Leica to announce digital R in June, according to LFI

[victor_virtucio]

Hi folks,

 

I got the recent copy of Leica Fotographie International. It's got a

couple of articles about Leica entering the digital world

with professional photographers in mind.

 

One article interviews a couple of Leica engineers who say a digital R

is likely to be announced in the next LFI issue (end of June). They

said a digital M was not possible with current technology because the

rear elements of the M-lenses were too close to the film plane where a

sensor would theoretically sit. However, the R body has more than

enough room.

 

They left the door open to the possibility of a digital back or an

entirely new body. In the article, they indicated that they were still

determining what direction they'll head in.

 

I don't think this means a digital R is in the near future. I got the

sense that these articles confirm that Leica is working on a

professional solution for a digital camera and will not just have a

point-and-shoot digital line.

 

One of the articles have comments from others at Leica affirming that

the company realizes a digital line is important in order to remain a

viable company.

 

I'm at work and I don't have the magazine with me so I can't give

names in this posting. But I thought I'd write to see if others have

received the LFI issue and have any opinions on Leica entering the

digital world for its R bodies.

 

Personally, I'm an M user -- a classic M6 and 35 summicron and 90

elmarit. I also shoot with the D100 with a 24 2.8, 35 2, 50 1.8 and 85

1.8. I traded my M6 TTL and 50 summicron (current) for the D100 body

several months ago. The D100 is now my bread and butter body and the

M6 for personal projects or special situations when film is needed.

 

Looking forward to comments.

[jay_.]

A digital R (body or back) is mandatory if the R system is to survive. A digital M (body or back--and back woud be better) is mandatory if Leica is to survive.

[edshutter]

I have an R8 and several R lens a digital back or a Leica digital SLR is good news for me. I just do not understand how Leica cannot incorporate focus confirmation with their product.

[sebastien_simon1]

At a Leica day here in Lausanne last friday (June 13th) the swiss local Leica rep

confirmed a forthcoming digital back for the R9 and later a digital M body. He said

there would be an open discussion about it on the Leica company forum.

[cabophoto]

Victor,

 

check the archives. I posted the info about three weeks ago (http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=005Acn).

 

Carsten

[peter_langfelder]

"Leica announces world's first Manual Focus-only 35mm digital camera" :-)

 

Anyway, let's hope it won't be a flop like the Contax N Digital.

[horse bodotes]

My $.02 worth:

 

One of the local "pro" shops had vendor days last weekend, and the local Leica rep told me that Leica has announced plans for a digital back for the R8/R9. 10 Megapixel, 1.3 crop factor, available spring 2004, est. list price $5000. My guess is that Panasonic is developing the sensor for Leica.

 

He also confirmed the film plane proximity problem that would preclude developing a digital M product at this time.

 

Best Regards