Leica M9 – A Marriage with Canon? [CR1]
July 1st, 2009 Posted in Canon General
I’ve heard it before
There has been rumblings in the past about Leica using a Canon sensor in the evolution of the M.
I received an email today stating that Canon and Leica are in negotiations for Canon to supply the sensor in the upcoming Leica M9. It’s written the M9 will utilize a version of the 5D Mark II sensor. The new Leica is to be launched at Photokina 2010 in Germany.
Yes, a full frame digital M!
CR’s Take
I’ve heard about a Leica & Canon marriage before. It’s obvious Leica needs a better solution than the Kodak sensor currently in the M8.
This may be nothing more than someones wish…… and a great wish it is.
cr
July 1st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
1 word
I want one!
(ok, 3 words)
if by using a Canon sensor, the price will be lower than an M8, I will seriously consider it an upgrade to my R-D1
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
erm…I don’t think so, Leica is not aiming for the mass market nway. Slightly cheaper? Maybe possible. Very cheap? Very Unlikely :D
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Anonymous Reply:
July 5th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Are you guys saying that a Canon sensor is worth less than a Kodak sensor?
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July 1st, 2009 at 7:42 pm
[...] CanonRumors got a tip that the Leica M9 may be using a version of the 5D Mark II sensor. The rumor is that Canon and Leica are in negotiations for a full frame sensor that will be used in the upcoming Leica M9. [...]
July 1st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I find that very interesting, considering that Leica is the only company besides Canon to make use of an APS-H sensor… While leica should go FF (they did invent 35mm anyway, it would only seem right) I kind of hope that the 16MP APS-H sensor being tested in the rumored 1D mk IV beta model is for the next Leica M only, and the 1D body was just a testbed….
yes, I realize how convoluted and stupid that is, but I’d rather short Leica and get a FF 1D. although if they both went FF, and then the M10 didn’t cost 2x a 1D…
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July 1st, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Wow.
Would make a few people very happy, could be a stunning camera.
Would be very uncheap though. No way would be cheaper than M8.
Why would you think that?
Personally I’d believe this when I see it.
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July 1st, 2009 at 10:21 pm
sounds like it will cost more then M8.2 expect it to be 5000+ dollars.
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July 2nd, 2009 at 12:20 am
Leica based on canon sensor… then I would just buy a canon then…
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regular Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 am
you dont understand the interest of a rangefinder then.
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bug Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 am
not only that but imagine having a (almost) pocket FF sensor camera(because of the lens), oh sweetness
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Anonymous Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 3:36 am
Have you ever held a Leica rangefinder? Not exactly pocketable. The body is big and heavy. Small lenses won’t make a big and heavy body pocketable.
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bug Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 3:42 am
i have big pockets ;D
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July 2nd, 2009 at 5:28 am
If Canon made a rangefinder…
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regular Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:45 am
Canon 7 :)
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Anonymous Reply:
August 30th, 2009 at 10:42 am
SAMLL ANS SWEET…..
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July 2nd, 2009 at 5:55 am
[...] [...]
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 am
… and the next step:
1+1= ??? …the solution to adapt the R-objectives to Canonbodies to satisfy the leica-customers with their R-objectives.
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Scott Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Leica R lenses already fit on the EOS mount via a cheap adaptor. Many people are happily using them now
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July 2nd, 2009 at 8:11 am
Nikon sensors would better suit the quality image of Leica though.
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Zac Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 am
how so?
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Ed Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Where did you hear that Nikon make sensors? Last time I heard, they bought them from Sony. They would not likely be allowed to resell them.
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Stark-Arts Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
this is one of the silliest things I’ve ever seen written here
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Scott Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Maybe if there was such a thing as Nikon sensors.
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zach Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:19 am
stupid nikon goonies
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Poor_Student_Reasoning Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:27 am
Thanks for dropping by Thom Hogan! Glad to see your Nikon flag-waving here. :P You don’t even know Sony makes the sensors for your unergonomic and ugly-looking cameras.
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Mike Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
“Nikon sensors would better suit the quality image of Leica though.”
They would probably use a Panasonic design first, but as far as Canon vs Nikon in an M9, I agree with the OP. The noise pattern of Nikon cameras at high ISO resembles the “more luminance, less colour noise” (ie – like film) that Leica prefers. Canon has long favoured a “less luminance, higher colour” noise approach (which a lot of people hate).
