andy_reid1 Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 I had an interesting phone conversation with Leica yesterday. I called the corperate office to sign up for Leica Pro Service and after signing up I was asked if I would be willing to take a survey. They started out by asking what kind of work I did and then moved on to equipment that I use. After finding this out they asked: 1. Did I use a digital SLR? 2. What brand and model and was i happy with it? 3. Had I ever used the R8 or R9 and did I like them. 4. Would I be interested in a digital SLR based on the R8/9 Of course I said yes that I would love to see a digital R and thati would gladly put my Nikon D's on ebay if such a camera came to be. Thought you all might be interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markci Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 I guess my main thought would be why does the title say "autofocus" when the text says "digital?" My other thought would be, if they're only now doing the surveys to guage interest, it's gonna be a long wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_amiet2 Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 I answered surveys (more than 1) like this for Leica more than 5 years ago. It is pretty common commercial practice just to "test the water", so to speak. Don't expect any real outcome as a result. If they acted on everything we answered, they would be VERY busy! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Let me look into my Leica crystal ball....hmmm... I see nothing in the near future. If they're just asking now...how long before they actually start working on something?<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger c Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Unless you have really poor eyesight (in which case can you see the final photos properly?) what's the point in AF? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd thacker Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 <I>what's the point in AF?</I><P> To sell more cameras. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_amiet2 Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 The point in AF is that it is yet another tool than CAN work for you. Personally I prefer manual focus, but I do have and use AF Nikons (rarely) in situations wher manual would/could let me down. at one time, with failing eyesight, I depended heavily on AF to accuratly complete assignments. The client could see the results better than I and that is what mattered! I now have a pretty good work around for my manual M's and R's but but have not thrown out the AF cameras. Cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl_yik1 Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 I really dont see how Leica can compete with the electrical and technological knowledge and research capabilities that the giants Canon and Nikon have and partnering with a 'general electronics manufacturer' such as Panasonic isnt that clever either. I think they should stick to producing what they are best at, the M series. (and superb lenses!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Smith Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Karl Leica will soon be able to licence a suitable sensor and using other licenced electronics will be able to put out a digital R camera - it won't be maybe for two years, but I see no reason why this will not be quite easy for them. They can still charge their premium over what the likes of Canon and Nikon will be charging then for a 14mp camera. I don't really see the issue - assuming Leica are still in business then. In a few years time digital SLRs will be a dime a dozen and the technology will not be such a big deal. With Leica's reputation for optics this might well be a big success. The M I do see as a little harder as Leica are the only people to make a real M so there are not so many "off the shelf" solutions available. Robin Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 <<My other thought would be, if they're only now doing the surveys to guage interest, it's gonna be a long wait.>> They might have the designs all set, are just trying to guage if they should tool up for production. Since they phrased the question <Would I be interested in a digital SLR based on the R8/9>, obviously they have most of the tooling already, it's just a matter of substituting digital guts for the film guts. The hardest part for them would be getting the digital sensor to reproduce those fine horizontal scratches the R8 puts across the film ;>) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralph_barker Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 Marc - no wonder you're not getting the right answers. Your Leica crystal ball should be red! (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuart d Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 At a Leica Day in Denver last weekend, the sales rep mentioned that we could expect to see a digital SLR from Leica this year, although she wasn't any more specific than that. So perhaps it's closer to reality than we think...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica_phil Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 "The hardest part for them would be getting the digital sensor to reproduce those fine horizontal scratches the R8 puts across the film ;>" Jay, You crack me up! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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