rex_vaubel

Yes, it is completely collapsable on the M8. I agree that it is a very fine lens, especially as a travel lens. I have never found anything any sharper. If you want to see what the most compact lens looks like try taking off the built in hood and collapsing it fully.

The whole rig is hardly any bigger than some point and shoots! It will give any Leicaphile real pleasure.

 

Rex

I never noticed that my RD1 did not always provide blacks that were black either. But after the M8 debacle, I went back and took a closer look. Sure enough there where times when my blacks came out purple. Since I know about it I can reproduce the effect especially under certain lighting conditions. The IR contamination issue isn't as bad on the RD1 as it is with the M8, but it IS there.

 

Rex

Joseph

 

Well, if I decide I can live with an external filter, why can't it be a nice, unassuming absorbtive one? I have a Heliopan IR cut filter for my 20Da (astro model with almost no IR filter) and it is very obtrusive, a red eyed cyclops. And wouldn't an absorbtive filter be better in terms of the cyan vignetting issue?

 

Rex

Joseph

If one were to accept the neccessity of filters, and Leica implemented an anti-cyan software algorithm that worked, would the filter flare issue still be a deal killer for you? I'm assuming that the form factor of a rangefinder (i.e.compact) is an important consideration.

 

Rex

Well that response pretty much busts my bubble. Do you know if the Kodak sensor has the filter bonded to the CCD so it can be replaced or will the sensors have to be replaced entirely?

 

Rex

I'm going to try a myself. A white paint marker should do the trick. And if it doesn't, there's always acetone.

 

Rex

The Olympus Pen had mirrors instead of a pentaprism, just like the Canon 300 series. Not the best thing for a bright image. Also the metered version had a semi-silvered mirror which wasn't conducive for brightness either.

 

What would be cool would be a manual focus digital version with the best mirror technology which could approach the viewfinders of the 70's.

 

Ain't gonna happen, but....

 

Rex

The Digilux and Pany have Electronic view finders and other too high tech gadgetry. They do have the side swinging mirrors however. I was thinking an 1.5X crop, 6 to 8meg, Hi ISO SLR. Something like the electronic guts of a Canon 30D in the body of an Olympus Pen. That would be very cool for the ultimate professional quality point n' shoot

Bump

What a great looking camera! Why can't something like this be produced as a Digital SLR? The 1.5X crop factor sensors are just about the same size as 1/2 frame film. I'd much prefer my canon 20D to have the form factor of this Leica.

 

Wait a minute. Olympus produced over 400,000 Pen Fs during the 1960's and 70's. Why don't they produce a digital version of this camera. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

 

Rex

Rob

The 35mm framelines on the VC finder work perfectly with my 21mm Kobalux. Maybe not in theory but theory doesnt frame pictures.

 

Rex

I leave a CV28-35 compact viewfinder on RD all the time. This works for both 21mm and 28mm lenses. I wear glasses so the RD-1's own viewfinder is pretty tight for wide angle work. However, I have learned to visualize the FOV without using any viewfinder at all. A little bit of chimping goes a long way in developing this skill. Another advantage of digital.

 

Rex

Probably not. I love my R-D1, and will probably buy the digital M when it comes out, but the appeal is limited to those who really appreciate the fondle value of mechanical equipment. Of course it has to be functional and excellent in its own right but the sensual nature of the object of desire can not, nor will not, be denied.

Thats not to say that Leica can't make it in a Canon world. twenty years ago mechanical watches were good as dead, the Swiss were struggling to maintain ANY presence in the watch world vs the Japanese digital onslaught. Today, Switzerland exports more high end mechanical watches than every. If you know anything about watches you would know that a watch that runs on batteries is not considered a "real" watch be the affecianados.

In a similar way, I think that a market for a metal bodies, analog, manual, digital camera exist. Not a large one and not one for the working professional. But for the advanced amatuer and for the professional on holiday, an M mount digital would serve a certain need that plastic has never served very well.

However, AFFORDABLE? I don't think so

 

Rex