Red Dot Forum Camera Talk: Our Leica Wishlist / Holiday Edition

In this week's Red Dot Forum Camera Talk, Leica experts Josh Lehrer and David Farkas get into the holiday spirit and break our one and only rule: wishing and dreaming about what the future of Leica could be. Instead of the usual “deep dive” into a particular Leica system or technique, we’ll take the imaginary reins of Leica Camera for the evening and lay out what products and features we would love to see, in a perfect world, if we ran things in Wetzlar. We’ll welcome viewer thoughts too, so be sure to send us your wildest Leica hopes and dreams for the future!
Feel free to hit us up with questions beforehand by emailing [e-mail], or ask us live in the chat.
Missed out on our previous livestreams? No problem. Watch all of our previous RDFCT episodes here: • Red Dot Forum Camera Talk
Visit reddotforum.com for the latest Leica news, reviews, technical articles and more.
============================
Support the channel by shopping at leicastoremiam....
Check out David's personal work at / davidfarkasphotography
Travel with David on Leica Store Miami Photo Workshops: lsm.to/4qzlz
Sign Up for Leica Store Miami Email Newsletter:
======================================
manage.kmail-l...

[@rudigerwolf9626]

The CL is a perfect travel system. Everything else is much larger, heavier. Love my CL. CL with Phase Detect, BSI Sensor, etc.

[@rolloffilm1996]

Leica CL II - compact (if it is bigger, then let it be not much more than CL original) - 24+ MP(24-36) - Phase AF - IBIS 5 stops is enoug for manual lenses or lenses without IS and travel videos. - fix screen for compact size - better EVF - 4K 60p 8 bit is good - USB microphone or bluetooth for travel videos - USB cable like in M11 for fast connection

[@drrobertgoldman1806]

The CL is an amazing niche camera. It allows native macro but also functions as a “teleconverter” for the 24-90 and 90-280 mm L mount lenses. I love mine and regret Leicas decision. Long live the CL.

[@absonus]

M user for 25 years but love the CL system. I like a nicer shutter sound. My SL2S also nice only let down by the poor AF so tend to reach for that last .

[@jmavicente72]

I love my CL too. Happy holidays from Portugal.

[@walcottrulez]

i would love to see a CL2 or even a Q with an M mount.

[@rolloffilm1996]

Leica CLII aps-c is a good solution. It will cover the need for a camera in the $2-3K range, and it's also good for travel. Especially now there are many manual lenses for CL and now we have - Sigma, Lumix L and Leica lenses . Leica SL mark i is good, but big and heavy and AF is not good, no ibis or IS in lenses .

[@3BMEP]

A 180/3.4 APO? Yes, please! Always lovely to watch you guys on these live shows!

[@Pezinokrm]

I vote 🗳 with David a SL APO 180mm lens would be awesome! Being a fashion photographer I would buy it in a heartbeat 💗. 👍

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

Instead of the Q3-Vario, perhaps the Q3-TriSummicron, like the Tri-Elmar 16-18-21mm. This one could perhaps be 28-35-50mm. We really have reached a bit of a "diminishing returns" point with many photography cameras. The M11, Q3, and with other brands the Sony A1 and Nikon Z9. We got spoiled over the past decade with the pace of advancements with both sensor technology and mirrorless. But now, just as film cameras settled down by the end of the 1990s and DSLR technology had matured by the end of the 2010s, there are few dramatic improvements left for mirrorless photo cameras.

[@sakavouras]

I have owned all the autofocus Leicas of the last 10y. The size of CL is amazing and the feel of SL is awesome. I would love to a CL size camera w L, IBIS, higher res, and SL menus.

[@michaelacedeno]

Ahhh man I wish I was able to watch this live, my wish list was much longer than David referenced with the CL2 haha Profoto Connect would be amazing in the M and SL system as a workin pro.

[@3BMEP]

Profoto Connect is now available for Leica!

[@pnw_md]

Profoto Connect pro works great on the M and SL

[@michaelacedeno]

I meant integrated into the camera like on a few other cameras. I have the Profoto Connect Pro already hah

[@michaelacedeno]

By other cameras I mean like on Phase One which has the entire Air system integrated into the body/camera system. Would eliminate the need for a seperate trigger, would likely drive the price of the camera up, but I’d happily deal with any increase in price/size/weight for the sake of having one less thing to carry around and keep batteries for.

