Leica name for the GX1

LFI was supposed to introduce new Leica goodies in the current issue but had to postpone it to the next. I assume it is because Panasonic did not reveal (officially) the GX1 yet.

If I am right Leica is soon to launch their first m4/3 camera. What will the name be?
Any guesses? Leica CLD?

Xpanded

PS: And no, I have no inside information.

It has to be said that the Leica 25mm, and 45mm m43 lenses have something special!

Lx = D=lux
Gx = A camera that I would be very interested in

How long after the introduction of the Lx was the D=lux introduced?

So there will be no X2?

smileymatt said:

It has to be said that the Leica 25mm, and 45mm m43 lenses have something special!

Lx = D=lux
Gx = A camera that I would be very interested in

How long after the introduction of the Lx was the D=lux introduced?

Click to expand...

Lx5 21 July 2010
D-lux 5 21 sept 2010

But I wonder if Leica is willing to wait so long this time (if, IF) there is a Leica as well.

Any name!

But I wish Leica would divorce Panasonic and marry Sony, so we could have babies like Nex cameras!

I also hope that Leica would be inspired by the looks of the new small, big senor, cameras such as Nex 5n, X10, Pentax Q and many others!... The Dlux cameras look is becoming too oldish and boring and the IQ is even becoming worse!

Did you hear, Mr. Leica?...

--
Louis

My DPR Gallery (Dlux3, Dlux4,Dlux5, Nikon D300)
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/6584690903/photos/slideshow

the D-LUX 5 takes stunning shots, Also the 4/3rds camera is a long way off for leica and that is inside info. They might rebadge a Pano.

X2 maybe ,where does it stop an M10 an M11 ,Cant see an M10 any time soon ,every M9 and the M9-P is sold as soon as it hit s the shops, especially the M9-P

Went APS-C or 1.3 crop for their upcoming mirrorless - that's the indications i've heard anyway (interview somewhere with Leica).

Although joining M43 would make sense I guess as it would protect the M9 more.
--

http://www.samwaldron.co.nz

Leica have already said that m43 sensor size does not give them the image quality they want in a large sensor camera. The upcoming Leica ILC in 2012 will be at least aps-c; some hope that it will be aps-h.
--
Archiver - Loving Every Image Captured Always
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Archiver said:

Leica have already said that m43 sensor size does not give them the image quality they want in a large sensor camera.

Click to expand...

M43 may have low IQ for a "large sensor" camera but I'd make the argument that it's not a large sensor. With that in mind, those words from Leica – "It's too small for a large sensor" – may have been skillfully ducking the question. Plus, if they really had such a low opinion of the format, why are they making lenses for it?

Companies say these sorts of things all the time when they don't have a product on the market. The fact is, M43 would be a huge opportunity for Leica. Every pro I know uses a M43 camera for their personal/travel photography and for good reason. You can fit an entire system – body, three primes, three batteries and charger, in a side-satchel that weighs less than a 5D body. There's definitely a market for an M43 body with higher build quality than any of the current options. The GF-1 really drew quite a few pros and enthusiasts to the format, even if it's not what they use for their "serious" work.

Right now, there's a major gap in the Leica lineup between the $799 D-Lux and the $1900 X-1. It does not make sense to fill that gap with an APS-C or similar sensor as the body would most likely cost more than the X-1. No, M43 is the ideal format for this gap-closer. A metal-bodied Leica M43 at $1200–$1500 would be a very compelling proposition for many people, especially if it was a true Leica design (perhaps something inspired by the CL?) and not a re-badged Panasonic. I myself would grab one instantly.

"Leica chairman Dr. Andreas Kaufmann and CEO Alfred Schopf announced at a press conference yesterday that the company is preparing a new camera system to be unveiled at Photokina 2012. As reported by the BJP and AmateurPhotographer, details are scant right now, but we know that the new system will feature an APS-C-sized sensor or even something larger. While the company heads remained tight-lipped about details, we know that this is a non-reflex system. "That was my dream. To have developed two DSLR systems that would even have killed Canon. It was not do-able," said Kaufmann.

