michael_b._elmer Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 The digital LEICA M should in my opinion be a logical evolution of the Leica M, just as the M6 was an extraordinary evolution of the M4P. The outer measurements should be the same as the M7 - without any winder. I do not see any need for an external screen. It is battery consuming and confusing with all the menus normally presented. M photographers are experienced enough to take pictures without such a screen and to wait with studying their pictures until a later stage. The viewfinder and rangefinder should in principle remain unchanged, since they are the real arguments for choosing an M and necessary for manual adjustment of the lens. However, introducing a wide angle rangefinder with frames for the 21 and 24 lenses would be a welcome addition to the existing M7. Creationg a digital camera with a 5-15 mp chip within the physical limits of the M7 seems to be an impossible task. But if Leica shall survive, it must be by doing the impossible. I would like to order a couple of those cameras already now, if that were possible. Good luck Leica, we - and you - need it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob haight Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 I no quite I see the connection to your heading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob haight Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 I guess you believe Leica will use the same name twice. Maybe who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 << I do not see any need for an external screen. It is battery consuming and confusing with all the menus normally presented. M photographers are experienced enough to take pictures without such a screen and to wait with studying their pictures until a later stage.>> I agree but as a practical matter one of the biggest draws to digital is being able to see the shot immediately (and a histogram too in some cases)and delete or re-shoot if warranted (and possible). A digital M without a viewscreen would probably not go over. I do hope they keep the "custom functions" to a bare minimum or less so there aren't multiple menus to memorize. <<I would like to order a couple of those cameras already now, if that were possible.>> Sure. I'm taking deposits on them now. $1000 for each gets you on my pre-waiting list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry_anonymous Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 <p><i>I do not see any need for an external screen. It is battery consuming and confusing with all the menus normally presented.</i></p> <p> The LCD screen is extremely useful for a digital camera. For starters, it allows you to save a lot of interface space by assigning multiple functions to a small number of buttons/dials. Very frequently used functions should, of course, have physical controls dedicated to them, but it only makes sense to map the rest to multi-use controls. </p> <p>Menus will only be confusing if Leica screws up the interface design. </p> <p> <i>M photographers are experienced enough to take pictures without such a screen and to wait with studying their pictures until a later stage.</i></p> <p> Riiight. Maybe these photography masters are experienced enough to wait until a lab has developed and printed their film before studying the pictures, and don't need a digital camera in the first place. </p> <p>;-)</p> <p>Professional photographers manage quite well with the LCD displays on their non-Leicas. While they might not be as experienced "M photographers," I would tend to listen to their ideas of what works best on a digital camera, since their livelihood depends on producing pictures. I can't imagine why Leica would pour millions into developing a digital M and then crippling it by eliminating a histogram display, image review ability, and other tools that require the LCD panel. I mean, why would a Leica user prefer to check white balance back home, rather than while at the photo location? Experienced or not, it is pretty difficult to guess the results of mixed lighting.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_barnett2 Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 "It is battery consuming and confusing with all the menus normally presented." I think even an average Leica M user can hold enough information in his or her head at one time to understand and use a 'digital' camera menu. As for not wanting the review screen, well, what is the point without? You may as well use a film camera if you want to ponder over your pictures later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kajabbi Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 I also vote for no-built-in screen. However, for those moments when one might be useful, why not have a plug-in screen that will do the job when necessary and stay in the bag/pocket otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bart feliciano Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 Perhaps not cost effective but <br><br> <a href="http://www.creo.com/global/products/digital_photography_leaf/leaf_valeo/Leaf_Valeo22/default.htm#Personal">Leaf Valeo to PDA</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 The Contax ND was still born due to 3 death blows. RAW Files could not be reviewed on the LCD. Terrible RAW developer software. Incredibly small buffer to transfer RAW files. It also had bad power issues, but that was solved with better power sources. If Leica launches a digital M without a LCD to review RAW files and a dinky buffer to store them, it will be DOA. RAW is the secret to getting Leica level quality. The RAW capture, review/storage firmware, and development software will be the critical measures. I could care less if they even included a Tiff or J-Peg option. RAW is like a digital neg. It's all you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-bug Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 I though this was a thread about this camera:<br> <img src="http://www.keh.com/images/fullsize/LM02010000056.jpg"><br> We're gonna have to call the putative digital M something besides "MD". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m_. Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 I think the author meant to say Laica MD - Digital M, instead of th emodel Leica MD which I used from time to time without a rangefinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bart feliciano Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 Leica DM? Depending on the MAP, that may have been a joke ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akochanowski Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 I'msorry, but does anyone really think that a digital M is anything but vaporware? Unless Leica gets someone to license them an existing set of sofgtware for processing and viewing, which I seriously doubt, no matter how lovely the thing looks iyt will be a goner. Who would it appeal to? No one who shoots for a living, .andno one who has to compete with anyone else who uses a pro-quality DSLR already on the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry_anonymous Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 <p><i> I also vote for no-built-in screen. However, for those moments when one might be useful, why not have a plug-in screen that will do the job when necessary and stay in the bag/pocket otherwise.</i></p> <p>Why? Because it's extremely useful and doesn't take up much space on the camera. Why is there resistance against having a screen? Aesthetics? The screen won't suck up any power if you turn it off, and all the digicams I've seen that have an optical or smaller electronic viewfinder allow the larger LCD screen to be turned off.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 <<Ken Geter , feb 16, 2004; 06:19 p.m. I though this was a thread about this camera:>> Then you don't know any more about Leica nomenclature than Michael and your attempt to patronize him backfired in your face. The camera pictured is an MDa not an MD. It even says so clearly on the top plate. The MD had the manual-reset film counter and laborious pull-up rewind knob of the M2, and early models also had the button rewind clutch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 "I'm sorry, but does anyone really think that a digital M is anything but vaporware?" Answer: taken off Photography Blog... evidently from a news release from Leica... �With the new financial means, we are now in a favorable position for developing a solution that will enable our customers to enjoy the superb quality of our lenses to their full extent in digital applications as well�, continued Mr. Coenen. According to the strict Leica standards, an image resolution of at least 10 million pixels is required for this purpose. �In the digital world, the true Leica M feeling also requires high precision mechanisms and the renowned Leica range-viewfinder. According to Mr. Coenen, �The corresponding solution is now in preparation.� The LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R has priority, because it will be introduced at photokina in September 2004, but the two projects are partially intertwined, thus gaining precious time for the digital Leica M camera." EXACTLY MY WISH LIST. HORRAY FOR LEICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOPE THEY MAKE THE M SOLUTION MODULAR ALSO, SO I DON'T HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER CAMERA BODY. "Who would it appeal to? No one who shoots for a living, .and no one who has to compete with anyone else who uses a pro-quality DSLR already on the market.." 10 meg, with Leica glass IS pro quality. So who? Me for one! And a shit load of other photographers I know who are partially crippled from carrying around a 15 pound camera and 10 more pounds of lenses all day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Go Leica GO!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Get that sucker right, and get it fast!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Keep your word Leica. Keep it simple and high quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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