So looking forward to tomorrow, May 10.

[dave lackey]

For the first time ever, I am somehow intrigued about the Leica announcement(s) tomorrow.

No particular reason except to see another piece of the "Future Leica" as it unfolds.

The story behind the products being introduced is more intriguing than anything. Just like the story behind every picture.

Ahh...we'll see soon enough and then have Photokina to look forward to. It is so fun to watch this with no pressure or stress (or interest) to go out and spend money on yet another camera. Just enjoying the drama.

[jippiejee]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

... Just enjoying the drama.

Yep, it's the tv soap for nerds like us. Now bring it on, wished there'd be a live feed instead of just twitter updates tomorrow.

[nlubis]

I am too. Hoping to see a different type of 'object' though.
To have an excuse to go and visit the Leica store at DC.

[jsrockit]

The most exciting part for me is the X2 announcement...just to see how they stepped it up. B&W only cameras don't do it for me at $8000.

[jippiejee]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

The most exciting part for me is the X2 announcement...just to see how they stepped it up.

The 'X2 with a Summilux' rumor is quite interesting; now if it also comes with a FF sensor (which I think they should in the current compact playing field with Sony and Fuji) it'll be quite the camera...

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by jippiejee

The 'X2 with a Summilux' rumor is quite interesting; now if it also comes with a FF sensor (which I think they should in the current compact playing field with Sony and Fuji) it'll be quite the camera...

If it is full frame, has a true, fast Leica lens that isn't a retracting P&S style, and has some kind of built in VF... it'll be hard to resist. Some how though, I don't think it'll be the case. AF with a ext OVF doesn't really do it for me. Imagine they put a focus ring and aperture ring on the lens like the Olympus 12mm for m4/3... drools.

[jippiejee]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

If it is full frame, has a true, fast Leica lens that isn't a retracting P&S style...

The retracting lens is really the true X1 annoyance indeed, and slows it down significantly when relaunching it from hibernation. Gosh, how many shots I missed because of that... I really hope they addressed that. And as you said, added a focus dial and aperture dial. jsrockit, they should give us jobs there, we know how to run the X-place best!

[Florian1234]

I'm kind of disaffected, since it might be another overpriced thing for rich people only. (I refer to the B&W only rumor here - what sense would it make to produce that kind of camera and make it even more expensive than the "regular" digital M...?)

I'm kind of curious, too, because there might be some other news and maybe they finally will bring out some of the stuff cryptically announced two or three years ago, when the S2 came on the market. There the bosses said that they would want to act like car manufacturers to introduce the new features in the top notch products and then develop new low-entry products with some of those features or equivalents of it. Which means something like a new digital CL or "entry" level digital M. That would be my piece of cake. Although I'm well aware that something like that would not be available below 1 or 2k $ or €.

In the end some people are happy with the presentation of tomorrow and some will say: see, told you so... (and I put my 2cents here, not in the other topic where I did not want to comment, for a reason)

[Jubb Jubb]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

The most exciting part for me is the X2 announcement...just to see how they stepped it up. B&W only cameras don't do it for me at $8000.

All rumors at this stage jsrockit... we don't know the price point just yet.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by Jubb Jubb

All rumors at this stage jsrockit... we don't know the price point just yet.

Well, we do know it'll be priced around the same price of the M9-P. Leica isn;t going to make it any cheaper.

[dogberryjr]

Something is planned for tomorrow? Hadn't heard.

[Ken Ford]

I'm interested to see if the B&W M is for real even though I have zero chance of ever affording one.

[segedi]

I have vowed to not buy another camera this year. (OK, I sorta broke it when I bought a Mamiya 7II, but I did sell a Hasselblad so the that doesn't count does it?) But I do hope I'm wowed by the announcements and then will have about 8 months for things to sort themselves out before making a purchase

[MCTuomey]

B&W only with anticipated gains in sharpness, maybe dynamic range, *true* in-camera film stock emulation - I'm very curious. Could be the most intellgent digital alternative to B&W film yet.

[paulfish4570]

drama, indeed, especially in the threads ...

[swoop]

Completely forgot about this. I just know if an M10 is released tomorrow I'll be completely smitten. And what's worse is I know I won't be able to acquire one for quite some time if ever.

[BobYIL]

I am not expecting an X2 with 35 Summilux to go for $3000 and having APS-C size sensor: Not attractive for a fixed lens camera with 50mm equivalent lens, can not sell well with $1000 over the X1.

