Leica M7?

[andy_piper2]

I, too, have a possible wish list for both camera and lens innovations

from Solms (how about taking another stab at a 250-gram Tele-Elmarit

or APO-Tele-Elmarit 90 or 75 - now that we've gained 35 years of

computer and glass development and experience. It might actually be

sharp this time!)

 

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But we also need a reality check. As noted, the last time Leica tried

to produce something that wasn't essentially a 1954 M3 with bells on

(the M5) Leica users ran screaming.

 

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And the last time Leica tried to maintain two rangefinder body lines

simultaneously (CL and M5/M4-2) they cannibalized each other to the

point the company nearly went under (yes there were other factors,

too.)

 

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If Leica produces an M7 that is not just an electronic shutter dropped

into the existing M3/6 body cavity - but more along the lines dreamed

of here - what happens to the M6 with its ruggedness, timelessness,

and mechanical reliability? Suppose total Leica sales go up 60%, but

M6 sales decline to 60% of current levels? Will the cost-per-unit kick

M6 prices up to $2500 on the street.

 

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Even if Leica just licenses the bottom half of Hexar RFs and adds

their own 1.00x .72x and .58 finders, do they end up killing off the

M6? And if they don't, does the competition end up killing off the M6?

 

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Thoughts?

[scott_leibs]

A small and "affordable" 75 mm lens (DiurnoLux?) would be great.

[Rob F.]

A 75mm f/2.8 Elmarit would of course be smaller and lighter. Maybe

we could get a tele-version no bigger than a 50. But

photographically, how much could we do with it that we can't do with

the 90mm Elmarit?

[richard_brown1]

The Konica Hexar RF is my M7.