[LRflex] Re: The DM-R has landed!

  • From: Jerry Lehrer <jerryleh@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 17:08:56 -0800

Erwin,

Thanks for the review.  The check is in the mail :-)

Jerry

David Young wrote:

> Today's post brought my new DM-R.
>
> There is an old saying in the business world, that you can tell what a
> manufacturer truly thinks of his own products, by looking at how he
> packs them.
>
> The DM-R is beautifully packed in a large grey-paperboard box, which
> protects the silvered Leica box, inside.  The box is as full 12"x12"x6"
> and filled with custom moulded, anti static, high density foam.
> Everything is protected within an inch of it's life.  The back itself is
> packed in a fitted canvas carry bag, again with custom moulded hd foam
> inside  and with a separate zippered compartment for spare goodies.
> Not sure why, though.... it'll likely never come off my camera!
>
> The first impression you get (or, at least, that I got) when you pick up
> the DM-R is how light it is.  It weighs almost nothing!  Certainly,
> without going to a scale, it seems to weigh no more than the Winder-R
> that I use with the R8 for film.
>
> The second impression is how well it's made.  After using Canon's 20D
> for the last 7 and a half months (and nearly 5000 photos), Leica's DM-R
> is a delight.  The push buttons have a nice, solid feel, as do the
> rotary controls.  The unit is marked Imacon, but the power unit says
> "made in Germany".  However, I understand that the digi-back itself is
> made by Denmark's Imacon, for Leica. No matter where it's made, the DM-R
> is certainly up to top Leica standards.  (I have heard that Imacon has
> had some trouble meeting Leica's standards and a considerable number
> have been returned to Imacon for re-working. However, the delivered
> products are absolutely first rate.)
>
> The display on the back is about the same size as that of the 20D, but
> much brighter, and much, much clearer.
>
> Installation was a snap and the controls are intuitive.  Ted will be
> happy... no need, really, to read the book!  Things are a little
> different than those of the Canon and I admit to a quick glance at the
> book to see how it's done, bit without much reading all became clear, in
> a flash.
>
> Of course, the finder is so much brighter, that it's not even funny.
> The specialized screen has marks showing the field of view for the
> DM-R's 1.37 mag. factor. I suspect they'll be very easy to get used to.
>
> One concern of mine was the viewfinder...  the back sticks out a fair
> bit and I feared that seeing might be somewhat compromised... especially
> for eyeglass wearers. Not so!  The finder is fully visible, even to an
> eyeglass wearer such as myself. Although the back looks like it might be
> awkward, it's not.  You don't notice any of it. You just make photos.
>
> Another concern was the battery charger. The charger supplied with the
> Motor Drive-R has received some bad press (I've never seen one) because
> it was made in China, and apparently, though adequate, was not up to
> Leica standards. It also only came with one cord which had a plug to
> suit the country in which you purchased the unit. If you wanted to
> travel, you needed to buy more cords at exorbitant prices. The charger
> which comes with the DM-R is nicely finished, made in Germany and has an
> ingenious system to interchange the plugs for the UK, Europe or the US
> (all included).  You still need one more adapter for Australia, but most
> places you travel, the unit will work as is.  It automatically switches
> from 100V to 240V, 50 or 60 cycles and comes with a 12Volt car adapter
> cord, as well.  Very nice.
>
> Another nicety is the leather hand-grip that comes standard.  I had one
> on my winder for my old R3, and it was very handy..  This one's even
> nicer. And the unit balances well in the had.  The new shutter release
> is perfectly placed and smooth as silk.
>
> How does it take photos?  Well, just like an R8!
>
> Today, however, is a poor day for photography and many things remain to
> be done before we depart on a short, 2 week holiday on Friday.  So, a
> full report on picture taking will have to wait until my return.  By
> then, I'll have had lots of experience with it, by then!
>
> If there is a problem, it is that when the LCD is being used to view
> previously taken shots, it does not turn off when the shutter button is
> tapped. You must turn it off, on the back before you can take photos.
> It seems the only place that I prefer Canon's programming.
>
> Still, in the short haul, I'd say the DM-R is everything one could hope
> for, and more!  If the photos live up to the promise of the unit, I'll
> be in seventh heaven!
>
> For now, colour me happy... very, very happy!  :-)
>
> --
> 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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