Rumors about the so-called Leica M7??? :)

[alfie_wang]

Well it looks like we can expect a new M-series model coming out within the next 1-2 years.

 

<p>

 

ALEE wrote "Just heard from undisclosed "sources" that the new Leica M6A

(M7?) will be

out soon. This would be a M6 TTL with aperture priority shutter, using

existing M lenses."

 

<p>

 

Luggers,

Well, my undisclosed sources tell me wait until the 2002 PMA show for

new developments from Leica.

According to Rolfe Fricke, gentlemen, noted Leica collector, and VERY close

friend of Leica AG told me in January, the automatic camera is nine month

behind schedule. What schedule is he didn't know.

One thing, I think I can safely say is it will not be called an M7.

During the LHSA's trip to Solms a couple of years ago, I had dinner with

Hans-Peter Cohn, (then the new Leica CEO). I casually (I thought) dropped

the question, "When will we see an M7?"

Herr Cohn responded "As long as I lead Leica you will never see an M7."

After, I recovered from the shock, he said there would be a "family of M

cameras." So, I think we will see an M6A.

Now that I've made this statement, I will be proved wrong.

Happy Snaps,

Sal DiMarco, Jr.

Philadelphia, PA

 

<p>

 

Sounds fairly good. Hopefully Leica will be smart not to automate everything too much :)

 

<p>

 

Alfie

[richard palmer]

I do hope one comes out soon and then all those users with money and

the need for the latest kit will have to have one, and that will

produce a glut of second hand 'user' rather than 'collectible'

equipment on the market......luverly.

[chi_huang]

How about an M6 with variable mag viewfinder? It's been done for

Hasselblad XPAN so it should be technically possible.

 

<p>

 

Chi

[john_collier5]

How about an M6 with a blender? I happen to a big fan of

umbrella drinks.

 

<p>

 

Cheers,

[jackflesher]

John:

 

<p>

 

I understand they looked into it, but battery drain was an

insurmountable problem ;-)

[bobtodrick]

Jack - further to your response, a reliable source has told me that

Leica is looking into a folding portable solar panel (only 6X8in) that

will fit in the hot shoe and run both the blender and the camera

meter, saving a bundle on batteries.........

[sheridan]

Alfie,

In relation to the proposed M6A, Leica may have to replace the

iconic cloth focal plane shutter with a metal shutter.Perhaps no more

burnt cloth shutters, but for me a further departure from the spirit

of the original design.

Regards.

[tom_hipple]

When was the last time you burned a cloth shutter in a leica....keep

them cloth and keep them quite...

[andrew_schank]

I think we need to have a seperate "Leica M7" category in the

archives. I think one of the nice things about a Leica M is that it

is so basic of a camera, it doesn't go out of style. Leica can leave

the M6 as is as far as I'm concerned, and maybe come out with a few

more sub models. I do wish Minolta would come out with a modern

version of their CLE. I thought they might when all the new range

finders came out the last few years, but it looks like they are more

interested in the future than the past, and are putting big bucks

into digital now. They are probably smart.

[david_killick]

Or a separate "Where to now?" "What I would like to see in the

future" category. A solar-charged digital multi-functional camera,

with both blender and pop-up toaster, while still preserving the

essential retro ethos. Or may be just one or two simple things. The

perfect P/S. The ideal lens. The non-obselescent camera. Or are they

there already?

[michael_kastner]

Andrew, "Right on!". It's funny but I read and reread a lot in our

great forum here, whereby one of the themes I read the very least or

not at all is what's up with an M7 or M6+. My M6TTL is my only M and I

keep telling myself (and my wife) that my next body (as a camera) will

likely be just an additional M6TTL.

[mark13]

Guys, I hate to point out the obvious but we have been expecting a new

M model in the next one to two years for each of the last five years

straight. We've gotten small changes and some very interesting

cameras from Japan but no real true new M models.

[michael_kastner]

Mark, I hate to point out the tradition, but expecting a new model in

one or two years, even over five years straight will never assure us

that this will happen here.

[popeye_cahn]

Actually Bob Leica Camera AG is working with Daimler to produce a

tiny fuel cell, and of course seeing as the by-product of such a

device is H2O, you can not only mix the drinks but make ice! Even

better yet, a small JOBO attachment is said to be in the works as

well. Now we can have it all!

[john_chan2]

Yeah, I heard the same thing about the fuel cell but the water that

is produced is emitted as a "cool mist" from the rangefinder eyepiece

keeping your eyeball moistened and ready for action. Reduces the

blinkage thus the potential for loss of the "decisive moment".

 

<p>

 

Quite ingenious.

[hoyin_lee1]

LOL! I love these "rumour" treads--they're the funniest! Anyway,

I've read from local photo mags (Hong Kong) that Leica is likely to

release a new Leica M model in the 2002 PMA.

[russell_brooks]

I would like to see a M6 without the light meter and without the TTL.

Basically I would like to see an M4.

[Robin Smith]

"How about an M6 with variable mag viewfinder? It's been done for

Hasselblad XPAN"

 

<p>

 

Huh? Last time I looked the viewfinder is fixed mag. You need a clip

on v/f for the 30mmm or whatever it is....