Two New Canon EOS Ms on the Horizon?

<p>I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention, since this rumor was announced April 26th, but apparently Canon is looking at re-releasing the basic M with improvements, the speculation being the original M's lackluster sales, and a more Pro-oriented model that will have a viewfinder and "class-leading" AF performance. The rumor also mentions that Canon will be releasing three more lenses for the M cameras at this same time.</p>

<p>The M is selling for such cheap prices right now that, despite its deficiencies, it's tempting to jump aboard. But as a Canon EOS and FD user from way back, this latest news gives me some hope -- enough where I might just decide to wait. Especially since the new M cameras are slated to be released some time later this year. Almost certainly in time for Christmas buying season, which means no later than October, I'm thinking.</p>

<p>So far, I've found two sites that have published news of this latest rumor, and both were worded almost identically. Which tells me that they were getting their info from the same source. Just wondering if anyone here may have heard anything else other than what they mention? Like an approximate release date. That would be really helpful.</p>

<p>"...since this rumor was announced...</p>

<p>Funny, funny stuff. Sorry, I couldn't help it.</p>

<p>There has been no announcement of any new cameras, and since there hasn't been any announcement, there isn't any ship date. There is no question that Canon will update the M line, but, as usual, those that know can't say and those that say don't know. Rumors are for consumption at your own risk.</p>

<p>Hrm. I suppose by their nature, rumors invite satire and sarcasm. But my request was a simple one. Has anyone heard of a possible release date for the new Ms? </p>

<p>I wish to hell things like this weren't kept so close to the vest. It would piss me off in a giant way if I expended my scarce and limited funds on something else because I was tired of waiting, right before what I really want is released. Ni dong ma?</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Well, since the introduction of the first M, Canon themselves said that there would be new models coming up. So, the line is not a one trick pony.<br>

The M plus the 22mm pancake is a fantastic little travelling package. With the recent drop in prices, I just bought another one, this time the kit with the zoom. The zoom is also a very good one, metal build, and good optical quality.<br>

I wish that Canon would introduce something like the 22mm pancake lens for APS-C, it would be a perfect match for the new EOS 100D.</p>

<p>Michael, I understand that it's frustrating, but Canon doesn't care. Nothing would please them more than to sell you an older model, introduce newer and better cameras, and have you buy one of those, as well. What I thought was funny was the phrasing about the announcement of a rumor. Cracks me up. Really.</p>

<p>:-)</p>

<p>Sometimes its better buying the current model at a discount. It's not as if it would be "obsolete." You can always sell it later if you want to "upgrade." </p>

<p>Yes, but at a loss. Honestly, if I were to buy an MILC right now, it would be a Sony NEX, not an EOS M. But just last night I got to thinking about the price slash of the current M and it dawned on me that this is something Canon does almost every time it's set to release a new model. So, just keeping this one datum alone in mind, I suspect that the new Ms will probably be released before Summer. Canon's just clearing out the inventory of the old model before releasing the new ones. </p>

<p>Hey, one can hope!</p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p>What I thought was funny was the phrasing about the announcement of a rumor. Cracks me up. Really.</p>

</blockquote>

<p><br />Okay, so maybe I could have chosen my words better. Perhaps "publication" is more to your liking?</p>

<p>But why buy this summer if new models come out when another model will come out 18 months later? That one, I'm certain, will beat the old model 4 ways to Sunday. <br>

Ah, but then if you wait for the model after the model after the model you'll truly have a marvel of technology. </p>

<p>Of course, if you wait long enough, you'll never buy anything and not have a single photograph. </p>

<p>If there is a camera on the market today that meets your needs, you should buy it...today. Time spent worrying and wondering about what future models may or may not have or do or provide is time not spent making photographs. You will never get that time back. Is that time really worth the potential price difference of buying something now and selling it (if you even would need to) for slightly less later? </p>

 

