[Leica] Leica Innovation (was 15 year old technology)

[LEICAMAN56@aol.com]

One could say Leica has not been on the leading edge of technology since the
Leica II of 1932.  This camera had interchangeable, standardized lenses and a
built in rangefinder.  The next major leap came with the M3 of 1954.  This
camera introduced the bayonet lens mount, combined rangefinder/viewfinder,
rapid advance double stroke lever and non-rotating shutter speed dial with all
speeds combined in a single control.  This camera embodies all the features of
the M6, introduced in 1984, with the exception of the built in meter, rapid
load and rewind crank.  Speaking of rewind cranks, Leica did not incorporate
this handy feature until the M4 of 1967!

Leica also came late to the SLR game.  They did not introduce the original
Leicaflex until 1964, while the Nikon F camera had been around since the late
fifties.  The Leicaflex did have a rewind crank, though.

Leica did develop a number of innovations over the years.  They were the first
to develop autofocus with the Leitz Correfot system which was shown at
Photokina.  They co-developed one of the first vertically travelling multi-
bladed shutters, the Copal Leitz Shutter (CLS).  And they incorporated a spot
meter in the Leicaflex SL (for Selective Light measurement) long before
Japanese manufacturers ever did in their SLR cameras.

The point of all this is that to us Leicaholics, being first doesn't really
matter all that much.  Let Nikon and Canon make the mistakes first ( the F3 AF
and T80 come to mind immediately).  They have the resources and deep pockets
to make and survive their marketing blunders.  Leica doesn't.  Remember the
M5?  Quite an innovative camera that almost sunk the company.

And then there are all those wonderful Leica lenses.  The whole point of the
Leica system is the great images formed with these fantastic lenses.  What
"box" holds the film is almost incidental.  In fact, I often use a Nikon F4 or
F5 on my Leitz 400 and 560 Telyt Televids, because they are better suited to
sports photography with those lenses.  But it is the lens that counts!

I'd rather have a company (Leica) which produces fantastic lenses with a
serviceable, well made and executed cameras utilizing proven features and
technology than one that is on the leading (bleeding) edge of photographic
innovation.  A lot of what I see on the LUG is about pie-in-the-sky dreaming.
Much of it would never be technologically possible or economically feasible
with a small company such as Leica.  Don't get me wrong, dreaming is not a bad
thing, because new ideas come from dreams.  But in the hard, cold light of
reality, being on the leading edge of innovation is just too risky for a
company as Leica.

Leica fills a niche in the photographic world, and they fill it well.  They
can't be all things to all people, much as we might like them to be.
Innovations will come to Leica cameras, just as they have in the past.  And
they must come faster than at the glacial pace they have in the past.  The M
lens line has seen many additions/revisions lately and this Photokina promises
some major new introductions from Leica.  Have patience, the future will be
here sooner than you think!

Bill Rosauer