I can expect an X2 with 35 Summilux to go for $3000 and having FF sensor. 35mm angle of view is better for a fixed camera also for zone focusing (hopefully it would allow manual override)

In both cases the Summilux will be the 35mm version of the Panasonic DG Summilux.

[jippiejee]

Originally Posted by BobYIL

In both cases the Summilux will be the 35mm version of the Panasonic DG Summilux.

But that one has only a m4/3 imaging circle... wouldn't that be much too small for a FF sensor?

[BobYIL]

Originally Posted by jippiejee

But that one has only a m4/3 imaging circle... wouldn't that be much too small for a FF sensor?

Summilux design can be "adapted" to cover illumination circles from m4/3 to APS-C to FF.. It certainly would be different than the 25mm DG Summilux with -certainly- larger glass diameters and -most certainly- much larger outer diameter and length (if to involve AF micromotor and the diaphragm automation micromotor and the related circuitry & pcb's too)

BTW, if it would be 35mm and FF, be sure that it won't be retractable.. no way..

Assuming no AF and manual diaphragm? Would Leica go with such a weird thing against the trend? Who knows! This is Leica..

[kmallick]

It is likely that the new X2 will have the same lens as X1 i.e. an Elmarit 24mm, albeit with an optional EVF?

I am more curious to find out more about the new Summicron 50mm. Something tells me that it is quite a revolutionary design change. Not that I can afford one when it comes out, but I am excited to know the details.

I also wonder if Thorsten is referring to this new lens in his article:
"What if ... he has finalized his well known - let's not hesitate using as strong a word as - obsession of developing the mother of all 50mm lenses. "

[BobYIL]

Originally Posted by kmallick

It is likely that the new X2 will have the same lens as X1 i.e. an Elmarit 24mm, albeit with an optional EVF?

I am more curious to find out more about the new Summicron 50mm. Something tells me that it is quite a revolutionary design change. Not that I can afford one when it comes out, but I am excited to know the details.

I also wonder if Thorsten is referring to this new lens in his article:
"What if ... he has finalized his well known - let's not hesitate using as strong a word as - obsession of developing the mother of all 50mm lenses. "

I do not think that the great majority of Leica user would be preferring a "mother of all 50mm lenses" while some of us were extremely happy with the Summilux Asph., some quite satisfied with the last versions of the Summicron, a very few some were proud of having the Noctilux if Leica were really capable of introducing something revolutionary; then why not start it with some available top CMOS sensors and develop a modern camera around it with features and dependability comparable to the ones selling less than half of the existing one? So that for the next five years at least we would not need to buy another Leica, similar to what we were enjoying decades long with the film Leicas.

[kmallick]

Originally Posted by BobYIL

then why not start it with some available top CMOS sensors and develop a modern camera around it with features and dependability comparable to the ones selling less than half of the existing one? So that for the next five years at least we would not need to buy another Leica, similar to what we were enjoying decades long with the film Leicas.

because that won't be Leica.
No matter what people think about them, I admire their way of standing out and doing something bold and different every time.

[Araakii]

Originally Posted by kmallick

because that won't be Leica.
No matter what people think about them, I admire their way of standing out and doing something bold and different every time.

I don't understand why some people always want Leica to make something that looks like a Canon/Nikon. If you want to have the features that are on a Canon/Nikon/Fuji, GO BUY those cameras! Do they want a Leica just because of the red dot?

[BobYIL]

Originally Posted by Araakii

I don't understand why some people always want Leica to make something that looks like a Canon/Nikon. If you want to have the features that are on a Canon/Nikon/Fuji, GO BUY those cameras! Do they want a Leica just because of the red dot?

If this was relevant to my desire to see the new Leica with a top CMOS sensor then it's not because I would buy "a Leica because of the red dot" but because I want to have a Leica to deliver a similar IQ through a similar ISO range and be dependable, reliable, weather resistant, having shutter to last a couple of hundred thousands of activation, shortly be comparable to some latest top cameras of our day.

Do you have a digital Leica? Why were you offended by these logical wishes shared also by thousands of other Leica users? Today there was a review of the D800 in a forum site. How about taking a look there and see also some samples? All these for $3.000. A suggestion from one who have been using Leicas since 1963 and believing that insightful enthusiasm and latent fanboyism are two very different characteristics.

[Archlich]

The Sony 16MP in X2 for sure. Don't forget to praise the sharpness and signature of the elmarit on it...