M10 Specs Up

[dcsang]

Originally Posted by kdemas

They said its a small company in Belgium, not one of the big boys.

Yep - a company that's only been around since late 2007-early 2008 - *sigh*

Dave

[OlliL]

Here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_4xHIqU4t8&sns=em

Hope the link works, since I'm on my iPad.

[moreammo]

Originally Posted by fstops

If you just got some money and want a Leica, would you buy an M9 or a ME?

ME. Because it has faster write speed compared to M9, not to mention it will be serviced for a bit longer.

where did you see the ME has faster write speeds? looks like it has the same internals. i would love a link to that info.

[swoop]

So the M-E is literally an M9 sans frameline selector? Or am I missing something?

[whitecat]

The Leica M also marks the beginning of a new era in the Leica product naming policy. In future, Leica M and S model names will omit the number suffix to emphasize the enduring and long-term significance of the respective systems.

This tells me there will be many models at higher prices at shorter intervals. Doesn't make me look forward to the next model.

[Lauffray]

Originally Posted by swoop

So the M-E is literally an M9 sans frameline selector? Or am I missing something?

I was just going to ask that, the ME is basically a "new" M9 ?

[furcafe]

And only "anthracite" gray paint finish.

Originally Posted by swoop

So the M-E is literally an M9 sans frameline selector? Or am I missing something?

[CVickery]

...And no USB port.

Originally Posted by furcafe

And only "anthracite" gray paint finish.

[swoop]

Originally Posted by CVickery

...And no USB port.

Ok. Thanks for clearing that up.

So M-E is the M9.
Different color
No ISO 80
No USB port
No frameline preview lever

[hteasley]

M-E is clearly trying to price cut the M9 without making existing M9 owners mad. Remove some items that add marginally to the cost, call it something different, sell it for what passes as a Leica "budget" price.

The M... pretty interesting. You're $10k in with the accessories that make it interesting, though, without even having bought glass yet...

[semilog]

To those who so adamantly claimed that an M should never have live view or video: I am looking forward to seeing how many of you conveniently forget that you ever held that opinion as soon as you've pre-ordered.

The lack of live view has been a MAJOR limitation of the digital M's up to now. I am delighted to see that Leica sees these issues with clearer eyes than some of the more Luddite Leica fans do.

[moreammo]

Originally Posted by swoop

Ok. Thanks for clearing that up.

So M-E is the M9.
Different color
No ISO 80
No USB port
No frameline preview lever

the spec sheet still shows "ISO 80 pull" so i guess that is still there.

[semilog]

Interesting.

The press release does NOT say that the M lacks an antialiasing filter.

[swoop]

I think the new M should have been an M9 with a new sensor, faster innards and live view. This is just too much change. Here's to waiting for the special edition "M classic."

[furcafe]

No, it still has the "pull" ISO 80, according to the spec sheet.

Originally Posted by swoop

Ok. Thanks for clearing that up.

So M-E is the M9.
Different color
No ISO 80
No USB port
No frameline preview lever

[Peter Klein]

They talk about the M-E's quiet shutter, but they don't say that it's new or any different than the M8.2/M9 shutter. And they don't talk about new M's the shutter at all. So I'm not clear on what's going on there.

The prices are still Leica prices, but at least they didn't go up exponentially again.

The new M looks like they've actually listened to photographer's needs and responded as they can. The real question is going to be how the new sensor compares to the competition. The lack of stupid-high ISOs like 12,800 and up probably won't be an issue to real photographers, especially with f/1.4 lenses. If it delivers a clean 3200 and a decently usable 6400, I think a lot of Leica users will be satisfied.

[NeeZee]

Originally Posted by Peter Klein

The lack of stupid-high ISOs like 12,800 and up probably won't be an issue to real photographers, ...

It's unlikely though that 'real photographers' will constitute more than 5% of the potential buyers .

[furcafe]

The spec sheet doesn't mention that, either. But, then again, neither do the spec sheets for the M-E or M9/M9-P.

Originally Posted by semilog

Interesting.

The press release does NOT say that the M lacks an antialiasing filter.

[luuca]

leica should give the opportunity to upgrade the electronics of this new "M"
it would be great to assure to the buyers at least 2 upgrade available in 3/4 years each.
same body, different electronics.
they could charge 2000/2500 euros to have a brand new updated sensor and circuitry.

leica bodies could come back to their analogial splendour.

[Bruno Gracia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_4xHIqU4t8

[sevres_babylone]

Live view, higher ISO, and splash-proof are nice, overdue touches. Splash-proof body not so useful without splash-proof lenses though.

My inclination is still to go for a an OM-D/Panasonic splash-proof, reasonably-fast zoom combination to complement my M9. But then I'm starting from a position of already having the M9. If I didn't already have a digital M (not the "M"), I'd have more interest in this.

[Benjamin Marks]

Originally Posted by Peter Klein

If it delivers a clean 3200 and a decently usable 6400, I think a lot of Leica users will be satisfied.

I agree with Peter. And I think that Leica is going to sell as many of these as they can make. I wonder if it will be possible to mount, say, Nikon or Olympus glass on this thing with an aftermarket adapter? If so, you may just see folks cherry picking the best glass they can afford to slap on this sucker -- like a universal FF platform. You can't do that with a Canon/Nikon/Sony/Pentax (although Canon comes close(er)). Hey, I've always had a soft spot for the Konica 57/1.2 AR. . .

Ben

[DougFord]

Originally Posted by Lauffray

I was just going to ask that, the ME is basically a "new" M9 ?

aka 'M9 classic'
The M is an experiment, based on many hours of market research no doubt, to break from the past and usher the M model line into the 21st century. How many will follow?
The ME becomes the classic M going forward from this point on. Current M9 owners, own the last of the breed. There could be considerable upside for those married to the traditional features of the classic m-series though. Perhaps not with this version but if the ME is to carry on the tradition of the classic m then sensor and shutter improvements should be in its future.
Which brings up an interesting question. For those looking for the classic m features, the new M seems like a pass. So will the classic M devotees wait for the next ME? The one with the upgraded sensor/no video/no live view/ carbon fiber shutter; before selling their M9?

[sepiareverb]

I'd be tempted to buy another M9 as a parts (or replacement) camera if the M line is heading farther away from simple low-tech (as digital cameras go).

[BobYIL]

Originally Posted by NeeZee

It's unlikely though that 'real photographers' will constitute more than 5% of the potential buyers .

(Shhhhhhhhht.. shame!)