<p>The EOS M reminds me of the Pentax K-01. They only have appeal to owners of their brands of SLRs, because they already have lenses to use on them. They are just mirrorless cameras, because every maker needs one in their product, that are to expensive, or crippled to eat away at their SLR cameras, and of no interest to <em>real</em> mirrorless users.</p>

<p>Michael, don't take me too seriously. But yes, "publication" of a rumor is much better and more accurate.</p>

<p>Sadly, though, not very funny. I prefer the former.</p>

<p>Well, David, whatever. I'm glad, I guess, that I put a smile in your day.</p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p>If there is a camera on the market today that meets your needs, you should buy it...today. Time spent worrying and wondering about what future models may or may not have or do or provide is time not spent making photographs. You will never get that time back. Is that time really worth the potential price difference of buying something now and selling it (if you even would need to) for slightly less later?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That's precisely the reason why I'm waiting, in the case of the M. The only thing about the M that barely fits my needs is it has an optional handy little adapter than accepts EOS EF lenses. Which, honestly, I can do without for quite some time because all my best lenses remain manual focus. Someday, when I finally buy a decent EOS DSLR, I'll also buy a decent EF lens or two to go along with it, at which point the optional adapter for the M will make some sense. The main reason why I'm even considering a future M, besides the adapter, is simple <strong>brand loyalty.</strong> Rob put forth the dilemma brilliantly. If you keep waiting for the ultimate, you'll never get to take pictures. Sooner or later you gotta hold your nose and jump in. That's the way it's always been with personal computers, and I've resigned myself to it. And now that cameras are just as much computers as they are focused light-capturing devices, the same thing applies.</p>

<p>But I just find the current M uninspired and uninspiring. Canon's lack of enthusiasm for the format shows. The only redeeming factor I can see in all this is that, by coming out with a pair of updates so soon, maybe somebody up in Canon's hierarchy has decided that they need to get more serious about MILCs. So because I'm a loyal Canon user -- I cut my teeth on an FTb -- I'd be willing to wait a while longer. But only a short while. Otherwise, the Sony NEX 7 will get the nod. The 7 is just too good of a MILC to ignore any longer, and the 7N is <strong>rumored to be</strong> considerably better, and may be hitting the shelves as soon as this month. All these rumores are driving me nuts, I tell ya.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Michael you are not the first to get this kind of negative feedback on a 'rumor'. I have been slammed quite a bit in the past for daring to post an unsubstantiated piece of information to generate discussion, even thought most of them have turned out to be spot on. You are getting off rather lightly. In other words...</p>

<p>"Oh NOES.....a Ruuuumaaahhhhrrrr!"</p>

<p>Publication, announcement, whatever. Rumor sites do quite well on the web and have a pretty decent track record of getting things right. Not all of them, but some. I will never understand peoples need to comment negatively on a rumored new product <em>on a product forum dedicated to that product. </em>Boggles the mind how far some people go to rain on others peoples parade.</p>

<p>Your comment notwithstanding David M.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>But I just find the current M uninspired and uninspiring. Canon's lack of enthusiasm for the format shows.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Amen to that brother. I have been a long time canon fan and user but when the NEX 7 came out I gave it shot. All my Canon gear was gone in a month. When the M was announced (on a Rumor site no less) and the pictures finally came out I was blown away by...absolutely nothing. Other then Canons mindless belief that the DSLR is the end all to camera design and there is no reason, NO REASON I tell you, to ever think otherwise. The mirror is King. Everything else is a toy. Whatever.</p>

<p>Try this. A really good case of <em>what should have been.</em><br /> <br /> <em><a href="http://the.me/the-canon-mirrorless-rumors-roundup/">http://the.me/the-canon-mirrorless-rumors-roundup/</a></em></p>

