Well it looks like my horse is coming in last. The rumour sites are awash with the news that the Leica Mini will be a fixed zoom lens aps-c, somewhat compact, but hardly svelte model. More elephant in a tutu than mini skirt.
A mystery that started out as a good episode of Inspector Morse, looks like it will end up as Scooby Doo. Let's just hope it doesn't turn out to be Old Man Withers after all.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Leica Mini M follow up
I am going to cover myself with an each way bet here!
If the Apple like advertising turns out to be just Apple inspired and not connected, it could of course be a new product line after all.
With the Leica M (M240) only just beginning to reach the market, it might be easier to consolidate manufacturing than start on from scratch. I like the guesses I have seen on forums for a full frame M with no optical viewfinder.
I don't think it will have a built in electronic viewfinder. My reasoning being that it will be essentially the same camera as the M240, just without the rangefinder bits and on permanent live view.
So the same EVF connector (and hence the same choice of EVF to attach), essential the same chassis, same battery, much the same electronics and CMOS sensor and firmware. Possibly smaller LCD screen on the back. I guess they won't need the rangefinder cam in the bayonet. Metering would be directly off the sensor as M240 does in live view mode. Might allow for simpler shutter system too (won't need off the shutter measured exposure as used for the rangefinder model).
If the Apple like advertising turns out to be just Apple inspired and not connected, it could of course be a new product line after all.
With the Leica M (M240) only just beginning to reach the market, it might be easier to consolidate manufacturing than start on from scratch. I like the guesses I have seen on forums for a full frame M with no optical viewfinder.
I don't think it will have a built in electronic viewfinder. My reasoning being that it will be essentially the same camera as the M240, just without the rangefinder bits and on permanent live view.
So the same EVF connector (and hence the same choice of EVF to attach), essential the same chassis, same battery, much the same electronics and CMOS sensor and firmware. Possibly smaller LCD screen on the back. I guess they won't need the rangefinder cam in the bayonet. Metering would be directly off the sensor as M240 does in live view mode. Might allow for simpler shutter system too (won't need off the shutter measured exposure as used for the rangefinder model).
Monday, May 27, 2013
Leica Mini M Teaser Advert
Any regular visitor to http://www.rangefinderforum.com/ or http://www.l-camera-forum.com can hardly fail to notice the speculation caused by Leica's teaser campaign
To me this has Apple written all over it. From the 'Meet the New Leica Family Member' to the labeling of the cameras, especially mini and nano.
Putting this together with the announcement in September 2012 that Jony Ives is designing a one off Leica M to be auctioned for charity and I think you have the answer to the riddle.
Whether it will turn out to be a minor special edition of an existing camera, or something radically different remains to be seen. I could be totally wrong of course and we will see a genuine new product line, but I think it is much more likely those wishing for the latter will be disappointed!
Though I think it highly unlikely that this will be anything like the Mini M, I like the idea of a full frame M mount camera with a slot for an iphone to provide the lcd and interface. A quick google search brings up a design study of something similar
To me this has Apple written all over it. From the 'Meet the New Leica Family Member' to the labeling of the cameras, especially mini and nano.
Putting this together with the announcement in September 2012 that Jony Ives is designing a one off Leica M to be auctioned for charity and I think you have the answer to the riddle.
Whether it will turn out to be a minor special edition of an existing camera, or something radically different remains to be seen. I could be totally wrong of course and we will see a genuine new product line, but I think it is much more likely those wishing for the latter will be disappointed!
Though I think it highly unlikely that this will be anything like the Mini M, I like the idea of a full frame M mount camera with a slot for an iphone to provide the lcd and interface. A quick google search brings up a design study of something similar
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