We all like Leica M cameras. They look retro but they are slick and refined, which are just a few reasons why people want to buy them. I don’t feel like Leica needs to change anything significant about their look. Wencheng Zhang, a Shanghai-based industrial designer, seems to disagree with me. Zhang showed a personal project of his, which completely shifts the design of the Leica M. He calls it “The Leica M Reimagined.”
The Leica M reimagined
Based on the Ur-Leica Replica, Leica’s first camera, Zhang aimed to create a simple, minimalist design. However, it’s easy to point out that Zhang’s design is much more minimalist than that of the UR-Leica Replica.
Zhang had no intention of hampering the ergonomics in the redesign, although looking at the design caused some skepticism in me to pop out. The shutter and shutter dial are both flat to the camera’s surface, which I feel would make them hard to find with your fingers. Not to mention, I doubt spinning that shutter dial will feel as convenient as any regular dial.
The reimaged version is also digital, which is evident from the large display at the back of the camera. I don’t mind reimagining a classic film camera to the digital age, but there are no buttons to control the digital aspect of the camera, and I don’t understand why. Instead, the massive display has touch controls, which I’m normally all for, but there is a problem here as well. Because the screen takes away the majority of the camera’s rear surface, you are guaranteed to accidentally use the touch controls with your cheeks.
Conclusion
Personally, I wouldn’t say I like this look. It smoothes out details about the original to the point it loses its charm and personality. This approach feels similar to what has happened with logos in the past decade.
[via Design Milk]