<p><br /> <em><br /></em>Scroll down until you see what Canon could and should have come out with. Or something like it. Not that soulless piece of snot that is the M. I'm really miffed that my favorite of the Big 2 has blinders on and is failing to deliver the Canon Experience in the format I have come to love because they are trying to protect their cash cow while failing to innovate. There is no excuse for a leading camera company to fail to lead. So my money went to Sony. The NEX 7 fits my style of photography perfectly. <br /> <br /> By the way, if you want to use your EOS lenses on a NEX simply check out Metabones. They make a straight EOS to NEX adapter with AF and a neat little EOS to NEX Speedbooster which will turn your NEX into a FF camera for all intents and purposes. You may already be familiar with all this. If not, here is my Speedbooster gallery on flickr with examples of what it is capable of. I dont have the EOS version, but rather the Contax/Yashica one. You can also go to my main page to view my NEX 7 folder I have been working on the last year.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8539414@N07/sets/72157633126249795/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/8539414@N07/sets/72157633126249795/</a></p>

<p><br /> Jeeze, this turned into a rambling post.</p>

<p>Hi David,</p>

<p>Thanks for all that info. It was informative. I too agree about the design that Canon should have come out with. Makes too much sense, I suppose. In case anyone thinks it odd that just a simple viewfinder should be featured so prominently, I would like to remind them about the Samsung NX20. If you didn't know better, you'd think it's a DSLR, and not an MILC.</p>

<p><br />The Metabones Speed Booster is an interesting piece of kit, for sure. But honestly, I balked at the price. It's just an accessory, and yet it costs $200 more than what an EOS M sells for. Anybody who is the least experienced with astronomy will recognize the Speed Booster's heart for what it is -- a telecompressor, aka a focal reducer. Focal reducers have been around in astronomy for decades. They are a cheap yet effective way of turning a long-focus telescope into a wide field one with no appreciable effect on image quality, thus eliminating the need for a second, wide field telescope. They're also used a lot in astrophotography, as they wind up providing faster exposure times because of the increase in aperture value. This is the first time anyone has tried adapting a focal reducer for use with a camera and interchangeable lenses, though. But it surely won't be the last. Really, the only thing truly innovative about the Metabones Speed Booster (for Caon EF at least) is the fact that it will autofocus those lenses.</p>

<p>You gotta wonder about this Brian Caldwell fellow, who developed it, and where his head is at. Alpa lenses? Contarex lenses? Leica R and Contax I can understand -- just barely. But when's the last time you saw anybody using an Alpa or a Contarex? I'm sure they're great optics, but talk about obscure . . .</p>

<p>I guess a useful way to look at the Speed Booster is, say we couple it to a NEX 7, where we wind up with a 24mp FF MILC that accepts Canon EF lenses, how will the cost of the NEX 7 and the Speed Booster compare to a NEX FF MILC? In that light, it might indeed be cost effective.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>David S: ...and don't get me started in typos...</p>

<p>:-)</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.canonwatch.com/rumor-canon-working-on-a-large-sensor-powershot-camera/">rumors about an S100 / RX100-sized APS-C camera</a> are more interesting to me, although I don't see how they produce a small APS-C-sized zoom. A prime or smaller sensor seem more likely.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>It's just an accessory, and yet it costs $200 more than what an EOS M sells for</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Yeah, but dont think of it as an accessory. Think of it rather as a $600 dollar <em>lens. </em>Now it doesnt seem far fetched at all. 600 bones for a quality lens is nothing these days. And this is a special lens that brings <em>all your other lenses back to their correct full frame focal length. </em>It might be a little more easy to swallow that way.</p>

<p>As for Brian Caldwell, he is just the guy Metabones hired to do all the technical development side of the Speedbooster. He has some experience designing lenses apparently so he is not just some dude off the street or first year engineering student. As for the Alpa connection, apparently the owner of Metabones is a certified Alpa nut. So it was his call to make sure that came in the first wave. I remember reading that somewhere on the net.</p>

