LEICA M10
Exclusive Interview with Stefan Daniel
On the next day after the press conference for the new LEICA M10, we were fortunate to have an exclusive interview with Stefan Daniel, the global director of photo business, Leica Camera AG. He must have been busy since the press conference, but when we arrived there earlier than the estimated time, he was setting up the booth with the staff of Leica Camera Japan. For us, this is the second interview with him. Our impression on Mr. Daniel is friendly, humorous, and energetic. And, this interview went on in a relaxed atmosphere.
( Interviewer : K, PY Editorial Desk )
First, on the camera
— K, PY Editorial Desk : Good morning. It's been a while since we met last time. Do you remember me?
Stefan Daniel: Of course! I remembered you when I saw your face. "Oh! it's him!" (laughs)
— It was at the Photokina 2012. It was before Leica Camera AG office moved back to Wetzlar. When you said "this is the most important place in the new office," I looked puzzled until you winked at me saying "it's MY office." (laughs)
Ha ha ha. That's right. I'm glad to see you again.
— How was the reaction of the audience at the press conference last night?
It was very good. I think it's also because we invited many customers using Leicas since the film age. I realized everyone was waiting for the size. This reaction is not limited to Japanese customers. It's the same worldwide. We're very happy about it.
— You must be getting a lot of orders already.
Thankfully, yes. This time, we presented the camera after we increased our production capacity and the time of delivery is shorter than before. In the past, it was so long that our customers got frustrated. (laughs) And, this is why we didn't announce the LEICA M10 at the last Photokina. Still, we are going to have back orders for a while because the order has exceeded the capacity.
— I'm glad to hear that. Let's talk about the LEICA M10. You wanted to realize this body size for the M8, didn't you?
Of course. But, it was technically impossible. After 10 years, we finally made it.
— What made it possible? What is the main reason?
It's hard to explain in a simple way because it's the result of the accumulation of every minor effort for improvement to realize the downsizing. But to give you clear examples, we used one-layer motherboard behind the shutter instead of the one with two layers. We also raised the mount and employed a smaller battery.
— All manufacturers struggle to downsize because of increasing parts behind the shutter. But, the raised mount is not disturbing at all. I don't think I notice it unless I compare it with other M cameras.
I think we've done a great job. But as I already said, they are just few examples. We could downsize because of the accumulation of tiny improvements such as raising parts condensation and making every effort to make it thinner.
— What about the downsizing of battery? In fact, I already tested the sample camera for Photo Yodobashi and was a little worried about the capacity because it was smaller and I didn't have any spare battery. But in the end, it lasted until I finished shooting.
Of course, I wish if we could continue to use the same battery. But, the battery size directly influences the body size. So, we decided to downsize it. Of course, we just didn't make it smaller. We could do it by cancelling unnecessary functions inside the body and improving power saving ability.
— I'm sure the omission of video recording function also helped the downsizing.
Absolutely. We now have a variety of cameras in our lineup. If you want a camera with many functions, we have the LEICA SL. Even if you just want a M camera, you still have choices because we continue to sell the LEICA M(Typ 240). This is why we could design the LEICA M10 exclusive for still photography. You have used it already. How was it?
— Speaking of body size, I was fully satisfied with the thickness of the M(Typ 240). Because my hands are bigger than most Japanese, I liked the grip. But the moment I held the LEICA M10 for the first time, I was like "OMG! I want it!"
It's a very typical reaction. (laughs)
24 megapixels = best solution
— What I can I say. When I saw the image shot with the LEICA M10 for the first time, I felt that the rendition has got more "depth." The number of pixels is the same as the LEICA M(Typ 240), but this one is amazing. I heard it was newly developed for the LEICA M10. What did you focus on when developing it?
In short, we made it so "the sensor should get as much as light as possible." For example, an ordinary sensor doesn't use all the area to gather light because some parts are used to transmit signals. As for the new sensor, it uses wider area to get light and we did it by optimizing the layout. In addition, each photo detector has a shape just like well. At the bottom of the well, there's a light sensing part. And, we shallowed the depth of the well. We also improved the arrangement of the micro lenses. They are of course effective to the modern lenses, but our top goal in the design of M cameras is to be fully compatible with the asset of M lenses since 1950s. These improvements are significant to the old lenses, particularly wide-angle lenses which deliver light to the sensor with sharp angles.