[@michaelacedeno]

That said, would love to see some improvements that would make actual wireless tethering possible. Eliminating cables and spare things to go wrong/break on a production would be amazing for working photographers.

[@jacobh5817]

I’m using the SL2 and SL2-S next to an X2D for profesional fashion/beauty photography. For my personal stuff it’s mostly M. Recently I’ve traded-in my M10-R for an M11-P with the new 50-Lux. Flr flexibility I would often pack an SL2 with a few lenses or a zoom as well. However, now my personal kit is the M11-P with the 50-Lux and a 90-APO. On the wide end I now grab my Q2 Reporter. That gives me 28, 50 and 90 in a very compact flexible package. If the Q3 would also come in a 50 or 75mm version, I would immediately buy it. Imagine a Q3 with 28 and one with 75 would make my SL2 almost redundant, even for professional work!

[@esimen]

i fell in love with everything leica because of your show many years ago. now i own four leica cameras and love taking photos with them. keep up the videos. thank you guys for your amazing show.

[@256k_]

Just wanted to say I’m very very very happy to hear that the episodes will also be available as podcasts! I love listening to you all talk and geek out on Leica stuff and I often want to listen to it while I walk my dog. What a great end of year gift thank you!

[@epstar83]

I’d like to see the new SL with manual focus confirmation and manual focus subject detection, in the same way the Nikon ZF does it. Would be an excellent addition to the current large EVF and focus peaking.

[@ronteffs6667]

This episode made me appreciate my MP 240 even more. When is an M not an M? When it’s an SL.

[@carlstawicki1915]

Here's my SL3 wishlist. Some of these were already mentioned. • Front dial at the top of the grip, so we can have a dial dedicated to each point of the exposure triangle. • Auto focus bracketing and stacking (which might be possible with just a firmware update). This would be especially appreciated if they ever release a macro lens. • Phase detect focus. • Faster auto focus and a higher frame rate with auto focus. • A flip screen would be a bonus for me, but not a requirement.

[@pdk]

What I want: Leica QL, ie a Q body with L mount. As a "low end" option for SL it would not need to have IBIS, and in fact perhaps only having electronic shutter (so that it's as quiet as a Q wink wink). I imagine the mount would project several mm from the front, just as with the Leica CL, but that's fine too. M lenses could be mounted with adapter, they would only project further, the same as currently on the CL. Given a higher res sensor, this would be a perfect platform for "aps-c" lenses. What I would super-duper love to see is highly customizable crop lines with this. Want to shoot 4:5? square? portrait? With a full frame sensor and aps-c lenses, there's lots and lots of options to reframe w/o being stuck to 3:2.

[@krisceuppens5273]

Oh my god, you guys are not only drinking a Belgian beer, but one from the city 5km from my front door :-) How about that! FYI, you could get even closer by having a Bierbeek Triple, that is my home town!

[@jklphoto]

Agree with David at 50:25, an L-mount 35mm f/1.4 would be amazing. Oh wait, I have one thanks to the L-mount Alliance!

[@mikedesimone1783]

Great show guys hope you're both have a very merry Christmas to you and your family thanks for a great year of knowledge and advice in the world of Leica and by the way how come you're drinking my beer that's my favorite one cheers.🎄👍👍👍

[@jessekoskinen]

I loved seeing the Thambar-M shown. It is one of my favourite lenses, and an important part of my wildlife photography kit.

[@photoipster]

I’ve played with most modern leica’s, and have owned m10, q, q2, and long term leased sl2. My favorite day use camera, and favorite travel camera, is the cl. I sold my cl system for a q2. After a year, and after it was discontinued, i rebought a cl, and every lens made for it. Couldn’t be happier. And yes, I’d love a cl2, but basically weather ceiling….

[@griznj886]

This was a great show guys. Thanks and Happy Holidays.

[@davidkieltyka9]

I think an M camera with single per-lens LCD framelines would be fantastic. I like using a 40mm Summicron-C on my Ms…gimme that 40mm frame in the VF!

[@BrandonTalbot]

A Q with a 50 lux(ish) would be amazing.

[@PiotrPavlov]

Awesome show!

[@JenHamon]

I'd like a summicron Q. It's a badass setup, but sometimes I wish it was a little more compact.

