[LRflex] Re: ...M8 Photos & Infra-Red (for Ted)

Doug,

In a word, yes. I believe that what sells Leicas, and differentiates  
them from other cameras, are the lenses and the captured images  
("digital film" in this case: the combination of the sensor,  
computer, OS, and firmware).

Everything in between those two functional assemblies exists in the  
service of those two functions, regardless of how important or  
beloved they may be. Be that as it may, "everything in between"  
constitutes a significant part of the user interface, and has to  
complement and work handily with the lens and digital film user  
interfaces.

I am heartened that in the DMR to M8 evolution, the digital film user  
interface seems to have been standardized.

I observe that Leica has begun the standardization process, and  
expect that we will see more, because whatever can be standardized in  
each lens-holder-box will be standardized, in order to increase the  
production rate for the standardized parts or assemblies, which in  
turn will lead to lower unit production and logistics costs and  
increased reliability.

As ever,

Bill

> This suggests that the primary difference between RF and SLR cameras
> would be the viewing/focussing/lens mount modules.
>
> Doug Herr
> Birdman of Sacramento
> http://www.wildlightphoto.com
>
>
> On Nov 24, 2006, at 9:47 AM, William Abbott wrote:
>
>> Doug,
>>
>> The hidden benefit of this approach is that common power supplies,
>> shutters and "digital film" (computer, OS, firmware and sensor) might
>> be possible across both range finder and SLR devices, bringing
>> economies to development, production, and logistic support of both.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>>
>>
>> On Nov 23, 2006, at 10:49 AM, Douglas Herr wrote:
>>
>>> Bill,
>>>
>>> Great minds think alike.  See
>>>
>>> <http://www.freelists.org/archives/leicareflex/10-2006/ 
>>> msg00160.html>
>>>
>>> Doug Herr
>>> Birdman of Sacramento
>>> http://www.wildlightphoto.com
>>>
>>>
>>> On Nov 23, 2006, at 10:03 AM, William Abbott wrote:
>>>
>>>> David,
>>>>
>>>> In adversity (i.e. the M8 IR problem) there is opportunity, if  
>>>> it is
>>>> recognized.
>>>>
>>>> What I am about to write could be considered a rant so to be safe,
>>>> and to forewarn everybody, let me turn the Rant Button to "On" and
>>>> continue. Remember, the red Rant light is flashing. Please exit  
>>>> here
>>>> if you'd prefer not to listen. Thanks.
>>>>
>>>> Leica has "generally" upgraded usability features like control
>>>> placement and capability features like highest shutter speed only
>>>> when it infrequently changed camera body models. The most  
>>>> changeable
>>>> item in the total Leica camera system was one that could be changed
>>>> at will by the user, the film.
>>>>
>>>> Granted, Leica does make changes within a model design if forced to
>>>> do so, like the change in the early R8s, if I have that story
>>>> straight, and there may be others. It leads to multiple populations
>>>> of the "same" (not same!) article, which further leads to
>>>> configuration management and logistics challenges, but the means to
>>>> manage these have become finely developed in our digital world.
>>>>
>>>> The digital world is different and other camera makers (you know  
>>>> who
>>>> they are) have kept the same system as Leica's, described above,  
>>>> but
>>>> they have adopted a continual camera system upgrade policy by
>>>> instituting a rapid camera body obsolescence policy, changing  
>>>> models
>>>> at the drop of a hat, the antithesis of the Leica camera body  
>>>> change
>>>> policy. Buyers seem to  tolerate it.
>>>>
>>>> Leica is part way to adopting a continual upgrade policy when it
>>>> changes firmware for a camera body model to introduce improvements,
>>>> although it is learning that such "improvements" can introduce
>>>> unwanted additional problems, a well know fact of life in the aero
>>>> industry.
>>>>
>>>> Where Leica could shine is to make an M8, say, that has readily
>>>> (maybe factory, maybe dealer) changeable digital "film," i.e.,
>>>> changeable computer, firmware and sensor. Both of those items are
>>>> where technological development has occurred and will occur in the
>>>> future. Bet on it.
>>>>
>>>> To summarize: The old camera is just a box to hold shutter, lens  
>>>> and
>>>> film, the latter changeable. The digital camera is just a box to  
>>>> hold
>>>> shutter, lens and digital "film," i.e.,the  computer and its
>>>> operating system (micro-Linux,etc.), its firmware, and the sensor.
>>>>
>>>> Leica needs to do the system analysis and redraw their demarcation
>>>> between their camera "system" and the digital film "system," much
>>>> like the MF people have done with changeable MF digital backs and
>>>> software for Hasselblad and other MF cameras. It could be a  
>>>> powerful
>>>> feature in the M9 (or M8 Mod 1) and R10, IMHO.
>>>>
>>>> What I am proposing is this: That Leica build range finder and SLR
>>>> "devices" that contain a power supply and shutter and which will  
>>>> each
>>>> accommodate the full range (or most) of Leica lenses, with  
>>>> changeable
>>>> digital systems of sensor, computer, and firmware.
>>>>
>>>> The big plus is that latter could vary in technical capability (and
>>>> cost!) to suit various photography needs, from low resolution  
>>>> b&w to
>>>> high resolution, very fast, multiple exposure color.
>>>>
>>>> To do this would "simply" be (which means it is not simple!) a  
>>>> matter
>>>> of system design, configuration management, and creative  
>>>> engineering,
>>>> the same things Leica has been known for in the past. Will they do
>>>> it? I don't know, but I hope so. Their lenses deserve it.
>>>>
>>>> The Rant Button now set to "Off" and the Rant light has stopped
>>>> flashing.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for listening.
>>>>
>>>> As ever,
>>>>
>>>> Bill
>>>>
>
> ------
> Unsubscribe or change to/from Digest Mode at:
>     http://www3.telus.net/~telyt/lrflex.htm
> Archives are at:
>     http://www.freelists.org/archives/leicareflex/

------
Unsubscribe or change to/from Digest Mode at:
    http://www3.telus.net/~telyt/lrflex.htm
Archives are at:
    http://www.freelists.org/archives/leicareflex/

Other related posts: