Further update on the Leica M digital

From DpReview:

Leica Digital Solutions for Proven Analog Products

Leica has announced plans to use the proceeds of the sale of

convertible bonds to create the financial basis for its innovation

and distribution strategy. The emphasis of the development work that

is already in progress is on hybrid concepts that combine digital

technology with proven analog products.

�Well over one million high-grade Leica lenses for the Leica R- and

Leica M systems await a solution for being used optimally in

conjunction with digital technology. Our approach to digital cameras

for existing lenses conforms to our philosophy of decades-long

system compatibility and to our belief that the optics are the

decisive elements for outstanding photographs � not the analog or

digital path to those photographs�, states chief of technology Ralf

Coenen.

Here is the URL for the whole press release

http://www.leica-camera.com/unternehmen/presse/data/03729/index_e.html

HOward

I hope it'll accept a Motor-M and a Rapid winder, just for old time's sake.

:)

"Leica Digital Solutions for Proven Analog Products Leica has announced plans to use the proceeds of the sale of convertible bonds to create the financial basis for its innovation and distribution strategy"

That means that they don't have the money and HERMES will not help them. They ask investors for a rather risky investement. An M7 is shurely a better inevestment then the bonds.

"Well over one million high-grade Leica lenses for the Leica R- and Leica M systems await a solution for being used optimally in conjunction with digital technology. Our approach to digital cameras for existing lenses conforms to our philosophy of decades-long system compatibility and to our belief that the optics are the decisive elements for outstanding photographs � not the analog or digital path to those photographs"

This means that they still have no certain solution for R and M users and are looking in which form they can offer: Leica Scanner, Digiback for R's, Plain M body (no rangefinder or screen but digital sensor, for laptop or palm, focusing software), full digital M and so on.

"for outstanding photographs" means mediocre photographs with outstanding money to order a solution which the market has offered years ago.

"Our approach to digital cameras" is look for an existing camera, make orders for a new plastic shell, let the original manufacturer attach it, get it delivered and glue the red dot on it, which turns out as a 2x price teleconverter then.

<<That means that they don't have the money and HERMES will not help them>>

Hermes has already stated that not only will they exercise their options to buy their share of the bond issue but will pick up any options not exercised by other stockholders.

Then again the remainder of your post is even more hysterical.

Roland

Have you not heard of the Leica R digi-back, certain solution? the first working examples of which are now being assessed.

Regards

Bruno

I initially thought this was joke and skipped the entire thread. Now I have an e-mail from

Leica confirming this....

OK, that means I won't sell that summilux before 2007 then...