. Also, I am not so sure about the CMOSIS sensor, the photograph which I have seen posted at various sites are not impressive at all. It does not matter if it was not shot by professional, the beauty of the camera is that the lenses should have given an impressive results irrespective of the which photographers uses them. The composition, lighting and other items can be way off but, it just takes a trained eye to judge the quality of the picture. Now, even the pictures of Normandy are not impressive, although shot by a very professional photographer. I believe Leica will need to tweak the firmware over a period of time to produce more better result. My liking for Leica is so strong I want to be wrong in all this interpretation and hope the M is a superb camera.

    I even think after the M is released the used M9 prices may further go up, as people will realize that M9 and M are totally different cameras. Having said all that the anxiety of the M is killing me.

    • “the beauty of the camera is that the lenses should have given an impressive results irrespective of the which photographers uses them”

      Wow…

      • Jonny, we can all be redeemed. Hallelujah! Just send us your money (lots of it) and you’ll be saved.

27. Hi Steve,
    I’ll be visiting the Leica factory at the end of Feb and they have told me it will not be avalible for me to purchase while I’m there. I have also contacted Leica dealers in Germany and they have told me April.

28. I recently canceled my order at B&H for this camera. For a moment I was worried I’d regret it upon viewing the brochure, but luckily not. We’ve seen these images before and they’re quite lackluster. They have a very digital look to them — not even up to Nikon/Canon standards yet.

    It may be that with some tweaking to the image processor, things might improve.

    But so far, I’ve decided I have a freezer full of film and an M6. I can just sit tight until I see something that impresses me.

    • I bought an X pro 1. I’m taking pictures instead of wringing my hands. When will people learn you cant tell squat from a computer monitor.

    • (FYI: This brochure and pics have been up for a while now)…
      @Dave, I’m glad someone said it. I didn’t think the Normandy shots were anything special… I’d also want to see more from this beast before shelling out the big bucks.
      In the mean time, I’m also using film which consistently gives the results I like.
      I’m looking to make the jump to the Digital M, but need more convincing…

    • “not even up to Canon/Nikon quality”
      Did you mean these companies cameras are some how sub par?

      My Canon 1 DS “classic” is 10 years old and can still produce stunning film like black and white prints with sweet grain from the sensor. I keep it just because of this.
      The new M will be stunning and judging it from web based image samples is not doing it or any camera justice.

      For me any camera and lens combo should be judged by physical print copy, any camera can produce magical images with care and a little skill.

      I love Leica but cannot afford to use their products but i totally appreciate what they can do and would love to shoot the Mono the most.

      • No, they’re not subpar. They’re the state of the art.

        What I’m saying is that these images from a $7000 camera are not up to what I get from my $1200 Nikon D7000 — or my Fuji X100.

        If I’m going to pay $7000, I’d like better image quality, that’s all. Otherwise, for the enjoyment of using a rangefinder, I can just keep using film.

29. CCD sensors are known for their tonality and CMOS for low light. Lets hope Leica gives us the best of both.

    • The price is worst part. Let’s hope the IQ is as good as Sigma DP2M.

      • Price is good. It’s a Leica. Did you think Leica would drop down to $3500 for their flagship M when their last M9-P was $8k and their Mono is $8k? Nope. $6k is actually low for a new Leica M flagship. They will never sell their cameras for $2k-$4k. I am not saying it is worth it, just saying it is Leica and their pricing has always been on the upper end of the spectrum. It is what it is.

        • Isn’t it $6,995 (7k)?

          You are right tough, it is the right price for a Leica. I’d rather it was $5k but that will only happen when the next one comes out and the first glut of used Ms hit the market.

30. Did you say porn? Oh yea, you’re talking Leica M as in camera porn!!! As a long time Leica user, cough cough just joking, can’t wait to see what this camera will really do in the right hands. Not mine but the right hands. No longer will we hear that the LCD is subpar, high ISO subpar etc etc etc.

    I think the biggest deal will be the CMOS sensor and the accessory grip which has the extra ports for true studio work along with access to the long R lenses.

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