[LRflex] Re: Modular cameras

Hi Douglas,

> Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 16:03:54 +0200
> From: Douglas Sharp <douglas.sharp@xxxxxx>
>
> Neil,
>
> Neil Gould wrote:
>> [...] When I purchased my Rollei 6008i kit, it
>> was in hopes that a digital back with a full-frame sensor
>> would eventually come to market. I've given up all hope of
>> that coming to pass, and use the camera strictly for film.
>>
> Rollei did have a strange and early digital back in the works for the
> 3003, it was supposed to record images on floppy discs.
>
> The Rollei (Sinar) digital back for the 6008 (although I think it's
> only for the 6008AF) did eventually appear, as did the Hy 6
> camera - a real bank account breaker.
>
There were a few digital backs for the 6008i, and I believe the Sinar back
will work with my 6008i. However, none of them have a full-frame sensor.
Using one of those backs would be a very expensive way to render my
already very expensive 40mm Super Angulon useless. No thanks!

>> Another reason to be skeptical of the modular approach is that one
>> can't just change the sensor without changing the firmware, software,
>> and possibly some controls. A practical way to offer modularity was
>> demonstrated with the DMR, yet I don't hear as much call around here
>> for a DMR-2 as there is for an R-10.
>>
> Changing firmare and software is no great problem, as upgrades have
> already shown - even an attractive option if Leica would deliver the
> upgrade on a 1 or 2 GB storage card as a little extra for their
> customers.
>
User-only upgrades change the software, but stay within the constraints of
the firmware. The sensor stays within the constraints of the hardware and
firmware, so any upgrade of those items in an integrated body will have to
be done by a Leica repair facility. That could be more costly than buying
a new integrated body and selling the "older" one.

>> Since digital cameras are not as dependent on complex precision
>> mechanical systems as film cameras, I think it will be hard to
>> justify high pricing once the digital subsystems mature. We can
>> already see that happening in the marketplace, and I'd expect that
>> trend to have an impact on the viability of an expensive R-10.
>
> Unfortunately, people expect a Leica to be expensive, it's all part of
> their charisma and, strangely enough, a selling point. The thought of
> a 'cheap' Leica is anathema for many (ridiculous really) and would
> have a negative effect on the Leica image.
>
Yes, branding dictates that the Leica will be more expensive than
everything else. However, the reality is that many of you are happy to put
your Leica lenses on other brands of bodies and suffer the limitations of
the system. That costs Leica money, too, and at the same time indirectly
sets the maximum amount that Leica can charge for their R-10. There is no
reason to think that an R-10 will outperform other brands, because Leica
must depend on outside companies to provide the functional components. If
someone comes up with a retrofit mount that eliminates stop down metering
in other manufacturers' bodies, how many will buy an R-10 at two or three
times the price? (On this last point, did anyone notice the recent auction
item of a Sigma SD with Leica R mount? The turn-offs for me was that it
was a custom job and the person was selling it as-is with no guarantee
that it worked, but I'm sure such things could be done).

Best,

Neil

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