<p>Oh NOES.....a Ruuuumaaahhhhrrrr!<br /> <br /> As for Contarex, I think Metabones is showing its wisdom here. Many, many NEX shooters use old manual focus glass on their cameras. Some, like me, use it almost to exclusion. I dont own a single E mount lens. Rather, the NEX is simply a 24mp digital back for every lens ever made. For instance, this is what is currently in my camera bag.<br /> <br /> NEX 7<br /> CY Speedbooster<br /> Yashica ML 28/2.8, 50/1.7, 55/4 Macro<br /> Zeiss Biotar 58/2, Flektogon 35/2.8 (used on SB with adapter or with regular NEX/M42 adapter)<br /> Tamron SP 90/2.8 Macro (with C/Y adaptall mount)<br /> Set of Contax extension tubes for any of the above<br /> Sony LAEA2 adapter<br /> Minolta AF 24/2.8 and 50/1.7 (I just cant give up my Minotla glass and I shoot them manually almost exclusively)<br /> Yashica FR1 for when the film bug bites<br /> <br /> If you peruse flicker you can easily see the renewed interest in old glass. Focus peaking and a short flange/focal distance has made the NEX a prime candidate to digitize worthy old lenses. I think it was a bold move for Metabones to offer a Contarex SB. Somebody who has a large collection of old Contarex lenses lying around probably has s few hundred to blow on a spiffy new adapter for them and bring them into digital prime time.<br /> <br /> Heck, I even did a job recently for a law office and used my favorite old Minolta Rokkor PF 55/1.7 which a stellar little lens. Depending on the job, a NEX with an old piece of glass is a perfectly capable professional tool. Here is one of the photos from that shoot.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/8549520031_6168b4c697_c.jpg" alt="" width="534" height="800" /><br /> <br /> And if you go to iwasbornat.com you can see a shoot I did with the NEX and my Minolta AF lenses. All the kid pics (they cycle through on the first page) on that site were shot by me with the exception of the Nurse holding the baby.<br /> <br /> Wow, once again a rambling post. And no worries David M. :)<br /> </p>

<p>I should also mention, here is a good forum post about swapping out DSLR gear for the NEX line. Absolutely <em>amazing </em>photography contained therein. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.getdpi.com/forum/sony/44091-my-experience-replacing-my-dslr-nex-6-portraiture.html">http://www.getdpi.com/forum/sony/44091-my-experience-replacing-my-dslr-nex-6-portraiture.html</a></p>

If you want mirrorless and like the Sony, buy the Sony. You can get an adapter for Canon lens to NEX body that supports

AF if you really want. But honestly when you put an SLR lens on a mirrorless with an adapter the resulting camera and

lens combo is so large it doesn't have much advantage over carrying a DSLR.

<blockquote>

<p>But honestly when you put an SLR lens on a mirrorless with an adapter the resulting camera and lens combo is so large it doesn't have much advantage over carrying a DSLR.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>If you're talking about L zooms then yes, its ridiculous. But primes work just fine. A while back my co worker brought his 7D up to work the same day I brought my NEX 7. Absolutely no comparison in bulk, no matter what lens I put on it. Though they <em>were</em> all primes. But I dont shoot with zooms. Having said that, I believe some of the smaller zooms would be ok.</p>

<p>My Minolta primes on the LAEA2 balance the camera nicely. Darn near perfect actually. It is still a small and much more easily movable package then a DSLR.</p>

<p>Actually, rumors "surface."</p>

<blockquote>

<p>As for Contarex, I think Metabones is showing its wisdom here. Many, many NEX shooters use old manual focus glass on their cameras. Some, like me, use it almost to exclusion. I dont own a single E mount lens. Rather, the NEX is simply a 24mp digital back for every lens ever made. For instance, this is what is currently in my camera bag.</p>

</blockquote>

<p><br />You're preaching to the choir here. I'll probably buy a MILC with an 18-55 zoom (or so), just for convenience's sake. But my principle reason for wanting to buy a MILC is so that I can use my rather large collection of Canon FD glass on a digital camera. I also have a decent selection of Nikkor glass and a few choice M42 and M39 pieces, but the M42s and Nikkors can much more easily be adapted to my EOS DSLR. I'm looking forward to getting to use my M39 glass on a MILC though. I've mounted my Canon 50/1.8 Serenar to my DSLR with adapters, but I could focus at macro distances only. However, the macro images I captured with that lens were scary sharp. So I'm really looking forward to expanding my use of it, as well as the other M39 optics I own.</p>

