[LRflex] Re: Leica's latest figures - WAS
- From: Steve Barbour <steve.barbour@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2009 07:22:53 -0700
On Aug 8, 2009, at 12:21 AM, Philippe Amard wrote:
Steve Barbour wrote:
On Aug 7, 2009, at 10:56 PM, Philippe Amard wrote:
Thanks David
I knew most of it yet there are times I'd like to have an S2 of
course.
But I can't see myself carrying so much along (lb and U$ or kg
and euros) on my trips.
A G1 sized camera would do nicely then such as here
http://tinyurl.com/nebtvh
a totally magnificent , beautiful, technically correct image...
Thanks Steve
I don't know what it was shot with, nor do I want to know...
L1 as usual ;-)
When I wrote G1 I meant in terms of weight, bulk and money (I saved
space and dough for the 17 boxes of wine, cider, calvados and
champagne we brought back .. :-[ .).
Even the L1 is sometimes a pain, what of an S2 ...
However I wouldn't mind the G1 pixel count.
Somehow I'm thinking how silly and full of hubris we are, ie
anyone is, who thinks their images are inherently so important, so
valuable, so good, that they (the person and the images) are
worthy of an S2...it all seems so/yes laughable...
If HCB did it with an M3, and we are all so clearly in a
different league, how funny is it that we think if we had an S2,
our images would be that much better, or more important...that we
would be famous. Hey friends, let's get real.
Fame I don't want, I've had my share :-D
I shoot for MY pleasure, and I share because since I like seeing
other people's views I presumptuously figure they might enjoy my
trips too.
Yes, it makes me laugh, and no I haven't had a drop of
alcohol...but with an S2, our images might be, in fact, more
technically secure, more correct or even impressive, but they will
be forgotten tomorrow, all the same, just as readily as
yesterday's which were shot with whatever...
since it's not about the lens, or the box, it's about the eye...
it is about the lens Steve (not much distortion at this end of the
zoom - no vignetting - hardly any flare - nice dog of a lens)
it is about the box too (full auto iso , WB, AF, and exposure for a
week without bothering - slight compensation sometimes, that's all)
forgetting the gear - a photographer's dream - and from what I know
HCB's practice which caused much ado to his tireurs ...
Yet you are right : it is all about the eye, the light, and timing,
the rest is immaterial
When shooting this portrait of an old castle, I thought of Ted,
don't ask me why
can't imagine what it has to do with Ted.......
even so, it's got a certain patina of age, of quiet nobility, of
class...it's been around for a while, it knows its important, but
wears its years well....
and it stands as a symbol for others to try to emulate....
I love the photo regardless of what technical details...
but come to think of it, if it had been shot with an S2, you could put
it on the side of a bus without losing any details...
Steve
Amitiés
Philippe
seems clear now...
tomorrow may be different.
Steve
Best from Metz
Amitiés
Philippe
David Young wrote:
Philippe wrote:
Thanks Douglas,
let them get a Digital R out and I break the piggy bank for
them at once.
Listed my R8 on Ebay this morning BTW
Good Morning, Philippe!
You may have missed this, in reading the digests from when you
were away, but Leica have cancelled all plans for the R line,
offering only an "adequate solution" for using existing R glass
on a digital camera, "eventually".
Their original plan was to build the S2, and then adapt it's
technology to the mythical R10. However, in these hard times,
the S2, itself, is proving to be a struggle. When it was
envisioned, it was a marvellous idea ... compete with Mamiya,
Hassy and other medium format cameras, with a camera no larger
than a Nikon D3. It would save a photographer from having two
systems - and, in the end, save him money. And it would impart
a huge cachet to the consumer "R" line.
But, like all things Leica, it is now late to production and
over budget. It is that over-budget problem which has forced
the cancellation of the R10 and the delay of Leitz Park, in
Wetzlar, by two years.
When they committed to it, the grand plan made sound financial
sense. The economy was good and the idea, brilliant. They
would show the world that, once again, Leica was an innovative
company with superb engineering. (The reports I have, from
those who've seen early units, say it is an amazing camera.)
But now that we are in recessionary times, I wonder how many
photographers will turf their existing Hassy/Canon combinations
to flock to Leica when they're having trouble making ends meet,
like everybody else.
BTW, if you an LHSA member, and attending the Seattle convention
this coming October, you'll be able to "borrow" an S2 for the
measly sum of just $450 per day. Of course, if you actually
purchase an S2, they'll apply the US$450 to the purchase price.
(Very decent of them!) As of the other day, demand for trying
the S2 was so strong that if you counted each "borrower" on the
fingers of one hand, you'd still several fingers unaccounted for!
True, they can still book the S2 until the end of August, but
this level of interest does not bode well for a firm which has
"bet the farm" on the S2.
For myself. The S2 is simply beyond my financial
capabilities ... no matter how much I save. The cancellation of
the R line has me resigned to the fact that I will never own a
Leica again. I will continue to use the Leica glass I have, on
whatever bodies I can adapt it to, but it is unlikely that I
will buy any more.
And, if most are like me, the future of Leica does not look good.
Cheers!
PS: Thanks, Douglas, for providing the info. Somehow, I'm not
surprised.
---
David Young
Logan Lake, BC
Wildlife Photos: www.furnfeather.net
Rodeo Photos: www.galleries.furnfeather.net
Personal Website: www.main.furnfeather.net
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best,
Steve
steve.barbour@xxxxxxxxx
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best,
Steve
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