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

At 23/11/2006, you wrote:
>Hi Folks,
>
>I'm new, so I apologize for butting in.  I am a little baffled as Leica has
>had experience with high end digital with the module for the R9.  I am also
>a bit surprised they did not test more as they were not in a huge hurry to
>bring out the M8.  They really would do themselves a favor in the long run
>to recall it.
>
>Dwight

G'Mornin' Dwight!

First of all, never apologize for "butting in"!  That's what the list 
is for!  The more, the merrier!

As for Leica's experience with the DMR - well, that's not quite 
true.  That large maker of digi-backs for Hasselblad, and other MF 
cameras, Imacon (Denmark); designed and built the DMR under contract 
to Leica.  Leica got a product to sell, but they gained no experience 
from the project.

They have gained considerable experience with their PanaLeicas.  They 
have now developed the in-house capability for the firmware, and thus 
the Leica versions have slightly different (and better, according to 
Leica!) colour renditions than their Panasonic equivalents.  They do 
not, however, yet have the expertise to do a project like the 
M8.  Thus they had a partner (just who. is a closely guarded secret, 
within Leica) in the M8's firmware development.

They hope to have full in-house capability for all digital products, 
soon. That is one of the reasons Leica (well, ACM) bought Sinar... 
for their digital expertise.  Sinar will not be folded into Leica, 
but they will now work closely together on projects for both 
firms.  In the longer run, I expect we may even see Leica lenses for 
large format cameras!  And, I expect that the R10 and M9 cameras will 
have firmware fully developed in house.

As to their current problems... I'm not sure whether the IR issue was 
an oversight nor not.  There is a distinct difference in colour 
rendition between the DMR and the M8. This difference may be from the 
IR sensitivity.

Being new at the game, Leica may have achieved the colour renditions 
they wanted (and thereby setting themselves apart from other digital 
camera makers) by including the IR spectrum, without realizing the 
consequences.  Or, perhaps they knew the consequences, but felt that 
they would occur in such a small percentage of shots that nobody 
would notice, or at least complain, as the rest of their shots were 
looking so good!

No matter what the reasons, there is a certainly a difference 
between  Imacon's view and Leica's view of the world!  See:

http://www3.telus.net/~telyt/M8_DMR_Comp.htm

As for a recall... well, I agree with you.  Especially since they are 
going to recall the cameras to Solms, to fix the banding 
problem.  Although it would be more expensive to change the sensor at 
that time, it would be the "right" thing to do.

It all makes me wonder if the "pre-announcement" announcement (leak?) 
was a "trial balloon", to see how folks reacted to the idea of 
filters.  Then, if response is poor, they can make an "official" 
announcement of recall.  But, if it's well accepted, they could get 
away with the lower cost option.   Lots of firms launch these "trial 
balloons" to test the waters on many things.  Sort of like test 
marketing an idea.  (We'll know the answer to that one, in a few days!)

Personally, I'd rather Leica had taken the "high road" from the start.

Thanks for "butting in", Dwight! I hope we'll have the honour of 
"your voice" more often!

Cheers!












---

David Young,
Logan Lake, CANADA

Wildlife Photographs: http://www.telyt.com/
Personal Web-pages: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt




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