New Leica film camera coming?

[pbromaghin]

New Leica film camera rumored to be announced in October - Leica Rumors

I have been reporting for a while about a new Leica M film camera that will replace the current Leica MP model. The first rumors indicated a new “cheap” M film version, but I think it is safe to assume that the new camera will not be cheap. A press event is already scheduled for […]

leicarumors.com

 

[bags27]

yabba dabba doo!

 

[reddesert]

In response to demands from PHOTRIO, the new Leica film camera will be revolutionary: it will take 220 film only, but in response to concerns from members about film costs, it will also be half frame.

 

[madNbad]

Santa and his elves are assembling the prototype right now to be ready for the holiday rush. That or Wetzlar is knocking the bubbles off of some M6 top plates they found in storage.

 

[benjiboy]

Unfortunately a more prevalent rumour is, I won't be able to afford it.

 

[Agulliver]

Am I in the market for this? No.

Do I hope it happens? Yes.

 

[Don_ih]

Unfortunately a more prevalent rumour is, I won't be able to afford it.

That's not a rumour. That's as certain as the sun.

 

[AgX]

Anyway, Reddesert's Photrio market research made my day. Thank you.

 

[guangong]

Perhaps they could reintroduce the Leicaflex!

 

[pentaxuser]

So are we expected to take this seriously? It seems not

pentaxuser

 

[pbromaghin]

So are we expected to take this seriously? It seems not

pentaxuser

Whether we are expected to or not, it appears nobody is.

 

[mshchem]

Fascinating

 

[madNbad]

It'll happen because nobody expects it. The M6 is the hot camera right now and the MP is no more than a M6.2. Put an angled crank and a red dot on it, push it out the door for four grand and sell every one.

 

[logan2z]

It'll happen because nobody expects it. The M6 is the hot camera right now and the MP is no more than a M6.2. Put an angled crank and a red dot on it, push it out the door for four grand and sell every one.

My understanding is that they sell every MP they can make at six grand, so what would be the motivation?

 

[madNbad]

My understanding is that they sell every MP they can make at six grand, so what would be the motivation?

Aluminum top plate.

 

[pentaxuser]

Isn't the key question: What do we know of the source, who is it, what's it's reliability etc? It might just be my age but nearly all of this sort of articles from such websites scream "clickbait

pentaxuser

 

[gone]

Perhaps they could reintroduce the Leicaflex!

That's a non starter, since they're all still working like the day they were made. A camera that heavy gets left at home a lot.

 

[logan2z]

Aluminum top plate.

I mean what is Leica's motivation to take an MP, swap in an angled crank, add a red dot and sell the camera for $2K less than they're selling it for now - when they sell every MP they currently make?

 

[madNbad]

I mean what is Leica's motivation to take an MP, swap in an angled crank, add a red dot and sell the camera for $2K less than they're selling it for now - when they sell every one they currently make?

Sometimes you need a loss leader to build brand loyalty. There are a lot of Gen Z photographers who are currently driving up the prices of the M6 market. Leica rolls out a new version for a price around what the used ones are selling for. Remember, this is Leica, a run of two thousand would be a big deal. Now you have two thousand new customers who just might buy your real money maker, lenses. I see your point about the MP but that market is held by an older generation and they can only sell so many Herme's editions.

 

[mshchem]

Leica could announce new film camera in October: will it be the Leica M-E?

Leica could announce a new film camera in October, and I wonder if it's the M-E!

www.digitalcameraworld.com

This is an interesting article. Might be cool if it is something like this. Still astronomical in price.

 

[madNbad]

It appears that anytime Leica gives a body the “M-E” designation, it means M End.

 

[logan2z]

Sometimes you need a loss leader to build brand loyalty. There are a lot of Gen Z photographers who are currently driving up the prices of the M6 market. Leica rolls out a new version for a price around what the used ones are selling for. Remember, this is Leica, a run of two thousand would be a big deal. Now you have two thousand new customers who just might buy your real money maker, lenses. I see your point about the MP but that market is held by an older generation and they can only sell so many Herme's editions.

I get your point about a loss leader, but if your budget doesn't allow for the purchase of a new M-A/MP, then I'm not sure that a new $3K (at a minimum) M lens is in the cards either. Just look at the lenses most YouTubers with M6s are shooting with - Voigtlander, Zeiss, TT Artisans for the most part - or maybe an older used Leica lens. They aren't generally buying new Leica lenses now and I don't think that'll change if Leica produces a new film M body. Leica's attempt at selling less expensive M lenses hasn't exactly been a roaring success either. Just look at the Summarit line of lenses, for example...

 

[Eric Rose]

An auto focus film M with modern electronics for exposure. Oh and IBIS as well. Without all that it's DOA.

 

[madNbad]

I get your point about a loss leader, but if your budget doesn't allow for the purchase of a new M-A/MP, then I'm not sure that a new $3K (at a minimum) M lens is in the cards either. Just look at the lenses most YouTubers with M6s are shooting with - Voigtlander, Zeiss, TT Artisans for the most part - or maybe an older used Leica lens. They aren't generally buying new Leica lenses now and I don't think that'll change if Leica produces a new film M body. Leica's attempt at selling less expensive M lenses hasn't exactly been a roaring success either. Just look at the Summarit line of lenses, for example...

What if Leica was working on a body made of composite materials? Less machining, more stampings, more robotic assembly? Add the M7 electronic shutter as a bonus. It's not the brass and black paint Leica we love but maybe more durable and weather resistant.

 

[logan2z]

What if Leica was working on a body made of composite materials? Less machining, more stampings, more robotic assembly? Add the M7 electronic shutter as a bonus. It's not the brass and black paint Leica we love but maybe more durable and weather resistant.

Now you've changed things up just a bit I was responding to your original suggestion that Leica take the MP, add an angled crank and a red dot and sell it for $2K less than current MP prices. I don't personally think that would be a successful proposition. But a film camera that can be produced more cheaply/efficiently than the current cameras and uses less expensive materials is a different story.