Re: [Leica] Leica is Listening!

[Jeff Moore <jbm@instinet.com>]

At 12 May 1998 07:25:27 +0100, Ted Grant wrote:

> I just have to ask: :)

...and while I'm not the initial poster, I'll suggest some answers.

> 1. Same size as the M6, but with a contoured ergonomic body. __Why?

So you can hold the thing, with a heavy lens mounted, for long periods  
of time in just the right hand without having to squeeze so hard your   
fingers cramp up?  I sometimes walk around with the camera in my hand,  
down at my side, pre-metered and focus-guesstimated.  Gets heavy and    
the traditional M profile feels a mite slick.                           

> 2. Electronic shutter with 1/4000th top speed. __why?

So you can use your Noctilux or 75mm Summilux wide open during the
day without messing with flarey ND filters?  Let's amend the above to
1/8000, shall we?

Oh, another reason: so it can be even _quieter_ than the M6!

> 3.  Aperature prefered exposure mode (only shutter speed info in the
> viewfinder).  __It's so simple to use now, __ why?

Not as a replacement way of life, but as a handy option for when clouds
keep covering and uncovering the sun, or subjects might unpredictably be
in pockets of shade or sun.

> But if they went to all the trouble to make the "improvements" at, of
> course great expense to the buyers, WHY would they need to continue
> making the M6?
>
> Just in case you didn't like the new "M7" ? :)

Yep -- just like the R6.2.

But I'd definitely add, if this sort of blasphemy were to be undertaken:

6.  TTL flash, SCA-adapter-compatible with R8, capable of smart fill.

And I, for one, while exceedingly fond of the traditional M body
(except I wish they'd ditch the slab-sided M6 style for a return
to the finder-window-ridges and stacked-cake-layer lever ends and
knurled shutter-speed dial of the M3; why'd they have to make the
M6J a collector piece?), wouldn't be at all offended to see a
glass-shot-polycarbonate composite (or whatever the R8 is) version.
So there.

 -Jeff Moore <jbm@instinet.com>