Leica Digital M

December 28th, 2005

Posted by Ben in Gear

Leica Digital M
This article at LetsGoDigital citing a story in the latest issue of Leica Fotografie International (LFI), reckons that Leica is working on a digital rangefinder camera. Photographers have been waiting for such a camera for years… the closest attempts being the Epson R-D1 which from user reports didn’t quite live up to expectations.
It would be great to see such a concept properly enacted, but prior experience from Leica hasn’t exactly been great when it comes to digital cameras and I suspect it will be a long time indeed until we actually see such a camera. The site posts basic non-official specs for the camera which they say may be ready by 2007:

- 10+ Megapixels
- 1.33x multiplier
- Secure Digital card slot
- Kodak image sensor
- RAW + JPEG format
- 2.5-inch display
- Lithium Ion battery

Note: The images above are from the LFI article, but it is unknown if these are just computer-generated mock-ups, or photos of an actual prototype Leica M7 Digital – as written on the body.

Other posts on this site that might be of interest:

Permalink Comments (10)

10 Responses to ' Leica Digital M '

Subscribe to comments with RSS or TrackBack to ' Leica Digital M '.

Jason Bye said:

The pic is a montage sadly.
Plenty more musings here…
http://www.nemeng.com/leica/004f.shtml

December 28th, 2005 at 19:04 UTC
Charlie said:

I’m just wondering, what it is that sets a rangefinder camera apart from, say, my EOS 20D? Or a smaller point n shoot?

January 30th, 2006 at 18:28 UTC
Jason Bye said:

Unobtrusive in use due to size and quietness and quality of Leica glass (subjective or course, but my 1950′s issue 35mm has a certain something about it). Any other reasons are due to ‘lifestyle’ choices!

January 30th, 2006 at 18:33 UTC
Charlie said:

Promise I’m not trolling here, but isn’t that pretty much a point n shoot? I like the 10mp and the Raw option on this camera, but it seems like for the money one could get a couple powershots or coolpix handhelds and have one ready for backup purposes. Cause heaven forbid one should drop this Leica…

January 30th, 2006 at 18:50 UTC
Jason Bye said:

All vapourware at the minute so I wouldn’t worry too much. Go buy a PnS, you’ll be fine. It’s only a light tight box after all.

January 30th, 2006 at 18:58 UTC
Charlie said:

Thanks for the quick responses! I found this blog while Googling for info on the IDF Recon Vest. I shoot desert motorports and landcapes in Arizona – I’m looking for some gear that will permit me fewer trips back to the truck. The walkstool I found on this site looks very promising for motocross events. I’ll be adding this to my daily reads!

January 30th, 2006 at 19:08 UTC
Ben said:

Am not sure a point-n-shoot will be any good for motorsports, nor a Leica… you need some long-lenses for that and your 20D is a great camera. If you’re looking for something v small for non-sports candid photos, I’d go for one of the Canon Powershots… I think they have the edge over other manufacturers in terms of image-processing. A good comparison site with reviews is http://www.dpreview.com

January 30th, 2006 at 21:42 UTC
Jason Bye said:

Now then Mr Curtis, you know there is nothing finer than shooting motorsports with your 18mm on your Leica. Think the Mint 400. Big sky’s miles of dust; pure art. If you doubt me I suggest you consult your attorney my friend!

January 30th, 2006 at 22:25 UTC
Ben said:

Maybe a Leica could be useful for some shots, but honestly I wouldn’t want to shoot film in the desert… A bad experience on holiday in the desert with sand-scratches on every roll of film put me off it. If the digital M6 ever comes out, and is any good, I might reconsider…. but those are two huge “ifs”.

January 31st, 2006 at 01:27 UTC
Charlie said:

Shooting digital in the desert has it’s drawbacks too – sensor dust! I have to get the sensor cleaned once a month, even more often when I’m shooting motocross!

January 31st, 2006 at 04:47 UTC