[LRflex] Was Rumours - now Body Count & Leica Speculation.

Alex responded to Douglas, who said:

> >I use almost everything :-)
> >M2, M6, M4-2, CL, CLE (not quite Leica) IIIG, SL(several), SL2
> >(several), SL2Mot, R5 and R7, when I have time (usually about 3 to 4
> >weeks a year).
>
>
>Jaysus, Douglas, you're as bad as me! Last count was:
>
>LTM: 1926/27 I converted to III,  1932 Standard, IIIa, IIIf.
>M: M2 (2), M3, M4-P, M6, CL.
>R: SL, SL2 (2), R3 MOT.

I'm afraid that I'm just a "piker".  Over the years I've owned the 
M3-DS, CL, R3, R5, R6, R8 (2) and DMR (3), but they're all long gone, 
as I've upgraded.

Currently, I just have the SL and R9.

I know that Doug will tell us that the SL has the better finder (no 
argument), but the lack of diopter adjustment is making it difficult 
to use, for me, at least. I much prefer the R8/9 cameras, which are, 
for me, the ideal camera ... nicest I've ever used!

>That's why I hope that a new digital R will not be too little too
>late, as was the case with the 'flexes. R&D is moving at such a pace
>in the DSLR field that it's going to be very difficult to offer a
>product from scratch that is even competitive, let alone a
>market-leader designwise.


Their "first" offering may not be totally competitive, despite their 
aspirations and goals.  As you point out, the lead time to design 
"from the ground up" is just too long.  But, if they design it right, 
with room (both physically and electronically) for evolutionary 
changes, their second offering might come just 12 months after the 
first, offering more.   If they are wise enough to ensure backwards 
compatibility with their earlier glass, and keep upgrading the 
firmware on the first one, they'll find a market, first amongst their 
aging core of supporters - enough to get them back in the game, at 
least.  And later, with newer buyers, which will be the salvation of the firm.

If they can design the R10 to have the quality of the R8+DMR, with 
the simplicity of operation of the M8, and the lens compatibility of 
the D-200 and a sensor that is competitive at the pro-end of the 
market (I suspect 20mp by then), they might do very well.  Even if 
the first model has Focus Confirmation only (so it can be ignored by 
the likes of Doug), but which will form the basis for an AF model 
(necessary, in today's market place) to follow, they'll do very well, 
I suspect.

If they can do it all with an R8/9 level finder, I might even forgive 
them my R8/DMR debacle!

I must confess, that the LeiCanon 30D is no match for the DMR - and 
the finder is adequate, but that's all.  However, I find myself 
becoming very pleased with FC... with my failing eyesight, it makes 
everything just a wee bit easier.  True, it may not be as accurate as 
perfect manual focus, but it's as good as much of  *my* manual 
focus... at least, these days!

Cheers!
---

David Young,
Logan Lake, CANADA

Wildlife Photographs: http://www.telyt.com/
Personal Web-pages: http://www3.telus.net/~telyt
Stock Photography at: http://tinyurl.com/2amll4

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