[@rolandrickphotography]

I suggest it should be a Q3 Vario 2.8/24-105, corresponding to the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z 🤩. Because of its movie capabilities wirh a global shutter like the a9 III but with 60 megapixel 😍. Merry Christmas 🎄.

[@Yetibiker67]

Josh, your Rolex game is rockin'!!! You have a vintage silver dialed 6263? Thought I saw you wearing one on a strap.

[@jlehrer1890]

Oh I wish! It is a Baltic Tricompax x Peter Auto

[@Yetibiker67]

@@jlehrer1890 Beautiful Josh! Love seeing the watches you and David wear! Great videos and immense knowledge. Keep up the great work!

[@allena3430]

The new lumix has Phase detect, so Leica SL should get one. Can they make the autofocus adapter like Techart? M to L autofocus will be gamechanging

[@simil-kung5610]

Here's an Idea for Leica: make an M-mount camera with an EVF that gives the user autofocus by enabling the mount to move back and forth automatically, like some adapter rings do. I'm not sure whether I would like that camera, but I'm sure it would be a success for them. I mean: Leica, doing an EVF-only M-mount camera with autofocus? There are many people who want that.

[@wilfredshum3703]

I also like to see the 50 mm Summilux version 2 in their Classic Series, although the use of the LaO glass is unlikely. Its vintage barrel design in silver is beautiful.

[@MrPomo2]

The new CL2 or CLII or CL-Zwei :or whatever they want to call it... First and foremost a bigger battery!! It's competition I think is actually the Sony A series (A6700). If they could sell something that the Sony isn't, they would have a winner. I was using the A6600 this summer, compared to my CL the Sony didn't die.

[@carlosmcse]

My wish for the Leica M is LESS not more. Unfortunately I think there’s 0 chance of that, so for a more classic experience stick to the M10’s.

[@mgscheue]

Just got an M10 and I’ve seen a lot of comments like that. A bit of a wrong turn with the M11?

[@carlosmcse]

@@mgscheue I think it’s where Leica wants to go. More specs. More stuff. More automation. More and more. More complicated. They’ll probably take out the rangefinder altogether for an EVF soon so they can take full advantage of the close focus every new lens has. And that will be the day where the M dies.

[@mgscheue]

@@carlosmcse😢

[@Japaner1w]

Loved this edition - thank you. Watching from Bavarian. Some of my most used lenses! M24 + 90 mm Elmarit. Though I have others. Very good wish list!

[@manojchandramishra906]

I too wish a Q with 50mm Summilux..

[@jean-pierrek1529]

A smaller body L mount full frame would be nice.

[@martinlohmann7935]

Agree about the 24 mm M. I a waiting for a 24 lux with reduced minimum distance as the new 35 lux. The gap between 21 and 28 is just too big.

[@Bryan-lu4du]

Fixed focal length Medium Format Q style. Could be 43mm which would make it 35mm full frame equivalent. F/2.5 maybe

[@jessiewonka]

Kisses, but chapter markers!

[@TP-cu7vb]

Did you gentlemen ever get around to testing the Summicron-SL 35mm ASPH. on the CL? Very curious how it performs vs the Summilux-TL 35mm ASPH.

[@carlosgastelum8251]

I would love tilt shift lenses for the SL system… that way I could retire my Alpa

[@RedDotForum]

We've seen good results for users adapting the Canon 17mm TSE to the SL2.

[@epstar83]

Bring a vintage line version of the Super Angulon 21/4

[@rolloffilm1996]

in my opinion, the best solution is: - Leica Q3 50mm - Leica D - Lux Vario 24-90 with M43 sensor , not bіg heavy slow aps c lens or FF - Leica CL II - there are now a lot of lenses for this camera This will close the need for vario Q, And also in need of a compact camera cheaper than SL and Q

[@KiloOneThree]

Leica M-A with a delayed action release (self-timer) like the M3 🙂

[@rolloffilm1996]

Leica D-Lux 8 Vario - new 25MPM43 sensor - 24-90 1.7-2.8(or 3.5) - ibis or lens stabe like in D-Lux 5 - Phase AF - New EVF - Hi Res for tripod(maybe) - in camera Bracketing RAW file - basic video FHD 120, 4K 60p - USB connection like M11 - USB microphone or bluetooth for travel videos

[@tofulosophy]

35mm Noctilux 🤯 I bought a second hand 24mm elmar. YES to new 24mm-M lenses!

