Here are the latest Leica M12 rumors according to Leicarumors.com
Core Hardware
• New Gpixel sensor, likely paired with a new processor and battery system
• Camera body could be about 3mm shorter
Versions
• Two possible variants:
a) Fixed bottom plate
b) Classic removable base plate, possibly labeled a "Heritage" edition
Stabilization
• IBIS has been tested, but it's unclear if it will make it into production
Controls & Design Changes
• ISO dial on the top left may be removed entirely
• Larger 3.9 inch rear screen, up from 2.95 inches on the M11
• Rear button layout could be redesigned or simplified, possibly reduced
Viewfinder
• Potential hybrid vision system combining traditional rangefinder with EVF functionality, similar in concept to the Fuji X100
Trademark Status
• "M12" trademark appears as dead or abandoned in some regions, possibly due to conflicts
• In the United States Patent and Trademark Office, it is currently listed as active
Release Timeline
• Rumored release in 2027
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What's ya guys think, is Leica about to shake things up or just mess with us a little? It will be interesting to see how many of these actually stick as the M12 release gets closer.
Maybe heritage will be normal rangefinder and standard will be better EVF + no bottom plate. M12 name sounds kind of weird so maybe they'll do a reset and call the EVF version M1.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Here are the latest Leica M12 rumors according to Leicarumors.com
...
What's ya guys think, is Leica about to shake things up or just mess with us a little? It will be interesting to see how many of these actually stick as the M12 release gets closer.
Probably both, depending on one's perspective. By which I mean, if there is, for instance, a hybrid EVF, some might regard that as a good thing, others would view it as sacrilege. Ditto with respect to IBIS. One thing is certain, I think: they won't be able to please everyone, they "simply" need to judge what will make the camera most successful. I rather doubt that I will be buying one new but, either way, the most important thing for me would be for them to get the quality control right from day one.
(I did, mind you, hear a rumour that it will have AI that is capable of scratching the film in your original M6.)
The details are still scarce, but the primary thing I've been looking for, and the reason I passed on the M11, is a proper shutter. Close-open-close-open sequence is a problem for me in any body, but in an M-Leica it is a show-stopping crime. I casually follow conversations on l-camera-forum.com and since the release of the M11 there's been a sharp increase of interest in reducing the shake blur. As usual on the Internet, there's a group that is in denial who keep proudly sharing good results taken with 1/FL speeds. But the fact that they treat 1/FL speed as an achievement, and the fact that these conversations even happening, that's the proof that the shutter needs fixing. The entire point of the Leica design is the quiet, polite, no-drama shutter action coupled with a dense body for less-intrusive-than-SLR-with-less-light experience. The current shutter design has the same detrimental effect on that experience as adding an SLR mirror slap to a rangefinder.
They could have addressed it with EFCS or IBIS. Therefore my primary expectations for the M12 are: either fix the shutter by upgrading to an earlier design, or add EFCS, or add IBIS.
ftllens wrote:
M12 name sounds kind of weird
I was expecting the M16 to be the entrance into the weird-sounding territory, so I'm surprised it's happening earlier.
the larger screen makes no sense to me (almost 1 inch?) unless the aspect ratio is changed..with the top dial being removed, i'm speculating that means the its controls will be mostly touch-based? there's a portion of a screen that has buttons that changes depending on the context... i mean...no, i don't like that at all.
old-gregg wrote:
The details are still scarce, but the primary thing I've been looking for, and the reason I passed on the M11, is a proper shutter. Close-open-close-open sequence is a problem for me in any body, but in an M-Leica it is a show-stopping crime. I casually follow conversations on l-camera-forum.com and since the release of the M11 there's been a sharp increase of interest in reducing the shake blur. As usual on the Internet, there's a group that is in denial who keep proudly sharing good results taken with 1/FL speeds. But the fact that they treat 1/FL speed as an achievement, and the fact that these conversations even happening, that's the proof that the shutter needs fixing. The entire point of the Leica design is the quiet, polite, no-drama shutter action coupled with a dense body for less-intrusive-than-SLR-with-less-light experience. The current shutter design has the same detrimental effect on that experience as adding an SLR mirror slap to a rangefinder.
They could have addressed it with EFCS or IBIS. Therefore my primary expectations for the M12 are: either fix the shutter by upgrading to an earlier design, or add EFCS, or add IBIS.
I was expecting the M16 to be the entrance into the weird-sounding territory, so I'm surprised it's happening earlier....Show more →
i believe Sean Reid has done extensive tests on the shutter (i don't know first hand because i don't subscribe to his publication) perhaps an FM member who subscribes to Reid Reviews can provide a summary? based on some forums, the shutter lag is slower than M10r but it is insignificant...not sure about the shutter shock.
I would say though that the shutter lag is insignificant and shutter shock is also insignificant with my own (very informal) tests and day-to-day use. prior to the M11 i had the M240 and that thing has significant shutter lag and not-so-insignificant shutter shock when you're using off-the-sensor metering (live view and some metering mode that is not center-weighted) which drove me nuts...the shutter shock does not go away no matter what you do; you can only minimize its effects.
That said, I do NOT like the M11 shutter ..because since it's 100% off-the-sensor metering...the sound (the re-opening and closing of shutter..which is just like any other ML mechanical shutter :-/) is incredibly jarring at first for me...I got used to it but never totally accepted it. not offering EFCS or NO METERING at all (i.e., shutter moves only when you make an exposure) baffles me to this day.
I've shot good pictures occasionally with any M since my first M6 and I mean the real one, not the Desmolicious special edition designed to compensate modern lenses sharpness by scratching films
And when it comes to digital, I have prints out of the M8 that are quite good. Since then, it has been uphill.
So if the M12 is interesting and if I have the money, I may buy one. Or keep my M11.
In the meantime, I'm sure the Internet will do what the Internet does: comment over a lot without data, reject something before it even exists and obsess and complains about details that have no impact at all.
Have fun
If the hybrid viewfinder system is true, the EV-1 M is out. The M12 would then provide significant in-house competition with the EV-1 that the EV-1 sales would be significantly compromised. Therefore I don't believe that this part of the M12 rumor will come to reality.
From the list above, IBIS would be the only other significant improvement of the M12 over the M11. Putting my bet in, I think this rumor part is more likely to become real.
I guess if one sees the M10-R's high res sensor as foreshadowing the M11, then perhaps the EV-1 foreshadows an M12 with a hybrid VF? Not sure, but I'd love to see it and that may be the only feature that at the moment would tempt me to buy another M body.
Desmolicious wrote:
I’m not sure if it is wise for Leica to introduce IBIS into the M12.
It is an unproven technology, having been out for only 32 years.
I read the comments why it might be impossible to put IBIS into a M series camera. I don't buy it.
Look what happened 2013 when Sony unexpectedly announced the first FF MLC, the A7 series. They quietly developed it. If people heard it as rumor before 2013, they all would have said: impossible, unproven technology.
retrofocus wrote:
Look what happened 2013 when Sony unexpectedly announced the first FF MLC, the A7 series. They quietly developed it. If people heard it as rumor before 2013, they all would have said: impossible, unproven technology.
Nobody said a MILC body was impossible, just that they sucked in multiple ways for several years.
Yes, I was a victim of the a7r hype.
Of course they can have IBID anywhere, such as the cellphone.
