[LRflex] Re: Erwin Puts on the DM-R


On 29/08/2005 at 8:15 AM Douglas Herr wrote:

>What bothers me about Puts' review is its emphasis on sharpness only.  No
>mention of dynamic range, one of the most significant problems of digital
>capture, which several DMR users have stated is significantly better with
>the DMR than their own 1Ds Mk II equipment.  Likewise Erwin barely
>mentions color rendition, again one of the strengths of the DMR as
>reported by several users.
>
>If one is primarily interested in sharpness and wants to go no further
>than the cameras' default setting and the one-size-fits-all software
>developer Puts used then his review has significant merit.  For the more
>experienced user who will optimize the cameras's settings and use optimum
>software to devlop the RAW files this review prompts more questions than
>it answers.
>
>Doug Herr

G'mornin' Doug!

Erwin's review of the DMR is limited in scope... and leaves out many=
 aspects of the DM-R's performance.  Peters comments on the DM-R's colour=
 rendition are well taken.

Certainly, the shots Peter and Leica have posted would be enough to get me=
 interested, if I could afford one.

I think what bothers me most about Erwin's review is that for many years he=
 has been in the employ of Leica, writing brochures, articles and=
 reviews... all of which have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic about Leica=
 products. 

In the last couple of years he has become much more critical of all Leica=
 products and expanded his website to include comments on other brands.=
  From the outside, we do not know if this is to create the appearance of a=
 more 'objective' reviewer, or if Leica has reduced his payments and he's=
 casting about for other supporters.

But based on the fact that he's a paid 'hack' of Leica, (something he has=
 always denied, but to which Leica admit!) I would have expected a more=
 enthusiastic review, and one which covered more ground, if only because he=
 was looking to find something to get enthused about (such as the rendering=
 of colour).

Sadly, I still feel the problems with the DM-R are not particualry=
 performance related. They consist of [1] the long development cycle, which=
 will make it difficult for Leica to 'keep up' in the market place; [2] the=
 lack of a nearly full frame sensor (Canon has admitted they will go full=
 frame throughout their line as rapidly as possible - though that may still=
 be a few years off); [3] the decision to go with a 'back', which limits=
 their market to existing R8/9 owners (of whom we know there are already=
 too few) and, of course, [4] the cost. 

Were these issues addressed, I think Leica could survive in the dSLR market=
 - not as a major player, but as a successful niche player.





David Young,
Logan Lake, BC    
CANADA. 

Personal Web-site at: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt
Leica Reflex Forum web-page: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt/lrflex.htm

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