[@johntocho8954]

Would love to see a Q3S with no flip out screen Q2 button layout same sensor as the Q3...so essentially an updated Q2 for those of us that dont want or need a flip out screen. And it would be in silver! 'You may call me a dreamer but I am not the only one.'

[@mattmaber]

an M with EVF would need a pseudo RF focusing patch imho. Surely thatd be possible?

[@domipro123]

Q3-Z zoom 28-90mm would be great !!

[@Rawa2ful]

I want a CL with a better battery life .24-33 MP no need for image stabilisation to keep the compact design. better customisation for the wheels or an extra wheel (I am daydreaming here). OR a smaller SL body with a cropped sensor (also daydreaming here). For Q I think a 50mm Q limited edition would be more realistic as a 35mm. As for the SL the next SL would be just a Leica Q3 with the ability to change lenses. M cameras are cool but they are not my cup of tea.

[@jpm5205]

A modern pocket film point and shoot a la the Contax T3.

[@caneestudio]

Dual exposure plus like phase 1 IQ4. Embedded in the raw file.M12

[@rolandrickphotography]

I wish the in body profiles (Std Viv Nat BWnat BWhi) would be stored into the DNGs like all other brands do it also. Leica is the only brand not doing this.

[@vanandpillai9424]

Hi. 1:23:49. What model lens was referred to. Have an M6. 😅

[@MB-or8js]

Thanks for voicing my earlier expressed desire for an "EVF M" at 1:07:00 of the video. M sized body where EVF replaces rangefinder with exchangeable M mount is the way to go forward. Such "EVF M" will not replace traditional rangefinder M cameras but will be a product line in parallel. I would keep my rangefinder M cameras but get such "EVF M" in addition. There are situations where OVF is better, in others EVF is the better choice. And no, the SL is not the same with its bulky size and L-mount. Or give us a Leica Q with exchangeable M mount - same as "EVF M", name it whatever....

[@jpm5205]

This is a horrible idea. You can literally do this mirrorless setup already with M-mount lenses on Sony/Nikon/Fujifilm. Making this new mirrorless (redundant) model would cannibalize resources that would otherwise go to actual new product lines or business.

[@MB-or8js]

@@jpm5205 Because such camera as suggested clearly would be in parallel to existing and future rangefinder M cameras, now it is about resources? I really hope Leica uses resources to release such EVF-based camera as suggested since this is a new product line and will certainly provide more business. You know very well that M-lenses don't always work well on other branded MLCs and also only limitedly on the SL series. If you claim an EVF based FF Leica camera as "redundant", how do you explain the success of the Q series which is the second best seller for Leica after the M series? Guess what - a Q-like camera with exchangeable M-mount (or name it "EVF M") would even sell better!

[@jpm5205]

@@MB-or8js M lenses work perfectly fine on other mirrorless cameras. The Q is more than just full frame like the SL or M...it's a hi-rez autofocus mirrorless camera with a sensor SPECIFICALLY AND UNIQUELY engineered to work with its 28mm Summilux. The engineering behind the fixed Summilux at that price is the value proposition between the Q and other mirrorless cameras. The use case, addressable market, and how it fits into Leica's product catalog slot is obvious and differentiated. An "M" with an EVF (or a "Q" with interchangeable lenses) would not grow the business in any meaningful way. People buy an M for M money for the freaking optical rangefinder and viewfinder. It makes no sense to buy something Fujifilm/Nikon/Sony have been doing for longer and better. An EVF camera with only manual focus, as David and Josh point out, doesn't make sense unless it's unbelievably better - and it won't/can't be. If one were to ask for a smaller SL3 or a next gen APS-C CL3 those would make sense.

[@MB-or8js]

@@jpm5205 we agree to disagree here. I do not agree with all your points mentioned in the comment above.

[@jpm5205]

@@MB-or8js Why do you disagree? Leica has to consider to do this or not do this.

[@Gaby-fg3vg]

David ❤

[@N.Eutered]

How about a small 21-50/2.8 "Bi-Elmar-M" 🎄✨

[@cameraprepper7938]

I have only one wish for a Leica camera, "Q"-style with M-mount, 9.5+ mega dots EVF 1.2x magnification, 8+ stops IBIS, no video functions, 60+ or new 93 megapixels sensor.

[@lottic]

1:21:23 a 50mm FLE leak. I knew it!!!