The point is, Canon rangefinders are considered historical footnotes compared to Ms and SPs. They were used by families and amateurs, seldom professionals. As well, like it or not, Canon does not have the brand “cachet” that Nikon does. Leica and Nikon have always been the two most desirable brands to own. I have never seen a photo of a famous photojournalist with a Canon RF around their neck. Sorry.
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Poor Student Reply:
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Thanks.
Of course I know Nikon has them built in Sony plants.
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July 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
Shaaawingggg! Time to remortgage the house.
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Ed Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:28 pm
It will cost no more than a nice car. Lexus, probably.
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July 2nd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Has anyone tried to adapt a Leica M8 body to a Topcon TRC50X? I ‘ve understood that the chip is a little bit smaller than the original film raster in the analogic TOPCON camera. The advantage should be that the mirror is not naccesary and can be used for adjustmend. I need to know how to connect and how to syncronyse with the joy-stick-button and the right moment of flashing.
I’ve no schedule for the pins of the cable-connection on the TR50X. Who can help me in this study?? Thanks for your attention! Jack
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July 2nd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
But, R-series lenses are SLR bayonet. You’ll not get M-series to work on an SLR, both for the size of lensmount and the protrusion into the mirrorbox of an SLR.
I suppose you could come up with a refractory lensmount? But quality wouldn’t be the same at all.
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July 2nd, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I think there is a little mix up in the story there. I believe it might actually a Canon Rangefinder, with a Canon FF sensor based on the Leica M8 format/design ?
Now.. that would be a real marketing product coup wouldn’t it ?
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July 3rd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Given that most M8 users prefer the images from the Kodak/Leica sensor to the 5DII by a fair margin, it would be a step backward and economically not very smart by Leica. Yes there will be a FF M9, but it will have a Kodak sensor. Says Leica…..
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Alan Reply:
July 4th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Yes, but how much of that is the lens? Canon CR2’s processed through DPP, Bibble, CS4, Aperture, and C1 all have different looks and noise characteristics. What’s to stop Leica from taking the superb Canon sensor and applying their own color science to the data?
Don’t forget about
http://www.clarkvision.com/imagedetail/digital.sensor.performance.summary/index.html
The Nikon D3 sensor is very good with low-noise but the 5D Mark 2 is close competitor but has a much higher apparent image quality.
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July 3rd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
[...] more here [...]
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
If it will be less than $8000 I’ll buy.
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July 5th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Totally wrong!
1. Leica cannot use standard FF sensor because of angle of incidience on outer image
2. Leica M9 comes fall 2009
Only right thing in ur message is M9 will have FF…
Chears
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July 5th, 2009 at 10:49 am
You ever seen images from the M8? Not so pretty. Certainly not worth using as a pro camera for anything but daylight street shooting. The high ISO is beyond laughable. Even changing the bloody memory card is a monumental pain in the ass (and doesn’t work for unabtrusive card switches).
The only things Leica have to trade on are its past, its format, and its lenses. That’s just not enough to make a camera worth $5000.
If you buy it cause it’s cool, then what ever. You don’t really care about usability or image quality anyways. It’s currently a brand for old timers and young pups who want to seem retro (and they buy them with their pre torn jeans and 70’s t-shirts).
I would love a useable rangefinder from Leica. The M8 just ain’t it.
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Enjott Reply:
July 6th, 2009 at 7:07 am
I don’t think its high ISO is laughable. There is just very little noise reduction involved in the default processing, especially in comparison considering the fact that Adobe products apply a base amount of NR, depending on camera brand and ISO setting, that cannot be reduced by the user. For noise tests you should compare to DPP’s or dcraw’s output.
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July 6th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
that will be a great product after the marriage. Both can combine the features and technology. Good luck! Looking forward to see it in my local market.
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July 12th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
What about an Leica 24-70 2,8 autofocus for Canon. I’ll sure buy that.
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July 15th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Now Cannon used to make a leica copy Rangefinder..Right?
So why the marrage with Leica? Cannon doesnt need Leica
but it seems Leica needs Cannon. Bla Bla Bla….
Jus give me a full frame rangefinder with a wide angle lens!
I have to wait till Photokina 2010! What!
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July 29th, 2009 at 2:35 am
[...] Ya se rumoreó sobre la posibilidad de que montara un sensor de Canon como el de la 5D MKII… [...]
August 6th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Either way, a Leica MP and a drum scanner will be cheaper and the MP will never become outdated so will hold its value better. I know which option I would take.
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October 11th, 2009 at 4:33 am
Kodak sensors are used in more than 90% of all digital imaging products. Do your due dilligence. The LRO and NASA hae relied on these image sensors for years.
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