— I see. I understand about the technological innovation, but the number of pixels hasn't increased. Didn't you also want to use a sensor with more pixels by further densifying it?
For example, do you have any complaints about the images we're showing here (photos shown at the interview site)?
— Not at all.
Sure, you don't (laughs) and we don't, either. Our current answer is "the number of pixels that realizes the best balance between resolution and sensitivity is 24 megapixels." Of course, I'm not saying we will never increase it. If we believe that we must increase it, we will go in that direction.
— Speaking of the viewfinder, the magnification has increased to 0.73X.
We didn't target this number, but wanted to make it easy to view. So, we did it through trial and error. As I said when we talked about the battery, we could go back to the uniqueness of M cameras to develop the LEICA M10 because we have a range of products in our lineup. The viewfinder is not the exception. We could make it 30% wider and the eye relief has become longer by 50%. The higher magnification is the result of these improvements.
— I believe that the viewfinder is the core feature of an M camera.
It's the essential part that appeals to photographers' sensitivity. So, we spent a lot of time improving the comfort in addition to accuracy. This is not only limited to the viewfinder, but true for everything about the LEICA M10. We reinforced the features unique to M cameras and dropped the features not unique to them. And, I believe this philosophy will be welcomed by many users.
Making history of Leica
— The history of M cameras dates back to the Leica M3 announced at Photokina in 1954. Just out of curiosity, are the people involved in the design of the Leica M3 still living? Of course, they must have been retired, though. (laughs)
The chief designer died in 1976, but one of the design team members is still alive and lives in Wetzlar. He must be around 90 years old and is my great senior.
— Is that so! I asked about it because you hadn't seen M cameras since the beginning and there was already a fairly long history of M cameras when you started working for Leica Company. I wondered if you feel it difficult to develop a new camera because of the long history.
I understand what you mean. But, that's unlikely. Yes, the history is long and of course there're something we can't change easily. But, I'm happier to be in the part of history. So, I take it humbly and positively. Besides, we can do new things with other models. I enjoy this good balance and it's the benefit of the expanded lineup. (laughs)
— Just like myself, you must have been a fan of Leica or M cameras and you know what it makes an M camera. And, I guess this is why you're genuinely interested in your work.
Even though people may think the Leica M3 as a legendary camera, it didn't come out of nothing suddenly. They refered to feedbacks since the Barnack Leica period and finally created it. It's still the same now. Nothing has changed since then. "What it is" made by history is important, but "what we should do from now on" is more important and it's driven by the feedback from the market.
— Ten years have passed since the LEICA M8 was released. Are there any changes in the user structure?
Young users are increasing, but the big picture hasn't changed. In the film age, there were few users who shoot Leica only. Most of them used the Leica M6 along with cameras made by other manufacturers. And, I believe this hasn't changed even in the digital age.
— It's the same for me and my friends.
There's only one difference, though. In the past, Leica used to be a pure tool for photography. But from the 1980s, Leica has become a tool for self-expression. It's a camera to express fashion or lifestyle. That's the big difference.
— I'm not sure if I can ask this, but how is the sales of Leica? The camera business is going down worldwide.
Fortunately, contrary to the current trend of camera business, we're growing, though step by step. At least, we're neither going down nor stagnating. We're not affected by the business trend because we expanded the lineup, enforced their characters, and presented them clearly.
— I'm relieved to hear that. I was worried because you announced the LEICA Sofort only at the last Photokina.
Don't worry! (laughs)
Afterword
Mr. Daniel was always smiling during the interview and full of hospitality pausing to be photographed even while speaking. I was curious to learn about the new LEICA M10, the history of Leica, working for Leica, and Mr. Daniel's philosophy. He sincerely answered the tough questions and his story are truly intriguing. We thank Mr. Stefan Daniel and everyone of Leica Camera Japan Co., Ltd.
( 2017.02.07 )