Yongfei Lin , Dec 12, 2008; 10:36 p.m.
I have been interested in Leica M camera for serveral years and I want to see a full frame Leica M digital camera. Most people would say that it can't be done under the current CCD sensor technology. But I want to do my own experiment to find out the possibility of a full frame Leica M camera. Now I have acquired a 24x36MM digital back, so I used it as the back end. First, I tried to use the Leica 35mm/1.4 Summilux as the lens. But found the lens end protruding too much. So I switched to Industar 55mm screw mount lens as the lesn for the testing of my prototype camera. I am so excited that I have got crystal clear pictures tonight!
So my assumption is: a full frame sensor on M camera is technically possible, but it requires the redesign of some of the Leica M lenses. Also, for wide angle, maybe SLR type design will be needed to avoid dark corner vignett. But I think some people would be happy to sacrifice a little quality on the wide angle side, in return for a full frame Leica M camera.
I will post some pictures here soon.
Leica 24X36 Sensor Prototype DIY Camera
Yongfei Lin , Dec 12, 2008; 10:38 p.m.
I am still processing a few test pictures and will post them soon.
Yongfei Lin , Dec 12, 2008; 10:41 p.m.
Response to Leica M full frame CCD sensor camera DIY prototype
DIY camera components
Orville Robertson , Dec 12, 2008; 11:13 p.m.
This is amazing and ambitious. That you would even attempt to make it is impressive by itself. I would love to see some images. I'm no design expert, but It looks like you might be able to squeeze that into an M5 sized body and not an M6. That might be the holdup for Leica though likely not for the user. Where did you get all the required electronics to work with the CCD? Is that also from the same DSLR? Very impressive.
Yongfei Lin , Dec 12, 2008; 11:48 p.m.
Orville, thanks for your encouragement. My real intention is to use the internet to show Leica AG that it is technically possible to develop a full frame M camera. Yes, it would much look like a M5 or even bigger.
My main components are readily available: Eyelike M11 digital back in Hasselblad V mount, Copal #1 shutter, and a lens plate made of three 3" floppy disks. The shutter has a 40mm thread. So I need to hold that 39mm SM lens tight to take pictures.
Therefore if I can do it, I am sure Leica company will also be able to do it. But whether it is financially feasible is another matter. But I belive that a full frame CCD sensor M camera can be made under current CCD technology. And my mission is to prove it.
Eyelike M11
Yongfei Lin , Dec 13, 2008; 12:19 a.m.
This is one of the full frame test pictures taken by the Industar. If you look closely, you can find some dark corners. It is at about F8.
Yongfei Lin , Dec 13, 2008; 12:48 a.m.
Here is another test shot this evening. I will take a few outdoor pictures tomorrow. If someone is wondering how a Noctilux 50/F0.95 will perform on the full frame, he can send the lens to me and I will test it for free:)
To be practical, I will focus on tesing this screw mount lens first, then figure out a way to mount the M bayonet lens, for which the short flange distance is really a challenge for adaption...
Another shot with Industar
Yongfei Lin , Dec 13, 2008; 01:04 a.m.
Like many of you, I have been wondering how the wonderful 35MM/1.4 Sumilux will work under full frame. Since I cann't mount it yet, I took the risk of scratching CCD surface or the lens end glass, and handhold them together to take a few test pictures. Because the lens is about an extra 5mm flange distance away from the CCD, it only alows me to take pictures at very close distance.
The 35MM/1.4 test - handhold lens to the plate
Ray . 
, Dec 13, 2008; 01:15 a.m.
That's cool, but is it a Leica? It may be a 'Linca.' ;)
Yongfei Lin , Dec 13, 2008; 01:18 a.m.
The front view of my prototype camera
Front view