The pair did mention that the electronic viewfinder used would depend on the sensor chosen, and there were hints that they would prefer a built-in EVF rather than one that straps into the hotshoe or something similar.

Schopf stressed the importance of glass in the system, saying, "our philosophy is that the best lenses will lead to better images... they are expensive but they are leading edge." He also rebutted discussion of moving their operations to Asia, as the amount of skill and knowledge required to make the lenses would require intense years of training.

Next year will likely reveal a new range of high-end ILC cameras from the German powerhouse, with their trademark build-quality and unparalleled glass. Hopefully we won't see a repeat of the Leica/Lumix arrangement, like the V-Lux 30 — a subtly altered Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 that was sold for double the price. If this new line ends up being just a Panasonic m4/3 body with a red dot on it, you can bet people will not be happy."

"if they really had such a low opinion of the format, why are they making lenses for it?"

allowing Panasonic to put the Leica Name on Panasonic lenses for a large sum of money is not the same as "making lenses for it"

drinkonlyscotch said:

drinkonlyscotch said:

Leica have already said that m43 sensor size does not give them the image quality they want in a large sensor camera.

Click to expand...

M43 may have low IQ for a "large sensor" camera but I'd make the argument that it's not a large sensor. With that in mind, those words from Leica – "It's too small for a large sensor" – may have been skillfully ducking the question. Plus, if they really had such a low opinion of the format, why are they making lenses for it?

Companies say these sorts of things all the time when they don't have a product on the market. The fact is, M43 would be a huge opportunity for Leica. Every pro I know uses a M43 camera for their personal/travel photography and for good reason. You can fit an entire system – body, three primes, three batteries and charger, in a side-satchel that weighs less than a 5D body. There's definitely a market for an M43 body with higher build quality than any of the current options. The GF-1 really drew quite a few pros and enthusiasts to the format, even if it's not what they use for their "serious" work.

Right now, there's a major gap in the Leica lineup between the $799 D-Lux and the $1900 X-1. It does not make sense to fill that gap with an APS-C or similar sensor as the body would most likely cost more than the X-1. No, M43 is the ideal format for this gap-closer. A metal-bodied Leica M43 at $1200–$1500 would be a very compelling proposition for many people, especially if it was a true Leica design (perhaps something inspired by the CL?) and not a re-badged Panasonic. I myself would grab one instantly.

Click to expand...

Just who can Leica turn to for outsourcing components in Germany? Meanwhile the Japanese and Chinese are making everything that any camera can use. Thransistors, memory chips, CPU's, PCB, glass, plastic, metal's... etc. etc.

That's what happened to Kodak, they had to outsource from another country as all the American companies were unable to provide much.

I't ok, just keep buying the Asian products and sooner than you think you wont even be able to afford them. They won't care as at that time their economy has succesdedin crushing ours.

They sell low untill the copetion is dead then they raise the prices. Great game plan, even better than starting WWII as this time it looks like they have won!
--
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visit my web site http://www.flickr.com/photos/artist_eyes/
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Artist Eyes

Peter Nelson said:

They sell low untill the copetion is dead then they raise the prices. Great game plan, even better than starting WWII as this time it looks like they have won!

Click to expand...

Sorry to nit pick Peter, but Germany started WWII by invading Poland.
Little ol' Europe had a bit of a head start over the US.

Otherwise I agree with you.

Best wishes
Mike
--



http://mikepics.zenfolio.com/

Personal Picks:
http://mikepics.zenfolio.com/p203247129

G20 protest gallery:
http://mikepics.zenfolio.com/p486940421

One picture a day:
http://mikepics.zenfolio.com/p506878824

I think you meant WWIII...not WWII (the British declared war on Germany, starting that miserable saga).

I don't think we can complain when we exploit cheap labour and do it to such an extent that we fool ourselves into borrowing more and more to buy more and more cheap stuff (and neatly shut our eyes to child labour/working conditions etc). What we have done is to enable a capable and hard working people recover and join our party.

deleted_081301 said:

allowing Panasonic to put the Leica Name on Panasonic lenses for a large sum of money is not the same as "making lenses for it"

Click to expand...

