The $54 dollar question, is would you pay $5,400 to $8,000 for such a camera?
A lot of people always weigh into these discussions but few purchase (see every AFI, HY6 discussion in medium format).
The next question is does Leica make Jewelry or cameras? I use to think cameras, but sometimes when I see a presentation of all those little cameras on Red boxes with the guy with the sweater I think they might be selling Jewelry and professional photographers don't care about Jewelry.
I was at a store where the sweater guy was behind the counter and I showed him a fashion image from an M8 and he said "most people don't use the cameras for that". I replied if it was more stable and a little easier to use, maybe more people would.
Personally I don't care if Leica uses an EVF, or has live view, but from a professional standpoint I think it's important that they offer autofocus, secure tethering and a whole lot better quality control. Autofocus ain't perfect but try to shoot at anything moving with a 90mm on an m8 or m9 at 5.6 and
you'll understand quickly the need for autofocus.
I have an M8, love it, love the files, but can't use it everyday, or even for a full project because you just can't trust the thing not to move wb around, or jam or just do something silly. Will I buy an M9 . . . no . . . just because of these reasons. Would I buy a reliable M10 with autfocus . . . in a heartbeat, because with it's lack of aa filter, small form factor for traveling (especially with tougher airline restrictions), I think it would be a great medium format alternative.
As far as video, I don't see the point because Panasonic and Canon have that covered, you have to have two complete camera set ups anyway if you shoot a combination of stills and video and honestly why tie up an expensive camera to shoot video when a comparable panasonic cost about a buck fifty?
But we can all discuss this until we're blue in the face and I don't see any of it changing. Leica has taken the S-2 road for professionals and it's not the money it's the angst of trying and using any new medium format system, the wait for lenses, software, fine tuning, etc. etc. etc. I just can't see the $50,000 investment it takes to switch or for that matter I think the days of the $50,000 still camera are over.
BC