<p>To me, the compactness of the MILCs like the NEX is immaterial. Hopefully. I've handled a few NEXes and my only concern might be that they are too small. I'm used to using big, heavy, motor-driven cameras. Something else I'm concerned about is the way a digital camera is typically held. It isn't held up to the face, with the arms pressed against the chest for stability. Instead, it's held away from the body, and in my case, far enough away so I can focus (my eyes are getting old). This is an inherently non-stable stance. So, I think what I'll have to do, if I want to view the scene from the screen rather than the viewfinder, is to buy a Hoodman loupe or equivalent so that I can hold the camera up to my face the way I'm used to. Hopefully, if I get a NEX 7, the vf image is good enough where I won't feel the need for a Hoodman.</p>

<p>As for Contarex lenses, I just thought that Contarex was an odd MF choice, when there are so many others out there that are much more popular. For example, the sudden recent increase in prices virtually across the board for Pentax M42 glass is almost entirely due to the fact that people are using these lenses on their DSLRs now -- and MILCs more recently. Canon FD glass used to be dirt cheap. Not anymore -- especially the primes -- not since u4/3 started getting popular and more recently MILCs. Used to be, I could buy off eBay an FTb with a 50/1.4 SSC as a body cap for $40. Not anymore. Not when the lens alone is selling for over $100 these days.</p>

<p>I wish the Metabones folks would take a page out of Tamron's book wrt the Speed Booster, namely that it could be adapted to different lenses. If I were to buy one, I'd want it for FD lenses, mostly. But it would be nice to be able to use my M39s and Nikkors, too. Without having to buy another. And another.</p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p>Actually, rumors "surface."</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Only the ones about underwater gear. :)</p>

<p>Michael, if you end up with a NEX try the Gariz case thats readily available on the auction site. I got one for my 7 and it adds a few millimeters which really makes a big difference in holding the camera. It has a nice sturdy metal base as well and it enlarges the grip area slightly. A little pricey but so worth it.</p>

<p>And I agree, prices on old glass is just going up and up. Probably will continue as more legacy lenses are bought up as more shooters discover the joy of using them. And the adaptall idea for speedboosters is a good idea. Will probably never happen and thats a shame.</p>

<p>And dont worry about the EVF in the 7. I highly recommend it. I was a little unsure about going full EVF but once I tried it I dont think I could go back. Being able to see real time exposure changes as you make them is great.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info, Dave. I keep reading about the NEX's focus peaking feature and how much people like it with their mf lenses. Even though I don't know what it is exactly, I'm looking forward to using it with my mf lenses.</p>

<p>I'll take a look at the Gariz case. Really, though, I'm pretty flexible. As long as I can find a comfortable way to grip the camera, I'll be fine. Isn't always possible, though. Like the Canon Rebel and T-series cameras. I have an "old" Rebel XS and I've always felt cramped with it. I finally bought a battery pack for it, which adds a lot of grip surface to the bottom of the camera, and which helped a lot with comfort. However, the several times I've held a NEX, it hasn't been an uncomfortable hold, although I don't know how things might change as I attach longer lenses to it. Hopefully because it has an EVF, the differences will be minor.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Michael, two things: focus peaking is a discoloration of the image areas that are in focus. It's very useful, and Panasonic just introduced it on their new G6.</p>

<p>Secondly, a new rumor has surfaced (I use the new official term...) regarding the M, and Canon seems to be treating the M series as strictly "amateur hour." It appears that there won't be any primes, or really good glass in the native M mount, according to the latest rumor. That might make sense since Canon doesn't want to cannibalize their Rebel line.</p>

<p>As always, take this with a HUGE grain of salt.</p>