"Making lenses for it" probably doesn't accurately represent the situation, but neither does "allowing Panasonic to put the Leica Name on Panasonic lenses". These are Leica lens designs, licensed and manufactured by Panasonic.

Regardless, even if Leica was just whoring out their name, that doesn't further support the case that they're too high-and-mighty for M43. Clearly, if name-whoring for M43 lenses is acceptable then it seems rather hypocritical to turn around and say that the format's not good enough for their name. What, are we supposed to believe that the format is good enough for their lenses but not good enough for their bodies? If anything, it would seem like it should go the other way around, but even that would be ridiculous.

The extent to which Leica may be involved in the M43 lenses is irrelevant – the fact is they are involved as indicated by their name being stamped on these things. So the idea that they can take some sort of moral high-ground position that M43 is a crumby format is ridiculous. If they want the moral high-ground then they never should have allowed their name anywhere near the format in the first place.

sony is in financial difficulties, and has been known to cut off pieces of its business when this happens

panasonic makes better lenses

I think panny is a great partner

I do think the Nex-7 is the best APS-C cerma ever (flame!) but would prefer one with proper native lenses, including Leica

l_objectif said:

Any name!

But I wish Leica would divorce Panasonic and marry Sony, so we could have babies like Nex cameras!

I also hope that Leica would be inspired by the looks of the new small, big senor, cameras such as Nex 5n, X10, Pentax Q and many others!... The Dlux cameras look is becoming too oldish and boring and the IQ is even becoming worse!

Did you hear, Mr. Leica?...

--
Louis

My DPR Gallery (Dlux3, Dlux4,Dlux5, Nikon D300)
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/6584690903/photos/slideshow

Click to expand...

--
http://photon-priority.blogspot.com
http://www.haroldmiller.me

people will not be happy, but go out and get it anyway. like the LX3/DL4 and LX5/DL5. when given the option, red dot still wins anytime.

intruder61 said:

Hopefully we won't see a repeat of the Leica/Lumix arrangement, like the V-Lux 30 — a subtly altered Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 that was sold for double the price. If this new line ends up being just a Panasonic m4/3 body with a red dot on it, you can bet people will not be happy."

Click to expand...

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hydroburn

"These are Leica lens designs, licensed and manufactured by Panasonic."

I dont think they are ...When a Pan/Leica won a design award it was the panasonic team that accepted it. from what ive heard panasonic designs them and Leica oversees optical quality

drinkonlyscotch said:

drinkonlyscotch said:

allowing Panasonic to put the Leica Name on Panasonic lenses for a large sum of money is not the same as "making lenses for it"

Click to expand...

"Making lenses for it" probably doesn't accurately represent the situation, but neither does "allowing Panasonic to put the Leica Name on Panasonic lenses". These are Leica lens designs, licensed and manufactured by Panasonic.

Regardless, even if Leica was just whoring out their name, that doesn't further support the case that they're too high-and-mighty for M43. Clearly, if name-whoring for M43 lenses is acceptable then it seems rather hypocritical to turn around and say that the format's not good enough for their name. What, are we supposed to believe that the format is good enough for their lenses but not good enough for their bodies? If anything, it would seem like it should go the other way around, but even that would be ridiculous.

The extent to which Leica may be involved in the M43 lenses is irrelevant – the fact is they are involved as indicated by their name being stamped on these things. So the idea that they can take some sort of moral high-ground position that M43 is a crumby format is ridiculous. If they want the moral high-ground then they never should have allowed their name anywhere near the format in the first place.

Click to expand...

The x1 is much better iq wise than then oly e-p3 with the Leica 25mm. M4/3 does not have good enough low light capability.

drinkonlyscotch said:

drinkonlyscotch said:

allowing Panasonic to put the Leica Name on Panasonic lenses for a large sum of money is not the same as "making lenses for it"

Click to expand...

"Making lenses for it" probably doesn't accurately represent the situation, but neither does "allowing Panasonic to put the Leica Name on Panasonic lenses". These are Leica lens designs, licensed and manufactured by Panasonic.

Click to expand...

No, they are Panasonic lens designs that, following approval by Leica, are allowed to carry the Leica branding in return for a significant royalty payment.

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Colin