Leica M12 Heritage Edition should offer these 7 retro features
In a survey conducted in February, Leica already indicated that the successor to the Leica M11 could also be offered as a so-called Heritage Edition. "Heritage" suggests that this version could take up some classic design features of analog Leica M cameras in order to stand out even more from the digital cameras of the competition.
Leica itself even hinted at a possible design adjustment in this survey. While cameras up to the Leica M10 still used a classic base plate that had to be removed each time to access the battery and the memory card, the Leica M11 uses a more modern design. This allows users to access the battery more quickly, but the design no longer looks as minimalistic and the handling differs significantly from analog Leica M cameras.
Time for the comeback of the Leica M3 rangefinder
A more exciting change for Leica enthusiasts would probably be if the rangefinder is designed like in the Leica M3, i.e. with 0.92x magnification and frame lines for 50 mm, 90 mm and 135 mm lenses. For comparison: the Leica M11 uses a viewfinder with 0.73x magnification and also offers frame lines for 28 mm, 35 mm and 75 mm lenses, so that frames for two different focal lengths are always visible at the same time. Lenses with longer focal lengths can no longer be focused as precisely as with the Leica M3 due to the lower magnification.
For a Heritage Edition, it would only be fitting if Leica brought back this original rangefinder design, at least as an option for buyers. Apart from that, Leica could provide additional retro charm with a few design adjustments, such as a comeback of the film advance lever. Although this no longer fulfills a function on a digital camera, it was already designed as a fold-out thumb rest on the Leica M10-D, for example.
Like the Leica M11-D, the Heritage Edition could do without a display in order to come closer to the look of an analog Leica M. Alternatively, the ISO setting dial on the top left of the camera could be equipped with a fold-out crank to simplify operation and bring the look closer to analog cameras. Another option would be to bring back the film display in the form of a small, round screen, showing, for example, how many photos have already been taken on the current day.
Retractable lens makes Leica M fit for a jacket pocket
The lens is at least as important as the camera itself - and a Heritage Edition is almost crying out for a new edition of a classic Leitz Elmar, which can be retracted into the body of the camera - so a Leica M fits easily into a jacket pocket, as the lens only protrudes a few millimetres from the body when in transport mode. Although it is not yet clear whether Leica will bring an M12 Heritage Edition onto the market, such a camera could be an interesting option for Leica M enthusiasts.
Source(s)
Leica | Own
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