For many months we have been looking forward to a new version of the Leica TL — a camera with a built-in viewfinder, as we hoped. Sadly, I now suspect, we will all have a longer wait. Earlier this week Leica Rumors told us it is unlikely that the upcoming replacement for the TL will have a built-in finder. Earlier, everyone had been convinced it would have a finder, largely based on the leaked dimensions which appeared to show a 6mm higher body. It seemed logical that this extra height was designed to make way for a viewfinder but we may all have jumped to the wrong conclusion.
According to the rumours, the next TL will offer much improved performance and be based on a 24MP sensor instead of the current 16MP. All very welcome, I’m sure. But a viewfinder it will not have.
I was surprised and disappointed and at first didn’t believe it. Surely some mistake? Can any manufacturer of high-end mirrorless cameras seriously believe that in 2017 they don’t need to incorporate a viewfinder? The recent demise of the various X models proves that point. But I had a chat with a friend abroad who has heard the same story and believes that the Leica Rumors site is likely to be correct: A new TL but without a viewfinder.
Solid, compact
Having stocked up on TL lenses over the past few months, I have become quite a fan of the (in my case) original T which I bought secondhand at a very good price. It is a light, well-built camera which produces good results. Of course I hate the ugly clip-on Visoflex, for its appearance rather than for its performance — which is good, although not up to the standards set by the Q or SL. Without doubt, a Q-quality built-in finder would transform the TL and that is what everyone has been waiting for.
I have no doubt Leica is determined to show that it is fully committed to the APS-C format and the impending new 24MP TL is intended to give credence to that. As for the built-in viewfinder, this is likely to feature in a later camera I understand. Leica will have to introduce a TL with finder at some point but I think it might have been prudent to delay the introduction of the larger sensor and various detail improvements until the viewfinder body is ready. Make no mistake, without a viewfinder the TL system is not going to make the market breakthrough it so richly deserves.
Competition is burning along at a pace while Wetzlar is fiddling with incremental improvements to shore up its APS-C range. Every day I hear from readers about the virtues of the Fuji X series cameras which offer almost everything that serious photographers want — in particular the traditional array of manual controls that Leica used to do so well. Some say the X-Pro 2 is more Leica than Leica, a point made often enough by my colleague Bill Palmer. The longer Leica fails to deliver well-targeted competition, the less chance there is of the company making a decisive breakthrough into the high-end APS-C market. And the more likely it is that thoughtful photographers will commit to another system, probably never to return.
The announcement of another half-measure camera at this stage, after so much anticipation of a viewfinder TL, could tip the balance I feel.
New recruits
It is significant that the one new Leica camera that did make a an enormous impression in the past few years was the Q. For once it took Leica outside Leicadom and attracted new converts, simply because it is so good. It was keenly priced, too; at one stage it was cheaper than the comparable Sony RX1. Undoubtedly this success was fuelled by the electronic viewfinder, one of the best on the market. The Q has a great fast lens, impeccable image quality and deserves its success. But without the viewfinder it would probably have been toast by now.
While I do like the TL system and believe that the lens range alone shows Leica’s commitment to the format, I will not buy a new TL until a model with a finder is launched. I was ready to place an order, sight-unseen, for the next TL, which I was hoping to see as early as next month. Now, if the rumours are correct, I will hold on to my cash. I will definitely keep the lenses in the hope of better times ahead and, in the meantime, soldier on with the original T. It’s an old slowcoach but it is fun to use and, like the X1/2 and X Vario, punches well above its weight (even without a viewfinder….)
Is it too much to hope that we will see a real TL upgrade, with viewfinder, before the end of the year? Leica Rumors refers to “another Leica camera” arriving in October, but I am not holding my breath since it seems unlikely a TL revised in the middle of 2017 will be superseded so quickly. That is, unless the intention is to run both versions at the same time. Nevertheless, I predict there will be many disappointed TL owners when the updated camera is announced.
Note: I have absolutely no direct knowledge of Leica’s plans in relation to the TL and my above comments are based solely on the article in Leica Rumors and discussions with friends who are well informed on the photographic industry. I hope I am wrong and that the forthcoming TL does incorporate a viewfinder. Breath is held.
Update, June 28: It looks like the new TL will come soon and it will be called the TL2.
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I have a T (with the external evf). I really like this camera. Good screen, makes great photo’s. A new TL with a build in evf would be great, but I wouldn’t sell my old body right away.
Most people moaning abuit the lack of a build in evf in the T or the slowness of the T, usually have never used a T.
I have had Fuji cameras, but traded my whole setup (XT10 with 6 Fuji lenses) for the T and never regretted the transition.
With the Fuji I had no fun in taking the photo’s, with the T I really enjoy is. Okay, it’s not fast, but a M isn’t fast either and I love to take photo’s with the M too (be it digital or analog).