[@drrobertgoldman1806]

Do you want an ILS system or fixed focal length? Long live the L-mount alliance. Great decision for Leica.

[@haraldschreiber]

what about a S4?

[@chuckmoore5382]

What I really want and would order is a M43 Leica. I have several Leica branded M43 lenses and want a Leica camera to put them on with the same operating system as my SL2. Rather than a CL, why not a Leica version of the Panasonic G9ii? It is a far more advanced camera.

[@alexfouquetfr]

Is everything on the table for sale? This could be a pure fantasy, but we want a Leica Stella Full Pint release.

[@Leicam10]

Leica should do a compact aps-c with a 40mm prime. Digital Minilux. Something like a Ricoh Gr3x

[@drrobertgoldman1806]

120mm is not too long for a macro.THE BEST macro lens ever was a 200 mm 2.8

[@user-ms8qg2rz5s]

If Leica doesn’t want to make APSC l mount camera, maybe the can make camera with APSC cmos with 18-50mm F1.4-4 lens and 24-280 F2.4-5.6 compact camera

[@alainmonnens]

Quality products from Germany.... and Belgium -;

[@dans.8198]

Yes, give us IS and get rid of the mechanical shutter, hopefully a global one. However, the shutter is in front of the sensor, and I am not sure a full 5-axis IS could be implemented without increasing thickness anyway (i.e. behind the sensor). Would I accept a couple mm thicker camera in exchange for 5-axis IS? Yes. Would I accept an integrated EVF below the good *old* RF? Yes. This is my wish for 2024, so I’ll be able to afford such used camera sometime in 2028 ;-)

[@drrobertgoldman1806]

Here is another one. Leica makes lenses for the Panasonic MFT system These are “native” Leica lenses that they already make, why not a Leica MFT camera. OM-1 is doing amazing things.

[@rolloffilm1996]

Q3 with 50mm will be a top seller, will sell better than monochrome . So I don't understand why they won't make such an interesting version. The first Q was a runaway success, why won't the Q 50mm be? Leica Q Vario - is very very big camera or compact with slow aperture. The Leica XII Vario(aps c) is large, expensive, uncomfortable due to its size and has a slow big lens.

[@allena3430]

INTERNAL STORAGE FOR Q3

[@busterduke4038]

I’m with Leica - not an M with an integrated EVF. Buy an SL…

[@jean-pierrek1529]

No need to have a global shutter for no mechanical shutter. A stacked sensor with fast readout will do. The Nikon Z9 has had no mechanical shutter for pver 2 years.

[@michaelacedeno]

Personally I want global shutter for the sake of flash sync vs anything else.

[@jean-pierrek1529]

@@michaelacedeno fair enough. But the point was about an M with stabilization because of the space savings of having no mechanical shutter. The technology exists and has been very well out for over 2 years without the current compromises of global shutters. High flash sync with Ms? Niche within niche within niche within niche? For the SL line, different story, but global shutters are not ready for Leica level of quality yet.

[@yidong5567]

I would buy a 90mm f2 Q even its very unpractical

[@carlstawicki1915]

All camera makers should try to integrate AirTag or equivalent tech into the cameras themselves. Just attaching an AirTag to the camera is no good as it can be removed by a thief. Hiding one inside the camera bag isn't good enough either.

[@RedDotForum]

Interesting idea. Wonder if Apple would be willing to license the technology.

[@jpm5205]

Disposable film Leica with a plastic Summilux 🤣

[@jpm5205]

The EVF "M" mirrorless "idea" is horrible. You can literally do this mirrorless setup already with M-mount lens adapters on Sony/Nikon/Fujifilm. Making this new mirrorless (redundant) model would cannibalize resources that would otherwise go to actual new product lines or business. DO NOT DO IT LEICA.

[@bertagriese8282]

unprepared as ever, interrupting the each other like all the time, weird as always. 😵‍💫

[@jlehrer1890]

And I spilled my beer too! Yet, you still watched...

[@bertagriese8282]

@@jlehrer1890not completely. And anyway, the guys are weirdly funny

[@parazittrilobitovic5488]

your post is .... hmmmm ... disturbing to name kindly ...

[@howieburdick4677]

24x65 monochrom!!!!!!!!

[@KeithEmmerichDOTcom]

I wish the VisoFlex mounted above the viewfinder.