Leica M8 Full Frame?

[John]

Apparently the CEO of Leica has been dropping hints that a future upgrade of the M8 digital rangefinder may have a full frame 35mm-size sensor. They say they will get it right before release this time and that an upgrade may be possible.

Considering how close the rear element of a rangefinder lens gets to the sensor there is a real problem with divergence of the light rays. Sensors work much better with telecentric lens design, where the exit light rays are as parallel as possible. This favours SLR designs because the lens is further away to make room for the "flipping mirror."

Perhaps a completely different sensor design would be necessary, with a flat surface like film.

[sunsworth]

There were a lot of ifs, buts and maybes in his statement. Personally I don't think we'll see a full frame sensor in the short term, the lens to sensor issues that you mention being the reason.