We all know Leica doesn’t do things like the other companies. But with the M10 they did listen to the buyers (no more video and a thinner body) so mayby they will listen to us with the new TL and the new one will have a build in evf (but probably an external gps module or no gps anymore.
A useful commentary, Erica. I agree with you that there is a certain pleasure in using a Leica when compared with other marques. Cameras such as the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and the Fuji X-T2 will always win when it comes to box ticking of features. But if you untick the boxes you don’t need (in my case continuous focus on moving subjects, video, JPEG processing frills, scene modes, etc) I come down to a basic camera. If I’m honest, the simplicity of the M10 is all I really need. Even the T ticks too many boxes for me, but I can treat it like a simple camera. Mine is the original, it’s very slow and there is an annoyingly long blackout of the EVF when a photo is taken. But, on balance, the whole system pleases and I would certainly be happy to have a Mk II TL with built-in viewfinder.
‘With the Fuji I had no fun in taking the photo’s…’. That is exactly how I feel about Fuji-cameras! I owned a xpro2, and I tried to like it, tried to enjoy it, but I didn’t. But to be honest, I had the same with the Leica Q and the T. I’m probably addicted to manual focus Leica rangefinders 😉
Anticipating a T with a view finder I was all ready in my mind to trade in two of X’s, now that angst has passed with this burst bubble, so I will stay w X’s and OVF. Leica I think has only one oar in the water!
So my basher T is going to have to last me for longer, fortunately I only have the 18-56 lens, so my investment is not that high and if I decide that I want to go for a Fuji XE/XT or X-Pro, it won’t be too much of an effort required to move on.
As it stands, I still love it, but if I wanted to get another lens, I might well think very much more carefully now.
Mike,
Leica killed off the X cameras due to poor sales resulting from lack of a viewfinder.
The T and TL cameras are all but dead due to the lack of a viewfinder.
So if Leica introduces a new TL without a viewfinder, perhaps the goal is to produce a loss.
…..amazing, HOW MANY FISH, bite on BAIT, instead of real meat, I.e. FACTS. Note: if anyone has a BAD Leica; Simply give it to me. I’ll make BEAUTIFUL pictures with it! Remember Rembrandts Paint 🎨 ings were created by Rembrandt, NOT THE BRUSHES! A whole lot of picture takers need to RETHINK what the hell they are doing, "In PHOTOGRAPHY in the first place!
Cheers 😀
I think that you miss the point Christopher, this blog is dedicated to "first world problems".
Almost every camera is a "good" camera, but some are better, and on this point none of us agree…
…Discuss
Hi Mike, I agree with most of your points, but I disagree with the claim (not made by you) that the ‘…X-Pro 2 is more Leica than Leica…’ From my own experience, I can tell you that this is nonsense. The Fujis are decent enough cameras, made to resemble a Leica M. Nothing more than a marketing trick.
Thanks, Nico… That’s an encouraging comment. As you know, I don’t own Fuji now and tend to prefer Leica products. I was all geared up for a TL bonanza this year — something good to write about. But I confess I will be bitterly disappointed if the new camera doesn’t have a viewfinder.
I don’t think of my X-Pro 2 as being more Leica than a Leica nor do I perceive it as a ‘marketing trick’. What I can say, though, is that is much more like a traditional Leica than the T or TL. I used a T once in 2014 and it was just like a large iPhone with a lens attached with no real traditional Leica feel to it. I have plenty experience of owning and using Leicas from a 1926 model up to the M10. Where Leica need to go with the T line is, perhaps, to truly bridge the gap between traditional viewfinder cameras and smartphones to attract the market that might be upgrading from smartphones with really enhanced connectivity including, possibly, a 4 or 5G data SIM card as well as WiFi that works properly. I would not be in the market for such a camera as I am more of a traditional user, but I can see the possible attraction for a younger demographic.
William
I had a T with the overpriced "wart" EVF a 23mm Summicron TL, and 35 Summilux TL. It was the worst experience I’ve ever had with a modern camera. The files were nice, but for my purpose, the camera was unusable with the EVF. There was so much lag that I could not handle it. There were a few major issues that I can’t remember now. I ended up selling it (and taking an absolute bath), and buying a Fuji X-Pro2. To say the Fuji was an upgrade would be the understatement of the year. I am certainly no fan-boy of any camera brand, but the X-Pro2 is in a different universe than the Leica TL. If the new TL comes out without a built in EVF, then I don’t know what to say about Leica anymore. That would be the stupidest move they could make right now. After the gargantuan Leica SL and the ridiculously sized 50 Summilux SL (that has painfully slow AF), I’m starting to question whether Leica wants the T/TL/SL/L line to fail on purpose?
I will also say – Leica knocked it out of the park with the Q. I am not a 28mm fan, but I love my Q. I would buy a 35mm, or 50mm version in a heartbeat.
Sage words, Rick