p.6 #1 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
1bwana1 wrote:
Except that APS-C didn't fit in Leica's core lineup of full frame cameras focused on image quality, using the same sensor, but with different form factors, and use cases.
In London in May, I had a specific conversation with Dr Kaufmann and some LSI members who were advocating for a new APS-C camera. He was adamant that they had never made a profit with an APS-C product, that they saw no way to ever do so in the future. It is Leica managements position that APS-C is best relegated to low priced markets. Leica has no interest at all in competing in that market. I think that is the proper approach for them. The reasons that the APS-C line was dropped is entirely different than with the SL product line. There is no equivalence there....Show more →
OK, if APS-C was to cheap for Leica, how about the Leica S system then?
Kaufmann on multiple occasions and even very recently confirmed that a new medium format system was coming and it is also not coming...
My point is that certainly when leadership might be changing, but even without that change, you cannot take anything for granted.
p.6 #2 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
Luca101 wrote:
Will SL Lux 50 Mark 2 render like M Lux 50 asph mark 2?
That's the question I asked by starting this thread. We don't know, we can only speculate. Will it be an M-like rendering? Did they match the SL 50 Lux version 1 rendering in a smaller package? Or did they just do something new? At the rumored price, expectations are high.
p.6 #3 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
highdesertmesa wrote:
Fujifilm making APS-C and medium format while ignoring full frame is one of the few smart moves they've made in photography right alongside taking a retro, film-based approach to their products – and Instax of course.
I fully agree. It is a very smart move of Fuji. Trying to compete against Sony/Canon/Nikon could potentially kill them.
p.6 #4 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
SlowDriver wrote:
OK, if APS-C was to cheap for Leica, how about the Leica S system then?
Kaufmann on multiple occasions and even very recently confirmed that a new medium format system was coming and it is also not coming...
My point is that certainly when leadership might be changing, but even without that change, you cannot take anything for granted.
Again it was a corporate financial decision not to pursue a medium format camera. The program existed, but was officially canceled. Leica has a clear vision of where they can profitably go. Dr Kaufmann and Leica are very clear that they beleive the SL system is their technically best system. None of us has a crystal ball. However, from personal conversation with Leica leadership I expect growth and innovation in the SL line, not cancelation.
p.6 #6 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
1bwana1 wrote:
Again it was a corporate financial decision not to pursue a medium format camera. The program existed, but was officially canceled. Leica has a clear vision of where they can profitably go. Dr Kaufmann and Leica are very clear that they beleive the SL system is their technically best system. None of us has a crystal ball. However, from personal conversation with Leica leadership I expect growth and innovation in the SL line, not cancelation.
Seeing the X2D II priced at $7.4K USD while knowing Hasselblad had already won over the Leica market for medium format probably had something to do with it. Best they could hope for would be to partner with Hasselblad like they did with Panasonic.
p.6 #7 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
SlowDriver wrote:
My point is that certainly when leadership might be changing, but even without that change, you cannot take anything for granted.
My understanding is that leadership is not changing. Minority owners are changing. The Kaufmann family is planning on running Leeia for future generations. Of course where big money is involved things can easily change from current intention.
I do expect we will get an announcement in this regard very shortly.
p.6 #8 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
RustyBug wrote:
THAT was the Achilles heel to the CL. I really liked the CL, and the prospect of a FF size CL, that would include the option for AF / MF in the rangefinder location (i.e. TLC corner) is attractive in spirit, but the battery life of the CL was sweet when mounting my M lenses, and abysmal when shooting with AF glass.
Did you use Leica APS-C glass? Asking because Sigma APS-C lenses draining the battery fast was a known problem. Unfortunately Leica/Sigma never stabilized the APS-C L-mount.
p.6 #9 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
SlowDriver wrote:
Did you use Leica APS-C glass? Asking because Sigma APS-C lenses draining the battery fast was a known problem. Unfortunately Leica/Sigma never stabilized the APS-C L-mount.
p.6 #11 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
What’s it called when Leica joins forces with Hasselblad? I don’t know, but I’ll put my name down for a Leicablad body with a Hasselux lens.
highdesertmesa wrote:
Seeing the X2D II priced at $7.4K USD while knowing Hasselblad had already won over the Leica market for medium format probably had something to do with it. Best they could hope for would be to partner with Hasselblad like they did with Panasonic.
p.6 #12 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
SlowDriver wrote:
I actually have this lens and I took it on a recent road trip. I took about 50 pictures of a bison hurd and it drained 3 batteries...
p.6 #13 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
SrMi wrote:
I was referring to your claim that "... Leica/Sigma never stabilized the APS-C L-mount".
The Leica SL received a lot of firmware updates to make the L-mount more stable. Those stability fixes were never applied to the Leica CL.
The OIS definitely works on the Leica CL but at the same time the OIS seem to drain the battery even more than non-OIS Sigma APS-C lenses, at least that is my impression.
p.6 #14 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
Surfnsun wrote:
What’s it called when Leica joins forces with Hasselblad? I don’t know, but I’ll put my name down for a Leicablad body with a Hasselux lens.
Problem is there’s nothing meaningful for Leica to contribute to such a partnership. Leica has been matched or outclassed by the industrial design, craftsmanship, and user interface of the Hasselblad.
p.6 #15 · Could the rumored Leica SL 50 Lux II be M-like in rendering?
Surfnsun wrote:
What’s it called when Leica joins forces with Hasselblad? I don’t know, but I’ll put my name down for a Leicablad body with a Hasselux lens.
I think it is more likely that the new Leica ownership might consider a merger with Zeiss than with Hasselblad. It would be a revamping since those talks with Zeiss happened and in the past and weren't successful, but times have changed and new ownership might have a closer look again at the current market and capabilities which both Leica and Zeiss have/had in lens manufacturing. I don't see any overlap for Leica Camera with Hasselblad - two very different areas in the photo market. And it is highly unlikely Leica wants to stretch out again into medium-format after just shutting down the S-line.
They have to fight in their own weight class.