[LRflex] R8/9/DMR Today; and Tomorrow?

As a former Product Manager (twice, for two firms that failed due to 
arrogance and greed - one name starts with a "crooked E..."), I rather feel 
the Leica R Producty Team's pain.  And on the other hand I'm really glad 
it's not my problem.  It's really THEIR problem.  7x24.

I'm so damned happy with my Leica stuff right now that I just can't get 
excited about a R10d or a Chapter 11 (whatever they have in Germany- das 
bankruptcie???).

My experience in dealing with the Big Boys in the corporate world is this: 
They Are Going To Do What They Are Going To Do.

They may subscribe to this and other Leica user sites under assumed names to 
see what we're thinking (I own a new Prius and I KNOW that Toyota North 
America has some managers on our site), and Leica are measuring our 
reactions and have serious concern for the future of the R.

Or, they could give a s____ less and are. as we discuss this topic,  
climbing into bed with Panasonic or Samsung for a little WTC slap and tickle 
from which will issue a moderately better "ProSumer" digital baby that will 
be sort of cool but too much money for most folks and not good enough for 
you and me.

Laugh if the spirit moves you, but I'm still hoping to pick up a DMR in time 
because I like what I've seen from this and other sites and from LFI.

I'm sure there is no pop culture extant that is going to salute me as I walk 
by when they know I shoot R8/R9 - assuming they had a clue what that means.  
But I know that I have a system that will shoot motorized film ay 4+ fps, 
manually, mirror lockup, tons of lens options and will shoot commercial 
quality digital images all day long.

No, I'm not related to Irwin.  I'm just happy with what I've got and hope to 
wear it out, over time.

If I MUST shoot digital (for my employer or family or whatever) I use my 
Canon G5 with it's puny little 5.1 Mp sensor.  Hey!!! It's black, it 
actually has a viewfinder in addition to the display, operates as would most 
film rangefinders and, with the aftermarket (black) twist-on lens protector, 
could pass for an M6/7 with a Noctilux at 15 yards or more.  At ISO 50 it 
takes really nice pix.  At ISO 50.

Let's all remember that Leica is in the business, has lots of smart people 
looking at this situation, and they'll end up doing what makes sense at the 
time of the decision.  It could be they "Do The Kyocera/Contax bye-bye" 
number, or score some major Euros and stun us all with a new R and an M 
digital that every body want, just like the iPod.

Me?  I have no idea, no clue what will happen.

But meanwhile, down here in my insignificant little world, I pack the R9 or 
the R8 with me every day to work.  Rght now it's the 9 with the 28-90 Asph 
and it's got a fresh roll of XP2 on standby.  Where is Cartier-Bresson when 
I really need him?

Somehow I know the negatives will be great.  The rest is still up to me.  As 
Lieca is wont to remind us.

Cheers,

Bob in Seattle



>From: "David Young" <telyt@xxxxxxxxx>
>Reply-To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [LRflex] Re: Erwin Puts on the DM-R
>Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:01:11 -0700
>
>Good Mornin' Jerry!
>
>Yes, I too could easily and happily live with the r4 though R7 form factor=
>  in a digital.  Although the ergonomics of the R8/9 are certainly much=
>  nicer than the R4/7 series.
>
>I think that simple economics will dictate that the current body size will=
>  be continued. OTOH, Hans Peter Cohen, when he was in charge, admitted 
>that=
>  the R8/9 sizing was a mistake and that when they'd paid off the tooling,=
>  they wouldn't do that again! So, who knows?
>
>Heavens, the camera may never appear, but I can dream, can't I?
>
>David.
>
>On 31/08/2005 at 8:22 AM Jerry Lehrer wrote:
>
> >Neil,
> >
> >I've HAD my second cup of coffee and I say that you are spot on!  I also
> >totally agree with your second note on this subject.
> >
> >David-- The totality of the R8/9 size is not needed to contain the
> >electronics
> >of your mythical R10d, but economics would probably dictate that size.  I
> >for one, could live with the size of the R4 thru R7 in a digital 
>offering.
> >The
> >R9 size is 'de trop'.
> >
> >Jerry
> >
>
>
>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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