[LRflex] Re: 40 D on the way

At 28/08/2007, you wrote:

Xavier,
to be quite honest I would like an R7 sized Leica DSLR too :-) , the R8/9 may be wonderfully ergonomic, but I don't like the size, particularly not when a DMR is stuck on the back. I personally think that the R10D will be something of a retro-design in this respect - let's look forward to the R7 digital upgrade! 
Best from Hannover
Douglas



Douglas, Xavier:
I think you'll see an R10 that is similar in size to the R8/9. There are several reasons for this...
1) the finder/mirror box is already designed. Only small mods would be needed to adapt the finder for AF, if they put it in.... and I think they will have to. This means they don't have to reinvent the wheel, thus lowering costs and speeding development. Although the body casting would be different, internally, to fit the very different "bits", the outside (layout, knobs, covering etc)., is, again, almost done - except for the back.
2) the R4 though 7 cameras were really nice to use (I owned several of them!), but their finders were not as bright as the R8 & R9. Why? Because the prisms were smaller, and (for optical reasons I don't understand) a larger prism will always deliver a brighter finder image. Unfortunately, this also means a larger, heavier body. However, there is a large demand for a finder of at least the R8/9 quality (I know Doug would like an SL quality finder, but I don't think that will happen), and the Japanese are improving their finders in their 'pro' models. Leica will need to compete.
3) It's easier to design the electronics/motorized shutter cocking, etc, into a larger space. A smaller model, if desired, can always come later. (They gotta have something for the R11!)
However, I will be very surprised if it is any larger than the R9 - **without** a winder/dmr etc. attached. 

Of course, I could be completely wrong, too.


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David Young,
Logan Lake, CANADA

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