The interview that sacked Leica CEO Steven K Lee gave Amateur Photographer magazine during the PMA show, in which he 'hinted strongly' that Leica was planning a full frame version of the M8 rangefinder, left news editor Chris Cheesman in a state of shock. Lee had told him the information was being given exclusively to Amateur Photographer, a magazine with a large Leica following within its readership.
Although the information came out of the blue, I had discussed full frame options with Leica's M product manager, Stefan Daniel, right before the launch of the M8 in 2006. At the time Daniel explained the technical difficulties of producing a full frame sensor in a rangefinder body where the rear lens element sits so close to the camera's digital sensor. The answer, Stefan told me, was to compromise on the sensor size to ensure the M8 would produce the best quality results possible. It seemed the perfect explanation, but I got a sense that Leica had really wanted to launch with a full frame body.
Steven K Lee's comments to AP on 1 February this year suggested that Leica had discovered a way to overcome the issue of short back focus and the difficulties faced by digital sensors when light approaches from narrow angles. To announce this in February, when the product would not be shown to the rest of the world until September � some eight months later � seemed extraordinary.
Damien Demolder
more : amateurphotographer
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